You’ve seen the photos of the charming historic covered bridges in Connecticut. Why not take a road trip to visit Connecticut’s covered bridges? You can make a nice weekend getaway out of it. Go on a scenic drive in Litchfield County exploring Connecticut’s covered bridges. Make sure to drive by the most famous covered bridge in Connecticut, the historic West Cornwall Covered Bridge. Below is a list of covered bridges in Connecticut as well as weekend getaway ideas on what to do and where to stay when visiting the West Cornwall covered bridge.
Things to Do near West Cornwall Covered Bridge
The West Cornwall covered bridge is located in Connecticut’s rural Litchfield County near the Berkshires. It is a long covered bridge at 172 feet long carrying vehicular traffic over the Housatonic River on Connecticut Route 128. There are a lot of things to do near the West Cornwall Covered Bridge. It’s more than just taking a scenic drive and stopping to take a few photos of the West Cornwall Covered Bridge. There are lots of things do near the West Cornwall Covered Bridge from whitewater rafting to biking to fishing. Below are things to do near the West Cornwall covered bridge.
Have a picnic lunch by the West Cornwall Covered Bridge
Admire the West Cornwall Covered bridge while you have a picnic lunch by the river. There are many spots along the Housatonic River for a picnic lunch. You can enjoy a picnic lunch on a blanket or on one of the benches by the river. There is a parking area just south of the West Cornwall covered bridge with bathroom facilities and access to the Housatonic river.
Whitewater Rafting Near West Cornwall Covered Bridge
If you crave for a little adventure and want to see the West Cornwall Covered bridge from the river, go whitewater rafting on the Housatonic River. Don’t worry, the currents are gentle enough for novice whitewater rafters! Rent a kayak, canoe or a raft from Clarke Outdoors. You will paddle past the famous Covered Bridge in West Cornwall on Housatonic River. You can also take a break from rafting and stop along the river for a picnic lunch.
Clarke Outdoors at 163 Route 7, West Cornwall, CT 06796. Phone: 860-672-6365
Biking Near West Cornwall Covered Bridge
If whitewater rafting is not your thing, try biking along the Housatonic River. You can rent an Electric bike (e-bike) from Covered Bridge Bike which is located just 100 feet from the West Cornwall Covered bridge. You can rent electric bikes for a few hours, half day or full day. Even beginners will enjoy the effortless biking with Electric bikes. Going uphill is so much easier when you don’t have to manually pedal! There are also guided bike tours by Covered Bridge Bike to take you through the scenic country roads of Litchfield County.
Covered Bridge Bike at 421 Sharon-Goshen Turnpike, West Cornwall, CT, 06796. Phone: 860-248-3010
Hiking Near West Cornwall Covered Bridge
Go on a hike in one of West Cornwall’s scenic trails. There are many hiking trails around the Cornwall area for novice to advanced hikers. Trinity Riverside Trail is a scenic trail near the West Cornwall Covered Bridge. The trail is suitable for hikers of all abilities. You will hike along the Housatonic River south of the West Cornwall Covered Bridge. It’s a peaceful walk alongside the Housatonic River. To access the Trinity Riverside Trail, from Route 7, turn into Lower River Road, you will drive past Trinity Retreat Center. Drive to the end of the road where there will be a parking area with access to the Trinity Riverside Trail. The trail is 1.4 miles each way, a total of 2.8 miles long.
Trinity Riverside Trail is near Trinity Retreat Center at 79 Lower River Rd, West Cornwall, CT 06796
Fly Fishing Near The West Cornwall Covered Bridge
Go fly fishing on the Housatonic River near the West Cornwall covered bridge. The Housatonic river is popular for fly fishing. The stretch between the covered bridge in West Cornwall to the Housatonic Meadows State Park is considered one of the best places to fly fish in all of New England. The Housatonic river is well stocked by state agencies with bass, pike, brown trouts and rainbow trouts. Know that fly fishing in the Housatonic river is strictly catch and release. If you are new to fly fishing or need a refresher, you may want to go on a guided fly fishing trip by Housatonic River Outfitters. The Housatonic River Outfitters is a full service outfitter and fly and tackle shop located on the Housatonic River near the West Cornwall covered bridge.
Housatonic River Outfitters at 24 Kent Road (US 7), Cornwall Bridge, CT 060754. Phone: (860) 672-1010
When Is The Best Time to Visit Connecticut’s Covered Bridges?
The best time to visit Connecticut’s covered bridges is a much debated topic. Some might say Fall is the best time to visit Connecticut’s covered bridges because you can admire the covered bridges against the gorgeous colors of the Fall foliage. While others might argue that Winter is the best time to visit Connecticut’s covered bridges. It will take your breath away to see the covered bridges against the snowy white background of winter. However, if you are looking to do other activities in conjunction with your tour of the covered bridges, you may want to go in the summer. During the summer months, you can rent a raft and paddle under the West Cornwall covered bridge. You can also bike and hike near the famous Connecticut covered bridge!
Distance to West Cornwall Covered Bridge
West Cornwall is the perfect distance for a weekend getaway from New York City and Boston. The drive is 2 hours and 6 minutes from New York City’s midtown Manhattan to the West Cornwall Covered Bridge. While the drive is 2 hours and 45 minutes from Boston, MA to the West Cornwall Covered Bridge.
Hotels near the Covered Bridge of West Cornwall, Connecticut
There are lots of charming New England boutique hotels near the famous West Cornwall’s covered bridge. You will love The Litchfield Inn, a charming, luxury boutique hotel around 12 miles from the famous covered bridge of West Cornwall, CT. After a day out, relax in your newly renovated room at The Litchfield Inn. The White Hart in Salisbury, CT is a charming New England boutique hotel. It is located around 8 miles from the famous covered bridge of West Cornwall, CT.
Bed and Breakfasts near the Covered Bridge in West Cornwall, Connecticut
If you are looking for more intimate accomodations, stay at a Bed and Breakfast near the West Cornwall Covered Bridge. The Locust Tree Bed and Breakfast is located in Canaan, Connecticut. It’s a charming bed and breakfast in a historic home built in the 1700s. Another option is the Hilltop House Bed and Breakfast in Amenia, NY located 10 miles from the West Cornwall covered bridge. You will fall in love with this quaint, country inn.
Where are the Covered Bridges in Connecticut?
There are many covered bridges in Connecticut, the five covered bridges below are worth visiting. Some of the covered bridges are more recently built while others are historic landmarks. There are three historic covered bridges in Connecticut, these are the West Cornwall bridge in West Cornwall, CT, Comstock bridge in East Hampton, CT and Bulls Bridge in Gaylordsville, CT. The most famous Connecticut covered bridge is the covered bridge in West Cornwall. All three of the historic Connecticut covered bridges are built in the 1800s.
List of 5 Best Covered Bridges in Connecticut
Below is a list of the covered bridges to visit in Connecticut.
- West Cornwall Covered Bridge
- Where: Route 128 East, West Cornwall, CT, 06796
- Directions: State Route 128 East a short distance from junction of US Route 7 in West Cornwall
- West Cornwall Bridge Year Built: 1841
- Length of West Cornwall Covered Bridge: 172 feet long over the Housatonic River
- West Cornwall Covered Bridge is the most famous Connecticut covered bridge
- Kent Falls Covered Bridge
- Where: Kent Falls State Park, Kent, CT, 06757
- Directions: Take US Route 7 northeast for five miles from the junction with State Route 341 in Kent to the park
- Kent Fall Bridge Year Built: 1974
- Length of Kent Falls Covered Bridge: 37-foot-long pedestrian bridge across Kent Falls Brook
- Comstock Covered Bridge
- Where: Bridge Street, East Hampton, CT, 06424
- Directions: Travel 2.0 miles west of the junction of CT149 on CT16, then right 0.1 miles
- Comstock Bridge Year Built:1873
- Length of Comstock Covered Bridge: 80 feet long. It’s is closed to car traffic.
- Bulls Covered Bridge
- Where: Bulls Bridge Road, Gaylordsville, CT, 06755
- Directions: US Route 7 North 2.6 miles from junction with State Route 55 in Gaylordsville; west on Bulls Bridge Road; 0.1 miles to the bridge. Bulls Bridge carries Bulls Bridge Road over the Housatonic River.
- Bulls Bridge Year Built: 1842
- Length of Bulls Covered Bridge: 109 feet long
- Huckleberry Hill Covered Bridge
- Where: Huckleberry Hill Road, Avon, CT, 06001
- Directions: Take State Route 4 northwest about one-half mile from the junction with State Route 177 in Unionville; travel north on Huckleberry Hill Road about one and one-half mile to the park
- Huckleberry Hill Bridge Year Built: 1968
- Length of Huckeberry Hill Covered Bridge: 35-foot-long pedestrian bridge across a pond outlet in Avon Countryside Park
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