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Discover the Gateway to the Litchfield Hills with a Driving Tour of New Milford
The Chamber of Commerce has developed a
driving tour that will provide an interesting overview of the New
Milford area. The tour makes for a nice day trip depending on
how adventuresome you become. Here is a suggested route.
Follow Route 7 north from I-84 in Danbury. About 5 miles north
of the extension, on your left will be The Elephant’s Trunk,
New England’s largest outdoor flea market open on Sundays
and holidays.
Continue following Route 7 further north past the new high
school on the left and Candlewood Valley Golf Course (public)
on the right. Take a right at the second light on to Lanesville
Road. About 1/4 mile turn right into Harrybrooke Park. This is a
beautiful park that is adjacent to the town public golf course. It
has a 1 mile bike or
rollerblade greenway. Exit the
park and turn right on to Still
River Road. Proceed over the
RR tracks and cross an old
iron bridge that spans Lovers’
Leap Gorge. Turn right at the
end of the bridge. Here you
will find a parking area
adjacent to the iron bridge
and an access road that you
can follow to the lookout
within 5 minutes. Legend has
it that Princess Lillinonah
plunged to her death here
when her European lover
failed to return to her. Enjoy
the wonderful view, which
looks out to Bridgewater and
Lake Lillinonah.
 Retrace your route back to Route 7, then cross Route 7 at the
light. Take the first right at Old Town Park Road driving past the
Hill and Plain School. Continue up the hill to the marina, on the
left you will find Old Town Park (Dike’s Point), part of the
Housatonic recreation area that borders the shore of beautiful
Candlewood Lake. There are picnic tables and trails along the
shore and a marina. The Lake was once the largest manmade
lake in the eastern US. It is 18 miles long and borders several
towns. Boat rentals and kayaks are available at many of the
local marinas.
Head back to Route 7 and travel north about 2 miles to Arby’s
Restaurant and make a left onto Sunny Valley Road. Follow the
road to Sunny Valley Lane and turn left to the Sunny Valley
Preserve, owned by the Nature Conservancy with over 1,850
acres of farm, natural land, and trails for daylight hiking. (Info:
860-355-3716).
Return to Route 7 and travel north to the center of New Milford.
Take a right and cross the iron bridge to the picturesque
downtown area. Downtown includes
wonderful shops, restaurants, inns,
churches, a library, and a theater. Park at
the historic railroad station on Railroad
Street, home to the Greater New Milford
Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber’s
Tourist Information Center. Here feel free to
pick up some tourist information, maps and
other helpful regional brochures.
Walk up newly renovated Bank Street to the
Town Green, the longest green in New
England. Events are held here year-round.
Look for an art show in June, the Village
Fair Days in July, concerts on the Green in
August, and a farmers’ market every
Saturday during the summer. In December
there is a Carol Sing and Santa on the
Green. On the Green notice the historical
bandstand, the gazebo, as well as a World War II tank that is a
favorite for children.
 Around the Green you will find the Town Hall, site of the former
home of Roger Sherman, the only Connecticut man to sign all
the key documents of our founding fathers. The New Milford
Historical Society is located at the top of the Green in an 18th
century home with a museum featuring a collection of rare
portraits, 18th and 19th century costumes, furniture, china,
silver and more. The museum is open May-October. Call (860)
354-3069 for more information. Notice the bust of Abraham
Lincoln on the lawn. Continue up the hill to Canterbury School,
New Milford’s private high school. Or take a walk down South
Main Street and enjoy all the beautiful Victorian homes.
Allow time to browse through the interesting shops in town,
then head back to Route 7 and drive north to the next iron
bridge, Boardman Bridge, and Boardman Road. Make a right at
the bridge and take your first left onto River Road. At the end of
the paved road you can park and there you will find the
Housatonic River Greenway, which extends north along the
river all the way to Gaylordsville. Walk and enjoy the river or
drive clear through to Gaylordsville. This is also a great place to
take mountain bikes. Call (860) 672-6678 for more information.
Stay on River Road (the Greenway Road) then take a right onto
Station Road. Take a left onto Brown’s Forge Road, to the
Merwinsville Hotel, which was built in 1843 and is listed on the
National Register of Historic Places. The hotel was named after
Sylvanus Merwin and was used as a meal stop for all trains
going through the area. Call (860) 350-4443 for more
information. Nearby Brown’s Forge was built in 1871. On display
are original blacksmithing tools and a working forge (open
Sundays in summer). Backtracking to Route 7 north will lead
you to Kent, CT.
Head south on Route 7 and turn right onto Gaylord Road.
Follow the road to the 400-year-old, historic Washington Oak
where, on September 20, 1780, General George Washington
held council with his officers and the Marquis de Lafayette
before making his way to Hartford to persuade other French
leaders to help America fight for its independence. Today the
Connecticut Daughters of the American Revolution maintain the
huge tree. Continue down the road to the Red Schoolhouse,
built in 1740 and used as a schoolhouse until 1967. The
schoolhouse is open Sundays through the month of August. Call
(860) 354-8413 for more information.
 Retrace your route south down Route 7 and back to New
MiIford’s town center. Cross the Green to Route 202 North.
Head north, and turn left onto Papermill Road, to the Pratt
Center, a 193 acre nature preserve with hiking trails that lead to
the top of Mount Tom. The center is open from dawn to dusk.
Call (860) 355-3137 for more information.
Further north on Route 202, make a right onto Upland Road,
which leads to the Silo Gallery. The Silo features arts, crafts,
cooking classes, and an art gallery owned by Ruth Henderson,
wife of the late Skitch Henderson. Call (860) 355-0300 for more
information. Continuing North on Rte. 202 takes you to
Litchfield, Torrington, and Lake Waramaug.
WELCOME TO OUR TOWN……
Nestled within one of Connecticut’s most historic and exclusive regions,
New Milford offers some of the most pristine vistas in all of New England. In
the fall, the Litchfield Hills come alive with a dazzling, multicolored display of
foliage attracting visitors near and far. Winter offers constantly changing
panoramic views of a region seemingly stilled beneath layers of snow.
Spring is a time of reawakening, and the Greater New Milford area
becomes green and vibrant while it prepares for the influx of visitors each
summer. Thousands flock to the New Milford Region, which is
internationally recognized as one of Connecticut’s most visited leisure travel
destinations. Candlewood Lake, the state’s largest, sheds its ice in the
springtime and beckons boating enthusiasts again from the five towns on its
borders. Lake Lillinonah, with its still largely undeveloped shoreline, offers
the discerning visitor a striking glimpse into yesteryear. The Greater New
Milford region’s rich history and new spirit make this pleasant New England
community an ideal place to live, work and play.
WHERE TO ANTIQUE…...
Bittersweet Shop – Route 7, Gaylordsville, CT 860-350-1727
Blast From The Past – 25 Church Street, NM, CT 860- 354-3517
Bank Street Antiques – 40 Bank St., NM, CT 860-210-8158
Chipman Thomas Antiques – 5 Minehill Rd., Roxbury, CT 860-354-8911
Doug’s Antiques – 246 Kent Rd., NM, CT 860-355-2952
Connecticut Memories – 77 Railroad Street, NM, CT 860-354-3399
Crickett Hill – 92 Park Lane Road, NM, CT 860-354-8872
Focal Point – 36 Bank Street, NM, CT 860-355-0081
The Golden Thistle – 207 S. Kent Rd., Kent, CT 860-354-5801
J. Pearl’s – 209 Kent Rd., NM, CT 860-210-1361
Michael Hall Antiques – 711 Kent Rd., Gaylordsville, CT 860-355-4750
Hanks Used Furniture – 266 Kent Rd., NM, CT 860-355-9073
Patina Art – 228 Southbury Rd., Southbury, CT 860-355-9382
Retro – 226 Kent Road, NM, CT 860-355-1975
Seven Antiques – 453 Danbury Rd., NM, CT 860-355-8021
Stock In Trade – 262 New Milford Turnpike, Marbledale, CT 860-868-5090
WHERE TO EAT…...
Adrienne – 218 Kent Road, NM, CT 860-354-6001
American Pie Co. – 29 Route 37 Center, Sherman, CT 860-350-0662
All Aboard Pizzeria – 14 Railroad St., NM, CT 860-354-9552
Alfredo’s Restaurant – 651 Kent Rd., Gaylordsville, CT 860-355-2448
S.J. Barrington’s – 48 Kent Rd, NM, CT 860-355-9222
Bank Street Coffee – 56 Bank St. NM, CT 860-350-8920
Brickhouse Pizza – 33 Danbury Rd, NM, CT 860-354-9192
Chris’s Pizza – 1 Sawmill Rd, Sherman, CT 860-355-0460
Colosseo Restaurant – 38 Park Lane Rd, NM, CT 860-350-9596
Red’s Bar and Grille – 46 Railroad Street, NM, CT 860-350-5090
Arrivederci – 51 Bank St., NM, CT 860-354-9424
59 Bank - 59 Bank St., NM, CT 860-354-1144
Food for Thought – 84 Railroad Street, NM, CT 860-350-2829
Forsythia - 31 Bank Street, NM, CT 860-355-3266
The Cookhouse – 31 Danbury Road, NM, CT 860-355-4111
El Mariachi – 129 Danbury Rd, NM, CT 860-355-4243
Elizabeth’s Restaurant – 7 Main St, NM, CT 860-354-4266
Friendly’s - 108 Danbury Rd., NM, CT 860-355-0826
Gaylordsville Diner – 11 GW Plaza, NM, CT 860-210-1622
Grand Patisserie – 27 Main St, NM, CT 860-354-4525
Great Wall of China – 40 Danbury Rd, NM, CT 860-354-8855
Home Buffet – 24 Railroad St., NM, CT 860-350-1688
Holiday Restaurant – 17 Veterans Plaza, NM, CT 860-355-4047
Italia Mia – 223 Danbury Rd, NM, CT 860-354-3823
Joey’s Seafood – Rt. 7, NM, CT 860-355-2255
Main Moon on the Green – 27 Main St., NM, CT 860-355-2518
Marathon Pizza – 475 Danbury Rd, NM, CT 860-355-4075
Mothers on the Green – 47 Main St., NM, CT 860-354-5115
NM Chinese Restaurant – Big Y Shpg. Ctr, NM, CT 860-350-5435
Oriental House – 72 Bridge St, NM, CT 860-355-5882
Palma Restaurant – 122 Litchfield Rd., NM, CT 860-354-7727
Panda Empire – 254 Danbury Rd, NM, CT 860-350-8888
River Café – 300 Kent Rd., NM, CT 860-355-4466
Salsa Restaurant – 54 Railroad St, NM, CT 860-350-0701
Sports Page – 35 Lanesville Rd, NM, CT 860-350-0550
Track Side Café – 60 Railroad St., NM, CT 860-355-4999
Three Brother’s Restaurant – 79 Danbury Rd, NM, CT 860-355-9269
Upper Crust – 373 Litchfield Rd., NM, CT 860-350-0006
Windmill Diner – 245 Danbury Rd, NM, CT 860-354-1218
Yoko Hama – 131 Danbury Rd, NM, CT 860-355-0556
WHERE TO SLEEP……
Buck Rock Inn - 17 East Buck Rock Road, NM, CT 860-354-9831
The Homestead Inn - 5 Elm Street, NM, CT 860-354-4080
Green Valley Inn – 244 Kent Rd, NM, CT 860-350-2766
Red Carpet Inn – 236 Kent Rd, NM, CT 860-355-3208
Cottages at Kent Rd – 255 Kent Rd, NM, CT 860-350-2400
North Country Inn – 329 Kent Rd, NM, CT 860-355-5141
WHERE TO HAVE FUN……
Elephant’s Trunk – Route 7 - flea market every Sunday
Lover’s Leap Bridge – Lovers’ Leap Road off Grove Street
Old Town Park – Old Town Park Road
Sunny Valley Preserve – Sunny Valley Road
Railroad Station – Route 7 -Railroad Street off Bridge St.
New Milford Green – Main Street off Bridge Street
Historical Society – Main Street off Bridge Street
Boardman Bridge – Boardman Road
Housatonic Riverbelt Greenway – River Road
Merwinsville Hotel – Brown’s Forge Road
Brown’s Forge – Brown’s Forge Road
Washington Oak – Gaylord Road
Red Schoolhouse – Gaylord Road
The Pratt Center – Papermill Road
The Silo – 44 Upland Road, NM, CT 06776
Bank Street Theatres – 48 Bank St., NM, CT, 860-354-2122
New Milford Public Library – 24 Main St., NM, CT 860-355-1191
Theatreworks – 5 Brookside Ave., NM, CT 860-350-6863
11 Railroad Street, New Milford, CT 06776
Tel. (860) 354-6080 ~ Fax. (860) 354-8526
nmcc@newmilford-chamber.com
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