10 Things To Love About Kent, CT
Located 90 miles north of New York City, Kent is the gateway to the bucolic Northwest Corner of Connecticut. Entering the town, you immediately notice the quaint New England charm that Kent exudes. History and modernity coexist in harmony alongside the stunning natural beauty of the area. Rustic living combines seamlessly with urban chic; timeless traditions and new advances are celebrated alike. There’s a little something for everyone in Kent, whether you’re a longtime resident, newcomer, weekender or visitor.
1. Kent Barns: This swanky commercial complex of restored and re-built barns with a modern architectural twist is home to several art galleries, retail shops, a bookstore, business offices and a cafe. Meander through the thoughtfully constructed buildings and carefully curated landscaping to explore this new-ish addition to town.
Photo: Jonathan Beckerman
2. Pond Mountain Natural Area: Boasting 800 acres of land with forests, open fields and a crystal-clear glacial lake, Pond Mountain Natural Area is a gem for those seeking the serenity of nature. This land once belonged to Myra H. Hopson, the granddaughter of the last ironmaster of Kent’s once-thriving iron industry, before she established a trust in 1966 to ensure the land would be preserved in perpetuity. The property features several easy-to-moderate hiking trails, including one that circumnavigates the lake, and viewpoints atop mountain peaks. (Sorry, swimming is not permitted.)
3. Restaurants: Several popular restaurants line Main Street. The Fife ‘n Drum has been a landmark eatery for nearly five decades. Kingsley Tavern emphasizes locally sourced ingredients in its unique dishes. Swyft is a modern tavern serving wood-fired pizza and more. The Villager is a diner-style restaurant offering breakfast and lunch daily, with Mexican Night every Tuesday from April through October. Namoo serves authentic Korean barbeque and sushi, too. frank. food company, a relatively new cafe in town, offers elevated home cooking for breakfast and lunch.
Photo courtesy of Swyft
4. Kent Falls Brewing Co.: Think environmentally conscious hipsters brewing beer on a farm at the end of a country lane and you’ll have a pretty good idea of what the state’s first farm brewery does. Since 2015, owners Barry Labendz, John Suscovich and David Baum have been concocting uncommon brews using unusual ingredients like toasted hay, mint, coffee and citrus. With a nod towards environmental stewardship, this operation uses solar power and composts spent grain from the beer-making process. Known for quirky beer names like “Sweatpants” and “Haircuts for Everybody” and colorful, artistic labels, Kent Falls Brewing Co.’s tasting room on the farm is open to the public on Thursday and Friday from 2-7 p.m. and Saturdays from 12-5 p.m. Free tours are held seasonally each Saturday afternoon.
5. Art Galleries: Kent is a haven for art lovers, with no shortage of galleries to visit. All actively host events and regularly rotate their exhibits. Check out Ober Gallery, Craven Contemporary, Morrison Gallery, James Barron Art, Eckert Fine Art, The Good Gallery and Kenise Barnes Fine Art.
Photo courtesy of Kent Falls Brewing Company
6. Annual Town Traditions: Each summer, the Parks and Recreation Department hosts a series of outdoor summer concerts where local bands perform live music on the Town Hall lawn. There’s also the annual Sidewalk Festival each August where the town’s many shops offer deep discounts. Around the holidays, Kent hosts a Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The Parade of Lights, in which vehicles and fire trucks decked out in lights and decorations slowly drive down Main Street for the enjoyment of onlookers, is also a favorite. Don’t miss the annual town meeting each January, a tradition dating back to Colonial times.
7. Local Food: Kent abounds with farms that produce and grow a variety of fare. Marble Valley Farm grows many vegetables (including heirloom tomatoes) and herbs. It also has a freezer filled with local meat and a fridge offering local eggs, cheeses and prepared foods. Mountain View Farm sells its own vegetables, pastured eggs and maple syrup. Two farmers markets are held seasonally: The Kent Farmers’ Market, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, is held every Friday afternoon at 9 South Main St., and the Rock Cobble Community Farmers’ Market every Saturday morning in the Kent Barns.
Home accents at Terston (photo: Terston); House of Books (photo: Elyse Sadtler)
8. Shops and Boutiques: Kent has plenty of opportunities for a little retail therapy. Terston offers apparel, home goods and accents, and gifts. Sundog Shoe & Leather draws people seeking quality footwear by brands like Clarks, Ahnu and Dansko. Shop for high-end furniture and antiques at R.T. Facts or hunt for a good read at House of Books. If a unique gift or children’s toy is what you’re after, check out Heron American Craft Gallery, which has been in business for over 30 years.
9. State Parks: The town measures just under 50 square miles in area, yet it contains three stunning state parks. Macedonia Brook State Park is open for camping seasonally in addition to being a year-round destination for hikers, cross country skiers and snowshoers. Kent Falls State Park features a grand tiered waterfall and draws visitors from far and wide to witness the awesome spectacle of cascading water. Lake Waramaug State Park is also open for camping and swimming seasonally and there’s a concessions stand selling hot food and snacks.
General store in Seven Hearths. Photo courtesy of Kent Historical Society
10. Historical Points of Interest: Incorporated in 1739, Kent sits on land that once belonged to Native Americans, and was dubbed “a hideous and howling wilderness” by the first settlers. Agriculture and the production of iron ore were the main industries until the late 19th century. Several relics of the past still remain. Bull’s Bridge, built in 1842, is one of the last three surviving covered bridges in Connecticut. The current structure is the second iteration of the bridge that was constructed in 1760 which, legend has it, General George Washington crossed during the Revolutionary War. Seven Hearths is an impressive pre-Revolutionary War home built in 1751 in the Flanders Historic District, once the center of town. Over its storied history, it served not only as a private home, but also a tavern, general store and fur trading post. It was bequeathed to the Kent Historical Society in 1978 upon the death of George Laurence Nelson, an American painter who had owned and lived in the house since 1919. It is now open to the public on weekends seasonally.
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