Recreation
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Trip Ideas
- Where to Go
- The Best of Vermont
- Rumblings of Revolution
- New, New England Dining
- Boston’s Artistic Expression
- Vermont Leaf Peeping
- Into the Wild
- Vermont Skiing at Its Best
- Visit Vermont’s Maple Sugar Shacks
- Connecticut for Kids
- Vermont’s Covered Bridges
- A Shore Thing
- Vermont with Kids
- Portland Maine Art Galleries
- Small-Town Flavor
- Connecticut’s Wine Trails
- New Hampshire’s Farmers Markets
- A Weekend of Vermont Art
- Family Matters
- Maine Wilderness Camps
- Vermont Cheddar Houses
- Connecticut Spas
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Hiking and Biking
The Quiet Corner abounds with hiking opportunities in many state-owned forest and conservation lands. One of the most secluded is Bigelow Hollow State Park (166 Chestnut Hill Rd., Stafford Springs, 860/424-3200, www.friendsctstateparks.org, $7 Conn.-registered vehicle, $10 out-of-state-registered vehicle), which has several miles of trails leading through dense forest to hidden fishing ponds. Tracing a 26-mile path from Putnam to Pomfret, the Air Line Walking Trail (860/928-6121) follows a former railroad bed through pretty farms and woodlands.
The roads in the region are also particularly good for cycling, with sparse traffic, gentle grades, and scenery with every mile. The brochure Northeast Connecticut’s Bike Guide details 10 self-guided loops through the region. Bikes can be rented at Scott’s Cyclery (1171 Main St., Willimantic, 860/423-8889, www.scottscyclery.com) and Silver Bike Shop (6 Livery St., Putnam, 860/928-7370, www.thesilverbikeco.com).
Boating and Fishing
Self-proclaimed “water rat” Ian MacRea leads guided canoeing tours of the Quinebag River through his outfit Cider Rides (241-G Church St., Putnam, 860/928-5040, www.ciderrides.com). Post-paddling cider is included.
© Michael Blanding and Alexandra Hall from Moon New England, 2nd Edition
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Moon Travel Guides make independent travel and outdoor exploration fun and accessible. With expert and adventurous travel writers delivering a mix of honest insight, first-rate strategic travel advice, insider travel tips and an essential dose of humor, Moon Travel Guides ensure that travelers have an uncommon and entirely satisfying experience. Each travel book is filled with unique trip ideas, easy-to-use maps, and detailed information on sights, restaurants, and accommodations. Moon Travel Guides not only point you in the right direction, they inspire new ideas and adventure. Whether you are seeking a relaxing beach trip to Hawaii, or an adventure travel trip to the rainforests of Costa Rica, Moon guidebooks—and Moon.com—are with you every step of the way. Founded in 1973, the Moon Travel Guides series includes Moon Handbooks, Moon Outdoors, Moon Metro, Moon Living Abroad and Moon Spotlight travel books. Moon is based in Berkeley, California and is a proud member of the Perseus Books Group.