The winding vistas offered up by the Litchfield Hills were singled out as among the "14 Best Fall Road Trips for Seeing Foliage Around the U.S." this month by Travel & Leisure magazine.
"I am so happy to hear this," said Ted Shafer, president and CEO of the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce. "I am not surprised but I am happy to hear it."
Travel & Leisure singled out Falls Village in Canaan, "where the churches, streets, houses, and railroad depot still look as they did in the 1800s," according to the magazine. It noted that the Appalachian Trail runs through the town, one of five towns in northwestern Connecticut that are part of the trail, according to the Connecticut Forrest and Park Association. The others are Sherman, Kent, Sharon and Salisbury.
The magazine also singled out the West Cornwall Covered Bridge. In continuous use since 1864, the bridge extends 172 feet across the Housatonic River. Travel & Leisure also highlighted Lake Waramaug State Park "for fall foliage views while cycling or sailing" and White Flower Farm in Morris, where visitors can "marvel at the gardens."
Other New England destinations singled out by Travel & Leisure include the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire and Green Mountain Byway in Vermont.
Shafer said the Litchfield Hills have increasingly become a travel destination for in-state travelers as well as those from nearby states. "We are known for having the best variety and quality of restaurants," he said. "We have beautiful hotels, B&Bs, beautiful surroundings with lakes and mountains, plus a wide range of recreations, including road races, farmers markets, fairs, auto shows and antiquing."
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This article originally published at This Connecticut fall foliage road trip was named one of the best in the U.S..