Simsbury CT is a cute small town perfect for a day trip from New York City or anywhere in New York State. They are celebrating their 350th Birthday so its a great time to visit. It’s located about 1.5 hrs from Albany, NY and a little over 2 hours from NYC.
Curtis Park is wonderful and offers a variety of activites. We loved the shaded bike trail, the beautiful river and flower bridge. My husband and I enjoyed the Art Walk, and the kids did too even though they though it was a bit freaky how real they looked. We didn’t have a chance to check out the walking trails or kayak but plan to go back
1-Day Itinerary for Simsbury CT
Morning Bike Ride or Walk
Bike/Walking Trail
Start your morning off with a Bike ride or Walk on the Bike/walking trail around Curtis Park. We parked at a post where there was a crosswalk to make it easier to cross the road with kids and bikes. The google map link is here. . If your using something else it was the corner of Jim Gallagher Way and Iron Horse Blvd.
Across the street from the parking lot is the Bike trail. Take a left and head down the trail and continue right down the trail when it breaks from the street. If you continue down about .6 miles you will come to where you can see the stream on the right side and there’s a bench. In front of the bench is a small steep path down to the stream. There’s nice views and lots of frogs. There’s also another steep path down maybe 10 yards a head and there’s a rope tied to a swing that I assume is set up to allow people to swing into the stream. We didn’t use the rope.
Along the route there are several trails you can choose to park your bikes if needed and walk down. There’s also a play ground that you could stop for a break at or You can stop along the main road where there’s signs that are park of the reading trail.
Flower Bridge
You can continue riding further but we decided to head back as it’s about 1.2 miles round trip for just this loop and we wanted to also ride to the flower bridge. To get to the Flower Bridge continue back to where you started but continue on until the end of the road. Cross the street then turn left down the road a block you will reach the driveway to the parking lot and bridge. Take a stroll on the Beautiful.
There’s also a nice Picnic Pavilion with a table you could stop and have a snack or lunch if it’s lunch time. I definitely recommend packing a lunch so that you can spend your time enjoying all the park has to offer.
Tip: On the bridge there’s a holder with pamphlets in one that describe the Art Walk. Grab one so you have a guide for your afternoon tour.
Afteroon Art Walk and/or Kayaking
Art Walk
You can spend the Afternoon walking or driving around to find the Painted Bronze Statues around town. You likely saw several when you arrived in town. We really enjoyed the variety. We didn’t have a lot of time but We usually enjoy posing with the statues.
Kayaking
If you have a Kayak I recommend Kayaking first and then finish with the Art tour where you can choose how much walking you have energy for.
For kayaking on the Farmington River from the Route 4 bridge in Farmington down to Curtis Park in Simsbury (Route 315 off Route 10). Put-in and take out spots are Route 4 in Farmington, Route 185 in Simsbury and Curtiss Park. Here’s some paddling.com info.
Drop in at Curtis park which is on Rt. 315 (Tariffville Road) just south of Tariffville, CT. Take the entrance into park opposite the soccer fields. It’s at the northern end of a long wooden fence and is a dirt road. A GPS address to get you close enough to the turnoff: use approximately 64 to 53 Tariffville Rd, Simsbury, CT. Follow dirt road to launch, unload boat and park. Launch is very friendly, shallow and sandy. We will paddle to left (upstream) and return downstream to launch point. I think this would be the ideal starting point.
Dinner in Simsbury CT
We didn’t have a chance to have dinner here but why not end you busy day with a relaxing meal at one of these top Yelp rated restaurants.