Overview
Ellington is in the Connecticut River Valley.
3 sights · 5 things to do · 5 places to eat
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Ellington
Shenipsit State Forest
Hiking, fishing, horseback riding, hunting, mountain biking, snowmobiling, or picnicking are just a few of the options at Soapstone Mountain. This state forest covers Stafford, Ellington and Somers with 7,000 acres (2,80…
Brookside Park
Maintained by the Recreation Department, Brookside Park is located on Route 140 2 miles from the center of town. Baseball, softball, soccer and football fields are available to the community.
Nellie McKnight Museum
Located on the Main Street in the heart of Ellington, the Ellington Historical Society Museum is open Thursday afternoons in May through September as well as by appointment. The museum is known for being open to the comm…
Connecticut Parachutist Inc.
At Ellington Airport. Skydiving for first timers or experienced jumpers. Only open Friday-Sundays upon reservations.
Hall Memorial Library
Serves as the principal public library for Ellington and provides free and equal access to many materials and programs. Services are for adults, young adults, and children.
Ellington Recreation Department
The Rec Department maintains numerous facilities, parks, and beaches within Ellington. Special events are also held year-round for the community.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 85°F; winter lows dip to about 19°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Sep. (climate data from nearby Hartford)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BDL Bradley International Airport, Hartford — 12 mi away (major hub). Directions
- ORH Worcester Regional Airport, Worcester — 38 mi away. Directions
You will have to use a car to get into town, as there is no bus or train service to Ellington. The nearest Amtrak stops are in Windsor, Hartford, and Windsor Locks, and there is bus service to Hartford but not Ellington.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Brookside Park, Nellie McKnight Museum
- Lunch Trattoria da Lepri
- Afternoon Hall Memorial Library, Indian Valley Family YMCA
- Dinner Chuck Wagon Restaurant
Day 2
- Morning Shenipsit State Forest, Connecticut Parachutist Inc.
- Lunch The Hidden Still
- Afternoon Ellington Recreation Department, Rolling Meadows Country Club
- Dinner Ellington Pizza
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Ellington is a town in the Connecticut River Valley, 20 minutes' drive from Hartford, Ellington is a blend of agriculture and industry with a population of 15,856 in Tolland County. It was incorporated in 1786 as Great Marsh.
Get in
You will have to use a car to get into town, as there is no bus or train service to Ellington. The nearest Amtrak stops are in Windsor, Hartford, and Windsor Locks, and there is bus service to Hartford but not Ellington.
Bradley International Airport is in Windsor Locks, across the Connecticut River, about 17 miles (28 km) west of Ellington. Taxis are available at the airport.
Get around
You will need a personal vehicle to get around town.
See
See Brookside Park
Maintained by the Recreation Department, Brookside Park is located on Route 140 2 miles from the center of town. Baseball, softball, soccer and football fields are available to the community.
- Arbor Park , located on the main street, Arbor Park offers safe areas to walk and community events or things to do such as the Farmer’s Market (held on Saturdays from 9am-noon).
See Shenipsit State Forest
Hiking, fishing, horseback riding, hunting, mountain biking, snowmobiling, or picnicking are just a few of the options at Soapstone Mountain. This state forest covers Stafford, Ellington and Somers with 7,000 acres (2,800 ha) in northeastern Connecticut. A historic museum is also open on weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
See Nellie McKnight Museum
Located on the Main Street in the heart of Ellington, the Ellington Historical Society Museum is open Thursday afternoons in May through September as well as by appointment. The museum is known for being open to the community during the Annual Tag Sale, Winterfest, and other special events.
Do
- Sandy Beach, CT-140, Phone: +1 860 870-3118. Maintained by the Recreation Department, Sandy Beach (also known as Crystal Lake) is located on Route 140 in the northern end of town. Open 7 days a week, this beach offers swimming and sunbathing opportunities. Ellington Residents can also purchase seasonal passes.
- Ellington Hockanum Trails, located on Hockanum River, there are 3 main hiking trails called Windemere Avenue Trail, the Franklin Street
Buy
Shop Scandinavian Gift Shop
This unique shop is owned by a woman named Siv Harvey who opened her home in Ellington to give people a window to Scandinavia. A wide array of small goodies are available and can be special ordered.
Eat
Eat Trattoria da Lepri
Fine dining. Connecticut Magazine writes, “One of the best Italian restaurants in Connecticut.” Also reviewed by New York Times and Ellington-Somers Patch.
Eat Chuck Wagon Restaurant
Great breakfast with a family-friendly atmosphere.
Eat Ellington Pizza
Made to order Italian food: sandwiches, wraps, burgers, pizza, salads, and Italian specials. Locally owned open 7 days a week.
Eat Gerry's Donuts
Delicious donuts for only 50 cents, along with many choices of muffins, bagels and other breakfast treats.
Go next
Nearby
Somers
City / town · 8 listings · 5 mi away
East Windsor
City / town · 2 listings · 5 mi away
Tolland
City / town · 2 listings · 5 mi away
Vernon
City / town · 1 listings · 7 mi away
Enfield
City / town · 16 listings · 8 mi away
South Windsor
City / town · 11 listings · 8 mi away
Windsor Locks
City / town · 7 listings · 10 mi away
Manchester
City / town · 22 listings · 10 mi away
My experience
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