Litchfield Hills, Connecticut travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

The Litchfield Hills are in Connecticut.

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 83°F; winter lows dip to about 15°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Aug. (climate data from nearby Waterbury)

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 — 29 mi away (major hub). Directions
HVN Tweed New Haven Airport, New Haven — 33 mi away. Directions

There is no major airport in the area, but Bradley International Airport is a large airport, in nearby Hartford County. This airport has flights going worldwide.

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Sample 3-day trip

Day 1: Danbury — Danbury Museum and Historical Society, Danbury Railway Museum, Danbury Ice Arena.
Day 2: Bethel — Greenwood Avenue Historic District, Blue Jay Orchards, PT Barnum Birthplace.
Day 3: Southbury — Shepaug Dam, Adam Broderick Salon & Spa.

Built from the best-covered destinations in this region; open each for its own day plan.

Food for you

Throughout the region, there is an endless supply on any food you can name. Mexican, Italian, Japanese, Indian, BBQ, Polish, etc. There tends to be more eating opportunity in the south, only because it is more densely populated. There are still plenty of restaurants in Litchfield County.

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

Places in Litchfield Hills

Danbury

City / town · 26 listings

Bethel

City / town · 22 listings

Southbury

City / town · 15 listings

Waterbury

City / town · 13 listings

Bristol

City / town · 9 listings

Cornwall

City / town · 7 listings

New Milford

City / town · 5 listings

Salisbury

City / town · 5 listings

Harwinton

City / town · 4 listings

Newtown

City / town · 4 listings

Norfolk

City / town · 2 listings

Torrington

City / town · 2 listings

Sharon

City / town · 2 listings

Kent

City / town · 1 listings

Sherman

City / town

Barkhamsted

City / town

Canaan

City / town

Understand

The Litchfield Hills comprise Litchfield County and Northern Fairfield County. The farther north you go, the less dense and more hilly you will find it.

Climate

This area has a very diverse climate. In the winter, you will find temperatures ranging from 40°F to nearly 0°F. There will be snow, and on occasion, blizzards and ice storms. In the spring, the temperature will warm up to a range from 40 to 70°F. There will be rain every once in a while. In the summer, temperatures have been known to go as low as 40°F, and as high as 106°F, but the average is near 75°F. This is the time for outdoor activities such as hiking and swimming. In the autumn, this area is famous for its colorful trees. The weather is about the same as it is in the spring, except slightly drier.

Regions

Litchfield County

Litchfield county extends from the northern half of Candlewood Lake up to the border with Massachusetts and also borders on New York state. This is the least dense part of Connecticut. Many people visit this region to see the changing leaves in the autumn.

Northern Fairfield County

Northern Fairfield County is the rest of western Connecticut, excluding the cities in the shoreline area. This is the area with more shopping opportunities and jobs.

Get in

By plane

There is no major airport in the area, but Bradley International Airport is a large airport, in nearby Hartford County. This airport has flights going worldwide.

By train

Several train stations are located in Western Connecticut.

See

The Litchfield Hills region has loads of parks and forests, so explore them and have a good time. The autumn is the best time to see them, due to the changing of the leaves.
The Housatonic River cuts through the region, providing opportunities for beautiful viewing, hiking, and boating along some of its stretches. Some people wade or fish on it, too.

Eat

Stay safe

Crime

The Litchfield Hills have one of the lowest crime rates in the country, especially in rural regions. The main way to stay safe is to follow common sense rules, such as by driving carefully and watching your step when you hike. Waterbury can be dangerous, as are certain parts of Danbury, but overall Litchfield County is not a dangerous destination.

Weather

This region has been known to receive unpredictable weather. Be prepared for anything, but don't let it ruin your stay.

Pests

Strongly consider using an insect repellent and taking other measures against insects and ticks before hiking. Gnats and mosquitoes are particularly plentiful near bodies of water.