Day Trip to Sharon, CT; Hikes, Food, & Things to Do!
Located in the Litchfield Hills in western Connecticut, spend the day and bask in the beauty of Sharon, CT! Whether you’re visiting for a day or spending the whole weekend, I know you’ll find the best Sharon has to offer in this post.
Does your perfect weekend day involve endless views along peaceful walking trails, cafes for post-hike snacks, a historic library or museum, and your choice of an authentic French restaurant or BBQ?! Look no further than this guide and itinerary for visiting Sharon, CT!
Sharon, CT, is one of my favorite places to go to for a hike or adventure day. Even the drive there is just so pretty and makes the whole trip worth it.
As you get closer to the Litchfield Hills you’ll notice the houses spreading out and nature taking over. Fields, farms, and forests greet you on the scenic country roads as you drive in.
Living in Connecticut all my life, I never get tired of exploring and hiking in our state mainly because of towns like Sharon.
As you’ll see in this post, there are endless jaw-dropping trails to choose from – from easy walks that offer a view as soon as you step outside your car to more challenging hikes along the Appalachian Trail.
Sharon was established in 1739 and its scenic town Green is surrounded by historic district homes. The 130+ year-old stone library at the end of the green is a signature of the Town.
Adventurous Day Trip Itinerary for Sharon, Connecticut
1st stop: Choose a morning hike 🥾🥾
There are lots of trails to choose from here. Sharon Mountain on the Appalachian Trail is more of a bigger hike where the 4 preserves below, all part of the Sharon Land Trust, are beautiful walks and shorter hikes with AMAZING views!
I was blown away by the views at each of the land trust trails below. A couple have them as soon as you get out of the car!
If I had to choose a favorite I guess it would be the Garret Goodbody trail. This one had not one, not two, but THREE scenic lookouts, each with its own bench! 🙂
🥾 Mary Moore Cliff Trail, 2.4 miles, easy
Set foot on a fantastic hike at the Mary Moore Preserve which has a big payoff for a short hike! The trail takes you through views of Beardsley Pond, across boulder fields and to an impressive field view.
Mary Moore lookout point faces north toward Monument Mountain in Great Barrington and the ridge of Bear Mountain, Lion’s Head, and Mt Everett on the left. and a bubbling stream. When we were there we saw a family sitting on a blanket drawing the spectacular scene ahead of them.
With a view that encompasses three states and benches for you can take a rest, this is a must-do walk in Sharon!
🥾 Von Ahn Preserve Loop, 2.1 miles, easy
Another beautiful walk you can do in Sharon, CT! Voh Ahn Preserve encompasses 26 acres of active farm fields and views of Indian Lake and the Millerton Valley.
It includes farmland, forests, hills, and wetlands that are home to various animals like black bears, porcupines, coyotes, timber rattlesnakes, and over 30 bird species.
The trails go up to the hilltop and offer a rocky ridge view. You can rest on benches along the way, whether you’re taking an easy walk or a more challenging hike. A side trail on the southeast part connects to the Goodbody Preserve’s trails.
🥾 Benton Hill Preserve, 2.1 miles, easy
If you’re visiting Sharon with people that aren’t big hikers then you have to visit Benton Hill Preserve!
Right when you pull in and park your car on Benton Hill Road you’ll be greeted with a wide open view of the southern half of Indian Mountain.
Enjoy the view and take some pictures here and then begin the trail taking the path on the left along the field. In a short time, you’ll enter the woods passing through a habitat with lots of rare plants and animals. The area also has sunny fields recognized as important farmland across the state.”
🥾 Garrett Goodbody Trail, 2.1 miles, easy
🥾 Sharon Mountain via Appalachian Trail, 5.5 miles, moderate – hard
2nd: ☕️ Late Breakfast or Early Lunch 🥪
After all that walking we need a snack! 🥐 🥪 And there couldn’t be a more perfect cafe for the center of Sharon.
No matter what you’re in the mood for J.P. Giffords has you covered. There are breakfast sandwiches, chicken cutlets, BLT and other lunch sandwiches, and even pad thai or rice bowls!
And of course, the baked goods will tempt you at the counter as you try to check out. 🙂
I loved their coffee cake, I give the chocolate chip cookie an 8 out of 10 (I’m a tough cookie critic), the iced lattes a 10/10, and the roasted turkey BLT with avocado a 9/10!
Everything here really hits the spot after a morning hiking around Sharon.
Located just off the green in downtown Sharon, J.P. Gifford’s is a must when visiting Sharon, Connecticut.
3rd: 📖 Afternoon Activities in Sharon
After lunch, I like to cross the street from J.P. Giffords and walk around on the green or head to the library and browse around. You can even choose another walk before heading back home!
But if you aren’t up for another walk, take your pick from one of the following 7 things to do in the afternoon in Sharon.
Visit the 130-year-old historic Hotchkiss Library 🏰
Visiting old libraries in towns is always fun for me! So after getting a coffee and a snack at JP Giffords, I walked over to the Hotchkiss Library, a signature building that lines the historic Sharon town green.
Completed in 1893, the library was given to the town of Sharon by Maria Bissell Hotchkiss, in memory of her late husband, Benjamin Berkeley Hotchkiss.
You never know what treasure you will find in an old library! I would like to check out that New England Stonewall book someday.
I haven’t visited the popular (and loud!) Lime Rock Racetrack yet but it’s fun to view from above. Below is the view of the racetrack from hiking Sharon Mountain on the Appalachian Trail.
The race track is so loud you can hear the cars from up here! 🙂
At once historic and modern without a hint of a grandstand, Lime Rock Park is fan-friendly in the extreme. A beautiful park in the truest sense, even those who are not motorsports fans appreciate what Lime Rock Park has to offer.
Catch a show at Sharon Playhouse 🎭
Catch a show at their mainstage, youth stage, or even take a class!
“The Sharon Playhouse is a regional, non-profit theater producing high-quality performances with Broadway-caliber actors as well as talented local community members. Its mission is to entertain the community of Northwest Connecticut and beyond, while also serving as a teaching theater to encourage aspiring actors and other theatre artists of all ages to develop their craft.” sharonplayhouse.org
Visit Sharon Historical Society & Museum
Learn about the history of Sharon, CT, or check out one of their art of photography exhibits. I love their mission to “protect, preserve, and share Sharon’s stories”!
What can you do at the Sharon Audobon Center?
Visit one of their 3 nature sanctuaries, a small natural history museum, the Audubon Nature Store, and the Children’s Adventure Center.
As part of their mission of “connecting people with nature” the Audobon grounds include raptor aviaries with live birds of prey, pollinator gardens, a butterfly house, and a working sugarhouse. This Audobon Center location is also home to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic for injured and orphaned wildlife.
One of only three Audobon Centers in Connecticut, this is a great place to visit during your trip to Sharon.
This is a great stop to make when visiting Sharon. They have everything a small grocery store would have.
Fresh produce, flowers, local meets and cheese. And there is a whole section of prepared foods you can order to go or a section of already packaged takeaway food like sandwiches and soups.
Or, pick up a package of baked goods and a bar of dark chocolate for the road!
The Sharon Town Beach located at 142 Mudge Pond Road, has a pavilion, picnic tables, grills, a playground, and a sandy beach. There are docks, rafts, and lanes for swimming.
You do have to pay to enter and park. You can find information about hours and parking by clicking here!
4th: Late Lunch or Dinner in Sharon
Eek, I loved this place! I feel like you never know what you’ll get at a BBQ spot along the side of a road..
But when you’ve got (mostly) locally sourced meats that are specially prepared in a custom smoker over select hardwoods for 8-12 hours 😱 you’re in for some great BBQ!
Born in Memphis, TN, with professional training at the Culinary Institute of America, chef, and owner Bennett Chin has brought authentic BBQ worth going out of your way for to Sharon, Connecticut
If you have a hard time choosing just one kind of BBQ do what we did and try the Slider Trio! It has one pulled pork, one beef brisket & one BBQ smoked chicken on mini Brioche rolls. Perfect for a post hike snack!
The Edward, only open Thursday to Sunday 5-9pm, is a great spot for small bites and a cocktail.
Open daily 9am-8pm, Le Gamin Cafe is a great spot in Sharon for a latte or coffee drink and some French food.
Check out their menu and pop in to see why they were voted Best French Restaurant in Litchfield County!
So that’s it , friends.
Choose a couple of walks from our list, a cafe, and some BBQ, and have the best day in Sharon, CT!
I know if you visit any of the places I’ve outlined in this post you’ll enjoy it as much as I do whenever I visit.
Let me know in the comments your favorite spot in Sharon!
I hope you enjoyed this day trip itinerary to Sharon, Connecticut! 💗
And if you’re looking for more to do check out my post highlighting 31 Things to Do in Litchfield, CT!
