Day Trip to Granby, CT: Hikes, Farms, Vineyards, & More!
Nestled in the hills of northern Connecticut, Granby is a charming New England town that offers so much to explore. Enjoy a day full of adventure, as many miles as you want to hike, and cafes to run to when you’re done!
Settled in 1660 and incorporated in 1786, Granby is easy to spot on a Connecticut map due to its notch location along the border of CT and MA, and the town played a role in the early agricultural and farming development.
In addition to land trusts and preserves for walking, there are numerous farms to choose from as Granby’s agricultural roots still shape the community today!
I live just 30 minutes or so from Granby and it is always a trusty go to for me when I need a little country escape. Room to roam and winding country roads that lead to some of my favorite places.
In this post we’ve got wineries, breweries, farmstores, creameries, and bakeries for you to visit in Granby – only if you choose a hike from the list below before or after you go! 😍
So let’s get to it! ⬇️⬇️⬇️
🌳Day Trip to Granby, CT (12 Things to Do)
1. Walk the Holcomb Farm Trails 🥾
Come explore the 312 acres and 10+miles trails at the super scenic Holcomb Farm. Lucky for us, Holcomb is a community farm that allows visitors to explore the scenic countryside.
There are so many trails you can take at Holcomb – it probably deserves its own blog post someday. But here are a couple favorites: the 2.1 mile Holcomb Farm Eastern Loop or the 1.5 mile Carpenter Falls Trail.
The trails at Holcomb Farm are pretty easy to navigate and walk. You don’t need to be an intermediate or expert hiker to walk around and enjoy this gorgeous property! (Tip: Watch the sunset from the bench along the Holcomb Farm Eastern Loop!🌅💜)
2. Hike the Schlicht Preserve Trail 🌲🌳
This was a new discovery for me this summer and I loved it! The trail starts out on this beautiful mowed property with benches, a gazebo, and an old barn. You can come here just for photos and be happy!
And then you begin the 2.3 mile (total) hike into the woods where you’ll be under the canapy of the trees which was perfect for a warm day.
Then you emerge and a view opens up with a bench to observe from! We weren’t expecting a view so this was a nice surprise and also nice because we were the only ones there!
3. Julien’s Farm Store & Bakery 🥐
What happens when a french baker comes to a quiet country town in CT and sets up shop on a country road with no other businesses around? Julien’s Bakery is a classic if you build it they will come situation.
I was shocked when I got there at 7:50 on a Thursday (a work day!) and I was one of 8 customers forming a line outside the door before they opened at 8. I mean, really?!
But you will know why once you visit. At the base of a mountain, it’s incredibly scenic and the pastries are freshly made each morning and once they’re gone they close! So get there early and definitely try a HOMEMADE BISCUIT EGG AND CHEESE with this special sauce they put on it. 😱 It’s their specialty!!
4. Lost Acres Vineyard 🍷
A beautiful property with a pick-your-own tulip farm on the grounds and acres of vineyards to admire from their outdoor deck and seating!
We visited on a Friday when they offered their Friday date night special of a bottle of wine, a homemade pizza, and a salad for a reasonable price! (I forget what it was 🥴). We decided to eat our pizza out on the deck and listened to the band.
While I think the pizza and wine deals are only for Fridays in the summer – you can be sure to find live music, events, great wine and a beautiful view, and art exhibits from local artists any day you’re there! (They offer cheese and antipasto plates or you can pack food from home 🧺🍷.)
5. Lost Acres Orchard 🥧
Not to be confused with Lost Acres Vineyard, Lost Acres Farm (just up the street from the vineyard) features a bakery and farm store, offering made-from-scratch homemade foods.
I visited in the fall when they had their apple cider donuts and I loved both the indoor and outdoor area where you can sit and eat. They also had tons of fresh pies, pastries, cookies, breads, soups to go, quiche, and even take-home dinner options!
6. Hike in McLean Game Refuge 🌲
“A place where some of the things God made may be seen by those who love them as I have loved them and who may find in them the peace of mind and body that I have found.” Senator George P. McLean ❤️❤️
A privately owned and privately operated wildlife sanctuary Established in 1932 by the will of Senator George P. McLean, McLean Game Refuge is a 4,400 acre privately owned wildlife sanctuary with almost 20 miles of trails!
You can’t go wrong hiking any of the trails here but here are a few of my favorites: 5 mile Barndoor Hill Loop, 3 mile Pilfershire Abandoned Town Trail, 3 mile North Blue Trail Loop.
7. Grassroots Kitchen & Creamery 🍦
Granby is mainly country roads that offer hidden gems if you know where to look (like in this article!😍) but there is a small downtown with a few plazas and in one of them lies Grassroots which has the best post hike food and of course, ice cream!
Voted one of the “Top 100 Places to Eat” by Yelp in 2021 and a “Best of Hartford 2024” winner, Grassroots has what they call “fast-gourmet” food like tacos, rice bowls, and items you wouldn’t expect like falafels and Banh Mi! (Don’t ask me what that is 🤣)
It’s an order at the counter type of place which i great when you’re showing up in hiking boots before or after a hike. Family owned, they put what’s important first like good quality homemade food. They make all the ice cream at their Granby creamery and even make the brownies, cheesecake, and other ice cream mix-ins from scratch! 🍦
8. The Garlic Farm 🧄
After walking the trails at Holcomb Farm, head just a short way down Rt 20 and stop at The Garlic Farm! The farm is open July through October and though garlic is their “claim to fame” you’ll find tons of other vegetables that they grow.
It’s a great place to stop on our way home from Granby to pick up fresh produce for the week! The farm is a small family farm that sells great tasting, pesticide-free, freshly harvested vegetables directly to consumers from a large barn with tons of garlic bulbs hanging from the ceiling.
I dare you not to take a picture! 😍🧄🧄
9. The Brewery at Maple View Farm
Maple View is one of Connecticut’s dog-friendly breweries and is family-owned and known for its craft beers made with locally sourced ingredients. Open year-round, the brewery is set on a scenic, working farm with trails, where you can enjoy fresh beer while overlooking beautiful rural landscapes!
Hang out outside in the beautiful weather (throw a chair or a blanket in the back of your car in case our Adirondack chairs are all taken when you get here). Warm up by the fire pit on a cool spring or fall day, or hang out in our cozy heated tap room and watch the rain or snow fall outside through our big glass garage doors. MapleViewFarm
The brewery is popular for its small-batch brews that often reflect the flavors of the changing seasons, making every visit a new experience!
10. Old Mill Pond Village
If you like shopping around for unique gifts or if you’re visiting Granby during Christmas or winter time then you must stop by Old Mill Pond Village!
Old Mill Pond Village is a charming destination known for its unique collection of shops and historic atmosphere. Nestled along a scenic pond, the village offers a variety of specialty stores where visitors can find antiques, home décor, handmade gifts, and more.
The rustic, old-fashioned setting provides a relaxing and nostalgic shopping experience that transports visitors to a simpler time.
11. The Dewey-Granby Oak, One of the most picturesque trees in CT!
We will wrap up this things to do in Granby list with The Dewy-Granby Oak – one of the oldest and most impressive trees in Connecticut and one of the oldest trees in New England!
It’s branches spread out almost 100 ft on the ground! Wow..
Owned and cared for by the Granby Land Trust (thank you!) and over 400 years old, this majestic white oak is a CT landmark. A lot goes into maintaining this gentle giant so you’ll notice wires helping to hold up the limbs (I assume that’s what they’re doing 🥴). one of the most picturesque trees in CT! 67-79 Day St
12. Enders Falls Waterfall Walk 💦
With multiple cascades and well-maintained trails, it’s a great spot for a leisurely hike or a refreshing dip in the water.
The trails here are great for beginners or even kids as it’s comprised of several sets of stairs heading down to the waterfall. Be sure to stay on the trails here as the rocks around waterfalls are very slippery!
For more details check out my post – Hiking Enders Falls in Granby, CT 💦
Final Thoughts
I hope you can see from the photos here why I love Granby and why it’s a go-to adventure day trip destination in CT.
I tried to uncover all stones here but if there’s a spot in Granby you know and love that should be on this list be sure to comment below! 🙂
Whether you’re hiking through forests, learning about the town’s past, or enjoying a relaxing afternoon at a vineyard, Granby has all the New England charm for a perfect day trip in Connecticut! 🌳
Enjoy and happy exploring!! :)) 💗🥾🐶
