This Walkable Stretch Of Shops And Restaurants In Small-Town Connecticut Is The Perfect Day Trip Destination
By Lisa Sammons|Published January 18, 2023
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Lisa Sammons
Author
Lisa loves animals and has dogs, rats, cats, guinea pigs, and snakes. She is passionate about animal rescue and live music - traveling across the country to see a favorite band is a pretty regular occurrence! Being out hiking in the woods enjoying the scenery with her beloved dogs is another favorite hobby, and also checking out the Pokemon Go scene in whatever city she happens to be in at any given time (coffee and dog leash in hand). You can reach Lisa at lsammons@onlyinyourstate.com
It’s great to get in the car and travel somewhere – we love road trips in the Nutmeg State. However, there’s something uniquely magical about an area of the state that you can walk around – it feels like a nostalgic escape to simpler times, before life seemed to get so hectic. Our small towns in Connecticut are perfect for when you’re seeking a walkable getaway, and one of the areas of the state that’s easiest to walk around is the downtown district in the little town of Putnam. Putnam is tucked away in the northeast corner of Connecticut, which is such a tranquil spot that it’s nicknamed the Quiet Corner. Don’t be fooled by the name, though: there are several wonderful towns here that are just perfect for a day or weekend trip, and Putnam is one of the best.
Putnam is a small town with a population of just over 7,000. The area is a wellspring of small shops, with plenty of little cafes and locally-owned boutique businesses to support.
The downtown area is just perfect for spending the afternoon walking through unique shops. Supporting local businesses is a wonderful way to explore a new area.
The Quiet Corner is famously filled with wonderful antique shops, and one of the very best is Putnam's Antiques Marketplace, a four-story antique wonderland with more than 300 vendors selling their wares.
ANTIQUES MARKETPLACE, 109 Main Street, Putnam, CT 06260, USA
Feeling a little peckish? You'll find plenty of great restaurants in Putnam. Upscale New American fare doesn't come much better than that served at 85 Main. There's even sushi and a raw bar, and occasionally you'll find live music.
The craft beer industry in Connecticut is growing at a rapid pace, and you can enjoy some tasty IPAs, cocktails, or mocktails at Bear Hands Brewing Company. Depending on when you visit, you can enjoy trivia nights, live music, and other events.
Bear Hands Brewing Company, 75 Main Street Suite 1, Putnam, CT 06260, USA
Looking for a wonderful comic and pop culture shop with all kinds of nerdy delights? Putnam's got it! Wonderland Comics is your one-stop shop for comic books, graphic novels, action figures, Funko Pops figures, and so much more.
Wonderland Comics, 160 Main Street, Putnam, CT 06260, USA
