Plymouth – Hiking Trails, Water and Industrial History

Plymouth combines hiking trails and waterscapes with insights into the region’s industrial history. When planning your stay, you can choose different areas of focus: trails through the southern part of the town, a waterfall, and lakeside activities are complemented by museums, historic structures, and recurring events.

Hiking Trails, Cliffs and Water

Plymouth has more than 10 miles of hiking trails in the statewide Blue-Trail system. The 7.7-mile Mattatuck Trail also runs through the southern part of town. At Buttermilk Falls, several cascades are the destination of a trail that leads from a roadside pull-off along the blue-blazed Mattatuck Trail. The cascades are near Lane Hill Road; seasonal road conditions may vary, so check them before setting out.

About 900 acres of Mattatuck State Forest are in Plymouth. Possible recreational activities there include hunting, hiking, and birdwatching. Whitestone Cliffs offers opportunities for climbing, as well as a blue-blazed trail about half a mile long leading to the top of the cliffs.

At Hancock Brook Lake, a different kind of activity takes center stage: the 40-acre reservoir is suitable for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. Plymouth thus offers various starting points for planning a trip—from hiking and climbing to activities on the water. Which ones you include depends on which of these options is a priority for your stay.

Museums and History in Plymouth

The Plymouth Historical Society operates the Alley House Museum and the neighboring Toll House Museum. The Alley House Museum houses a collection of Plymouth memorabilia. You can visit by appointment; it is also open at 1 p.m. on the last Saturday of each month when a monthly meeting is held. Since visiting hours may change, check what’s available in advance.

The Toll House Museum houses an 1852 Woodruff and Beach steam engine. It powered the Shelton & Tuttle carriage factory in Plymouth. Another piece of technology is the Terryville Waterwheel: this wood-and-iron structure dates from 1851 and is 20 feet in diameter. Details like these offer a technical perspective on industrial history, while the museums also preserve a range of different objects.

The Lock Museum of America is located in Terryville, Connecticut, on the site of the original headquarters of the Eagle Lock Company. Its collection includes locks, keys, handcuffs, and elaborately decorated door hardware. The museum describes itself as the only one of its kind in the United States and its collection as the world’s largest. A visit includes a tour of the Terryville Water Wheel, which explains how water power drove the Eagle Lock factory in the 19th century. Check dates and possible booking requirements in advance.

The self-guided Walking Tour of Plymouth Center also offers a glimpse of local history: it passes through the village of Plymouth Center, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In the Terryville section of Plymouth, the Dorence Atwater memorial overlooks Baldwin Park on Main Street. Cleveland’s Country Store, housed in an 1797 barn, offers another historic setting.

Events and Seasonal Experiences

The Plymouth Maple Festival takes place on the first weekend in March. It features demonstrations of maple syrup production and samples of maple sugar. The Terryville Country Fair takes place on the last full weekend in August before Labor Day weekend; its program includes music, food, agricultural exhibits, and fireworks. Since both events are held on specific dates, check the exact dates before your trip.

At Towill’s Christmas Tree Farm, you can cut your own Christmas tree; branches and wreaths are also for sale. This adds a hands-on activity to the museum and trail offerings. Each of the various events and destinations has its own focus—from maple syrup and agriculture to historic collections and hiking trails.

Discover more destinations: Morris, Sharon, Salisbury, Canaan, New Milford, Warren, Northfield, Cornwall.

Back to the regional travel overview: Litchfield.