Back along Rt. 202 heading south and you will come next to the idyllic little village of New Preston. Just off the highway, where CT 45 meets US 202, this town has been transformed in recent years from a utilitarian country village to a collection of boutiques, galleries and fine restaurants. There are a number of small art and antique galleries here as well as some excellent places to eat. Heading out of town along CT 45 you come immediately to Lake Waramaug. This glacial lake is the scene of a state park, rowing races, a winery and several more fine inns and restaurants.
On the hills above the north side of the lake is the Hopkins Inn and Winery. The inn has been here since 1847 and hosts both lodgers and diners. The food is excellent and can be accented with wine from the winery across the street. On a warm day you can sit out on the front patio overlooking the lake and hills beyond, enjoying the spectacular scenery, meal and company.
The winery (www.hopkinsvineyard.com) was started by the Hopkins family in 1979 and bottles a number of vintages, which you can taste and purchase. The winery is housed in the old barn and hosts an annual barrel tasting every May. This year the tasting is May 19th and 20th.
There are several other inns and restaurants along the edge of the lake nearby. On the eastern side of the lake is the Boulders Inn, another dining and lodging inn. Set in an 1890 Dutch stone farmhouse, this fine establishment has earned many loyal visitors and is often called one of the best places to eat and sleep in the whole state. Behind the inn is a small peak called The Pinnacle. If you can find the trail, you can hike up and enjoy an unparalleled view of the lake and Litchfield Hills all around.
Along the western shore of the lake is Lake Waramaug State Park. This park has campsites, a camp store, a beach with swimming area and rents canoes. Camping is seasonal and the park is open from 8 am to sunset. The lake is several miles long, although here at the park it is only a hundred yards or so wide. It snakes through the hills and you can explore it from a canoe or kayak, viewing some of the prettiest scenery anywhere. This is an ideal place to visit in the autumn as the surrounding hills come alive with the colors of the season. It is scenic any time of the year, though the park does get crowded on summer weekends.
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