Tolland, CT is a place filled with fun and exciting activities for everyone. Sitting at higher elevations, Tolland and its surrounding areas provide warm summers and cool winters, as well as many outdoor parks and attractions. Founded in 1785, Tolland is located near the state’s capital, Hartford, and Storrs, home to UCONN. With its extensive history, many places here are recognized as national historic sites, including the Tolland Green. Much of the area presents buildings built in old, antique fashions, giving a village-like feel to the small town.
Outdoor Activities in the Tolland CT Area
The Tolland Green
The Tolland Green is a historic piece of land in the United States. Stretching almost 40 miles long, the Green contains old houses, schools, and townhouses from the 1800s that have been turned into museums. These antique buildings are built in old fashions, including many houses styled in Victorian architecture. Along the Green, there are also modern houses that people live in today. Since the landmark sits on miles of land, locations of attractions here are all different. The general area of the Green is near Old Post Road and Cider Mill Road. Although this is a historic site, the Green offers recreational spaces for walking, relaxing, and hanging out with friends.
Crandall’s Park in Tolland CT
Near the Tolland Green is Crandall’s Park, a park located on 120 Cider Mill Road in Tolland. Offering a collection of hiking trails, Crandall’s Park spans a total of 400 acres. Along with walking and hiking trails, there are numerous biking paths for visitors to use. There are also many recreational areas that include a lodge, pavilion, small beach and lake for swimming, swings, and basketball courts. Crandall’s Park is open year ‘round, and is the perfect place for any outdoor excursions.
Nye-Holman State Forest
Another popular outdoor attraction in Tolland CT is the Nye-Holman State Forest. Established in 1931, the forest sits on about 780 acres of land that offers greenery, plants, and a collection of trees. The Willimantic River flows through the forest, and provides a recreational area for fishing. Other activities found here are hiking, camping, and hunting. Nye-Holman State Forest can be found on Route 74 in Tolland, and is open all throughout the year.
Popular Attractions Found in Tolland County, CT
Tolland and its surrounding areas offer many places for fun. For adventure seekers, The Adventure Park at Storrs is perfect. At 2007 Storrs Road in Storrs, CT, it’s about nine miles outside of Tolland. The park offers rope courses, zip lining, and climbing challenges throughout their acres of forest. There are also some walking trails for visitors who choose not to participate in the activities, making this adventure park perfect for anyone.
For more laid back, relaxing activities, check out the Mansfield Drive-in. Being popular in Connecticut, drive-ins can be found all over the state. The Mansfield Drive-in is at 228 Stratford Road in Mansfield, about ten miles from Tolland. Open from early spring to late fall, the drive-in offers both old and new movies, sometimes playing marathons of classics.
Every week, the Mansfield Drive-in website updates with movies for the upcoming week. There are three screens at the drive-in, and every night two different movies are played. Usually, they provide PG, PG-13, and R rated options for everyone’s tastes. With concession stands, a playground, and old-fashioned commercials, the drive-in is the best activity to end the day with.
About 20 minutes from Tolland is Somers, CT, home to Sonny’s Place. Sonny’s Place is an outdoor mini golf and go kart range with an indoor arcade. It’s located at 349 Main Street in Somers, and is open year ‘round. Mini golf is also outside, and is a moderate size accessible for anyone. Inside, the arcade spans the entire building and offers a small rope course and climbing wall. There’s also a small restaurant inside, making Sonny’s Place just the right spot for both adults and children.
Notable People from Tolland, CT
About Tolland, CT natives. There are many notable people who have been born and raised in Tolland. One who is known for his service and popular publications is Edward K. Beale. Born in 1970, Beale was born here and attended the town’s high school. He joined the U.S Coast Guard after high school, and was part of the first responders to Hurricane Katrina’s destruction. Along with this, Beale co-wrote the award winning book West by Sea: A Treasure Hunt that Spans the Globe. He’s also written and co-written numerous article publications for different organizations.
Another very popular person raised in Tolland is Daniel C. Burbank. Burbank is a NASA astronaut and U.S Coast Guard Captain. He was born in 1961 in Manchester, and raised in Tolland where he also attended Tolland High School. After high school, he joined the U.S Coast Guard, and after was selected by NASA to work as an astronaut. Burbank has been on four space missions, and is still active in his duties today.
Tolland CT Nearby – Where to Stay and Eat
The town of Tolland CT offers a wide variety of restaurants for any occasion. Some casual dining spots include Camie’s Wood Fired Pizza, Monet’s Table Restaurant, Lee’s Garden, Papa T’s, and the Willington Pizza House. With many more restaurants that offer Italian and Japanese cuisine, it’s not hard to find a high quality eatery in the Tolland CT area.
Throughout Tolland County there are many hotels, motels, and accommodations that are cheap and affordable. Some include the Tolland Inn at 63 Tolland Green in Tolland, and the Ashford Motel at 26 Ashford Motel Road in Ashford. A room in these two range anywhere between $50 – $120 per night. Other accommodation options in Tolland are Wedgeway Bed and Breakfast at 99 Hartford Road in Manchester, and Rodeway Inn Willington North at 327 Ruby Road in Willington.
Little hidden gem in Tolland County, the town of Tolland CT has a lot to offer to visitors. Guests can feel safe knowing that the CT State Police Troop C located at 1320 Tolland Stage Rd is nearby with troopers patrolling the area 24/7. 3-D Bail Bonds serves Tolland, Willington, Mansfield, and all nearby police stations. When bail services are needed keep us in mind.
This content was contributed by Morgan Kicks at 3-D Bail Bonds.
