ORIGIN: Founded by Woodbury native James Wargo and opened in…read more2020, Hidden Gem Orchard is aptly named. LOCATION: Wargo leases land that is part of the Southbury Training School property, a campus that was once a fully self-sustaining community. I first came upon it on in 2020 on my way to the nearest highway, and was surprised to find activity in an otherwise abandoned-looking area of the vast property -- at height of a pandemic no less! The orchard is located behind some agricultural structures that reflect a more active past, and invite some interesting photo opportunities. CONCEPT: The founder of Hidden Gem Orchard, James Wargo, has expertise in soil management and crop production. Wargo works closely with esteemed Cornell University pomologist, Ian Merwin, PhD, to grow both new and antique varieties of apples. EXPERIENCE: As a result, a visit is like opening a treasure chest of uncommonly seen and tasted apples, such as Esopus Spitzenberg, a favorite of Thomas Jefferson. A visit to the orchard is tranquil, not a spectacle with crowds, music, and lines. The focus is growing and sharing a love for apples, rather than weekend entertainment. Pick your own in the orchard, or pick up at farm stand. TIP: "Imperfect" apples are available at discounted price. Look out for apple pastries prepared by local baker, Horsehill Provisions.

Love this little farm stand!! We were taking a back road route to New Milford and happened upon…read moreHidden Gem Orchard. They had so many varieties of apples - many we had never heard of. They had signs with descriptions of every apple, incliding best uses (eating, baking, etc). We got a ton of different apples to try. We will definitely go back anytime we are in the vicinity, now that we know about it! Check it out if you love apples!

Nestled in the beautiful rolling Hills and Stone walls is this impeccably kept gorgeous Farm…read more Small retail butcher shop offers poultry, pork and beef n all its many forms. This is an absolute must during warmer months as well as autumn. A true Shangri-La.

Beautiful dairy Farm among the rolling hills of Woodbury tucked away off route 6 near the infamous…read moreTaft. Known for their excellent fresh corn picked every morning and sells out most days during mid to late summer. Typical Connecticut vegetables like peppers, eggplant, onions, varieties of tomatoes, and squash, etc. Local honey and freshly roasted coffee. Pumpkins and gourds during autumn. Local meat butchered for sale as well as whole pig when ordered in advance. Support local farmers ;)

The corn is amazing!!!! Can't wait for this year's crop!!!! It is sweet , and tender. Doesn't…read morematter if you boil it. Steam it, grill it or microwave it, it's always wonderful!!!

this was my first garlic fest and i literally had the time of my life. when they say they're over…read more200+ vendors, they seriously mean it!! it took me an hour just to browse around before really like stopping at the places i wanted to, it was incredible! they had so many unique booths and i got to try so many samples ranging from black garlic, garlic chocolate bark, garlic fudge, garlic vinegar, garlic cheese, so much more, i was in absolute heaven. all the non garlic vendors were also soo good, my bank account was definitely balling out this weekend, haha! can't wait for next year!

"Brains in the pot, they're beginning to boil They're…read moredripping with garlic and olive oil" (Bob Dylan) What did we find at the Bethlehem Garlic & Harvest Festival? More than we could possibly imagine! Everything from A to Z: Argusville Farms fresh garlic Biscotti & Beyond Cousins Maine Lobster Donna's Sewing Extreme Peelers Faddy's Donuts Great Minds Coffee Roasters Happy Camper Mushrooms In Stitches and Stuff Jersey Pickles Knot of This World Pretzels Laura's Raw Honey Micalizzi'a Italian Ice Nectar of the Vine Oronoque Farms Bakery Peanut Principle Quest for the Beasties Rockerbox Spice Company Saltbox Seasonings Thai Place Restaurant Underground Truffles Chocolate Vintage Times Maps Wildwood Granola Xtra Hot Sauces from a multitude of vendors Yankee Hot Pepper Products Zillions of other things It was our first visit here and we were very surprised at the sheer size of the festival. We saw carnival rides, carnival games, children's activities, two stages of live music, booths from 26 garlic growers, 97 Specialty Food Stands, 8 Soap vendors, 14 Food Court vendors, 60 craft vendors, 16 Snack Food Vendors, 12 Jewelry vendors, and 9 "miscellaneous" vendors. We walked around for an hour and picked up an eclectic group of stuff -a chili soup mix, a cinnamon chocolate chip bread, a salted caramel coconut beer blondie, a salted pretzel knot, two Asian dumplings, and a cup of chocolate Italian ices. It was outstanding, simply outstanding.

A 'solid 3' at best but wouldn't have a problem going back. I thought their wine flights were…read morepriced a little high (no way 2.5 glasses of wine total!), and the bartender I dealt with while sitting at the bar had the facial expressions and personality of a shoe horn! Horrible! We spent good money here but had a nice afternoon (indoors) as the weather was slightly inclement during our visit. The guitarist was good as was the overpriced charcuterie. May pop in there again on a sunny afternoon -- not quite sure if you can see a sunset there based on the topography, but maybe.

Prior to this visit, the only time I had been to this winery was in the winter. This is the first…read moretime I've been that I could sit outside and enjoy the beautiful property. The band playing on Saturday, 6/27 was great. Overall great visit! Wish we were a bit closer so that we could visit more often Sachem's was my favorite! I wish I purchased more than 1 bottle to bring home with me. Next time!

This was ridiculously pricey. It cost so much just to make soap when we actually went to the pen to…read morelook at the goats. They there was no goats out there. I was so disappointed, and when I went to the back to see the goats there was literally no goats there at all so we finally went to the side that had goats, and then a dog randomly started barking at us. The lady walked out of the door and told us to leave this was an extremely disappointing experience. The supervisor was really rude. and overall it was way too pricey and just a waste of time I would not recommend.1star

During my self care journey, my friend made plans for us to try goat yoga. It was truly one of the…read moremost incredible experiences of my life this year. The goats are magical and healing. Yoga itself is nice but adding the goats is a whole another level, I did not know my soul needed.I laughed so much and had the best time. Goat Yoga sounds weird ,but it is incredibly wholesome. Absolutely try this do not hesitate.

ORIGIN: Over one hundred acres that surround the two…read moretowering silos had supported two families' dairy farms for nearly three centuries. In 1968 popular musician Skitch Henderson and his wife Ruth purchased the property as a personal retreat. The couple hosted musical performances, art exhibitions, and cooking demonstrations led by prominent chefs. In later years nonprofit and national historic landmark status was established for the property. ATMOSPHERE: Events take place in a repurposed post and beam barn. The beams are exposed, giving a rustic charm. EXPERIENCE: Alessandro Piovezahn, the current steward of the nonprofit property, is actively looking to revive the Silo's influential public events. I enjoyed an intimate concert that featured the work of a five-time Emmy-award winning composer Jeff Beal. A legendary Steinway piano brought his music to life. A reception in the barn preceded the concert, with food prepared by Chef Constantine (Dino) Kolitsas of New Milford's Greca Mediterranean Kitchen & Bar I also enjoyed an evening cooking class with Chef Carlos Perez of Litchfield's At the Corner restaurant. In the course of the three hour class we were guided on culinary techniques by Chef Carlos Perez and his former colleague Chef Billy Ross (now at New Milford's Greca). I greatly enjoyed learning how to make a thoughtful fall menu that includes popular dishes served At the Corner, and dining on the co-prepared dishes with fellow foodie community members. Given limited of 16 registrants, everyone was active. I already registered for another class with Chef Billy Ross. SELECTION: Classes representing a variety of cuisines and dish types are available, including gingerbread house-making, pasta, and risotto. TIPS: Check the farm's Facebook and Instagram accounts for event schedule. The class + dinner and cocktail was $125 per person. The Silo will host a winter farmers' market this year.

I am guaranteed to never step foot in the silo or any other establishment owned by the people who…read morerun the cooking school and will tell my local New Milford friends to avoid their establishments like the plague. . I had signed up for a Saturday morning cooking class 7/3 as a gift to my wife, but had an emergency that prohibited us from attending class. My wife called the school that morning and was told it would be no problem as we could select another class over the summer. I took them at their word, but after leaving FOUR voicemail messages spanning three weeks, no one bothered to return my call. I stopped by the school and left a message with a gentleman teaching a cooking class to please return my calls, but again I was never called back. Having exhausted attempts to reach the school to schedule another class, I decided to contest the $300 charge with my credit card co for the class I could not attend. Here it is 9/29 and the proprietor has not yet reached out to me, but has decided to keep my money stating the terms and conditions. I find this business lacks ethics for a small town like New Milford. Buyers beware! Please note the 9/17 call/message was not returned.

We went blueberry picking there last weekend with our son and granddaughters and had a great family…read moreouting. The blueberries were delicious and a great size for blueberry muffins! The Hrubiec family was very helpful and welcoming. We were even given a golf cart ride down to the bushes!