By Sarah Bogues
With summer fast approaching, who wants to stay inside on a sunny and warm Connecticut day?
The only thing inside Talcott Mountain State Park is Heublein Tower, about 1.25 miles up the mountain and a goal for many visitors of the park.
Talcott Mountain State Park, located in Simsbury, is a short 14-mile trip from CCSU that gives visitors of the park many different activities to partake in. Hiking, picnicking, photography and dog walking are the bulk of the activities that one can do while at Talcott Mountain State Park.
The Tower Trail leading up to Heublein Tower is about a mile and a quarter hike that takes about 30 to 40 minutes depending on ability and time. The beautiful woodsy scenery of the Tower Trail along with the exquisite sights off the trail is a big part of the attraction of the mountain.
Once at the top of the mountain, Heublein Tower awaits. Besides the 165-foot tower, BBQ pits, grills, picnic benches and bathrooms sit on top of Talcott Mountain as well.
The reason many visitors of the park take the beautiful hike to reach Heublein Tower is because of its remarkable history. The tower was the summer home of the Talcott family and was built by Gilbert Heublein in the early 1900’s. Heublein Tower has now been restored as a museum and a place of learning for the educational benefit of the public.
Visitors who brave the 110 steps to the observation room at the top of the tower are rewarded with an unforgettable view of the Farmington Valley, West Hartford and the Hartford skyline.
The great thing about enjoying Talcott Mountain State Park is that it is free of charge. Parking, hiking, picnicking, the Heublein Tower and everything else comes free.
The park itself is open from 8 a.m. to sunset every day. Heublein Tower, on the other hand, opens on May 24 and stays open until the end of August, with its hours being Thursday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The tower is also open Labor Day weekend until Oct. 31 daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
If you’re looking for an educational yet health beneficial and fun activity to take part in, then stop by Talcott Mountain State Park throughout the summer or even the fall and have a blast.
