The Glastonbury–Rocky Hill Ferry carries pedestrians, vehicles and bicycles on the short crossing over the Connecticut River. It is the oldest continuously operating ferry in the United States and is used by local drivers, cyclists and tourists. If you plan to take the ferry, check the schedule before setting out.
By the river: park, trails and ferry
Riverfront Park has walking trails and a public boat launch. River activities such as boat tours and kayaking are offered there through partners. Glastonbury also has a place to watch river traffic: from one location, you can follow boat traffic on the CT River.
The route description in the Glastonbury Bicycle Master Plan covers existing and proposed sections, including an off-road section near the Connecticut River. When planning, distinguish between existing and proposed sections. Blackledge Falls also borders Gay City State Park, adding a named landscape feature to the area's river attractions.
Local history at the Museum on the Green
The exhibits at the Museum on the Green cover several chapters of Glastonbury's history: the Wangunk People, the arrival of the colonists, the American Revolution, slavery and abolition in Glastonbury, and the American Civil War. They also cover local industries and businesses and the history of the early 20th century. This thematic range spans earlier population and settlement histories, conflicts and social change, as well as the town's economic and more recent life.
The Museum on the Green is listed as open Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check the hours before your visit.
Seasonal events and harvests
The Apple Harvest and Music Festival is a multi-day weekend event in October. The Riverfront Park Summer Music Series offers free evening concerts in July and August. The two events therefore take place in different months; dates and programs may change from year to year. If you are planning your stay around a festival or concert, check the specific date before booking accommodation.
The Glastonbury Farmers Market typically takes place on Tuesday evenings from June through September. Entertainment includes musicians, face painters, clowns, animal rescue organizations, balloon artists, magicians and more. The entertainment program may vary by season; check the specific market date before your visit.
At Belltown Hill Orchards, the picking season begins in late June or early July and lasts until the end of October; seasonal dates may vary. Visitors can pick apples, blueberries, peaches, plums, nectarines, pears, raspberries and pumpkins. At Scott's Orchard & Nursery, apples and pears ripen from late July through the end of October. In fall, apple picking, hay wagon rides and hay mazes are also offered there; these seasonal activities may also vary.
Events are concentrated in certain months, while the picking season at Belltown Hill Orchards covers a longer period. You can plan your travel dates based on whether a particular program or the harvest season is your priority.
Discover more destinations: Glastonbury Center, Granby, West Hartford, New Britain, Berlin, Avon, Newington, Windsor.
For the broader travel overview: Hartford.
