Discover Glastonbury

Glastonbury: History and Seasonal Experiences

When choosing Glastonbury as a destination for a hotel stay, local history, the Connecticut River and seasonal offerings may help guide your decision. These themes suit different times of year: the town’s history is a focus in its own right, while festival dates, summer concerts and harvest offerings are tied to specific months. First consider what you would like to experience during your stay; for events and seasonal offerings, it is worth checking the specific date.

Glastonbury History

The exhibitions at the Museum on the Green cover Glastonbury’s history. Topics include the Wangunk People, the arrival of the Colonists, the American Revolutionary War, and slavery and abolition in Glastonbury. They also cover the American Civil War, local industries and businesses, and the history of the early 20th century. The topics span several eras and encompass both political history and the development of the local economy and businesses.

The Glastonbury–Rocky Hill Ferry also combines a practical river crossing with a distinctive historical connection: it is the oldest continuously operating ferry in the United States. Pedestrians, vehicles and bicycles are carried on the short crossing over the Connecticut River. Users include local drivers, cyclists and tourists. If you would like to include the crossing in your travel plans, check the schedule for your intended travel day.

River, Paths and Scenery

Riverfront Park has walking paths and a public boat launch. Activities on the river, such as boat tours and kayaking, are also offered in the park context through partners. Blackledge Falls borders Gay City State Park, adding a specific connection to a named state park to Glastonbury’s nature offerings.

For cycling plans, the Glastonbury Bicycle Master Plan is another resource: its route description includes an off-road section near the Connecticut River. It includes both existing and proposed route sections. Therefore, check the status of the section relevant to your plans before including it in your route.

Events and Harvest Season

The Apple Harvest and Music Festival is a multi-day weekend event in October. Details may change from year to year, so plan your trip around the specific date. The Riverfront Park Summer Music Series offers free evening concerts in July and August. The program may also vary, so if you are planning a trip for a concert, it is worth checking the current dates.

The Glastonbury Farmers Market is usually held on Tuesday evenings from June to September. Since the seasonal schedule may change, check the date before visiting. Entertainment includes musicians, face painters, clowns, animal rescue organizations, balloon artists and magicians. The selection may vary by season.

At Belltown Hill Orchards, the picking season begins in late June or early July and lasts until late October; the seasonal timing may vary. Apples, blueberries, peaches, plums, nectarines, pears, raspberries and pumpkins are available for picking. At Scott's Orchard & Nursery, apples and pears ripen from late July to late October; the seasonal timing may vary. In autumn, apple picking, hayrides and hay mazes are also offered there; seasonal activities may vary. If the timing of your trip matters, you can choose between a picking season that starts in early summer and the explicitly autumnal activities at Scott's.

Discover more destinations: Glastonbury Center, West Hartford, Bristol, Farmington, Granby, Avon, Simsbury, Newington

For the wider travel overview: Hartford.