Discover Plainville

Plainville combines nature experiences, local history, and recreational activities, each with a different emphasis. If you’re looking for hotels in Plainville, you can use these themes to shape your stay around your interests: the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail runs through the town, Tomasso Nature Park brings together nature and visitor areas, and the Plainville Historic Center offers cultural and historical points of interest. Recreational activities and events can also play a role in your planning.

Outdoors in Plainville: Trail and Nature

The Farmington Canal Heritage Trail runs from New Haven through Plainville. This provides a specific route reference: Plainville lies along the trail. Another named point of reference is on Northwest Drive. There, the Farmington Canal Bike & Pedestrian Trail has a parking lot with an information kiosk. The route and this parking lot with kiosk answer different planning questions: one describes the trail’s course through Plainville, while the other identifies a location along the trail.

Nearly 600 diamondback terrapins live in Tomasso Nature Park. The park has viewing areas, hills, paths, and bridges. Alongside its wildlife, the park also features a variety of landscape and trail elements. If nature is a priority for your stay, you can consider the park—with its turtles and visitor areas—as a destination in its own right and distinguish it from the longer route covered by the Heritage Trail.

History and Cultural Points of Interest

The Plainville Historic Center is housed in the former town hall, dating from 1890. It operates as a research center, museum, and office location. These functions bring together a historic setting, museum use, and research in one place. For travel planning, the center offers a different point of interest from the trails and natural areas: its focus is Plainville’s history and the historic building.

Connecticut’s aviation history also offers a distinct historical connection. Robertson Airport was established in 1911 and is the state’s oldest airfield. This adds an aviation perspective in Connecticut to the themes of history and heritage.

Recreational Activities and Events

Relic Brewing Company offers a rotating selection of 6 to 12 craft beers on tap. Since both the drink selection and opening hours may matter for a specific visit, it’s a good idea to check both before you go. Relic Brewing Company also has an arcade with pinball machines and its own Skee-Ball lane. So, in addition to drinks, it offers dedicated gaming options.

Relic Brewing Company hosts Skee-Ball leagues and pinball tournaments. If you’d like to plan your visit around one of these events, check the dates in advance. Another event on the calendar is Plainville’s annual Hot Air Balloon Festival, held each August. It’s also worth checking event dates when planning your trip.

These themes offer different highlights: the trail and Tomasso Nature Park appeal to nature and outdoor enthusiasts, while the Historic Center offers a historical focus. Recreational activities and festival dates can influence your choice of travel dates. First decide what matters most for your stay, then use that focus to guide your search for hotels in Plainville.

Discover more destinations: East Hartford, Simsbury, Manchester, Wethersfield, Southington, Granby, Avon, Windsor.

For the broader travel guide: Hartford.