Discover Cromwell

Cromwell brings together a range of themes to consider when planning a trip: the Connecticut River, the historic town center of Riverport, annual events, and the arboretum at Holy Apostles College & Seminary. Your priorities can guide your hotel choice: would you like to focus on a hike, a market day, historic homes, or the variety of trees? The specific options range from outdoor activities and a seasonal overnight stay by the river to town life, events, and learning about trees.

River Views and Time Outdoors

The White Trail in River Highlands State Park is a moderate, one-mile out-and-back trail with views of the Connecticut River. The mile refers to the round trip, making it easy to gauge the distance. TPC River Highlands is located on a rise in Cromwell, overlooking the same river. While the White Trail offers river views along a hike, the TPC’s elevated location is its defining feature.

River Highlands State Park also has two basic campsites by the river for overnight stays by river travelers with boat access. The campsites operate seasonally. These two options offer different experiences: a moderate out-and-back hike or an overnight stay by the river as part of a trip with boat access.

Riverport and Seasonal Offerings

Riverport, Cromwell’s historic town center, includes retail shops, restaurants, and parks along the riverfront. This provides an urban focus alongside the natural offerings of River Highlands State Park. When planning your trip, you can choose between time in the historic center and the specific hiking or camping options described at the park.

The Cromwell Farmers Market’s seasonal offerings in 2026 include fresh farm-grown vegetables, regional products, artisan stalls, food trucks, and live music. So, in addition to food and products from the region, the market also features crafts and music. If you’re planning a future market day, check the dates and offerings in advance.

Events and History

Every December, the Cromwell Historical Society hosts its Christmas Open House, during which nine rooms of the Stevens-Frisbie House are decorated. The Annual May Day Tea takes place at the Stevens-Frisbie House every year on the Sunday closest to May 1. For date-specific trip planning, these are two distinct seasonal highlights: December and the Sunday near May 1.

The Ranney House is Cromwell’s oldest residence and is now known as St. James Hall at Holy Apostles College & Seminary. The college and seminary campus is also home to a small arboretum with 88 tree species and varieties. A brochure and map guide visitors on a self-guided tour featuring 43 tree species. The numbers refer to different scopes: 88 species and varieties in the arboretum and 43 species on the tour. This distinction helps you understand the size of the collection and the scope of the tour separately if trees are a focus of your Cromwell trip.

Discover more destinations: Essex, Haddam, Middletown, Middlefield, Old Saybrook.

For the overview of the wider region: Middlesex.