Explore the Best of Northwest Connecticut
Find Where to Shop, Explore, Eat, and More!
Welcome to the Northwest CT Area Blog! Whether you’re planning a day trip or looking for the best local spots, our blog is your guide to exploring the hidden gems, eateries, and must-see attractions in and around Northwest Connecticut.
What Is Connecticut Known For? A Local’s Guide to the Constitution State
From the birthplace of the hamburger to the first written constitution, here’s a local’s guide to what makes Connecticut famous across the Constitution State.
Where to Go Swimming in Northwest Connecticut: Best Lakes & Beaches
Your local guide to swimming in Northwest Connecticut, featuring the best state park beaches, spring-fed lakes, and river swimming spots across the Litchfield Hills.
Where to Take Your Mom This Mother’s Day in Northwest Connecticut
Your complete guide to Mother’s Day in Northwest Connecticut, featuring the best gardens, restaurants, wineries, and activities across the Litchfield Hills.
Fishing in Northwest Connecticut: Rivers, Lakes & Where to Cast in NWCT
A local’s guide to the best rivers, lakes, fly fishing spots, tackle shops, and fishing rules across Northwest Connecticut — all within reach of Norfolk.
The Best Flower Shops in Northwest CT
Discover the best flower shops across Northwest Connecticut, with trusted local florists, delivery options, and garden centers throughout Litchfield County—all worth the visit.
Curling in Connecticut: A Neighborly Guide to the Norfolk Curling Club
Discover curling in Connecticut at the historic Norfolk Curling Club—learn how it works, explore its story, and plan your winter visit to Norfolk.
Who the heck is this guy?
The Story of John O’ The Woods
They called him John O’ the Woods. No one, it seems, knew his real name or where he called home. Yet he became one of the most colorful and beloved characters in nineteenth-century Northwest Connecticut. John was a wanderer. Dubbed one of the true “knights of the road” by local villagers, he showed up in Norfolk (or, as he’d say, NorFORK) on a seemingly regular basis seeking the generosity and hospitality of the town—particularly the good food and conviviality to be found at the Berkshire Country Store.
An entertaining conversationalist, John could often be found in his favorite window seat in the Berkshire establishment’s popular “readin’, restin’ and relaxin’ corner” perusing the latest issue of Norfolk Now and spinning tales of, shall we say, questionable reliability, as fellow travelers and Norfolkians alike listened intently. He was, so he claimed, the sole survivor of Norfolk’s dark and ancient past and the only living witness to the “true facts.” Not surprisingly, the hero of his oft’ told “true” stories was usually none other than… John O’ the Woods!
