Travel

An afternoon in Bridgewater, CT: Get your hands on the notorious Bridgewater Chocolate and enjoy farm fresh produce
Famous faces, luxury chocolate, homemade baked goods, farm fresh honey, and local fresh produce? If you’re a Hallmark town-lover, head to Bridgewater, CT, for the day, where the small community welcomes you with open arms. If you catch this beauty on a snowy day, you’ll drive through a winter wonderland— naked trees glossed with icicles, life-size gingerbread houses, farm fields covered by snow heaps, and unapologetically snowy roads.
Bridgewater is home to many retired actors, Radio City Rockettes, and producers. Weekends bring in people from New York and the town is a major attraction for Airbnb residents during the peak foliage season.
Bridgewater Village Store & Bistro
This tiny little Bistro is a home base for Bridgewater visitors and residents. Open every day of the year except for Christmas, breakfast and lunch is served from Monday to Wednesday from 7 am to 6 pm, dinner hours are extended from Thursday to Saturday til 9 pm, and Sunday hours are 7 am to 4 pm.
When I stepped through the double door, I was greeted by an array of multicolor Poinsettias from Maywood Farm. Absolutely breathtaking. Local produce, eggs, jams, and syrups come from Maywood Farm located right down the road. 99% of all food products are fresh and made onsite!
The breakfast menu has toast, sandwiches, pancakes, and omelets. Stop in during lunchtime to grab some pretzel bites, coconut shrimp, salads, and plenty of sandwiches. The dinner menu offers apps, salads, and entrees like chicken parm and NY strip steak.
To my left is a beautiful dining room filled with people of all ages, high-top tables to the right, and an outdoor porch in the back that is open during the warmer months. I gravitated to the front table filled with homemade baked goods. Fresh egg nog bundts, meringue shells, flourless Almond Joy, tea loafs (lemon poppy, egg nog run, iced gingerbread, and pumpkin bread), and star-shaped white chocolates line the edge.
The baked goods don’t end here. To the right of the front counter is a chocolate layered cake, brownies, pecan pie, lemon bars, and more. Chef Don is sure to accommodate every allergy, so don’t fret my fellow vegans and GF people. Get your hands on the gluten-free vegan berry bar, it was delicious! The main menu has alternative options like soups, rolls, and breads for people with allergies.
Now on to the main event, the notorious Bridgewater Chocolate. The chocolate was created 25 years ago by a creative chef in the back kitchen. Now, these goodies are sold in Brookfield, West Hartford, Westport, and Boston, MA. I came across molded chocolate dreidels, Santa Clauses, Christmas trees, and snowmen.
I stopped and chatted with some locals chomping on egg sandwiches. They sent me down the road to Sunny Meadow Farm to grab some fresh produce. Bud, the man who owns the farm, has an open-door policy. “Go knock on Bud’s door, he’d love to chat with you.” On to the next stop!
Sunny Meadow Farm
I take a right out of the parking lot, grab my sunglasses, and head down the road that seems to just keeps on going. I see a massive moose statue on my left and it’s confirmed — I’ve arrived. Sunny Meadow Farm is desolate, with farmland that seems to go on for miles! I can’t even begin to consider Bud’s responsibility to keep that soil ripe throughout the year.
I step into the farm stand to grab some fresh eggs and produce. Farm-fresh tomatoes, garlic, and chicken are available to purchase inside. Grab what you need, drop your cash in the bin or swipe your card, and be on your way. This is a very safe, trustworthy community.
Adjacent to the farm stand is the greenhouse. I peeked inside to see some seedlings and other vegetation. Farming is all about seed, plant, and harvest. A greenhouse is the perfect way to keep the farming flow going during the winter months.
On my way home, I passed by numerous fresh egg stands on the edge of driveways. What did I notice most about my day trip to Bridgewater? How I felt when I left. This place reminds us that classic small communities exist and that smiles never fail to make people feel welcome.
Bridgewater is the small Hallmark town where it’s safe to knock on doors, private enough to enjoy a family BBQ, and cool enough to welcome Hollywood stars. Cheers!