A tight-knit town with culture, history and natural beauty
The New England charm and serene, small-town atmosphere of Washington, Connecticut, inspired show creator Amy Sherman-Palladino to write the iconic Gilmore Girls series, drawing influences for Stars Hollow from the town’s real-life establishments like the Mayflower Inn and Hickory Stick Book Shop. Today, the town still enchants guests and residents with its pastoral setting, historic architecture and active community. “Washington blends small-town character with a relaxed atmosphere,” says local Realtor Rebecca Doh of W. Raveis Lifestyles Realty, who grew up in Washington. “It’s very vibrant culturally, with a walkable, charming town center in Washington Depot and tons of natural beauty. It just has that classic New England feel.”
Residents maintain a connected lifestyle through the town’s slew of community events and cultural attractions, which celebrate Washington’s diverse population. Additionally, the town’s rural landscape puts locals in reach of abundant outdoor recreation, including natural preserves, golf courses and hiking trails. The lively atmosphere attracts perennial and part-time residents alike. “Burlington draws full-timers and weekenders escaping the city life because we’re about an hour from Manhattan,” Doh says. “We’re like the anti-Hamptons; you can relax, but it’s not frenzied. It’s much more laid back because there’s no traffic — there isn’t even a single traffic light.” The town comprises five distinct villages, anchored by its conglomerate of local establishments in Washington Depot. “There’s still uniform pride,” Doh says. “We are one town, and the community is very tight-knit.”
Home styles range from vintage farmhouses to modern estates
Homes in Washington run the gamut in architectural styles. “Our architecture is diverse, ranging from basic starter home to large, elaborate estates,” Doh says. “We have vintage homes from the 1800s to early 1900s, there are a lot of homes with sizeable acreage and we have tons of high-end waterfront homes.” Most have classical flair and preserve the New England character of the area. Cape Cods, colonial era and ranch-style homes are common among modest single-family builds. Contemporary retreats built in the last 20 years often feature mid-century modern and neo-classical farmhouse influences. Prices can range from $400,000 for smaller single-family homes to mansions with sprawling layouts fetching $14 million. “Washington has some of the highest property values and lowest taxes,” Doh says. “The bulk of our inventory is $1 million plus, and it’s hard to find anything under $600,000.” The median price for real estate here hovers at around $1.5 million.
Families choose Washington for its strong school options
Regional School District No. 12 serves just less than 800 students in Litchfield County and earns an overall A score from Niche. Doh says the highly rated schools are a draw for families. “District 12 schools are quite good, and we have fantastic private schools,” she says. Within the district, students may begin their education at Washington Primary School, an A-rated grade school serving kindergarten through fifth grade students. Kids may continue to Shepaug Valley School, which maintains an A-minus score with high marks in academics and teachers. The school also has its own planetarium, allowing students to get up-close views of planets and the galaxy.
Parents may also choose to enroll their kids in Washington’s private schools. Rumsey Hall School is an A-minus-rated private boarding school for prekindergarten through ninth grades, and Washinton Montessori School covers prekindergarten through eighth grades and earns an A from Niche.
Outdoor recreation and community spirit shape daily life in Washington
Washington’s rural setting provides residents with bounteous access to outdoor recreation. Hiking trails snake their way through the many preserves and state parks that pepper the landscape. Steep Rock Preserve offers scenic hiking trails along the Shepaug River and peaks at the Steep Rock Summit for picturesque Connecticut vistas. Additional trails wind through Hidden Valley Preserve and Mt Tom State Park, which has a lookout tower at its summit. The Shepaug River bisects the town and provides opportunities for swimming, kayaking and fishing. Lake Waramaug is a destination for boating and its many beaches.
Many of Washington’s community events take place in The Judy Black Memorial Park, a small park and outdoor garden that also features a gallery space. “The Judy Black Park in the center of town draws a lot of people for art openings and the farmers market on Saturdays,” Doh says. “And the park has outdoor movie nights through the summer.” The Washington Recreation Department also hosts abundant recreational activities and events, including adult and youth sports leagues, summer camps and events like 5K runs and beach parties. Art galleries and other organizations and attractions, like the Gunn Library and Museum and The Institute for American Indian Studies, also host events that celebrate the diversity and history of the area.
Farm-to-table cafés and indie shops anchor the town center
Washington’s small town center is in Washington Depot, anchored by the historic Washington Town Hall, a post office and a smattering of locally owned establishments brimming with character. Washington Food Market is an independent grocery store that carries necessities and local produce and merchandise. “We have a lot of multigenerational ongoing farms, since we used to be a big farming community,” Doh says. “We’ve still retained the importance of knowing where your food comes from.” The Pantry reflects this core value with their farm-to-table menu of sandwiches and hearty soups for takeout or dine-in. Marty’s Café and G.W. Tavern are other favorites for their inviting atmospheres, and shops like Hickory Stick Book Shop and Washington Supply Company further evoke the small-town charm of Washington.
Locals head to New Preston, one of Washington’s five villages, for additional eclectic shopping. “New Preston is a very awesome spot for shopping with lots of cool furniture and home décor stores and high-end retail,” Doh says. Antique stores and interior design shops mingle between women’s boutiques like Favorite on a short stretch of Main Street and Shore Road. For bigger stores, shopping malls like Litchfield Crossings and New Milford Plaza in New Milford, about 8 miles southwest, house big-box stores and national retailers like Kohl’s, T.J. Maxx, Walmart and more.
Connecting into Hartford and Manhattan
The town center of Washington sits at the intersection of Route 109 and Route 47 along the Shepaug River. Both routes connect to Highway 202. Washington is about 50 miles from Hartford and 80 miles from Manhattan. Bradley International Airport outside of Hartford is about 65 miles away.
Written By
Christina von Claparede-Crola
Photography Contributed By
Chris Mantz
