Connecticut State Route 169 declares its distinction from the urban sprawl of the East Coast with its quiet village landscapes, scenic woodlands, and quaint farmsteads amid fertile river bottoms and rolling hills. As you travel the byway through the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor, you will better understand the entrancing landscapes of Southern New England. The stone walls that border the byway attest to hundreds of years of agricultural development and speak of the simplicity of a rural, agrarian lifestyle.
As you begin driving the byway just south of Lisbon, notice the scenic Quinebaug River as it parallels the byway. Watch for movement along the edges of woodlands and across meadows, and you may be rewarded with a sighting of a Great Blue Heron, White-tailed Deer, otter, or moose. The valley is home to a diverse abundance of species, supported by rich vegetation and a wealth of water.
Continue along the byway until you reach Pomfret, where you’ll find the Audubon Bafflin Sanctuary. This community-based facility offers environmental education programs, bird walks, natural history exhibits, and other educational opportunities. Wildlife and plant life abound here, allowing you to take an up-close look at the variety of birds, butterflies, wildflowers, and other life. You’ll enjoy this “classroom without walls” as you learn about the natural world surrounding the byway.
In the late summer, the valley’s plentiful milkweed attracts the Monarch Butterfly. Bring your camera and binoculars and find gatherings of these delicate insects as their brilliant orange wings, outlined with black, flutter through the lazy summer sun. Come to the byway in the fall and see hillsides and broad landscapes painted with crimson, golden, amber, and bronze foliage. You’ll see and smell orchards, their branches sagging with fall’s harvest, attracting creatures both great and small as they bask in autumn’s bounty. As the sun casts golden rays across the valley, feel the brisk breeze as you enjoy a famous New England autumn.
Travel through this eco-rich paradise any season of the year, and relish the change of pace from the buzz of the surrounding metropolis. Return to everyday life refreshed after a placid journey on Connecticut State Route 169 through the scenic “Last Green Valley.”
Connecticut State Route 169 Overview