1. Tolland Inn
City: Tolland, CT
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (860) 872-0800
Address: 63 Tolland Green
Description: Right on Tolland Green, this was an inn called the Steele House in the early 20th century and now has returned after renovation and updates. Relax in front of the huge fireplace, read one of the hundreds of books, or stroll the flowering gardens. They have 7 rooms with private baths, one with a fireplace and hot tub, and 3 suites, two of which include a hot tub and fireplace. Susan and Steven Beeching will make you feel like part of their home, and you’ll soon be part of the charming community of Tolland, too. Perhaps you’ll even decide to stay.
2. Rf Crossen Group
City: Tolland, CT
Category: Relocation
Telephone: (860) 870-0175
Address: 06084
Description: Bordered by the ocean to the south and Rhode Island to the east, New London County has a land area of 665.91 miles, 13 percent of which is water. Since 2000 the county has grown in population by 5.8 percent and now has about 275,000 residents, with a population density of about 412 people per square mile. The metropolitan area of Norwich–New London ranked 17th on Country Magazine’s list of Best Green Places. Families make up 67 percent of the population, and 22 percent of individuals are under 18. The greatest proportion of the population, 28 percent, is between the ages of 45 and 64; 26 percent are between 25 and 44; and 14 percent are older than 65. Sixteen percent of New Londoners moved there within the past year, 11 percent from within Connecticut, 4 percent from other places in the country, and 1 percent from abroad. Eight percent of residents are foreign born. Median household income is $63,450, and the median value for a house is $263,800. Sixty-nine percent of houses are owner-occupied, single-unit structures, and 31 percent are rentals. The average monthly mortgage payment is about $1,850, and the average rent is under $1,000. Property taxes average about $3,634, and this amounts to about 4.6 percent of income. New London County workers commute an average of about 22 minutes to work. The two casinos are among the biggest employers—Foxwoods employs 11,000 people, and Mohegan Sun isn’t far behind, employing 10,500. The Naval Submarine Base is equally big, with 10,500 workers. The area’s two hospitals and the pharmaceutical company Pfizer as well as other health-care companies make up 22 percent of the industries, along with educational services and social assistance professions.
3. Zest
City: Tolland, CT
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (860) 875-7244
Address: 167 Tolland Stage Rd.
Insider Pick:
Description: Inside this rustic 1750s farmhouse in Tolland, some wonderful things are happening. They get many of their ingredients from local sources, with even the appetizer dip made from local Thomas Hooker porter. The dishes on the menu will look familiar, even typical, but are made from organic, local farm products, and each one is done with care and simplicity. Little things take the stage, like a carrot-ginger emulsion on the scallops or the lime cabbage slaw with the pork carnitas tacos. This is fine dining in the true sense of the word—great meals made from great ingredients. Chef Carrie Landry worked at the much missed Monet’s Table, but most agree she has made something even better here at Zest.
4. Tolland Antiques Show
City: Tolland, CT
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (860) 870-9599
Address: 52 Tolland Green
Description: Many historical societies in the state pair with antiques dealers to support their mutual interest in history. Tolland runs one of the best of these. For close to 50 years, the Tolland Historical Society has run this antiques show in the snowbound winter of north-central Connecticut. Dealers come from all over New England and the Atlantic coast to participate. The pieces you’ll find are mostly 18th- and 19th-century American furniture, tools, textiles, decorations, iron, pottery, and folk art. It is run at one of the venues in town, usually the Middle School, and in the past over 65 exhibitors come to show and sell their wares.
5. Benton Homestead And Old Tolland County Jail
City: Tolland, CT
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (860) 870-9599
Address: 160 Metcalf Rd. and 52 Tolland Green
Description: Run by the Tolland Historical Society, these two buildings are different windows into the history of what has been called one of the best places to live in America. The Cape-style Benton Homestead was built in 1720 and was occupied by descendants of Daniel Benton until 1932. Just to put that in perspective, Daniel’s sons fought in the French and Indian War and his grandsons fought in the Revolution. The jail is a low stone building built in 1856. It operated until 1968 and includes an attached 1893 jailer’s home. The historical society also keeps its museum in the jail, including items depicting life in the 18th and 19th centuries that were donated by people in the town. You should also check out the third building owned by the society, the Tolland County Courthouse, built in 1822, across the green from the jail.