Find Fall Faster in Connecticut

Drive No Farther Than Connecticut to Find Fall Faster

Connecticut encourages leaf peepers to travel less and “Find Fall Faster” — by taking advantage of the state’s close proximity to major Northeast cities as well as the fact it offers the longest foliage season in New England. What's more, to help visitors plan the perfect fall getaway, the state is offering an array of new travel-planning resources, all conveniently accessible in one place: www.CTvisit.com/Fall.

“In half or even one-third the time it takes to drive farther north, visitors can enjoy a dynamic blend of quintessential and novel New England experiences right here in scenic Connecticut,” says Randy Fiveash, Director of the Connecticut Office of Tourism.

From the new Find Fall Faster hub on Connecticut’s official state tourism website, travelers will discover:

• The Connecticut Fall Foliage Finder, a week-by-week report highlighting what areas of the state will likely offer peak colors when.
• Nine ways to enjoy 90 days of fall, suggestions visitors can use to create their own fall bucket list including such must-do activities as apple picking, pumpkin hunting, corn-maze adventures and antiquing.
• Leaf peeping guide full of unexpected ways to view the foliage — including zipline canopy tours, steam train excursions, wine trail trips, biking the 37-mile covered bridge route, hiking to the vistas and B&Bs with a view.
• Scenic driving loops with information on specific routes to take and suggestions on where to eat, stay and play along the way.
• Twenty pre-planned fall getaways that feature picturesque small towns, hotels and B&Bs with scenic fall views, great hiking/biking trails, fireside dining and more.
• Other inspirational articles and suggested attractions to help tailor a perfect New England fall foliage experience.

“We predict Connecticut will have a magnificent 2016 foliage season, with the vibrant colors that make a trip memorable,” said Christopher Martin, Director/State Forester, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. “Better yet, Connecticut’s foliage season typically runs longer than northern New England states — offering travelers even more opportunities to see and experience the autumn beauty.”

“Visitors to Connecticut will find all the quintessential activities that make fall such a spectacular season in New England — all within close proximity to each other,” says Randy Fiveash. “So rather than spending time driving the highways, visitors can get out and experience more of the crisp autumn air, scenic vistas and colorful adventures that make Connecticut the ultimate destination for fall.”

More fall travel inspiration and resources are available in the 2016 Official Fall/Winter Connecticut Visitors Guide, which is free to view and download at CTvisit.com. The visitors guide features in-depth stories and interviews, travel ideas, event listings, a state map and stunning photography. The mobile-friendly guide is a great travel companion this fall and winter. 

For timely updates on the foliage, consumers are encouraged to join the Connecticut tourism social media community on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest and use #CTvisit and #FindFallFaster all season long.

Oktoberfest at Redding Roadhouse in Redding CT

One of the best things about welcoming the fall season in New England is...Oktoberfest!!

Oktoberfest in America is an homage to the 16-18 day event in Germany that starts in late September and goes into the first few weeks of October. Beer flows, music rolls, and hearty and flavorful comfort foods are featured at its core.

This year, to celebrate the autumn season, we traveled to West Redding CT to visit the Redding Roadhouse on Redding Road. (That's alot of Redding!). We were so excited to be invited to this great promotion! What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than to take a drive through Fairfield county and view the beautiful fall foliage in this picturesque area of Connecticut.

Now, let me start by saying, I'm a big fan of any restaurant that calls themselves a roadhouse. 

The name itself conjures up images of great little "local taverns" alongside winding country roads, that feature hearty food, good drinks, and great music. A place where you can get a good meal and have some fun, all in a comfortable setting. And that's just what the Redding Roadhouse is!

The restaurant is owned and operated by Ted Stonbely,Wirt Cook and Karen Cook. Wirt also doubles as the Executive Chef and brings a comfort menu packed with classic favorites and a laid-back approach of New England cooking to the Roadhouse.

I knew I was in for a great time the minute I walked in and was greeted by a lovely Fraulein offering me a pint of Half Full Brewery Pumpkin Ale with a cinnamon sugar frosted rim! And it just kept getting better from there!

We met up with our group in the bar, chatted for a few minutes, and then were greeted by owner and the night's host, Ted,  who escorted us to our tables in the main dining room to start sampling some of the Oktoberfest menu items.

We began our meal with a cured meat and cheese board called the Charcuterie Plate that consisted of pastrami, head cheese, tongue, cornichon pickles and wurst pate, and browsed the special Oktoberfest sampling menu we'd be enjoying for the evening.

And then Chef Karen brought out some lovely made on premise bacon. To say that it was fabulous would be doing it a disservice. It was wonderful. Amazing. Delicious. We could have eaten this all night and been happy.
But then came the potato pancakes. Again, a German classic and these did not disappoint! These were just as good as my friend Oma used to make.

L-R Clockwise
Karen explains the process for the made on premise bacon,
potato pancakes with applesauce and sour cream, and my appetizer plate. 

And because it's an Oktoberfest, right as the delicious Burgoo Stew was being served, the German Oompah Band started up! They were assembled in one of the adjoining tavern rooms, close enough that we could easily hear (and sing along!) - but not so overpowering that it hindered dinner conversation.

We also sampled a few more beers, Octoberfest by Hooker Beer and the Okto Festival Ale by Widmer Brothers Brewing. Each of the evening's beer samples embodied the flavors of autumn.

Burgoo Stew (German immigrant stew)

And then came our entrees and sides! A sausage sampler plate of  smoked bratwurst, weisswurst and bauernwurst, all steamed in beer, and served with sauerkraut and steamed red cabbage. A big bowl of the German egg noodle spaetzle, and a side of homemade spicy mustard, that I could eat out of the glass with a spoon. (And did!)

L-R Clockwise
smoked bratwurst, weisswurst and bauernwurst, with steamed red cabbage and sauerkraut,
spaetzle and homemade mustard

But, no, wait... there's even more!

A deliciously tender Weiner Schnitzel, and, then, hands down my personal favorite of the night, Saurbraten, a Bavarian style pot roast, served with sweet and sour gravy thickened with gingersnaps.

Top L-R Clockwise
Saurbraten, my wonderful dinner plate, wiener schnitzel

And, for the finishing touch of the meal, dessert was served, a wonderfully flaky, buttery, apple streudel aka strudel, with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and a dollop of whipped cream.

Apple Streudel

If you're looking for a great place to welcome fall with an Oktoberfest Special, or wonderful meal for every season - the Redding Roadhouse is the place to go! It's a little out of the way if you're not in the immediate area...but definitely worth the trip for a hearty homestyle meal in a comfortable setting.

Oktoberfest is running September 29th through October 27th - but visit the restaurant any time!

We sang - we danced - we had a great time! You will too, at the...

The Redding Roadhouse

406 Redding Road

West Redding, CT  06896

203.938.3388

on the web: http://reddingroadhouse.com/

like them on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Reddingroadhouse

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Have you been to an Oktoberfest this year?

What are your favorite German foods?

I'd love to hear about them in the comments below!

Auf Wiedersehen - Good Bye!

Disclaimer: I was invited to a promotional Oktoberfest sampling at the Redding Roadhouse, however, the views and opinions expressed herein are my own.