The Pickin' Patch is a pick your own (fruits and veggies) farm established in 1666; it used to be a…read moredairy and tobacco farm. Yes, I love historic places and farms! I read reviews and gathered that it was a great place to visit, especially during the autumn time. The parking lot was spacious right off the busy road. They offer hayrides and there was a pumpkin patch; you can pick your own in the field or in the store. There was a garden center and farm store. The farm store had jams, jellies, apples, gourds, cookies, veggies, pumpkins, mums, hot sauces, etc. They had wheelbarrows for you to use, if you're planning to buy a few big pumpkins. They also had an apple fritter/donut/cider stand. I purchased half a dozen of apple fritters for $8; you can add extra cinnamon sugar. Those apple fritters looked like donut holes but tasted like apple donuts, it was very splendid! Overall, a great spot to stop by if you're into the small town farm vibes. There was a beautiful view of the Heublein tower on the hill and the fall foliage. It's the perfect fall activity!

Very cute, however the apple fritters place was closed at 4:30. Other people were arriving and…read moreasking about the same thing. Apparently they close at 4 so I wished they would advertise that that's all. Very cute selection of pumpkins. The farm stand had several apples and other products but we mainly came for the fritters. We ended up buying a small pumpkin for $4.

I always return to popular places that I didn't connect with in the same way super fans do…read more Sometimes, I think I got it right. And sometimes, I have to admit I got it wrong. In the case of Tulmeadow Farm and Lacroix's Homemade (I'm posting the same update for both), I have to admit that I had it somewhat wrong. Both Tulmeadow and Lacroix's made @cticecreamtour's Top 15 CT Creameries. My original reviews for both Tulmeadow and Lacroix's were both good btw. I just didn't initially connect with the flavors I tried in the way that I did with my other CT favorites. Since those initial reviews, everything I tried at each has been a banger. At Tulmeadow, I recently had Red Raspberry Chocolate Chip, Marshmallow Toasted Cornflake, Chocolate Raspberry Raspberry Curd and the best flavor I've had this year -- Double Raspberry Crumbcake. The flavors all popped. The use of intensely flavored raspberry curd in a couple of the ice creams was next level. The colors were right on. The texture was top tier. Service was friendly and the farm setting adds to the experience. Tulmeadow is 5 Stars and I'm upgrading my earlier review.

While yes, it did taste like carrot cake, it didn't have any pieces or texture. That alone wouldn't…read morehad been a big enough deal to knock off stars, but the milkshake was also on the thinner side and we were charged an additional $2, in tax? Eh we go to many shops so maybe we just have different expectations.

I came here for a birthday party and it was the first time visiting this farm. It is pretty cute…read moreand the birthday party was held in a small building with its own kitchen. The kids had fun feeding the farm animals. I will have to admit I had fun too. There are all sorts of farm animals, such as chickens, cats, dogs, goats, horses, bunnies, pigs and more. I am a cat person and I enjoy looking for the barn cats. The place is pretty clean for a farm and the kids enjoy the tractor ride. All the employees were nice and friendly. If you're planning a fun kids party, this is a great place for them.

You can't miss the iconic large red barn that has the word EGGS, but backwards on it. Flamig Farm…read morehas been in existence since 1907; located in West Simsbury. First visit, I got there around 4:40 and they were closing at 5; it was a short trip because I just wanted to get some eggs. The employee said they were closing soon and so was the petting zoo when I first walked in; I mentioned I was going to be quick and just wanted to get some eggs. I didn't know they had a petting zoo so I made a plan to go back again another time. The store was your typical farm stand, they had eggs, honey, cookies, apparel, and various of other knick knacks. They were having a sale, buy one dozens eggs ($7) and get one dozen free. The chickens were laying too many eggs and they wanted to get rid of as many as possible. The second time, I got in earlier in the day and purchased petting zoo tickets; $8 per person over 2 years old/under 80 years old and for an additional $2, you can purchase feed. I highly recommend getting the feed, the animals loved it. The petting zoo was bigger than I thought. There's even a playground with benches and picnic tables. The place seemed clean and the animals seem well taken care of. We saw pigs, llamas (my favorite), sheep, goats, alpacas, peacocks, cows, ponies (another favorite), donkeys, bunnies, chickens, and a black cat.Inside the shop, there were baby chicks, birds, and guinea pigs. There were signs explaining what type of animals, facts, and their story/names throughout. They also offer pony and tractor rides for an additional fee. There's a huge pavilion with picnic tables; you can bring your own food in. Also, there is an Airbnb onsite and people book their weddings there. There are many events hosted there as well; children programs and summer camps are popular ones. My kids and I had a blast petting and feeding the animals. I highly recommend!

The little farm is so cute. Great place to get a quick sweet treat in Bloomfield. Parking can be a…read morebit challenging if they are busy. I came on a Sunday afternoon and there an enough parking and got my ice cream. There is a lady that sits in the front to take your order. The establishment takes both cash and card. Once you place your order, you head to the window to pick up your ice cream. There is so many flavors but my favorite hard ice cream is the toasted almond. So of course I needed to get a pint to take home. I also got me a simple vanilla soft serve for the car ride. I love coming by here when I'm around the area.

Clearly incredible, because there were cars and people everywhere. They took our order while…read morewaiting in the line and they have the order process down to a science. We barely made it to the window and our ice cream was already ready. Simple menu but lots of hard ice cream options and HUGE portions. I went with the vanilla soft serve with sprinkles and it was pretty good. No frills, just good ice cream and good service. I was surprised by the fact that it has actual animals on the farm and was fun to see the birds and alpacas. Perfect for large groups and kids. Go close out a warm night here!

The Garlic Farm is a small family owned farm and farm stand located in West Granby. They specialize…read morein, you guessed, garlic and other vegetables. They have been open for three decades. They offer German white hardneck garlic, seed garlic, garlic bulbs, and garlic braids. The farm stand is in an old tobacco barn. I went a couple times and thought it was awesome. The prices were great and they had a huge variety of produce. One time, they posted on social that the flowers were free to pick. If you love fresh produce and supporting a small business, I highly recommend.

"This is the end Beautiful friend…read moreThis is the end Of our elaborate plans, the end" (The Doors) The Garlic Farm's season will end on October 12th, when their doors will be closed for the winter and reopen in the spring. But the end of their season comes with a fantastic bonus for anyone that can get over to West Granby before October 12. That bonus is as many flowers as possible that you can cut and take home from their acres of flower farms. For Free. We saw people out there today with shopping bags, and laundry baskets scooping up their share of gorgeous flowers. Although some of the flowers (especially the sunflowers were way past peak), rest assured there were a ton of gorgeous fresh flowers representing every color of the rainbow still available. We cut and took home enough to fill three vases, of which we kept one and donated the other two to the local Senior Center to brighten the desks of two administrators. So, if you are in the area and have a hankering for some free flowers, set your navigation system to West Granby and enjoy. Just do it before October 12.

ALDI food is subpar. Their mixed salads go bad within a few days. We put in a curbside pickup order…read morelast Sunday. It is Thursday, and they haven't filled it yet. They say they don't have the staff. This is the new type of treatment and food you can expect in the new America. Low-end food, no service, no way to complain or do anything about it. Stop and Shop is even worse.

I head Aldis was going back to cashiers vs self check out. I remember before self checkouts when…read morethe cashiers were fast & efficient. It was like no other.. All I have to say is if you have to go to a cashier, watch who you go to. The females have been OK, but this is what the guy does to your groceries..He just throws them in. The lady in back of me was nervous to hee what he did with my eggs! I will go back to self checkout for as long as they will let us.

This 110 acre farm started in 1920. 5 acres of that is a vineyard. There is a farm store onsite…read moretoo. They also host events such as weddings, live music, corn maze, and more. I've been to the farm store and they had a good amount of items ranging from produce to baked goods to wine. I also went on a Saturday for wine tasting, charcuterie board, and pizza. The service was good and the wines were tasty. Overall, it's a nice farm stand and vineyard, that's worth a visit.

A Simsbury gem that has been here long before I was born. It's a beautiful location that has live…read moremusic on its patio, offers food and IP beer, its own wines and THC seltzers. Best corn in the Farmington Valley. A must-see