Daytrip From Mansfield: Summer Fun in Tolland

Tolland ranks as the for lots of different reasons, one of them being how easy it is to enjoy New England culture and nature throughout town.

So where to start?

The iconic Tolland Green, of course! Residents and first-time visitors alike should put on their tourist hats and head to the center of town.

The , open each Sunday, is a great way to get your taste of Tolland culture and history. The stone jail in the back of the museum was built in 1856 and was where many Tolland County residents served their time during the nineteenth century.

Get a glimpse into 1800's life and industry in the jailer's home and check out fun summer events like ice cream making, butter churning, Harry Potter Day and more. Event dates are available on the museum website.

If you feel up for more history, stroll a bit further down Tolland Green to visit the beautiful , or stop by the on Metcalf Road. Both are available for tours by appointment.

But if you're ready for some fun in the sun, then grab the sunblock and head to Tolland's beautiful beach at . Lounge on the sandy shore, or explore the park's four miles of hiking trails.

Tennis and basketball lovers can also use the courts to fit in a few games, or get a game of catch going on the baseball field. 

Or if you feel like spending some quality time enjoying nature, take advantage of Tolland's rich history of land conservation. The Conservation Commission has assembled a map of 12 different open space properties around town, incuding trail difficulty ratings.

After working up an appetite on the trails, stop in for a famous slice of pizza, or travel a little further down Route 195 to enjoy the food at ,  or .

And if you're looking for a more formal dining experience, try out Tolland's newest restaurant, .

Exhausted? I bet! Any visitors wishing to stay overnight should check in at the first-class on the Green. 

And whenever you drive though on I-84 again, make sure to stop in and visit Tolland, truly one of the country's top towns!