Hidden Gems of Torrington

Buttrick Trail

The Buttrick Trail parking lot is located on the left at the end of Buttrick Road, which comes off of Winstead Road. The gravel trail runs through the Paugnut State Forest and is an intermediate to moderate hike (not wheelchair accessible) of about a half a mile.

To reach the scenic pond view, make sure to follow the blue/red blazes. Once you reach the pond, there is a bench where you can sit and relax while you enjoy the view and the sounds of nature. The pond is home to many different types of wildlife such as herons, red-winged blackbirds, beavers, frogs and many more. Using binoculars, you will be able to get a good view of the heron’s nests in the trees to the right as you look out over the water.

YiaYia's Greek Kitchen

YiaYia’s Greek Kitchen is located at 1057 East Main Street, Torrington, CT. and is owned by Yanni and Kaitlyn Gogo. The couple opened the restaurant during the summer of 2019 after they realized that the city of Torrington needed an authentic Greek Tavern. Yanni and Kaitlyn created a menu consisting of their family’s most well-known recipes to share with the community. The restaurant offers a wide array of traditional Greek dishes including tzatziki dip, grilled skewers, gyros and lamb chops, and all of their food is made fresh daily.

As soon as you step foot into the restaurant, you feel like you have teleported to a Greek Island. Between the atmosphere, the delicious food and the friendly staff, YiaYia’s Greek Kitchen is a Mediterranean paradise in Torrington and is certainly one of the city’s most unique hidden gems.

Batchy Brew Coffee Truck

Ryan and Razina Batchelder started their journey operating a mobile coffee truck in August of 2020 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Along with their mobile coffee truck, they now have a coffee trailer that they take to other events in the state such as food truck festivals.

Batchy Brew serves coffee and espresso drinks made with beans from local coffee companies, as well as other handcrafted beverages such as tea and lemonade. In addition to drinks, they also feature baked goods from a local Torrington bakery, Better Baking By Beth.

Batchy Brew’s primary location is at the Taste of Thailand parking lot at 19 McDermott Avenue in Torrington, CT. However, you can also find their truck at the Franklin Plaza Farmers Market every Thursday from 4 - 7 pm, Spring - Fall.

John Brown Birthplace

The city of Torrington played an important role in ending slavery in America.

There are multiple houses that were part of the underground railroad in Torrington and former slaves that fought in the Civil War are buried in the Historic Burrville Cemetery. 

Torrington was also the birthplace of John Brown, an American abolitionist leader born on May 9, 1800.

The house in which he was born is no longer standing, but the site where it was located can still be visited on John Brown Road (off of University Drive) in the Wrightville section of Torrington.



Here, visitors can see where John Brown grew up and learn more about his significance in ending slavery in America.

At the back of the site is The John Brown Trail, a two-thirds mile loop that takes visitors through the property and lets them experience where John Brown spent his childhood years.

On December 2, 1858, John Brown was executed by hanging in Charles Town, Virginia after being criminally charged for murder, inciting slave insurrection, and Treason against the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The city of Torrington honored Brown through the unveiling of the Torrington Civil Rights Mural on Juneteenth, painted by artist Ben Keller on the wall of the WAPJ building on Water Street.

The mural features John Brown as well as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and poet Amanda Gorman.

To learn more about John Brown and Torrington’s role in ending slavery in America, stop by the Torrington Historical Society Museum at 192 Main Street in Torrington or visit their website.

The Nutmeg Fudge Company

The Nutmeg Fudge Company, located at 20 East Main Street, Torrington, CT. and owned by Kristy Barto, has a wide selection of fudge flavors. The entire fudge selection (as well as a variety of other sweet treats!) is homemade in small batches daily, so it is always fresh and delicious.

In addition to fudge, the store offers a large assortment of bulk candy that is sold by the pound, which is great for parties and other events (or just for yourself, there’s no judgement!). The Nutmeg Fudge Company even has a selection of retro candy to reintroduce you to some of your childhood favorites.

In addition to fudge, candy and other sweet treats, The Nutmeg Fudge Company also sells milkshakes and ice cream from Canton Creamery, which features ingredients that are in season from local Connecticut farms.

John Toro Sports Complex

John Toro Sports Complex, located on Davis Passway just off Perkins Street, is a recreational hidden gem in the City of Torrington. The park consists of a picnic area, two softball fields, a soccer field, trails, and most recently, the city’s dog park.



The Naugatuck River Greenway in the park lets you walk along the river and enjoy the sounds of nature. From here, you can access the river to go fishing as well.

The dog park in the John Toro Sports Complex opened in August of 2020 and provides off-leash space surrounded by fencing for both small and medium to large size dogs.

Rosa Vega Bakery

Rosa Vega Bakery is a Puerto Rican restaurant and bakery located at 266 Main Street, Torrington, CT. The restaurant serves authentic Puerto Rican dishes such as rice with chicken or pork, plantains, and empanadas, as well as sweets such as flan and tres leche cake.

Whether you’re familiar with Puerto Rican cuisine or feel like giving it a try for the first time, Rosa Vega Bakery is a hidden gem in Torrington that you must check out! Rosa Vega Bakery can also be found at the Franklin Plaza Farmers Market on Thursdays from 4 - 7 pm, Spring - Fall.

Site of Borden's Condensed
Milk Factory

Many people may not know that the world’s first condensed milk factory was located in Torrington, Connecticut. The factory building, which was built by Milo Burr, was put into use in 1857 by Gail Borden, who discovered the process of milk preservation by evaporation and condensation. Borden’s factory was located alongside and powered by the waterfall that comes from Burr Pond. Although the factory burned down in 1877, some foundations can still be seen along the side of Burr Mountain Road. The remains are now a Connecticut State Archeological Preserve.

The Donut Station

The Donut Station in Torrington is the perfect place to go when you’re looking for something sweet to eat or drink. They serve breakfast sandwiches made with fresh eggs as well as donuts and other pastries. And if you’re in need of a pick-me-up, they have hot or iced coffee and espresso drinks. They also serve Fruit Chillers, Coffee Chillers, frappés and smoothies. Stop in to the restaurant or visit the drive through to experience this Torrington Hidden Gem for yourself!

Coe Memorial Park Boulder

The land where Coe Memorial Park exists once belonged to Lyman Wetmore Coe and Eliza Seymour Coe, who were lifetime residents of the city. After they both passed away, their three children gifted the property to the City of Torrington, with one condition being that a proper memorial to the Coe family be placed on the land.

This boulder, originally located in West Torrington along Route 4, had been admired by Eliza Coe, and the City of Torrington decided that it would be the perfect surface on which to place a bronze tablet to memorialize the Coe family and their gift to the city.



The 15-ton boulder was moved to Coe Memorial Park in 1908 and the bronze tablet was installed the following year.

Sol Café

Sol Cafe, located at 31 Hungerford Street in Torrington, is a Latin American restaurant that specializes in authentic cuisine from the Dominican Republic. Their dishes are made to order and there is something for everyone to enjoy. Sol serves classic American favorites such as burgers and sandwiches, as well as many popular Dominican dishes such as mofongo and fried pork belly. There are so many different foods to try, so be sure to dine in or order takeout from this unique hidden gem in Torrington.