Brookfield, Connecticut, located in the Berkshires, offers a charming lifestyle less than an hour from New York City. Beyond its highly-ranked school system and safe neighborhoods, Brookfield hides lesser-known gems. While house hunters browse homes for sale in Brookfield for the family-friendly lifestyle, longtime locals have their favorite hidden spots that visitors often overlook. Here are some of the top hidden gems Brookfield residents love to frequent:
Things to do in Brookfield: Discover local art at the Brookfield museum
The Brookfield Museum offers a look into local history but also features rotating art exhibits, especially highlighting artists from the area. Don’t expect famous paintings here—instead, you’ll find pottery, sculpture, quilts, photography, and other media from regional artists. The museum also hosts regular artist receptions, allowing visitors to meet the creative minds behind the beautiful works. Beyond the galleries, explore the museum’s other exhibits chronicling Brookfield’s past, including an 1890s general store and print shop.
Paddle Brookfield’s winding rivers
For a unique perspective on Brookfield, rent a kayak or canoe from the Brookfield Nature Center. Pack a lunch to enjoy on a sandy bank or search for blue herons, songbirds, turtles, mink, and other wildlife that call the rivers home. If you’re lucky, you might spot remnants of centuries-old logging infrastructure. The Nature Center offers maps of river routes ranging from a simple hour-long paddle for beginners to day-long excursions for more experienced kayakers.
Hike hidden waterfall trails
A ten-minute drive from downtown leads to the trailhead for Barlow Falls, a gorgeous waterfall accessible via a short hike through a vibrant forest. Outside of town, more adventurous trekkers can explore secluded backcountry trails in search of lesser-known cascades and cataracts like Angel Falls or Rush Creek Falls. Hundreds of unmarked trails crisscrossing Brookfield’s hilly wilderness make it easy to find beautiful waterfall hikes far from the crowds. Stop by the outdoor gear store River Trail Outfitters in town to get trail maps, hiking gear, and directions to remote trout fishing holes only the locals know about.
Sip and savor at local winery tasting rooms
Brookfield’s countryside offers the perfect climate for growing cold-hardy hybrid grapes, resulting in several family-owned wineries dotted around the region’s hills. Visitors can taste the wines of wineries like Bell Creek Winery and Three Owls Vineyard at downtown tasting rooms, even if they can’t visit the vineyards. Experience wine tastings with knowledgeable pourers, explore red, white, fruit wines, ciders, and meads, or plan your visit to coincide with a summer wine festival downtown.
Brookfield real estate
Brookfield, Connecticut, is a desirable community in Fairfield County known for its quiet neighborhoods and convenient location near major highways. Real estate in Brookfield features colonial and contemporary single-family homes on large wooded properties. Popular neighborhoods include Whisconier and Deerfield Farms. The median market price for properties is currently around $575,000, with a monthly rent of $1700 for an apartment, making it one of the less expensive towns in the county. Brookfield offers homebuyers a peaceful, small-town feel within commuting distance to Danbury and greater New York City.