Things To Do and Places To Eat In Windham, Connecticut

If you’re looking for a laid back, historic spot to visit in Connecticut, Windham needs to be on your list. I might be a bit biased because I went to college in the area, but that was when I really fell in love with Windham. You have the charm of the old mill town, but also quieter sections with natural beauty and historic homes. Below are some of my favorite spots to visit and dine when in town.

Windham Textile and History Museum

A red brick building labeled “Windham Textile & History Museum” displays several flags outside and sits along a street with a pedestrian crossing sign.

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If you’re interested in history, especially the Industrial Revolution, this museum is a must-visit. The curators of this museum have done a phenomenal job with the displays. I was absolutely blown away when I saw recreations of actual living spaces from the time period on the second floor.

Vintage kitchen scene with shelves of canned goods, cookware, and teapots above a washboard, wringer, drying linens, and household tools, recreating an early 1900s domestic setting. — Representation of a mill worker’s house. Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Victorian-style living room with green floral wallpaper, a green fireplace, framed portraits, antique furniture, and various decorative items including a brass lamp and purple flowers. — Representation of the boss’s house. Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

The other great thing about this museum is it’s kid-friendly. The first floor has with an entire hands-on crafting section. However, even if you’re an adult, this section is really cool. I really enjoyed giving some of the crafts a try. Some of them I liked enough to try on my own at home. I really can’t say enough good things about this museum.

A person uses a wooden-handled punch needle to create a colorful yarn design on burlap fabric. — My sister doing one of the hands-on crafts. Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Garden on the Bridge

The Garden on the Bridge is across the street from the Windham Textile Museum. From the bridge, you can see some of the old mill buildings, which have been repurposed. You’ll also get great views of the Willimantic River from the bridge as well.

A small waterfall flows over a low dam in a river, surrounded by green trees and a stone building on the right under a partly cloudy sky. — Views of the Willimantic River from the bridge. Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Green benches line a paved walkway beside bushes and trees, with a large gray building and partly cloudy sky in the background. — The Garden on the Bridge. Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

The Frog Bridge (officially known as Thread City Crossing)

I debated on whether or not to put this, but it’s such an iconic landmark that I couldn’t leave it off of this list. While it’s not necessarily a thing to do, it is definitely worth taking a peek at if for some reason you don’t come into Willimantic this way.

A large frog statue sits atop a pedestal next to a green streetlamp, surrounded by trees and greenery. — The iconic Frog Bridge in Willimantic, Connecticut. Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

The bridge features four frogs on thread spools. It pays homage to Willimantic’s dominance in the textile industry, which was shaped by the American Thread Company, and the Battle of the Frogs. There was no actual battle…the townspeople were just terrified by the cries of dying frogs. It’s a really interesting story that has stuck with the town. If you want to know all of the details, give this article a read.

Jillson House Museum

This museum operates on limited hours, but it’s worth peeking at if you’re in the area, even if it’s not open. It was built in 1825 from gneiss granite that was quarried from the nearby Willimantic River. If you’re checking out the Frog Bridge on foot, this is not far from the bridge. It’s right on Main Street.

Two-story historic stone building with a symmetrical facade, white-framed windows, a central door, and two brick chimneys, surrounded by green trees and bushes along a sidewalk. — Jilson House Museum. Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Windham Center Historic District

Small yellow house with white trim, shingle roof, and symmetrical windows, surrounded by green trees and grass on a sunny day. — Chester Hunter Office in Windham Center Historic District. Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

There are some very cool historic buildings in this area, but the most notable is the tiny, yellow Dr. Chester Hunt Office next to the library. You can find brochures for self-guided tours next to the historic Windham Inn.

A white, two-story brick building labeled “Windham Inn” with a brown shingle roof, six chimneys, and a decorated front door, standing in front of green trees. — The Windham Inn in the Windham Center Historic District. Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Map displaying Historic Windham Center Village with color-coded markers for tour stops, landmarks, and two cemeteries. Includes legend and title from Windham Preservation Inc. — Map of the different self-guided tours. Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Allanach-Wolf Woodlands

This preserve is a Joshua’s Trust property. There’s a scenic pond close to the parking lot and various trails to explore. The longest trial is the yellow trail that takes you along streams. It’s a great place to get out and enjoy nature in Windham.

A calm lake with reflections of tall pine trees on a sunny day, bordered by grass and flowering plants in the foreground. — Allanach-Wolf Woodlands. Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Mansfield Hollow Flood Control Levee Trail

A paved path bordered by rocks and wooden railings extends straight into the distance under a partly cloudy sky. — The paved trail on the levee. Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

This is a levee along Mansfield Hollow Lake with a paved path on top. It’s also next to the Windham Airport, so you might see planes landing or taking off during your walk. The path goes all the way to the Mansfield Hollow Dam.

A calm reservoir with a small island and reeds, surrounded by forested hills under a blue sky with scattered clouds. — Views from the levee. Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Willimantic Brewing Company

A historic post office building with columns, string lights, and signs for Willimantic Brewing Co. and Main Street Cafe in the foreground. Blue sky with clouds overhead. — Willimantic Brewing Company. Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Willimantic Brewing Company is very much a staple in the community. The brewery opened in 1997, so it’s been around for 30 years. It’s housed in the historic 1909 granite and limestone former post office right on Main Street. They have plenty of indoor seating and even some outdoor seating. You can always expect a great meal and drinks at this spot.

Wooden tables and chairs in front of double doors, with beer taps above and a large orange bird sculpture perched on top at a bar or pub. — Inside Willimantic Brewing Company. Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Trigo Wood Fired Pizza

This pizza spot in downtown Willimantic serves up delicious wood-fired pizza with local, seasonal ingredients. The restaurant’s major supplier is Apis Verdi Farm in Lebanon, Connecticut (which is the town over from Windham). You really can’t get more local than that! And of course, the pizza is delicious.

A large cheese pizza on a metal stand sits on a wooden table with a glass of water, a candle, and brick walls in the background. — Cheese pizza at Trigo. Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Thread City Diner II

Thread City Diner II is located right in downtown Willimantic. This spot serves breakfast classics, and the prices are honestly so affordable. And of course, you’ll find nods to Willimantic’s history as the Thread City and to the frogs.

A breakfast sandwich with bacon, a fried egg, and a toasted bun is served on an orange plate on a wooden table. — Bacon, egg, and cheese from Thread City Diner II. Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Egg and Cheese

As the name suggests, this spot specializes in eggs and cheese. When I went, I got a breakfast sandwich, and it was delicious. My boyfriend got the breakfast box, which he also said was great. Something unexpected was that they also had baked goods, so I also got a large cinnamon roll when I went.

A breakfast sandwich with egg and bacon on a bun sits on foil, with a paper coffee cup and fries visible in the background. — Breakfast sandwich from Egg and Cheese. Photo credit: Kailey MarcAurele.

Blondie’s Diner

Blondie’s Diner isn’t located right in downtown like the rest of the restaurants mentioned above. The restaurant serves home-cooked comfort food and it’s a local favorite. I found out about this spot from locals in my comment section on TikTok. They’re known for their breakfast, but they also serve lunch. This is just one of their various locations throughout Connecticut.