Our Town
Written By: Jen Williams
Bursting with an air of surprising energy and charm packed into such a small village, Chester’s town spirit is enriched by its funky & fabulous residents, nourished by top-notch dining venues, and lauded for its renowned artists and eclectic-to-chic shopping.
Chester’s abundance of arts feels more on par with a chic city than a village of just 3,800. It's home to many museums, theatre and music venues. Be sure to explore Chester Gallery, Lori Warner Studio & Gallery, The Space and The Museum at the Mill, home to Chester’s Historical Society. Plus an insider’s tip: Leif Nilsson Studio & Gallery is also a hip music venue! Not only does Chester boast an exceptional art scene, it also offers unique and fun shopping experiences at independently owned boutiques like Dina Varano, Lark Chester, Swoon Boutique (downstairs at the Lori Warner Gallery), Blackkat Leather, the Herbery, Kismet and The Space. And while you're in town, don’t miss a chance to enjoy a scoop or two of handcrafted ice cream from Honeycone, or a botanical elixir at Tonic!
Visitors and locals alike love Chester’s First Fridays; many of these locations host special events, sweet sales and stay open late at the start of each month. This a great opportunity to get out and about downtown and support local businesses. By shopping and dining in our Village, you help maintain the vital heartbeat of our town. Our unique small businesses are what make Chester such a special place and we wouldn't be who we are without our enthusiastic patrons! #supportlocal
While touted for its vibrant downtown village shops, there are also exceptional pop-up and open-air shopping events to look forward to: You won’t want to miss the Chester Sunday Market that runs mid-June through mid-Oct and takes place in the middle of Main Street, in the heart of the village. The Town Wide Tag Sale takes place on the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend and the Chester Village Holiday Market runs on Sundays between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Unconventional and adored, a visit to Chakana Sky Alpacas is a must for animal lovers, yogis and fiber enthusiasts alike. This farm offers education, serves as a sanctuary and produces an array of fiber and fiber products. Plus, move over goat yoga… they’ve got Morning Yoga with the Alpacas on select Open Farm Sunday mornings!
When it’s time for a little physical recreation, Chester provides no shortage of beautiful nature escapes: Some are found along the Connecticut River and Cedar Lake, with its two beaches nestled between sweeping hillside views, and the vast recreation and trails of Cockaponset State Forest. Chester is also home to Camp Hazen, one of New England's classic summer camps and outdoor education centers serving up cherished summer memories for thousands of youth as well as family programs. Chester also maintains its own municipal park which is walking distance from downtown, that recently added a new basketball court and a disk golf course!
Did you know that getting around town is part of the fun in Chester, too? There’s a disproportionate and delightful array of options for exploring the area: Enjoy multiple marinas and yacht clubs, a local airport and a historic ferry that dates back to the Revolution Era! It’s a smooth ride and major convenience; plus it connects scenic Route 148, from Chester to Hadlyme.
But don’t head out just yet, you’ll want to stay and spend time sipping and savoring local libations and decadent dining! Check out award winning Grano Arso or the Pattaconk 1850 Bar & Grill, Little House Brewery, River Tavern, Otto Pizza, The Villager, Simon’s Marketplace, the Wheatmarket, Rustica Ristorante, Thai Riverside, The Village Bistro, Brushmill by the Waterfall or Moravela's Pizzeria.
Why not sample a new venue each visit to Chester!
