The base of the waterfall at Kent Falls State Park in Kent, Connecticut

If you want proof that I wasn’t expecting much from our impromptu day trip to Kent, Connecticut, here you go: I didn’t bring my camera. Yep, all of these photos are taken by my iPhone 4 because I didn’t think that that our Memorial Day trip to Kent was going to be anything to blog about. Northwest Connecticut, the foothills of the Berkshires, is a beautiful area, but I’ve been there so many times throughout the years that I wasn’t expecting to see anything truly different. I was glad to be wrong!

The drive from New York City to Kent’s quaint but lively New England Village is about one hour and 40 minutes. There are several dining options along Main Street. We poked our head into the atmospheric Fife and Drum, but then opted for the more casual Villager because we had our toddler with us. After that, we took a nice stroll past the library, which was having a used book sale, and to the galleries behind the defunct train station.

Then, I hesitantly suggested that we go to Kent State Falls Park, which is four miles north of the village. We pulled into the parking lot (after paying a $15 non-state-resident parking fee) and were instantly wowed. Past the wide manicured lawn was a beautiful waterfall, that was especially voluminous due to the rainy weather we’ve been having. It brought me right back to the falls of Ithaca, NY.

You can hike up the 250-foot falls, and we did. The “hiking” is mostly walking up steps. The trail is very well-maintained and takes about 10-15 minutes. It was easy enough that our toddler was able to do it, although we had to carry him down for our own piece of mind, as he wouldn’t have minded cascading right down to the Housatonic River. The design of the trail, with its numerous lookout spots, is impressive and justifies the high admission fee. I would definitely go again. When you aren’t hiking, you can spend time relaxing on the lawn or (if you’re two years old) running in and out of the red covered bridge, which is a nice to nod to the traditional covered bridges of New England.

One of my favorite parts of Kent Falls State Park

There is something hypnotizing about a waterfall.

Red covered bridge at Kent Falls State Park in Kent, CT

Looking for more easy trips from New York City? Here are 18 getaways from New York City.