A sleepy Connecticut town has quietly eclipsed New York’s iconic Hamptons as the chic new destination for the East Coast elite.

Litchfield Hills offers all of the charm and none of the snobbery associated with its more well-known predecessor, according to the Financial Times.

This picturesque region has been dubbed the ‘new Hamptons’ thanks to its  sophisticated yet unpretentious lifestyle.

In keeping with this more understated approach, you are more likely to find Subarus than super cars lining the streets. 

Located in the northwest corner of Connecticut – just 90 miles from New York City – Litchfield Hills combines stunning natural beauty with a rich historical backdrop and a thriving arts scene.

The area’s undeniable appeal provides the same luxurious yet laid-back atmosphere that made the Hamptons famous, without the overwhelming exclusivity.

Spanning over 1,000 square miles, Litchfield Hills is a landscape of rolling hills, tranquil lakes and expansive country estates.

Long dirt driveways wind past secluded homes, many owned by cultural icons such as philanthropist Agnes Gund and fashion mogul Diane von Furstenberg.

‘It’s the best of two worlds,’ Anthony Champalimaud, a hotelier and investor who grew up in the area, told the Financial Times. ‘Historically significant and vibrant with contemporary culture.’

Spanning over 1,000 square miles, Litchfield Hills is a landscape of rolling hills, tranquil lakes and expansive country estates. Pictured: A lonely jetty at Lake Waramaug in Litchfield Hills, Connecticut

Litchfield Hills has long been a refuge for established New Yorkers who want to disconnect from the frenetic pace of the city, while still enjoying an environment rich in both history and artistic energy.

According to Champalimaud, people ‘don’t come here to peacock,’ referring to the region’s welcoming, no-frills atmosphere.

Founded in 1719, Litchfield is one of the oldest towns in Connecticut, with its charming town center serving as a picturesque focal point.

The historic district is centered around a leafy green, surrounded by red-brick colonial-era buildings and anchored by four main streets – North, South, East, and West – lined with stately Victorian and Colonial Revival mansions.

Unlike the Hamptons’ high-society exclusivity, Litchfield Hills offers a more down-to-earth feel where locals are friendly, unpretentious and genuinely welcoming.

For those who enjoy outdoor pursuits, the region is a playground for hiking, kayaking, cycling and simply soaking in the town’s historic beauty.

And best of all, visitors can enjoy it all without the overcrowding found in the Hamptons.

The New England enclave also offers a deep dive into America’s past, as the town’s colonial architecture and its ties to the Revolutionary War provide a glimpse into the early history of the United States.

The area’s undeniable appeal provides the same luxurious yet laid-back atmosphere that made the Hamptons famous – but without the overwhelming exclusivity. Pictured: Flowers bloom along Lichfield Hills’ Main Street

The Oliver Wolcott Library (pictured), named after a signatory of the Declaration of Independence, stands as one of Connecticut’s oldest libraries and a symbol of the area’s commitment to preserving its heritage

For those who enjoy outdoor pursuits, the region is a playground for hiking, kayaking, cycling and simply soaking in the town’s historic beauty

The Oliver Wolcott Library, named after a signatory of the Declaration of Independence, stands as one of Connecticut’s oldest libraries and a symbol of the area’s commitment to preserving its heritage.

In addition to its historical significance, Litchfield Hills is home to an eclectic mix of modernist architecture.

The works of renowned designers like Marcel Breuer and John Johansen can be found in some of the area’s schools, showcasing the region’s seamless blend of past and present.

In recent years however, Litchfield Hills has become an increasingly popular retreat for influential urban creatives and their families.

In 2017, the Champalimaud family opened the luxurious 37-room Troutbeck Inn in nearby Amenia, New York.

However their latest project – an exclusive 10-room boutique hotel based around a 19th-century Victorian mansion – has truly put Litchfield on the map.

For fans of fine dining, Litchfield Hills is home to a historical gem, the Lost Fox Inn, with buildings dating back to 1745.

The hotel’s restaurant, overseen by highly-regarded Hudson Valley chef CJ Barroso, offers a dining experience steeped in both history and flavor.

Lost Fox Inn owners Eliza Clark and Tim Trojian said they were drawn to Litchfield because it’s ‘like the glamorous sister of the Catskills – older, more refined, and just as beautiful.’

Not just a retreat for history lovers, Litchfield Hills is also home to a vibrant arts scene.

For fans of fine dining, Litchfield Hills is home to a historical gem, the Lost Fox Inn, with buildings dating back to 1745. Pictured: Locals dine at the Lost Fox Tavern and Restaurant

Advertisement

Today, the creative spirit continues to thrive through local galleries, festivals and performances, adding an artistic edge to the region’s tranquil environment. Pictured: Locals gather on the town’s green for a daytime event

The area’s natural beauty has long attracted painters, sculptors, and musicians.

It was once a hotspot for lavish parties thrown by award-winning sculptor Alexander Calder, where the likes of Arthur Miller and Marilyn Monroe were regular guests.

Today, the creative spirit continues to thrive through local galleries, festivals and performances, adding an artistic edge to the region’s tranquil environment.

Litchfield Hills remains a hidden gem for now, as its charm remains unspoiled by the large crowds often seen flocking to more well-known destinations.

But, with its perfect mix of luxury, nature, community and history, it’s only a matter of time before the region sees even more attention.

Slightly more people are leaving Connecticut than moving in, according to data just released by U-Haul.

Every year, U-Haul tracks one-way trips both into and out of all 50 states.

In 2024, Connecticut was pretty far down on the list for growth – at 41. And we actually moved up one spot from the previous year.

According to U-Haul, people leaving the state made up almost 52% of one-way traffic. The other 48% came here from somewhere else.

Both figures are down slightly from 2023.

According to the data, departures from Connecticut fell 2% year-over-year, while arrivals fell 3%. We are the land of steady habits after all.

So where is everyone going? 

South Carolina had the most growth, moving up from its number four spot in 2023. Followed by Texas, North Carolina, Florida and Tennessee.

We also know where they’re not going. Our neighbors in Massachusetts came in at number 49 for growth – only ahead of California.

HARTFORD, CT — Twenty-five years after Connecticut enacted a law designed to protect newborns and mothers in crisis, lawmakers, advocates, and medical professionals gathered Thursday at the Legislative Office Building to reflect on its impact and call for renewed public awareness.

The state’s Safe Havens Act for Newborns, enacted in 2000, allows a parent to voluntarily and anonymously surrender an infant who is 30 days old or younger at any hospital emergency room, with no questions asked and no fear of prosecution for abandonment, provided there are no signs of abuse or neglect.

Lori Stewart, legislative liaison for the Catholic Conference of Public Affairs and host of the event, called the bill a unifier.

“No matter where you land or fall in the political, social, economic spectrum, we can all more or less come to a point where we believe that a mother in distress and a newborn baby at risk are worth a fighting chance at a potential positive outcome,” she said.

Carl Schiessel, speaking for the Connecticut Hospital Association, said 37 emergency departments across the state are designated Safe Haven sites. At each location there are signs designating the site as a safe haven and licensed clinicians are trained to provide immediate, compassionate care to both the baby and the parent.

“This law has been a success,” he said. “We need more people to know this.”

The law was inspired by a tragedy that, according to Stewart, “rocked the state.”

In January 1988, a newborn was found dead from exposure in a Meriden parking lot. His identity was unknown, and first responders named him David Paul — “David” meaning “God’s beloved” and “Paul” meaning “Little Man.”

For decades, the baby’s name was all they had. But in 2020, Meriden police, with help from forensic genealogists, identified the child’s mother. She told investigators she had given birth alone and called in an anonymous tip. She reportedly later told police that had the safe haven law existed at the time, she would have used it.

Moved by the case, former Rep. Pam Sawyer, R-Bolton and the late legislator Anne Carbone, R-Southington, helped craft legislation modeled after a Texas law. Connecticut’s version offered a penalty-free option for mothers and limited surrender sites to hospitals — rather than firehouses or police stations — to ensure access to medical care at all hours.

“We have too many unmanned firehouses, especially in rural towns,” Sawyer said. “Hospitals are open, staffed, and ready.”

Sawyer emphasized the need to make the law understandable and accessible, especially to younger audiences. 

“We knew that the best thing that we could do was to make the law so simple that it could be shared on a school bus,” she said. “Because that may be something that someone needs to hear, and if they get that info, they are going to realize that there are 24-hour emergency rooms and (the staff will not) ask any questions.”

Once a baby is surrendered, hospital staff notify the Department of Children and Families, which takes immediate custody. The parent receives a packet outlining their rights and options. If they change their mind within 30 days, they can begin the process of reunification through DCF — a process that has occurred in a small number of cases.

“This law ensures there’s a safe place when there seems to be no safe place in their world,” said Sen. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague. “It’s not just about the infant—it’s about showing care for the parent, too.”

Rep. Leslie Zupkus, R-Prospect. spoke about the law’s personal impact.

“I have two adopted daughters from similar situations,” she said. “I always tell them their biological mother loved them very much and wanted a better life for them.”

The event also highlighted the story of Panna Krom, a high school student and daughter of Cambodian refugees who gave birth alone in 2006 at age 17. Krom concealed the birth and her newborn died. She was charged with manslaughter and sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Her case drew the attention of Doug Hood, a retired Yale New Haven neurologist, who spoke about how he met Krom when he was volunteering at a women’s prison, Hood took interest in her case and later connected with her parents. Hood eventually advocated for her clemency when he learned that there were many similar cases across the state.

Hood chronicled the case in his 2023 book, Daughter of Song: A Cambodian Refugee Family, Their Daughter, Crime, and Injustice.

“She wasn’t a premeditated or even an intentional killer,” Hood wrote in his book.

The law’s reach has also been bolstered by community advocates like Tiffany Quinn, who became involved in 2014 after hearing news of another infant death in East Hartford. 

“This was truly a work of all of our hearts, and this came from a place of public service from the heart for what we believe is right and needed,” she said. Quinn helped launch a working group focused on public education and outreach.

Speakers honored the late Governor M. Jodi Rell, an advocate of the law.

Rell oversaw a statewide awareness campaign that included translated outreach materials, signage at hospital entrances, and public service commercials. Her son, Michael Rell, attended the event in her memory.

Rep. Tim Ackert, R-Coventry summed up the law’s legacy in simple terms.

“We always hear about ‘legislation that saves lives’ — this one does,” he said. According to Ackert, at least 59 newborns have been safely surrendered since the law took effect.

“That’s more people than were in the room today,” he said.

For more information about the Safe Havens Act, or for confidential local support and resources, contact the Department of Children and Families Careline at 1-800-842-2288 or dial 2-1-1 for confidential local support and resources.

RELATED

Advertisement

DCF Careline Received An Average Of 178 Reports A Day In 2024

HARTFORD, CT – Last week, the Connecticut Department of Children and Families reported receiving 65,127 reports of child abuse or neglect in 2024, of which 30,318 were accepted as credible and investigated.

Keep reading

by Coral Aponte
March 27, 2025, 5:00 amMarch 27, 2025, 4:05 pm

Judiciary Committee Hears Testimony On Raising Arrest Age, Changing Handcuff Rules For Children

HARTFORD, CT – For hours, members of the legislative Judiciary Committee heard firsthand testimony about how children – some of them as young as eight years old – are affected by being handcuffed. But in…

Keep reading

Advertisement

by Donald Eng
March 26, 2025, 3:57 pmMarch 26, 2025, 4:00 pm

Doctors Reassure Public That Vaccines Are Safe As Measles Outbreaks Return To US

HARTFORD, CT – Vaccines are safe, effective, and save lives. That was the message nearly a dozen officials and state lawmakers delivered to the public Tuesday morning in Hartford as health officials tracked measles outbreaks…

Keep reading

Connecticut Health Officials Warn Of Potential Measles Outbreaks At Dozens Of Schools

As measles outbreaks spread across the United States, Connecticut health officials are urging residents to double check their vaccination status, while also raising the alarm about the potential for outbreaks at more than two dozen…

Advertisement

Keep reading

Lamont Addresses School Superintendents On Education Funding, Mental Health, Technology

BRISTOL, CT – Gov. Ned Lamont outlined the state’s priorities for education funding, student mental health, and the role of technology in schools – emphasizing the need to limit distractions in classrooms – during the…

Keep reading

by Karla Ciaglo
March 20, 2025, 2:49 pmMarch 20, 2025, 4:13 pm

Advertisement

OCA Report Into Woman’s Long-Time Sexual Abuse Cites DCF, Probate Court Deficiencies

The state Department of Children and Families and the probate courts “missed opportunities” to protect a woman from repeated sexual assaults when she was a minor, the Office of Child Advocate said in a report…

Keep reading