Enfield/E Windsor/Windsor Locks - Enfield, CT Area Guide

Originally home to the Pocomtuc tribe, Enfield saw its first wave of cultural shifts when settlers from Salem, Massachusetts, established residency in the late 17th century. Modern day Enfield came into existence through the annexation of neighboring towns Thompsonville and Hardzardville. A gunpowder manufacturing company in the Powder Hill was a key player in the town's most profitable industry throughout most of the 19th century. Enfield continued to grow and development into the 20th century, seeing the migration of numerous inhabitants. Enfield houses a fair collection of museums and historical landmarks, including the Martha A Parsons House and Enfield Historical Society Inc. The latter provides a deep look into the history of Enfield encompassing a number of historical locations and exhibits including the Wallop School and Old Town Hall. Catch Enfield's annual Fourth of July Town Celebration, featuring numerous rides, games, arts and crafts and a phenomenal fireworks display.

A vibrant variety of establishments ranging from traditional American diners, pubs and nationally recognized fast-food chains to European, Mexican and Caribbean specialty bistros define the dining experience in Enfield. Both Hazard Ave and surrounding streets house the majority of restaurants in the area. Visit Hacienda Del Sol on King Street for authentic Mexican cuisine and prompt, friendly service. Locals love this place because of its well-established reputation as a top-class eatery and frequently recommend the flavored margaritas. Start your supper off with a plate of fresh tortilla chips and scrumptious salsa before moving on to a generous entrée selection. Try a burrito, and revel in a juicy blend of meat, beans and more, or go for the pollo asado to enjoy a straight-from-Mexico taste in this seasoned chicken dish. Hot Table serves as the authority in freshly baked paninis in the Enfield area. The restaurant provides a menu of primarily soups, salads and signature sandwiches – all quite reasonably priced. The interior contains a spacious spread of both conventional and high-top tables, complemented by casual decor and ambient lighting to create a genuinely comforting atmosphere. The restaurant uses a line-style setup where customers can customize their sandwiches, starting with their bread selection and ending with the panini press. When you visit, try the Chicken Cuban, a divine blend of roasted chicken, salami, spicy chipotle mayo, American cheese, roasted onions, pickles and tomatoes served on Hot Table's custom artisan bread. Nightlife in Enfield consists of a heterogeneous blend of both American and internationally themed bars, taverns and pubs. Locations such as The Yarde Tavern and Backyard Bar & Grille serve as great spots for a full selection of drinks and tasty appetizers in a relatively laid-back atmosphere. Guests at The Yarde Tavern also enjoy live musical performances on Fridays and Saturdays. Acapulcos Mexican Family Restaurant & Cantina is another ideal location for famished visitors craving a few strong drinks. The restaurant serves all of the traditional dishes including freshly made burritos and crisp tortillas. Meanwhile, attentive and accommodating staff members actively tend to customers, providing top-notch service. The full bar contains an expansive collection able to please anyone from casual wine and craft beer drinkers to specialty drink enthusiasts. If you're looking for a filling snack, put in an order for taquito bites – bite-sized crispy corn tortillas stuffed with shredded chicken or beef, served with lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole and Parmesan cheese.

Automobiles serve as primary means of transportation in the neighborhood, while Enfield Transit provides public transportation via bus routes. Enfield contains a small distribution of taxi services, while services like Uber do not yet cover the area. Free on-street residential spaces, business-owned lots and a substantially light spread of metered spaces provide public parking for residents. Interstate 91 stretches throughout Enfield and intersects a number of major thoroughfares including US Route 5 and State Roads 190 and 220. The area presents a moderately walkable atmosphere; meanwhile, cyclists enjoy a healthy spread of bike routes throughout the area.

Enfield has a dominantly nature-centric spread of recreational spots within its boundaries. Scantic River State Park and Powder Hollow Park provide plenty of refreshing scenery packed with thick and healthy woodlands, and trails for hiking. Visitors at Scantic River State Park can also fish or hunt in to parks 784 acres landscape. Both parks present free admission and are ideal for long walks with your four-legged family member. Catch the annual Enfield Italian Festival, a celebration featuring a number of authentic Italian food vendors in addition to live entertainment and activities.

Enfield has a cost of living three percent higher than Hartford, while transportation to the city center via public transits costs around $1.30. One-bedroom rentals in Enfield average about $925, and gas prices rest 13 percent higher than the national average. Grab yourself a pint of ice-cold beer at a local pub for just $5.

Enfield's commercial district comprises a mix of nationally recognized chain retailers and independently-owned boutiques. From niche department stores, book stores, and comic book shops to jewelry and eye wear shops, Enfield houses a broad selection. Most stores sit between Hazard Avenue and Elm Street as well as within the Enfield Square shopping center. Fashion lovers can browse some of the stores in the area, but for upscale boutiques, they need to jump in the car and head down the freeway toward Longmeadow. There, the Kate Gray Boutique blends style and sensibility. The shop features timeless fashions with an emphasis on quality, and the owner's honest but caring advice frequently guides shoppers to the right selection. Nearby, Carol K's Added Attractions makes the perfect place to shop for black-and-white styles for the office or fun, colorful prints for a night on the town. Enfield Market serves as Enfield's main neighborhood grocer, providing an ample variety of inventory that includes fresh produce, meats and a wide selection of beer. Customers love the store's low prices and diverse offerings. GiGi's Native Produce, a fabulous destination for anyone who wants tasty farm-fresh produce, has a selection of high-quality local produce and baked goods. The suburbs near Enfield have a range of weekend farmers markets, but Enfield locals in the mood for freshly grown fare stop by Johnny's Roadside Market. This family-owned collection of greenhouses has been selling plants and heirloom tomatoes to locals since 1949, and it continues to be a favorite stop for many foodies.