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The Sunday Five - For November
Ways to get away from those Sunday vibes in the Farmington Valley, we bring you the Sunday Fives
The Farmington Valley
November 09, 2025
A Quiet Moment In Your Inbox
There’s something about Sundays in The Farmington Valley — that quiet, unhurried rhythm that reminds us to slow down and take it all in. The coffee tastes a little better, the streets feel a little calmer, and the hills seem to breathe under a soft gray sky.
This special edition, Sunday Vibes, is a pause — a moment to look around and rediscover the beauty tucked into our corner of Connecticut. From a cozy brunch in Collinsville to art-filled afternoons in Avon, or a lazy stroll through Simsbury and Granby, these are the simple pleasures that make life here feel grounded and good.
We may not send this every Sunday, but when we do, it’s a reminder to slow down, explore nearby, and enjoy what’s right in front of us.
Here’s to quiet mornings, familiar places, and the feeling of home — no matter the weather.
— Tim
The Farmington Valley
Table of Contents
Cozy November Sundays In The Valley
When the air turns crisp and the sky hangs low, there’s something special about a quiet Sunday in our towns, the smell of coffee, the sound of leaves underfoot, and that urge to slow down.
Here are five cozy ways to spend a November Sunday across The Valley. ☕
1. Brunch & Browsing in Collinsville (Canton)
Start your morning at LaSalle Market & Deli, where locals gather over pancakes, breakfast pizzas, and mugs of hot coffee. After brunch, stroll Main Street, pop into Antiques on the Farmington, Gallery on the Green, or Crown & Hammer for small-town charm and a warm indoor escape. Even on a gray day, Collinsville feels alive and cozy.🎨
2. Get Creative at the Farmington Valley Arts Center (Avon)
The perfect stop for a chilly afternoon. Walk through artist studios, pick up locally made pottery, and let the kids explore their creative side in open workshops. When you’re done, head just down the road to Dom’s Coffee for a creamy latte or hot chocolate — a local favorite that feels like a hug in a cup.📚
3. Books, Cocoa, and Playtime in Simsbury
The Simsbury Public Library is one of the region’s treasures, bright, welcoming, and perfect for families. Curl up by the window with a good book, then walk across the street and find The Spot for coffee and a treat, or one of the many restaurants and gift shops to explore. If the drizzle lets up, cross the bridge and enjoy a short walk along the river. 🍷
4. Fireside Comfort at Lost Acres Vineyard (Granby)
Even on cloudy days, Lost Acres Vineyard feels like a retreat. Parents can enjoy a glass of wine while kids color or play board games near the fireplace. Sundays often bring live acoustic music or small bites from local chefs (call ahead to see what may be available today). And on your way home, stop at Grassroots Ice Cream, because in New England, ice cream is a year-round thing. 🏛️
5. A Step Back in Time in Farmington
Tour the Hill-Stead Museum, a historic estate with Impressionist paintings, scenic trails, and warm holiday vibes. Or explore the nearby Stanley-Whitman House to learn about early colonial life. End your outing with something sweet from Truffles Bakery & Kitchen or coffee from The Coffee Trade in Avon.✨
Bonus Local Treat of the Week:
Hot chocolate from the best chocolatier in the valley, grab a cup and bring it home in time to watch the Patriots on this Sunday afternoon! 💌
The Valley Is Still Our Home
Even when the sun hides and the air turns brisk, The Farmington Valley is full of small joys, friendly faces, hidden gems, and places that remind us to slow down. Here’s to cozy Sundays spent close to home.
5 Great Small Shops To Visit On This Crisp Sunday
There’s something special about wandering through a local shop on a quiet Sunday, where the lights are warm, the owner greets you by name, and every shelf tells a story. Here are five locally loved spots to explore this weekend across The Valley
1. The Home Place – Canton, CT📍 220 Albany Turnpike, Canton, CT
A true gem in Canton, The Home Place is filled with cozy home décor, vintage finds, and locally made goods that make any space feel special. From rustic furniture to seasonal touches, it’s the kind of place that makes you want to linger. Their holiday displays are reason enough to stop in. 🕯️
2. Suburban Home – Avon, CT 📍 33 E Main St, Avon, CT
This lifestyle boutique is a mix of modern comfort and classic New England style. You’ll find everything from candles and cozy throws to gifts and home accessories. It’s a lovely stop for those looking to bring a little Farmington Valley charm into their home🎁
3. The Findery – Collinsville, CT 📍
One of the most pleasant shops in the valley, great gifts, wonderful owner, and what’s better than a stop on Main Street Collinsville🧣
4. D.K. Schulman Design – West Hartford, CT📍 982 Farmington Ave, West Hartford, CT
Located right in the heart of West Hartford Center, this charming stationery and gift shop offers custom cards, invitations, and a beautifully curated mix of paper goods, jewelry, and accessories. It’s small-town warmth with a big sense of style. 🍯
5. Old Pond Mill Shops – Granby, CT📍 383 Salmon Brook St, Granby, CT
Great place to spend some time and find some treasures.. ☕
5 Tasty Lunch Stops On This Sunday
As the air turns cool and the sky hangs low, the Farmington Valley’s cozy lunch spots offer warmth, comfort, and a reason to linger a little longer. Whether you’re out after a morning walk or wandering through local shops, here are five family-friendly places to enjoy lunch this Sunday.
1. LaSalle Market & Deli – Canton, CT 📍 104 Main St, Collinsville, CT
It’s such a staple, we mentioned it to start off the edition and here again now, because as a Collinsville classic and local gathering spot, how could we not include it here as well.. Order a hot panini, homemade soup, or their famous breakfast pizza, then grab a table surrounded by local art and community buzz. It’s casual, friendly, and full of small-town warmth, exactly what a November Sunday should feel like.
2. Hartford Baking co – Farmington, CT📍 767 Farmington Ave, Farmington, CT
Bright, cozy, and delicious, HBC offers soups, sandwiches, and seasonal specials that taste like home. Their baked goods are legendary (don’t skip the cookies), and it’s an easy spot for families with mixed tastes.
3. TJ’s Burritos – Granby, CT📍 17 E Granby Rd, Granby, CT
Laid-back, family-run, and full of flavor, TJ’s Burritos is a Granby favorite. Their menu has something for everyone, from classic burritos and tacos to creative specials and fresh salads. It’s a casual, kid-friendly stop with plenty of local charm (and portions big enough to take home).
4. The Coffee Spot – Simsbury, CT📍 750 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury, CT (inside the Simsbury 1820 House)
A family friendly option that’s comfortable and welcoming. From great coffee to delicious treats. A must stop by for any weekend..
5. Little Oak Café – Canton, CT📍 220 Albany Turnpike, Canton, CT 06019
Warm, friendly, and filled with the smell of fresh-baked pastries, Little Oak Café feels like a Sunday tradition. Sandwiches, quiches, wood-fired pizza, and bakery items are made with care, perfect after a stroll by the river or a visit to The Home Place next door.
Don’t Allow The Monday Vibes to Steal Your Sunday
There’s a certain feeling that creeps in on Sunday afternoons, that quiet shift when the coffee cup empties, the light starts to fade, and your mind begins drifting toward Monday. The to-do lists. The early alarm. The sense that the weekend is already slipping away.
But here’s the truth: Sunday isn’t gone yet. It’s still yours.
The Sunday Scaries, as we’ve all come to call them, are really just a sign that you care, about your work, your goals, your family, your time. The trick is learning how to hold that feeling without letting it take over. ✨
Here are a few ways to keep Sunday in the moment:
Create a Sunday ritual. Maybe it’s pancakes with the family, an afternoon walk along the Farmington River, or coffee at your favorite local café. When you make something a tradition, it grounds you in the present.
Close the mental tab on Monday. Set aside 10 minutes earlier in the day to glance at your calendar, make a short list, and then consciously put it away. The rest of your day belongs to you.
Find something to look forward to Sunday evening. A family dinner, a good movie, or time spent journaling or reading, something gentle that reminds you rest is productive, too.
Step outside. Even just five minutes of fresh air, a short drive, a walk down your street, helps reset the mind and reminds you that life is bigger than the inbox.
The goal isn’t to erase the feeling of Sunday evening, it’s to soften it. To remind yourself that slowing down isn’t falling behind. It’s recharging.
So take a breath. Light a candle. Watch the sky change color.
Monday can wait.
In Closing
This past week reminded us of something important, that even in the quiet corners of Connecticut, the noise of the world can still feel loud. The recent local elections brought passion, opinions, and sometimes, unfortunately, division. But as the signs come down and the dust settles, what remains is us — neighbors, friends, and families who share the same roads, schools, and sunrise views over Talcott Mountain.
Now more than ever, The Farmington Valley needs kindness.
We need smiles exchanged in coffee lines, patience in traffic, and grace for those who see things differently. Our towns, Avon, Canton, Simsbury, Farmington, Granby, New Hartford, and West Hartford, are stitched together by community, not conflict.
When we lead with kindness, we build the kind of place our kids want to grow up in, our friends want to stay in, and our hearts can rest in.
So this week, let’s all make a small effort to be the good energy in someone’s day, hold a door, share a compliment, check on a neighbor, or simply listen.
Because kindness isn’t just contagious, it’s the quiet power that keeps The Valley strong.
And as always, thank you for being part of this community. Check back later this week as we highlight more life around The Valley, from cozy local moments to incredible art and creativity blooming right here at home.
Until next time,
The Farmington Valley
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