Killingworth’s Lavender Pond Farm, which has become a popular destination since opening nearly three years ago, topped the list of Best Connecticut Attractions in this year’s USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
The lavender farm, dubbed New England’s largest, beat some of Connecticut’s most iconic tourist spots for the No. 1 ranking, including Mystic Seaport and the Mark Twain House and Museum.
Other attractions in the region making the top 10 include Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam (6), the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat in Essex (8) and Lyman Orchards in Middlefield (9).
USA Today readers chose the top 10 from a list of 20 nominees, which were selected by a panel of Connecticut travel writers.
“To even be mentioned in the same breath with such prestigious locations is humbling and inspiring to us,” said Denise Salafia, who co-founded the farm with her husband, Chris, in 2015. “We are incredibly grateful to our loyal supporters and are committed to continuing to grow Lavender Pond Farm, thereby doing our small part to help make the world a more beautiful place.”
The farm features more than 10,000 lavender plants on 25 acres off Roast Meat Hill Road. Visitors come to picnic, stroll the grounds, take photographs and shop for all-natural lavender-based products in the gift shop. The farm also hosts weddings, corporate gatherings and other events.
Natalie Missakian can be reached at news@newhavenbiz.com
