This is a detailed article specifically about New Milford, Connecticut.
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How is New Milford, CT like Stars Hollow:
Gazebo & Town Green
The gazebo is without doubt the shining star of New Milford’s claim to Stars Hollow-ness. The seasonal decorations add even more charm.
I love that the gazebo is located in the town green, right in the midst of the action! So you can get yourself a pumpkin latte at one of the coffee shops downtown, pop a squat in the gazebo and sip your drink while you gaze out at the pretty churches and downtown buildings.
Maybe you’ll even be around for a farmer’s market or a concert on the lawn!
Cute Downtown
New Milford’s downtown is packed full of adorable shops to explore. The variety is astounding! From coffee shops and health food places, to toy shops and thrift stores, to banks and businesses, there’s a lot going on here.
It’s a fun town to explore, whether you like Gilmore Girls or not. There aren’t a lot of businesses that specifically remind me of any in Stars Hollow, so I guess they lose points for that. It’s really more of the feel that I get from being here though, that really feels like Stars Hollow to me.
I did find an old red barn (part of New Milford’s barn quilt trail—how Stars Hollow is that!) that could definitely be Miss Patty’s.
Part of the New Milford Barn Quilt Trail.
White Steeple Church
At the far end of the town green is the classic Connecticut white steeple church.
It’s one of the prettiest sites in New Milford. I love that you can sit in some of restaurants across the street and enjoy the view!
New Milford Historical Society & Museum
I didn’t visit the New Milford Historical Society, but a local history museum is part of the Stars Hollow experience. Of course, it’s also a little less fun when the exhibits aren’t so ridiculous that you need to get down on your knees with a flashlight and peer through the broken floorboards to see them.
The museum is part of the barn quilt trail though, so you’ll definitely have to make a stop here as you chase down that small town gem.
Bank Street Theater
The Bank Street Theater is nothing like the Black, White and Red theater in Stars Hollow. You’re not going to be sitting on old couches, eating the bad burgers and fries you brought in with you while watching Pippi Longstocking.
So as far as Stars Hollow feel, it’s not really.
But it is something fun to do while you’re out exploring small town America.
Theo’s Downtown Diner
Theo’s Downtown Diner in downtown New Milford, Connecticut. They are only open for breakfast and lunch, so plan accordingly.
Serving breakfast and lunch right in downtown New Milford, you couldn’t get much closer to a Luke’s-esque diner than Theo’s Downtown Diner!
I didn’t eat here myself, but I’m sure the experience would be quite similar to eating at Luke’s (though maybe without the grumpy man in plaid).
Cool Hand Duke’s
It even almost says “William’s Hardware” above its sign!
Duke’s isn’t exactly Luke’s, but it’s close enough (not to mention, Lorelai and Jason once spent 10 minutes discussing the coffee at “Duke’s”). And they have really good burgers.
Well…I’m assuming they do, based on how amazing it smelled! But since we were still too full from our late lunch at Marty’s Cafe in Washington Depot to really want anything, we ate at Domino’s… (which was still super fun to eat pizza with a view of the town green & white steeple church!).
See where they filmed episode 1 of Gilmore Girls in Canada:
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