Windsor Locks, Connecticut, is home to Bradley International Airport and offers a canal-side trail, public parks and the New England Air Museum. Use this guide to get oriented, choose an outdoor stop and understand the airport’s connections with the town and Hartford.
- Bradley International Airport is in Windsor Locks.
- The Windsor Locks Canal Trail follows a 4.5-mile towpath beside the canal and Connecticut River.
- The New England Air Museum is adjacent to the airport, off Route 75.
- CTtransit Route 24 connects the airport with Windsor Locks Railroad Station.
Getting Oriented in Windsor Locks
Windsor Locks brings together the airport, local parks and a historic canal corridor in one Connecticut town. Bradley International Airport is located here, 30 minutes from Hartford, according to the airport authority.
For time outdoors, the Windsor Locks Canal Trail State Park follows the towpath of a canal more than 170 years old, with views of the canal and Connecticut River. The trail covers 4.5 miles.
The state parks agency gives its regular open season as April 1 through November 15, from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. Admission is free, and dogs are allowed on leash.
Check the official site before you go for the state park’s current opening information. Buses seating 30 or more passengers are not allowed at the park.
The Town Centre and Local Services
Windsor Locks has public parks with a mix of recreation facilities, open space and picnic spots. The Town of Windsor Locks gives most of the parks below dawn-to-dusk hours, except where noted.
- Noden Reed Park: 21.5 acres of open space and a historical museum on West Street.
- Pesci Park: 10.4 acres on Center Street, with two baseball fields, a lighted basketball court, an outdoor pool, a playground and a recreation building.
- Spring Park: 44.4 acres on Spring Street, with a pavilion, pond, picnic area, volleyball court and open space.
- Veterans Memorial Park: 38.9 acres on Southwest Avenue. Its facilities include lighted soccer and softball fields, a baseball field, football field, volleyball court, playground, pavilion and outdoor skating rink. Its hours run from dawn to 10:00 PM.
The Windsor Locks Public Library is at 28 Main Street. The town’s Park and Recreation Office is in Town Hall at 50 Church Street. The question of how to plan a Connecticut Trolley Museum visit is another local attraction topic to consider.
Nearby Museums and Historic Sites
The New England Air Museum is adjacent to Bradley International Airport, at 36 Perimeter Road and just off Route 75. It lists free on-site visitor parking.
The museum’s regular hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with last admission at 3:30 PM. It closes on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Check the museum’s official site before your visit for current hours and closure information.
The building is wheelchair accessible, with large walkways and elevators. A limited number of wheelchairs are available at the admissions counter. For more on the museum, read this visitor guide to the New England Air Museum.
How do you get from Bradley Airport to Windsor Locks?
Bradley International Airport connects with Windsor Locks by bus and rail. The closest rail station is in Windsor Locks, at South Main Street and Stanton Road, three miles from the airport.
CTtransit Route 24 links the airport and Windsor Locks Railroad Station. At the airport, Route 24 boards outside Terminal A at the baggage-claim and arrivals level, at door #6. For details on airport transfers, see how to get from Bradley Airport to Windsor Locks.
The 30-Bradley Flyer links Bradley International Airport with downtown Hartford, including Union Station and the Connecticut Convention Center. The airport authority gives the journey time as approximately 30 minutes. The bus boards outside Terminal A at the baggage-claim and arrivals level, at door #6. Service schedules can change, so check the airport authority’s official site before you go.
Planning a Stay in the Area
Choose your plans around the kind of outing you want: the canal trail for riverside views, a town park for recreation, or the air museum beside the airport. Park hours and seasonal access vary by site, so check the relevant official information before setting out.
Windsor Locks city centre is about a 7-minute drive from a Windsor Locks inn. The airport’s bus and rail connections can help you plan onward travel, while the town’s parks and local attractions offer options within the area.
FAQs
Is Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks?
Yes. Bradley International Airport is located in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, and is 30 minutes from Hartford according to the airport authority.
How long is the Windsor Locks Canal Trail?
The trail follows a 4.5-mile towpath along a historic canal, with views of the canal and Connecticut River.
When is the New England Air Museum open?
Its regular hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with last admission at 3:30 PM. It closes on several holidays, so check the museum’s official site before visiting.
Does the New England Air Museum have accessible facilities?
Yes. The building has large walkways and elevators, and a limited number of wheelchairs are available at the admissions counter.