When it comes to Connecticut, most of the festivals, restaurants, and stores tend to be focused on a few small areas. New Haven, Hartford, Bridgeport: for better or worse, these are the places people think of when they think of Connecticut. The eastern portion of the state tends to be more rural, filled with pastoral farmland. It's actually one of the least urbanized parts of the Northeast Corridor. The northeast corner of Connecticut is so uneventful that it's nicknamed the Quiet Corner. If you haven't spent much time there, we'll forgive you if you dismiss it as boring. Sure, it lacks the glamor and conveniences of larger cities, but there's a lot to do in Connecticut's Quiet Corner! Check out some of our favorite stops.

1. Roseland Cottage: 556 CT-169, Woodstock, CT 06281

The lovely Roseland Cottage was constructed in 1846 as a summer home for Henry Chandler Bowen, a wealthy businessman. Today, it can be toured as a museum that celebrates New England life in the 1800s. The absolutely stunning gardens often play host for various festivals in the area.For more information or a calendar of upcoming events, check out the Roseland Cottage Facebook.

2. Thread City Crossing: South Street, Willimantic, CT

Willimantic residents were devastated when city planners announced the opening of a bridge in 1991. The bridge was sorely needed, but citizens felt the proposed bridge was too dull. An architect was hired to edit the plans, and his end plan was certainly unique. The 475-foot bridge features four 11-foot bronze statues of frogs sitting atop spools of thread.

Frogs are a famed symbol of Willimantic. There is an apocryphal story that residents were kept awake one night by a mysterious sound that ended up being fighting bullfrogs. The spools represent Willimantic's recent history as a major manufacturer of thread. There's a nearby textile museum you can check out for more information about the area's history!

3. Creamery Brook Bison: 19 Purvis Rd, Brooklyn, CT 06234

The Quiet Corner is well-known for its history as a farming region, and what better way to celebrate that then with a wagon tour of a working bison farm?

Visit their Facebook for more details.

4. Prudence Crandall Museum: 1 S Canterbury Rd, Canterbury, CT 06331

In 1831, Prudence Crandall opened a boarding school for young girls in Canterbury. She admitted a qualified African-American student, which caused white parents to withdraw their children from the school. Crandall temporarily closed the school then reopened it as an African-American girls' boarding school. The site is now home to a museum.

More information on the fascinating history of this building can be found on the museum's website.

5. Sharpe Hill Vineyard: 108 Wade Rd, Pomfret, CT 06258

The wine industry in Connecticut is gaining in national stature. One of the prettiest vineyards in Connecticut is Sharpe Hill Vineyard in Pomfret. They produce the best-selling New England wine Ballet of Angels. Visit their tasting room and test our some of their products!

Hours and more information are available on their website.

6. Connecticut Audobon Society's Center at Pomfret: 218 Day Rd, Pomfret Center, CT 06259

The Connecticut Audubon Society has several preserves throughout the state. One of our favorites is in Pomfret. This delightful spot offers miles of trails to explore and bird watch to your heart's content. They frequently host classes and demonstrations to educate people about our feathered friends.

7. Vanilla Bean Cafe: 450 Deerfield Rd, Pomfret Center, CT 06259

There are lots of great little restaurants in the Quiet Corner, and one of our favorites is the Vanilla Bean Cafe. It's a great place for breakfast or lunch, and they even hold live music on a regular basis!

8. Wonderland Comics: 160 Main Street, Putnam, CT 06260

Putnam's Wonderland Comics is a great place to visit if you're in the area. Even if you're not a comic book fan, they've got loads of pop culture collectibles like Funko Pops and apparel.

9. Antiques Marketplace: 109 Main Street, Putnam, CT 06260

Northeast Connecticut is filled with antique shops. One of the biggest (and best) is the massive four-level Antiques Marketplace in Putnam. Whether you're seeking furniture, collectibles, or just want to browse, we're pretty sure you can find interesting things here. We love this place!

10. Putnam River Trail: Putnam, CT

This is a beautiful region of the Nutmeg State, so if you're just looking to spend the day outdoors, there's plenty of places to relax and get in touch with nature. One of the best trails in the area is the Putnam River Trail. This three-mile trek follows the Putnam River and will give you a great view of this charming small town in Connecticut. Read on at Alltrails.

Did we forget your favorite attraction in northeast Connecticut? Share your suggestions in the comments; who knows, maybe you'll see them in a future article!