Hidden Gems Of Connecticut

STORRS, CT — For a place that is one of the most popular venues on the University of Connecticut campus — and northeast Connecticut for that matter — it takes a bit of explaining on how to actually find it.

OK, let's see ...

It's kind of across Route 195 from the North Campus entrance, but maybe between both the north and south entrances, depending on one's sense of direction. It's down a hill, around a corner, on a side road off a side road, tucked next to a massive open space called Horsebarn Hill, in an area where all the agriculture stuff is.

OK we're there ... at the latest Hidden Gem ... the UConn Dairy Bar.

(Note to visitors: It's NOT the Dairy BARN.)

The UConn Dairy Bar's was established in 1953 as a means to sell dairy products that were made by the agriculture department's creamery. The creamery was established in the early 1900s and bottled milk for 91 years.

Today, the creamery makes ice cream according to its original recipe and serves it up through its retail arm — UConn Dairy Bar.

There are plenty of traditional flavors on the menu and also some pretty creative flavors of the month. The June 2021 milkshake of the month features vanilla fudge ice cream, strawberry topping, whipped cream, Hershey's syrup, chocolate sprinkles and a cherry. June's sundae of the month is here comes with banana chocolate chip ice cream smothered in marshmallow and peanut butter toppings, mini marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles and a Reese’s Peanut butter cup on top.

Oh yes, there are also cheeses — really tasty cheeses. They are tucked into the back cooler.

UConn's mascot Jonathan the Husky usually gets the animal spotlight and there is even a flavor called Husky Tracks.

But in this case the stars of the show are the UConn cows. There is nothing like fresh milk for ice cream.

Fans can follow the UConn Dairy Bar on Facebook and the UConn Dining website.

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The Hidden Gems series features out-of-the-way mom and pop restaurants, small specialty stores you may have never heard of, little-known historical markers or beautiful nature spots that may be a bit off the beaten path, all located within Connecticut. Other columns in this series for 2021 include:

• Grove Hill Cemetery, Vernon
• Backwoods Smokin' BBQ
• The Ranch House
• Connecticut State Police Museum
• Berlin Historic District
• Connecticut Parachutists Skydiving Club
• Tail Winds Ice Cream Shop
• The MLK Mural
• The Hilltop Restaurant and Bar
• Fork & Fire
• Lena's Italian Kitchen
• The Benedict Arnold Trail
• Swank Pearce
• Vernon Depot Historic Park
• Farr's Sporting Goods
• Robs Drivin Diner

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