There’s an absolute tons of issues to do all throughout Connecticut and a few key locations you’ll be able to’t miss whereas travelling across the state. So, to make your journey to Connecticut good and straightforward, I’m sharing our high spots you’ll be able to’t miss as you discover.
Connecticut may not all the time be the apparent alternative on the subject of states to go to. That’s not as a result of it’s not price visiting, however it may well typically get sidelined for big-hitting neighbour states like New York.
The beauty of the Northeastern states is you can simply journey between them on a highway journey or prepare. So, don’t simply assume you have to go to a single state, particularly should you’re travelling from a global context. As an illustration, you’ll be able to simply go to New York, the stunning Cape Cod and Boston from Connecticut.
Anyway, sufficient rambling! I’m together with our favorite locations in Connecticut you can’t miss beneath. As all the time, be at liberty to message us should you want any extra recommendations on the state. We’ve all the time beloved our visits there.
1.) Mystic
Though comparatively small, Mystic is well my favorite place to go to in Connecticut. It’s perched proper on the shorefront and has heaps to do for a day journey and even an in a single day keep.
As soon as right here, make sure that to discover the Mystic Seaport Museum. It’s a stunning museum that’s nice for an hour or so of wandering round. Across the museum is a heap of historical past, ships, and buildings that enable you higher perceive the broader Connecticut space.
For lunch, make sure that to cease at Mystic Pizza. It’s the most effective pizza in all of Connecticut, and I don’t say that flippantly! Be sure to go for his or her ‘construct your individual’ pizza. It’s scrumptious and made contemporary with all of the elements you want most.
If you’re after seashore time, drive out of Mystic to close by Esker Level Seashore. It’s pretty, sandy, and completely superb in the summertime. Nevertheless, I do all the time discover the East Coast waters a bit chilly.
Oh, and don’t overlook to cease off on the Oyster Membership for supper. Their oysters are contemporary and from the jap seaboard – plus, they’re moderately priced! We beloved them with a touch of Tabasco. Simply make sure that to e book a reservation if
Learn extra: Finest locations in New York State to go to
2.) New Haven
House to Yale College, New Haven is a comparatively small Connecticut metropolis that’s nicely price staying for a number of days. You see, there’s heaps to do across the space and town has such a pleasant vibe. Plus, it’s very easy to go to as you journey the coastal route alongside Freeway 95.
After arriving, make sure that to go straight over to the Yale College Museums. We completely beloved the Yale Peabody Museum, which is completely free to enter (simply keep in mind it’s closed on Monday).
Inside, you’ll discover a treasure-trove of displays, from the Burke Corridor of Dinosaurs to their Eygypt exhibition, which is so attention-grabbing.
Additionally, don’t overlook about visiting the Yale Middle for British Artwork. It homes the most important assortment of British artwork exterior the UK and is nicely price seeing. They’ve installations from historic and fashionable artists, and it’s truly very well executed. Visits to the Yale Middle will take round 60 minutes.
Getting hungry? Head over to Louis’ Lunch. It’s one thing of an establishment in Connecticut and has been serving dishes because the 1800s. Now, what makes them actually well-known is their burgers. It’s the very birthplace of the hamburger!
Learn extra: Finest locations in Lengthy Island to go to
3.) Gillette Fortress State Park
Open in the summertime months, Gillette Fortress is a shocking place to go to whereas in Connecticut. It’s located on the broader grounds of Gillette Fortress State Park. It’s attractive and feels one million miles away from the extra distinguished city centres you is likely to be used to on the East Coast.
Round a 1-hour drive from New Haven, Gillette Fortress is the previous residence of William Hooker, aka the primary actor of the long-lasting character Sherlock Holmes. These days, you’ll be able to peek across the fortress on their organised excursions you can e book on their web site. It’s nicely price visiting for a bit cease, particularly because it’s such a novel property in Connecticut.
Learn extra: Finest locations in Lengthy Island to go to
4.) Hatford
Within the coronary heart of Connecticut, Hartford is the capital and one epic place to discover if you would like a weekend journey away. It’s acquired fairly a younger crowd, and town is full of museums and lots of cafes however continues to be actually relaxed (if that is smart). You possibly can simply spend a day or so exploring town or a number of days for a slower journey.
After you arrive, make sure that to go to the Mark Twain Home & Museum. He moved into the house within the 1800s, and you’ll simply discover the Victorian-style home at this time. It’s nicely price it to expertise a interval property and be taught extra concerning the state’s historical past.
Additionally, you’ve acquired the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Artwork, which is correct within the coronary heart of Hartford.
It homes heaps of collections and European, American, and up to date artwork in its rooms. Give your self round 90 minutes to walk by way of the rooms and hold your eyes peeled for his or her seasonal occasions all year long. They even host a ‘behind the scenes’ tour, which is simply improbable.
For a chunk to eat, head to Black-Eyed Sally’s for his or her scrumptious Southern consolation meals. It’s an off-the-cuff eatery, however their beef brisket sandwich is so tasty.
Learn extra: Finest locations in Lengthy Island to go to
5.) Bristol
Bristol is just not too removed from Hartford. It’s a comparatively small metropolis that’s nice for a stopover on a wider highway journey. Now, I can’t say I’d make a devoted journey to go to Bristol – however that doesn’t imply it’s a nasty place to go to. It’s simply that there’s no must spend numerous time right here, does. Does that make sense?
After parking up, head over to the Carousel Museum, which is definitely a unusual little museum full of all issues Carousels. It’s not open on Monday or Tuesday, so hold that in thoughts. Visits will take round 45 minutes and is a reasonably distinctive museum to discover.
Oh, and for a fun-fuelled afternoon with the youngsters, head to Lake Compounce. It’s an entertaining amusement park and residential to the well-known Wildcat Coaster, and it’s nice to go to should you’re on a Connecticut highway journey with the household.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Cape Cod
6.) Groton
Don’t let the fairly unpleasing identify of Groton idiot you. It’s under no circumstances ‘grotty’ however an absolute gem to discover in Connecticut. Going through the shores of Lengthy Island and the fantastic Hamptons space of New York, it’s a spot that’s really easy to go to both by the Cross Sound Ferry from Orient Level (within the Hamptons) or whereas driving Freeway 95.
As soon as in Groton, you’ll need to head to the close by Submarine Power Museum and see the USS Nautilus. It’s one of many largest submarine museums in the USA. It’s completely unimaginable to go to, particularly as you get to board an precise submarine, which is spectacular to see. Plus, you get to wander round at your individual tempo, which is de facto nice.
Getting peckish? Head to Norm’s Diner for brunch or lunch. It’s an old-school diner, and their hen fried steak is so good.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Cape Cod
7.) Mashantucket Pequot Museum
North of Groton, the Mashantucket Pequot Museum focuses on the Mashantucket Pequot nation at this time. It’s unimaginable to be taught concerning the historical past, tradition, and wealthy heritage the Mashantucket Pequot nonetheless holds sturdy.
Whereas right here, you’ll be able to discover Pequot Village and expertise life on a Reservation. You’ll additionally be taught a lot extra concerning the Pequot Battle, which occurred within the 1600s and was an terrible time for native First Nation and American Indian populations on the East Coast.
Visits will take round 2 hours and are nice whilst you head additional east by way of Connecticut.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do within the Hamptons
8.) Ridgefield
Proper on the border with New York state, Ridgefield is fairly straightforward to go to should you’re round Bridgeport or Stamford. Nevertheless, don’t anticipate the hustle and bustle of a metropolis in Ridgefield—it has a extra suburban (even rural) really feel.
If you’re passing by way of, head to the Aldrich Up to date Artwork Museum. It homes native and worldwide artwork. Plus, the hallways are nicely price seeing! Visits take round half-hour, so it’s pleasant and straightforward should you’re stopping off alongside a wider route.
For a yummy chunk, head to Bailey’s Yard for his or her Buttermilk Hen. Plus, their apple cider mimosas are so tasty.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do within the Hamptons
9.) Milford
Proper on the coast, southwest of New Haven, Silver Sands State Park is the massive draw for stopping right here. The boardwalk is gorgeous and a gorgeous place to discover, particularly with the attractive seashore. You possibly can simply spend a number of hours right here, particularly on a sunny day.
Additionally, make sure that to cease off at Lasse’s Restaurant for lunch. Their scorching roast-beef sandwiches are legendary.
Learn extra: Finest day journeys from New York Metropolis
10.) Rowayton
We visited Rowayton throughout our go to from Manhattan. We caught the prepare from Grand Central and acquired off at Norwalk to discover the broader space of Connecticut. It was all really easy, particularly should you’re solely fancying a day journey to Connecticut itself.
After arriving, head over to Rowayton Seafood for his or her yummy lunches. Their crab cocktail and oysters are so good. Plus, they do a tasty Hamachi Crudo. You’ll go away stuffed.
For those who’re visiting in summer season, head to Bayley Seashore, a cute little cove good for absorbing the solar.
Learn extra: Finest day journeys from New York Metropolis
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