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 simple, I’m sharing our prime spots you’ll be able to’t miss as you discover.
Connecticut won’t all the time be the apparent alternative with regards to states to go to. That’s not as a result of it’s not value visiting, however it could 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 street journey or practice. So, don’t simply assume you have to go to a single state, particularly in case you’re travelling from a global context. For example, you’ll be able to simply go to New York, the lovely 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 in case you want any extra tips about the state. We’ve all the time cherished our visits there.
1.) Mystic
Though comparatively small, Mystic is definitely 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, ensure 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 show you how to higher perceive the broader Connecticut space.
For lunch, ensure to cease at Mystic Pizza. It’s the perfect pizza in all of Connecticut, and I don’t say that evenly! Be certain that 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 wonderful in the summertime. Nevertheless, I do all the time discover the East Coast waters just a little chilly.
Oh, and don’t overlook to cease off on the Oyster Membership for supper. Their oysters are contemporary and from the japanese seaboard – plus, they’re fairly priced! We cherished them with a touch of Tabasco. Simply ensure 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 value staying for a couple 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, ensure to move straight over to the Yale College Museums. We completely cherished 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 reveals, 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 biggest assortment of British artwork exterior the UK and is nicely value seeing. They’ve installations from historic and trendy artists, and it’s truly very well accomplished. 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 Fort State Park
Open in the summertime months, Gillette Fort is a surprising place to go to whereas in Connecticut. It’s located on the broader grounds of Gillette Fort State Park. It’s beautiful and feels 1,000,000 miles away from the extra distinguished city centres you is perhaps used to on the East Coast.
Round a 1-hour drive from New Haven, Gillette Fort is the previous dwelling 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 value visiting for just a little 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 bought fairly a younger crowd, and town is full of museums and lots of cafes however remains to be actually relaxed (if that is smart). You possibly can simply spend a day or so exploring town or a couple of days for a slower journey.
After you arrive, ensure 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 right this moment. It’s nicely value it to expertise a interval property and be taught extra in regards to the state’s historical past.
Additionally, you’ve bought 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 means 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 implausible.
For a chew to eat, head to Black-Eyed Sally’s for his or her scrumptious Southern consolation meals. It’s an informal 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 street 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 have to spend a number of 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 fairly distinctive museum to discover.
Oh, and for a fun-fuelled afternoon with the children, 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 in case you’re on a Connecticut street journey with the household.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Cape Cod
6.) Groton
Don’t let the quite unpleasing title 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 wonderful 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 wish to head to the close by Submarine Drive Museum and see the USS Nautilus. It’s one of many largest submarine museums in the USA. It’s completely unbelievable 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 basically nice.
Getting peckish? Head to Norm’s Diner for brunch or lunch. It’s an old-school diner, and their rooster 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 right this moment. It’s unbelievable to be taught in regards to 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 in regards to the Pequot Struggle, 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 when you head additional east by means of Connecticut.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do within the Hamptons
8.) Ridgefield
Proper on the border with New York state, Ridgefield is fairly simple to go to in case 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 means of, head to the Aldrich Up to date Artwork Museum. It homes native and worldwide artwork. Plus, the hallways are nicely value seeing! Visits take round half-hour, so it’s pleasant and simple in case you’re stopping off alongside a wider route.
For a yummy chew, head to Bailey’s Yard for his or her Buttermilk Rooster. 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 couple of hours right here, particularly on a sunny day.
Additionally, ensure to cease off at Lasse’s Restaurant for lunch. Their sizzling 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 practice from Grand Central and bought off at Norwalk to discover the broader space of Connecticut. It was all really easy, particularly in case 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.
In the event you’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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