There may be 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 in relation to states to go to. That’s not as a result of it’s not value visiting, however it will possibly typically get sidelined for big-hitting neighbour states like New York.
The beauty of the Northeastern states is that you may simply journey between them on a highway journey or prepare. So, don’t simply assume you should go to a single state, particularly if you happen to’re travelling from a world 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 that you may’t miss under. As all the time, be happy to message us if you happen to want any extra tips about the state. We’ve all the time cherished 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 certain 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 aid you higher perceive the broader Connecticut space.
For lunch, make certain to cease at Mystic Pizza. It’s the very best pizza in all of Connecticut, and I don’t say that frivolously! Be sure to go for his or her ‘construct your individual’ pizza. It’s scrumptious and made contemporary with all of the substances you want most.
If you’re after seashore time, drive out of Mystic to close by Esker Level Seashore. It’s beautiful, sandy, and completely superb in the summertime. Nonetheless, I do all the time discover the East Coast waters just a little chilly.
Oh, and don’t neglect to cease off on the Oyster Membership for supper. Their oysters are contemporary and from the jap seaboard – plus, they’re moderately priced! We cherished them with a touch of Tabasco. Simply make certain to guide a reservation if
Learn extra: Greatest 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 effectively 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, make certain to go 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 fascinating.
Additionally, don’t neglect about visiting the Yale Heart for British Artwork. It homes the biggest assortment of British artwork outdoors the UK and is effectively value seeing. They’ve installations from historic and trendy artists, and it’s really very well finished. Visits to the Yale Heart 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 for the reason that 1800s. Now, what makes them actually well-known is their burgers. It’s the very birthplace of the hamburger!
Learn extra: Greatest locations in Lengthy Island to go to
3.) Gillette Citadel State Park
Open in the summertime months, Gillette Citadel is a shocking place to go to whereas in Connecticut. It’s located on the broader grounds of Gillette Citadel State Park. It’s beautiful and feels 1,000,000 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 Citadel is the previous residence of William Hooker, aka the primary actor of the enduring character Sherlock Holmes. These days, you’ll be able to peek across the fort on their organised excursions that you may guide on their web site. It’s effectively value visiting for just a little cease, particularly because it’s such a singular property in Connecticut.
Learn extra: Greatest 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 in order for you a weekend journey away. It’s received fairly a younger crowd, and town is full of museums and lots of cafes however continues to be actually relaxed (if that is sensible). You possibly can simply spend a day or so exploring town or a couple of days for a slower journey.
After you arrive, make certain to go to the Mark Twain Home & Museum. He moved into the house within the 1800s, and you may simply discover the Victorian-style home right now. It’s effectively value it to expertise a interval property and study extra concerning the state’s historical past.
Additionally, you’ve received the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Artwork, which is true within the coronary heart of Hartford.
It homes heaps of collections and European, American, and modern artwork in its rooms. Give your self round 90 minutes to walk via 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 off-the-cuff eatery, however their beef brisket sandwich is so tasty.
Learn extra: Greatest 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 have to spend plenty 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 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 if you happen to’re on a Connecticut highway journey with the household.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Cape Cod
6.) Groton
Don’t let the moderately unpleasing identify of Groton idiot you. It’s by no means ‘grotty’ however an absolute gem to discover in Connecticut. Dealing with 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 need to head to the close by Submarine Drive Museum and see the USS Nautilus. It’s one of many largest submarine museums in the US. 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 absolutely 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: Greatest issues to do in Cape Cod
7.) Mashantucket Pequot Museum
North of Groton, the Mashantucket Pequot Museum focuses on the Mashantucket Pequot nation right now. It’s unbelievable to study concerning the historical past, tradition, and wealthy heritage the Mashantucket Pequot nonetheless holds robust.
Whereas right here, you’ll be able to discover Pequot Village and expertise life on a Reservation. You’ll additionally study a lot extra concerning the Pequot Warfare, 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 via Connecticut.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do within the Hamptons
8.) Ridgefield
Proper on the border with New York state, Ridgefield is fairly simple to go to if you happen to’re round Bridgeport or Stamford. Nonetheless, don’t count on the hustle and bustle of a metropolis in Ridgefield—it has a extra suburban (even rural) really feel.
If you’re passing via, head to the Aldrich Up to date Artwork Museum. It homes native and worldwide artwork. Plus, the hallways are effectively value seeing! Visits take round half-hour, so it’s pleasant and simple if you happen to’re stopping off alongside a wider route.
For a yummy chew, head to Bailey’s Yard for his or her Buttermilk Hen. Plus, their apple cider mimosas are so tasty.
Learn extra: Greatest 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 an attractive 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, make certain to cease off at Lasse’s Restaurant for lunch. Their sizzling roast-beef sandwiches are legendary.
Learn extra: Greatest 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 received off at Norwalk to discover the broader space of Connecticut. It was all really easy, particularly if you happen to’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 depart stuffed.
If you happen to’re visiting in summer time, head to Bayley Seashore, a cute little cove excellent for absorbing the solar.
Learn extra: Greatest day journeys from New York Metropolis
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