There may be an absolute tons of issues to do all throughout Connecticut and a few key locations you may’t miss whereas travelling across the state. So, to make your journey to Connecticut good and straightforward, I’m sharing our high spots you may’t miss as you discover.
Connecticut may not at all times be the apparent selection in terms of states to go to. That’s not as a result of it’s not value visiting, however it will possibly generally get sidelined for big-hitting neighbour states like New York.
The beauty of the Northeastern states is which you can simply journey between them on a highway journey or practice. So, don’t simply suppose you could go to a single state, particularly in the event you’re travelling from a global context. As an illustration, you may 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 which you can’t miss beneath. As at all times, be happy to message us in the event you want any extra recommendations on the state. We’ve at all times 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, be sure to discover the Mystic Seaport Museum. It’s a beautiful 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, be sure to cease at Mystic Pizza. It’s one of the best pizza in all of Connecticut, and I don’t say that evenly! Be sure to go for his or her ‘construct your personal’ 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 wonderful in the summertime. Nonetheless, I do at all times discover the East Coast waters a little 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 cherished them with a touch of Tabasco. Simply be sure to guide a reservation if
Learn extra: Greatest locations in New York State to go to
2.) New Haven
Dwelling to Yale College, New Haven is a comparatively small Connecticut metropolis that’s nicely value staying for a number of days. You see, there’s heaps to do across the space and the 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, be sure 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 displays, from the Burke Corridor of Dinosaurs to their Eygypt exhibition, which is so fascinating.
Additionally, don’t overlook about visiting the Yale Heart for British Artwork. It homes the most important assortment of British artwork outdoors the UK and is nicely value seeing. They’ve installations from historic and fashionable artists, and it’s really very well performed. 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 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 one million miles away from the extra outstanding city centres you is likely to be used to on the East Coast.
Round a 1-hour drive from New Haven, Gillette Fort is the previous residence of William Hooker, aka the primary actor of the enduring character Sherlock Holmes. These days, you may peek across the fortress on their organised excursions which you can guide on their web site. It’s nicely value visiting for a little bit 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 if you would like a weekend journey away. It’s obtained fairly a younger crowd, and the town is full of museums and plenty of cafes however remains to be actually relaxed (if that is sensible). You possibly can simply spend a day or so exploring the town or a number of days for a slower journey.
After you arrive, be sure 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 at this time. It’s nicely value it to expertise a interval property and study extra concerning the state’s historical past.
Additionally, you’ve obtained 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 preserve 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: Greatest locations in Lengthy Island to go to
5.) Bristol
Bristol shouldn’t be 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 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 preserve 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 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 in the event you’re on a Connecticut highway journey with the household.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Cape Cod
6.) Groton
Don’t let the fairly unpleasing title of Groton idiot you. It’s by no means ‘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 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 personal tempo, which is absolutely 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: Greatest 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 study concerning the historical past, tradition, and wealthy heritage the Mashantucket Pequot nonetheless holds robust.
Whereas right here, you may 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 whilst you head additional east by means of Connecticut.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do within the Hamptons
8.) Ridgefield
Proper on the border with New York state, Ridgefield is fairly straightforward to go to in the event you’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.
In case you are 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 straightforward in the event 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: Greatest issues to do within the Hamptons
9.) Milford
Proper on the coast, southwest of New Haven, Silver Sands State Park is the large draw for stopping right here. The boardwalk is gorgeous and a wonderful 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, be sure 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 practice from Grand Central and obtained off at Norwalk to discover the broader space of Connecticut. It was all really easy, particularly in the event 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 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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