There may be an absolute tons of issues to do all throughout Connecticut and a few key locations you possibly can’t miss whereas travelling across the state. So, to make your journey to Connecticut good and simple, I’m sharing our high spots you possibly can’t miss as you discover.
Connecticut may not at all times be the plain alternative in the case of states to go to. That’s not as a result of it’s not price visiting, however it could typically get sidelined for big-hitting neighbour states like New York.
The beauty of the Northeastern states is that you could simply journey between them on a highway journey or prepare. So, don’t simply suppose you might want to go to a single state, particularly should you’re travelling from a world context. As an illustration, you possibly can 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 that you could’t miss beneath. As at all times, be at liberty to message us should you want any extra tips about the state. We’ve at all times liked 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, 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 very best pizza in all of Connecticut, and I don’t say that flippantly! Make certain to go for his or her ‘construct your personal’ pizza. It’s scrumptious and made contemporary with all of the elements you want most.
If you’re after seaside 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 bit of chilly.
Oh, and don’t neglect to cease off on the Oyster Membership for supper. Their oysters are contemporary and from the japanese seaboard – plus, they’re moderately priced! We liked them with a touch of Tabasco. Simply ensure to guide a reservation if
Learn extra: Finest 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 effectively 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, ensure to go straight over to the Yale College Museums. We completely liked 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 Middle for British Artwork. It homes the most important assortment of British artwork exterior the UK and is effectively price seeing. They’ve installations from historic and fashionable artists, and it’s really very well performed. 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 could 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 enduring character Sherlock Holmes. These days, you possibly can peek across the citadel on their organised excursions that you could guide on their web site. It’s effectively price visiting for a bit of 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 stuffed with museums and lots of cafes however remains to be actually relaxed (if that is smart). You’ll be able to simply spend a day or so exploring town or a number 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 may simply discover the Victorian-style home right now. It’s effectively price 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 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 unbelievable.
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 foul place to go to. It’s simply that there’s no must spend a lot 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 stuffed with 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 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 moderately unpleasing identify of Groton idiot you. It’s in no way ‘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 wish to head to the close by Submarine Pressure 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 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 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 now. 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 possibly can discover Pequot Village and expertise life on a Reservation. You’ll additionally be taught a lot extra in regards to 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 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 should 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.
If you’re passing by, head to the Aldrich Up to date Artwork Museum. It homes native and worldwide artwork. Plus, the hallways are effectively price seeing! Visits take round half-hour, so it’s pleasant and simple should you’re stopping off alongside a wider route.
For a yummy chunk, 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 an attractive place to discover, particularly with the gorgeous seaside. You’ll be able to simply spend a number of hours right here, particularly on a sunny day.
Additionally, ensure 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 bought 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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