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 straightforward, I’m sharing our high spots you possibly can’t miss as you discover.
Connecticut won’t all the time be the apparent alternative in the case of states to go to. That’s not as a result of it’s not value visiting, however it might probably 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 street journey or prepare. So, don’t simply suppose you want to go to a single state, particularly in the event you’re travelling from a world context. For example, 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 all the time, be at liberty to message us in the event 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, ensure that 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 assist you to higher perceive the broader Connecticut space.
For lunch, ensure that to cease at Mystic Pizza. It’s the most effective pizza in all of Connecticut, and I don’t say that calmly! Be certain that to go for his or her ‘construct your individual’ pizza. It’s scrumptious and made recent with all of the components 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 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 recent and from the jap seaboard – plus, they’re moderately priced! We beloved them with a splash of Tabasco. Simply ensure that to e-book a reservation if
Learn extra: Finest locations in New York State to go to
2.) New Haven
Residence to Yale College, New Haven is a comparatively small Connecticut metropolis that’s properly value staying for just a few 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, ensure 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 fascinating.
Additionally, don’t overlook about visiting the Yale Heart for British Artwork. It homes the biggest assortment of British artwork outdoors the UK and is properly value seeing. They’ve installations from historic and trendy artists, and it’s truly rather 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 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 shocking place to go to whereas in Connecticut. It’s located on the broader grounds of Gillette Fort State Park. It’s attractive and feels 1,000,000 miles away from the extra outstanding 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 enduring character Sherlock Holmes. These days, you possibly can peek across the citadel on their organised excursions that you could e-book on their web site. It’s properly value 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’d like a weekend journey away. It’s bought fairly a younger crowd, and the town is full of museums and lots of cafes however continues to be actually relaxed (if that is smart). You may simply spend a day or so exploring the town or just a few days for a slower journey.
After you arrive, ensure 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 present. It’s properly 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 modern artwork in its rooms. Give your self round 90 minutes to walk by way 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 chunk 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 shouldn’t be 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 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 reasonably 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 the event 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 fairly 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 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 wish to head to the close by Submarine Drive Museum and see the USS Nautilus. It’s one of many largest submarine museums in america. 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 admittedly 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 present. It’s unimaginable 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 when 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 in the event you’re round Bridgeport or Stamford. Nonetheless, don’t anticipate the hustle and bustle of a metropolis in Ridgefield—it has a extra suburban (even rural) really feel.
In case you are passing by way of, head to the Aldrich Up to date Artwork Museum. It homes native and worldwide artwork. Plus, the hallways are properly 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 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 beautiful and a ravishing place to discover, particularly with the attractive seashore. You may simply spend just a few hours right here, particularly on a sunny day.
Additionally, ensure that 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 prepare from Grand Central and bought 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 go away stuffed.
When 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
Test Out The Very Finest Of Nice Britain!
