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 prime spots you possibly can’t miss as you discover.
Connecticut may not all the time be the apparent selection in relation to states to go to. That’s not as a result of it’s not price visiting, however it may generally get sidelined for big-hitting neighbour states like New York.
The wonderful thing about the Northeastern states is you can simply journey between them on a street journey or prepare. So, don’t simply assume you could go to a single state, particularly when you’re travelling from a global context. As an example, you possibly can 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 you can’t miss under. As all the time, be at liberty to message us when you want any extra recommendations on the state. We’ve all the time beloved 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, 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 assist you higher perceive the broader Connecticut space.
For lunch, be sure to cease at Mystic Pizza. It’s the most effective 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 superb in the summertime. Nonetheless, I do all the time discover the East Coast waters slightly 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 beloved them with a touch of Tabasco. Simply be sure to ebook a reservation if
Learn extra: Greatest 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 price 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 move 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 neglect about visiting the Yale Heart for British Artwork. It homes the most important assortment of British artwork outdoors the UK and is properly price seeing. They’ve installations from historic and trendy artists, and it’s truly 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 shocking 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 could be used to on the East Coast.
Round a 1-hour drive from New Haven, Gillette Fort is the previous house of William Hooker, aka the primary actor of the long-lasting character Sherlock Holmes. These days, you possibly can peek across the fortress on their organised excursions you can ebook on their web site. It’s properly price visiting for slightly cease, particularly because it’s such a novel 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’d like a weekend journey away. It’s bought 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 may 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’ll simply discover the Victorian-style home at present. It’s properly 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 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 preserve your eyes peeled for his or her seasonal occasions all year long. They even host a ‘behind the scenes’ tour, which is simply incredible.
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: 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 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 foul 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 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 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 when you’re on a Connecticut street journey with the household.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Cape Cod
6.) Groton
Don’t let the moderately unpleasing title 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 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 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 admittedly 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 at present. It’s unbelievable to be taught in regards to the historical past, tradition, and wealthy heritage the Mashantucket Pequot nonetheless holds robust.
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 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 when 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 via, head to the Aldrich Modern Artwork Museum. It homes native and worldwide artwork. Plus, the hallways are properly price seeing! Visits take round half-hour, so it’s pleasant and simple when 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: 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 beautiful and a phenomenal place to discover, particularly with the gorgeous seashore. You may 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 scorching 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 bought off at Norwalk to discover the broader space of Connecticut. It was all really easy, particularly when 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 excellent for absorbing the solar.
Learn extra: Greatest day journeys from New York Metropolis
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