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 simple, I’m sharing our high spots you may’t miss as you discover.
Connecticut may not all the time be the plain alternative on the subject of states to go to. That’s not as a result of it’s not value visiting, however it may typically get sidelined for big-hitting neighbour states like New York.
The beauty of the Northeastern states is that you would be able to 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 for those who’re travelling from a world context. For example, you may 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 would be able to’t miss under. As all the time, be happy to message us for those who 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 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 make it easier to higher perceive the broader Connecticut space.
For lunch, be certain to cease at Mystic Pizza. It’s the perfect pizza in all of Connecticut, and I don’t say that evenly! Be certain to go for his or her ‘construct your personal’ 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 Seaside. It’s pretty, 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 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 be certain 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 nicely 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, be certain 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 exterior the UK and is nicely value seeing. They’ve installations from historic and fashionable 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: Finest 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 1,000,000 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 house 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 that you would be able to guide on their web site. It’s nicely value visiting for just a little cease, particularly because it’s such a singular 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 obtained fairly a younger crowd, and the town is stuffed with museums and lots of cafes however continues to be actually relaxed (if that is sensible). You may simply spend a day or so exploring the town or just a few days for a slower journey.
After you arrive, be certain 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 as we speak. It’s nicely value it to expertise a interval property and be taught extra in regards to 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 modern artwork in its rooms. Give your self round 90 minutes to walk by means of 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: 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 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 stuffed with 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 for those who’re on a Connecticut highway journey with the household.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Cape Cod
6.) Groton
Don’t let the somewhat unpleasing title 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 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 need 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 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 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 as we speak. 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 may discover Pequot Village and expertise life on a Reservation. You’ll additionally be taught a lot extra in regards to the Pequot Conflict, 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 means of 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 for those who’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 means of, head to the Aldrich Modern 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 simple for those who’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: Finest 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 beautiful and a ravishing place to discover, particularly with the gorgeous seashore. You may simply spend just a few hours right here, particularly on a sunny day.
Additionally, be certain 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 obtained off at Norwalk to discover the broader space of Connecticut. It was all really easy, particularly for those who’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 Seaside, a cute little cove good for absorbing the solar.
Learn extra: Finest day journeys from New York Metropolis
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