There’s 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 won’t at all times be the apparent selection in terms of states to go to. That’s not as a result of it’s not price visiting, however it could possibly generally get sidelined for big-hitting neighbour states like New York.
The beauty of the Northeastern states is which you could simply journey between them on a street journey or prepare. So, don’t simply assume you might want to go to a single state, particularly should 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 which you could’t miss under. As at all times, be at liberty to message us should you want any extra recommendations on the state. We’ve at all times liked 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 flippantly! Be sure 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 seaside time, drive out of Mystic to close by Esker Level Seaside. It’s pretty, sandy, and completely wonderful in the summertime. Nevertheless, I do at all times discover the East Coast waters slightly chilly.
Oh, and don’t neglect to cease off on the Oyster Membership for supper. Their oysters are recent and from the japanese seaboard – plus, they’re moderately priced! We liked them with a splash of Tabasco. Simply be certain to ebook 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 price staying for a couple 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, be certain to move 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 attention-grabbing.
Additionally, don’t neglect about visiting the Yale Middle for British Artwork. It homes the biggest assortment of British artwork outdoors the UK and is nicely price seeing. They’ve installations from historic and trendy artists, and it’s truly rather well executed. 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: 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 attractive and feels 1,000,000 miles away from the extra distinguished 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 dwelling of William Hooker, aka the primary actor of the enduring character Sherlock Holmes. These days, you possibly can peek across the fort on their organised excursions which you could ebook on their web site. It’s nicely 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 would like a weekend journey away. It’s obtained fairly a younger crowd, and town is crammed with museums and plenty of cafes however remains to be actually relaxed (if that is sensible). You may simply spend a day or so exploring town or a couple of 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 price 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 up to date artwork in its rooms. Give your self round 90 minutes to walk via the rooms and maintain 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 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 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 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 crammed with all issues Carousels. It’s not open on Monday or Tuesday, so maintain 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 should 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 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 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 Power 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 individual tempo, which is basically 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 as we speak. 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 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 via 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 should you’re round Bridgeport or Stamford. Nevertheless, 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 via, head to the Aldrich Up to date Artwork Museum. It homes native and worldwide artwork. Plus, the hallways are nicely 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 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 massive draw for stopping right here. The boardwalk is beautiful and a gorgeous place to discover, particularly with the gorgeous seaside. You may simply spend a couple of hours right here, particularly on a sunny day.
Additionally, be certain 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 obtained 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.
When you’re visiting in summer time, head to Bayley Seaside, a cute little cove excellent for absorbing the solar.
Learn extra: Greatest day journeys from New York Metropolis
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