There’s an absolute tons of issues to do all throughout Connecticut and a few key locations you’ll be able to’t miss whereas travelling across the state. So, to make your journey to Connecticut good and simple, I’m sharing our prime spots you’ll be able to’t miss as you discover.
Connecticut won’t at all times be the apparent alternative on the subject of states to go to. That’s not as a result of it’s not value visiting, however it could generally get sidelined for big-hitting neighbour states like New York.
The beauty of the Northeastern states is you can simply journey between them on a street journey or practice. So, don’t simply suppose you might want to go to a single state, particularly should you’re travelling from a global context. As an illustration, you’ll be able to 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 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 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 very best 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 substances 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 superb in the summertime. Nonetheless, I do at all times 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 liked them with a splash of Tabasco. Simply be sure to guide a reservation if
Learn extra: Greatest locations in New York State to go to
2.) New Haven
House to Yale College, New Haven is a comparatively small Connecticut metropolis that’s properly value 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 go straight over to the Yale College Museums. We completely liked the Yale Peabody Museum, which is completely free to enter (simply bear 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 overlook about visiting the Yale Middle for British Artwork. It homes the most important assortment of British artwork outdoors the UK and is properly value seeing. They’ve installations from historic and fashionable artists, and it’s really very 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 Citadel State Park
Open in the summertime months, Gillette Citadel is a shocking place to go to whereas in Connecticut. It’s located on the broader grounds of Gillette Citadel State Park. It’s attractive and feels 1,000,000 miles away from the extra outstanding city centres you could be used to on the East Coast.
Round a 1-hour drive from New Haven, Gillette Citadel is the previous residence of William Hooker, aka the primary actor of the enduring character Sherlock Holmes. These days, you’ll be able to peek across the citadel on their organised excursions you can guide 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: 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 acquired fairly a younger crowd, and the town is crammed with 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 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 may simply discover the Victorian-style home right this moment. 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 acquired 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 by 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 incredible.
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: Greatest locations in Lengthy Island to go to
5.) Bristol
Bristol isn’t 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 must 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 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 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 need to head to the close by Submarine Power 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 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: Greatest issues to do in Cape Cod
7.) Mashantucket Pequot Museum
North of Groton, the Mashantucket Pequot Museum focuses on the Mashantucket Pequot nation right this moment. 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’ll be able to 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 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 should 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, 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 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 large draw for stopping right here. The boardwalk is gorgeous and a fantastic place to discover, particularly with the gorgeous seaside. 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 sizzling 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 practice from Grand Central and acquired 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 depart stuffed.
In the event you’re visiting in summer time, head to Bayley Seaside, a cute little cove good for absorbing the solar.
Learn extra: Greatest day journeys from New York Metropolis
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