There may be 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 high spots you’ll be able to’t miss as you discover.
Connecticut may not at all times be the plain selection on the subject of states to go to. That’s not as a result of it’s not price visiting, however it will probably generally get sidelined for big-hitting neighbour states like New York.
The beauty of the Northeastern states is you could simply journey between them on a street journey or practice. So, don’t simply assume you could go to a single state, particularly in case you’re travelling from a world context. As an illustration, you’ll be able to 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 you could’t miss under. As at all times, be happy to message us in case you want any extra tips about the state. We’ve at all times liked 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, make certain 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 enable you higher perceive the broader Connecticut space.
For lunch, make certain to cease at Mystic Pizza. It’s the very best pizza in all of Connecticut, and I don’t say that frivolously! Ensure that to go for his or her ‘construct your individual’ pizza. It’s scrumptious and made contemporary 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 wonderful in the summertime. Nevertheless, I do at all times discover the East Coast waters just a little 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 liked them with a touch of Tabasco. Simply make 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 just a few 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, make 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 displays, from the Burke Corridor of Dinosaurs to their Eygypt exhibition, which is so fascinating.
Additionally, don’t neglect about visiting the Yale Middle for British Artwork. It homes the most important assortment of British artwork exterior the UK and is nicely price seeing. They’ve installations from historic and trendy artists, and it’s really very well accomplished. 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 Fortress State Park
Open in the summertime months, Gillette Fortress is a shocking place to go to whereas in Connecticut. It’s located on the broader grounds of Gillette Fortress State Park. It’s attractive 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 Fortress 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 fort on their organised excursions you could ebook on their web site. It’s nicely price visiting for just a little 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 town is stuffed 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 just a few days for a slower journey.
After you arrive, make 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 at present. It’s nicely price it to expertise a interval property and be taught extra concerning 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 up to date 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 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: 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 nasty place to go to. It’s simply that there’s no must 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 stuffed with 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 fairly 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 in case 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 quite 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 wish to head to the close by Submarine Pressure 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 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 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 at present. It’s unbelievable to be taught concerning 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 concerning 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 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 in case you’re round Bridgeport or Stamford. Nevertheless, don’t count on the hustle and bustle of a metropolis in Ridgefield—it has a extra suburban (even rural) really feel.
If you’re passing via, head to the Aldrich Modern 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 in case you’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: 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 good looking place to discover, particularly with the gorgeous seashore. You may simply spend just a few hours right here, particularly on a sunny day.
Additionally, make 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 practice from Grand Central and bought off at Norwalk to discover the broader space of Connecticut. It was all really easy, particularly in case 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.
If you happen to’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
Examine Out The Very Greatest Of Nice Britain!
