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 straightforward, I’m sharing our high spots you possibly can’t miss as you discover.
Connecticut may not all the time be the apparent alternative in relation to states to go to. That’s not as a result of it’s not value visiting, however it might probably 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 highway journey or practice. So, don’t simply assume it is advisable go to a single state, particularly for those who’re travelling from a world context. As an 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 beneath. As all the time, be at liberty to message us for those who want any extra tips about the state. We’ve all the time 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 make it easier to higher perceive the broader Connecticut space.
For lunch, make certain to cease at Mystic Pizza. It’s the most effective pizza in all of Connecticut, and I don’t say that flippantly! Be certain 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 seashore time, drive out of Mystic to close by Esker Level Seaside. It’s beautiful, sandy, and completely wonderful in the summertime. Nevertheless, I do all the time discover the East Coast waters a little 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 fairly priced! We liked them with a splash of Tabasco. Simply make certain to e book 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 effectively 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, 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 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 biggest assortment of British artwork outdoors the UK and is effectively value seeing. They’ve installations from historic and trendy artists, and it’s really rather 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 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 Citadel State Park
Open in the summertime months, Gillette Citadel is a surprising 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 is likely to 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 possibly can peek across the fort on their organised excursions which you could e book on their web site. It’s effectively value visiting for a little 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 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, 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 right this moment. It’s effectively value it to expertise a interval property and study 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 up to date artwork in its rooms. Give your self round 90 minutes to walk by 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 unbelievable.
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 will not 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 foul place to go to. It’s simply that there’s no have to spend a number 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 fairly 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 for those who’re on a Connecticut highway journey with the household.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Cape Cod
6.) Groton
Don’t let the moderately unpleasing identify of Groton idiot you. It’s by no means ‘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 US. 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 actually 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 right this moment. It’s unimaginable to study in regards to the historical past, tradition, and wealthy heritage the Mashantucket Pequot nonetheless holds sturdy.
Whereas right here, you possibly can discover Pequot Village and expertise life on a Reservation. You’ll additionally study 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 by 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 for those who’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.
If you’re passing by, head to the Aldrich Modern Artwork Museum. It homes native and worldwide artwork. Plus, the hallways are effectively value seeing! Visits take round half-hour, so it’s pleasant and straightforward for those who’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 good looking place to discover, particularly with the attractive seashore. You may simply spend a number of hours right here, particularly on a sunny day.
Additionally, make certain 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 bought 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 go away stuffed.
Should 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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