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 straightforward, I’m sharing our prime spots you may’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 price visiting, however it will probably generally get sidelined for big-hitting neighbour states like New York.
The wonderful thing about the Northeastern states is that you could simply journey between them on a street journey or practice. So, don’t simply assume you should go to a single state, particularly in case you’re travelling from a global context. For example, you may 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 that 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 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 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 to higher perceive the broader Connecticut space.
For lunch, be certain to cease at Mystic Pizza. It’s one of the best pizza in all of Connecticut, and I don’t say that frivolously! Ensure that to go for his or her ‘construct your personal’ pizza. It’s scrumptious and made contemporary with all of the substances 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. Nonetheless, I do at all times discover the East Coast waters a little bit chilly.
Oh, and don’t neglect to cease off on the Oyster Membership for supper. Their oysters are contemporary and from the japanese seaboard – plus, they’re moderately priced! We beloved them with a touch of Tabasco. Simply be certain to e-book 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 properly 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 go straight over to the Yale College Museums. We completely beloved 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 displays, 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 exterior the UK and is properly price seeing. They’ve installations from historic and trendy artists, and it’s truly rather well completed. 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: Finest locations in Lengthy Island to go to
3.) Gillette Fort State Park
Open in the summertime months, Gillette Fort is a shocking place to go to whereas in Connecticut. It’s located on the broader grounds of Gillette Fort State Park. It’s beautiful and feels one million miles away from the extra outstanding city centres you may 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 long-lasting character Sherlock Holmes. These days, you may peek across the fortress on their organised excursions that you could e-book on their web site. It’s properly price visiting for a little bit 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’d like a weekend journey away. It’s acquired fairly a younger crowd, and town is stuffed with museums and plenty of cafes however remains to be actually relaxed (if that is smart). You possibly can 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 right this moment. It’s properly price it to expertise a interval property and study extra concerning the state’s historical past.
Additionally, you’ve acquired 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 by means of 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 chunk 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 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 a lot 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 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 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: Finest issues to do in Cape Cod
6.) Groton
Don’t let the slightly unpleasing identify 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 wish to head to the close by Submarine Drive Museum and see the USS Nautilus. It’s one of many largest submarine museums in the US. 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 personal 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: Finest 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 unbelievable to study concerning the historical past, tradition, and wealthy heritage the Mashantucket Pequot nonetheless holds robust.
Whereas right here, you may discover Pequot Village and expertise life on a Reservation. You’ll additionally study a lot extra concerning 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 whilst 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 in case you’re round Bridgeport or Stamford. Nonetheless, 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 by means of, head to the Aldrich Modern Artwork Museum. It homes native and worldwide artwork. Plus, the hallways are properly price seeing! Visits take round half-hour, so it’s pleasant and straightforward in case you’re stopping off alongside a wider route.
For a yummy chunk, 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 an exquisite place to discover, particularly with the gorgeous seashore. You possibly can 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 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 practice from Grand Central and acquired 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 go away stuffed.
In the event you’re visiting in summer time, head to Bayley Seaside, a cute little cove excellent for absorbing the solar.
Learn extra: Finest day journeys from New York Metropolis
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