There is 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 may not all the time be the plain selection in relation to states to go to. That’s not as a result of it’s not value visiting, however it might 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 it is advisable go to a single state, particularly for those who’re travelling from a world context. For occasion, you possibly can 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 that you could’t miss under. As all the time, be happy to message us for those who want any extra recommendations on the state. We’ve all the time beloved our visits there.
1.) Mystic
Although 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.
Once right here, ensure that to discover the Mystic Seaport Museum. It’s a stunning museum that’s nice for an hour or so of wandering round. Around the museum is a heap of historical past, ships, and buildings that provide help to higher perceive the broader Connecticut space.
For lunch, ensure that to cease at Mystic Pizza. It’s the very best pizza in all of Connecticut, and I don’t say that calmly! Make certain to go for his or her ‘build your own’ pizza. It is scrumptious and made recent with all of the elements you want most.
If you’re after seashore time, drive out of Mystic to close by Esker Point Beach. It’s beautiful, sandy, and completely superb in the summertime. However, I do all the time discover the East Coast waters somewhat chilly.
Oh, and don’t neglect to cease off on the Oyster Club for supper. Their oysters are recent and from the jap seaboard – plus, they’re fairly priced! We beloved them with a touch of Tabasco. Just ensure that to e-book a reservation if
Read extra: Best locations in New York State to go to
2.) New Haven
Home to Yale University, 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 town has such a pleasant vibe. Plus, it’s very easy to go to as you journey the coastal route alongside Highway 95.
After arriving, ensure that to move straight over to the Yale University Museums. We completely beloved 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 Hall of Dinosaurs to their Eygypt exhibition, which is so fascinating.
Also, don’t neglect about visiting the Yale Center for British Art. It homes the biggest assortment of British artwork outdoors the United Kingdom and is properly value seeing. They have installations from historic and trendy artists, and it’s truly very well achieved. Visits to the Yale Center 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!
Read extra: Best locations in Long Island to go to
3.) Gillette Castle State Park
Open in the summertime months, Gillette Castle is a surprising place to go to whereas in Connecticut. It is located on the broader grounds of Gillette Castle State Park. It’s beautiful and feels 1,000,000 miles away from the extra distinguished city centres you is likely to be used to on the East Coast.
Around a 1-hour drive from New Haven, Gillette Castle is the previous house of William Hooker, aka the primary actor of the long-lasting character Sherlock Holmes. Nowadays, you possibly can peek across the fort on their organised excursions that you could e-book on their web site. It’s properly value visiting for somewhat cease, particularly because it’s such a singular property in Connecticut.
Read extra: Best locations in Long Island to go to
4.) Hatford
In the guts of Connecticut, Hartford is the capital and one epic place to discover if you need a weekend journey away. It’s acquired fairly a younger crowd, and town is crammed with museums and lots of cafes however continues to be actually relaxed (if that is smart). You can simply spend a day or so exploring town or a number of days for a slower journey.
After you arrive, ensure that to go to the Mark Twain House & Museum. He moved into the house within the 1800s, and you may simply discover the Victorian-style home at this time. It’s properly value it to expertise a interval property and study extra in regards to the state’s historical past.
Also, you’ve acquired the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 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 preserve 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 chunk 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.
Read extra: Best locations in Long 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 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 crammed 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 for those who’re on a Connecticut street journey with the household.
Read extra: Best issues to do in Cape Cod
6.) Groton
Don’t let the slightly unpleasing title of Groton idiot you. It’s under no circumstances ‘grotty’ however an absolute gem to discover in Connecticut. Facing the shores of Long 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 Point (within the Hamptons) or whereas driving Highway 95.
Once in Groton, you’ll need to head to the close by Submarine Force Museum and see the USS Nautilus. It’s one of many largest submarine museums within the United States. 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 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.
Read extra: Best issues to do in Cape Cod
7.) Mashantucket Pequot Museum
North of Groton, the Mashantucket Pequot Museum focuses on the Mashantucket Pequot nation at this time. It’s unbelievable to study in regards to the historical past, tradition, and wealthy heritage the Mashantucket Pequot nonetheless holds robust.
While 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 War, 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 Connecticut.
Read extra: Best issues to do within the Hamptons
8.) Ridgefield
Right on the border with New York state, Ridgefield is fairly straightforward to go to for those who’re round Bridgeport or Stamford. However, 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, head to the Aldrich Contemporary Art 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 for those who’re stopping off alongside a wider route.
For a yummy chunk, head to Bailey’s Backyard for his or her Buttermilk Chicken. Plus, their apple cider mimosas are so tasty.
Read extra: Best issues to do within the Hamptons
9.) Milford
Right on the coast, southwest of New Haven, Silver Sands State Park is the massive draw for stopping right here. The boardwalk is gorgeous and a good looking place to discover, particularly with the attractive seashore. You can simply spend a number of hours right here, particularly on a sunny day.
Also, ensure that to cease off at Lasse’s Restaurant for lunch. Their sizzling roast-beef sandwiches are legendary.
Read extra: Best day journeys from New York City
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 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.
If you’re visiting in summer time, head to Bayley Beach, a cute little cove excellent for absorbing the solar.
Read extra: Best day journeys from New York City
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