There is 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 may not at all times be the plain alternative on the subject of states to go to. That’s not as a result of it’s not price visiting, however it may possibly typically get sidelined for big-hitting neighbour states like New York.
The wonderful thing about the Northeastern states is which you can simply journey between them on a street journey or practice. So, don’t simply assume you should go to a single state, particularly when you’re travelling from a world context. For occasion, you may 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 which you can’t miss beneath. As at all times, be happy to message us when you want any extra tips about the state. We’ve at all times beloved our visits there.
1.) Mystic
Although 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.
Once right here, be sure that to discover the Mystic Seaport Museum. It’s a beautiful 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 aid you higher perceive the broader Connecticut space.
For lunch, be sure that to cease at Mystic Pizza. It’s the most effective 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 components 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 at all times discover the East Coast waters somewhat chilly.
Oh, and don’t overlook 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 splash of Tabasco. Just be sure 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 effectively price staying for just a few 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 Highway 95.
After arriving, be sure that to move straight over to the Yale University 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 reveals, from the Burke Hall of Dinosaurs to their Eygypt exhibition, which is so attention-grabbing.
Also, don’t overlook about visiting the Yale Center for British Art. It homes the most important assortment of British artwork exterior the United Kingdom and is effectively price seeing. They have installations from historic and trendy artists, and it’s truly very well executed. 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 for the reason that 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 one million miles away from the extra distinguished city centres you may be used to on the East Coast.
Around a 1-hour drive from New Haven, Gillette Castle is the previous dwelling of William Hooker, aka the primary actor of the enduring character Sherlock Holmes. Nowadays, you may peek across the citadel on their organised excursions which you can e-book on their web site. It’s effectively price visiting for somewhat cease, particularly because it’s such a novel property in Connecticut.
Read extra: Best locations in Long Island to go to
4.) Hatford
In the center 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 lots of cafes however continues to be actually relaxed (if that is sensible). You can simply spend a day or so exploring the town or just a few days for a slower journey.
After you arrive, be sure 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 in the present day. It’s effectively price it to expertise a interval property and study extra concerning the state’s historical past.
Also, you’ve bought the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 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 hold 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 will not be 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 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 full of all issues Carousels. It’s not open on Monday or Tuesday, so hold 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 when you’re on a Connecticut street journey with the household.
Read extra: Best issues to do in Cape Cod
6.) Groton
Don’t let the quite unpleasing identify of Groton idiot you. It’s in no way ‘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 individual 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.
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 in the present day. It’s unbelievable to study concerning the historical past, tradition, and wealthy heritage the Mashantucket Pequot nonetheless holds sturdy.
While right here, you may discover Pequot Village and expertise life on a Reservation. You’ll additionally study a lot extra concerning 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 via Connecticut.
Read extra: Best issues to do within the Hamptons
8.) Ridgefield
Right on the border with New York state, Ridgefield is fairly simple to go to when you’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 might be passing via, head to the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum. It homes native and worldwide artwork. Plus, the hallways are effectively price seeing! Visits take round half-hour, so it’s pleasant and straightforward when you’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 large draw for stopping right here. The boardwalk is beautiful and a gorgeous place to discover, particularly with the attractive seashore. You can simply spend just a few hours right here, particularly on a sunny day.
Also, be sure 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 bought off at Norwalk to discover the broader space of Connecticut. It was all really easy, particularly when 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’re visiting in summer season, 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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