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 simple, I’m sharing our high spots you may’t miss as you discover.
Connecticut won’t all the time be the apparent alternative in the case of states to go to. That’s not as a result of it’s not value visiting, however it may typically get sidelined for big-hitting neighbour states like New York.
The wonderful thing about the Northeastern states is which you could simply journey between them on a street journey or practice. So, don’t simply assume that you must go to a single state, particularly in case you’re travelling from a world context. For example, you may simply go to New York, the attractive Cape Cod and Boston from Connecticut.
Anyway, sufficient rambling! I’m together with our favorite locations in Connecticut which you could’t miss under. As all the time, be happy to message us in case you want any extra tips about the state. We’ve all the time liked 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, ensure 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, ensure to cease at Mystic Pizza. It’s the very best pizza in all of Connecticut, and I don’t say that flippantly! Be sure 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 seaside time, drive out of Mystic to close by Esker Level Seashore. It’s pretty, sandy, and completely superb in the summertime. Nevertheless, I do all the time discover the East Coast waters a bit of 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 splash of Tabasco. Simply ensure 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 properly value staying for a couple 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, ensure to go straight over to the Yale College Museums. We completely liked the Yale Peabody Museumwhich 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 outdoors the UK and is properly value seeing. They’ve installations from historic and fashionable artists, and it’s really rather well executed. 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 beautiful 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 may peek across the fortress on their organised excursions which you could e book on their web site. It’s properly value visiting for a bit of 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 need a weekend journey away. It’s obtained fairly a younger crowd, and the town is full of museums and plenty of cafes however continues to be actually relaxed (if that is sensible). You’ll be able to simply spend a day or so exploring the town or a couple of days for a slower journey.
After you arrive, ensure to go to the Mark Twain Home & 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 be taught extra concerning the state’s historical past.
Additionally, you’ve obtained the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Artworkwhich 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 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: Greatest locations in Lengthy Island to go to
5.) Bristol
Bristol shouldn’t 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 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 Museumwhich is definitely a unusual little museum full of 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 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 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 relatively unpleasing title of Groton idiot you. It’s in no way ‘grotty’ however an absolute gem to discover in Connecticut. Going through 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 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 individual tempo, which is admittedly 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 this time. It’s unbelievable to be taught 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 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 whilst 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 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 by, head to the Aldrich Up to date Artwork 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 in case you’re stopping off alongside a wider route.
For a yummy chunk, 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 large draw for stopping right here. The boardwalk is gorgeous and a lovely place to discover, particularly with the attractive seaside. You’ll be able to simply spend a couple of hours right here, particularly on a sunny day.
Additionally, ensure 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 obtained 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.
Should you’re visiting in summer season, head to Bayley Seashorea cute little cove excellent for absorbing the solar.
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