There may be an absolute tons of issues to do all throughout Connecticut and a few key locations you’ll be able to’t miss whereas travelling across the state. So, to make your journey to Connecticut good and simple, I’m sharing our prime spots you’ll be able to’t miss as you discover.
Connecticut may not at all times be the plain 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 beauty of the Northeastern states is you could simply journey between them on a street journey or prepare. So, don’t simply assume you want to go to a single state, particularly in case you’re travelling from a world context. For example, you’ll be able to simply go to New York, the beautiful Cape Cod and Boston from Connecticut.
Anyway, sufficient rambling! I’m together with our favorite locations in Connecticut you could’t miss beneath. As at all times, be at liberty to message us in case you want any extra tips about the state. We’ve at all times cherished 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, 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 the perfect pizza in all of Connecticut, and I don’t say that frivolously! Be certain that to go for his or her ‘construct your personal’ pizza. It’s scrumptious and made recent with all of the substances you want most.
If you’re after seaside time, drive out of Mystic to close by Esker Point Beach. It’s beautiful, sandy, and completely wonderful in the summertime. Nevertheless, I do at all times discover the East Coast waters slightly 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 cherished them with a splash of Tabasco. Simply be certain to e book a reservation if
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2.) New Haven
House to Yale College, New Haven is a comparatively small Connecticut metropolis that’s effectively value 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 cherished 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 reveals, from the Burke Corridor of Dinosaurs to their Eygypt exhibition, which is so fascinating.
Additionally, don’t neglect about visiting the Yale Center for British Art. It homes the most important 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 completed. Visits to the Yale Heart 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!
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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 one million miles away from the extra distinguished city centres you is likely to be used to on the East Coast.
Round a 1-hour drive from New Haven, Gillette Castle is the previous residence of William Hooker, aka the primary actor of the enduring character Sherlock Holmes. These days, you’ll be able to peek across the citadel on their organised excursions you could e book on their web site. It’s effectively value visiting for slightly cease, particularly because it’s such a singular property in Connecticut.
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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 lots of cafes however remains to be actually relaxed (if that is sensible). You’ll be able to 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 House & Museum. He moved into the house within the 1800s, and you’ll simply discover the Victorian-style home at the moment. It’s effectively value it to expertise a interval property and be taught extra concerning the state’s historical past.
Additionally, you’ve acquired the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, which is correct 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 hold your eyes peeled for his or her seasonal occasions all year long. They even host a ‘behind the scenes’ tour, which is simply implausible.
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.
Read more: Best places in Long Island to visit
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 must 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 stuffed with 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 reasonably 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.
Read more: Best things to do in Cape Cod
6.) Groton
Don’t let the somewhat unpleasing identify of Groton idiot you. It’s under no circumstances ‘grotty’ however an absolute gem to discover in Connecticut. Dealing with the shores of Long 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 need to head to the close by Submarine Force 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 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.
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7.) Mashantucket Pequot Museum
North of Groton, the Mashantucket Pequot Museum focuses on the Mashantucket Pequot nation at the moment. It’s unimaginable to be taught concerning the historical past, tradition, and wealthy heritage the Mashantucket Pequot nonetheless holds robust.
Whereas right here, you’ll be able to discover Pequot Village and expertise life on a Reservation. You’ll additionally be taught 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 Connecticut.
Read more: Best things to do in 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.
In case you are passing by, head to the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum. It homes native and worldwide artwork. Plus, the hallways are effectively 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 chew, head to Bailey’s Backyard for his or her Buttermilk Hen. Plus, their apple cider mimosas are so tasty.
Read more: Best things to do in 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 gorgeous and a gorgeous place to discover, particularly with the gorgeous seaside. You’ll be able to 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.
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10.) Rowayton
We visited Rowayton throughout our go to from Manhattan. We caught the prepare 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.
If you happen to’re visiting in summer season, head to Bayley Beach, a cute little cove excellent for absorbing the solar.
Read more: Best day trips from New York City
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