There may be 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 won’t all the time 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 will possibly generally get sidelined for big-hitting neighbour states like New York.
The beauty of the Northeastern states is that you may simply journey between them on a highway journey or prepare. So, don’t simply assume it’s good to go to a single state, particularly when you’re travelling from a world context. For example, you possibly can 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 may’t miss under. As all the time, be at liberty to message us when you want any extra recommendations on the state. We’ve all the time 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 sure that 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 allow you to higher perceive the broader Connecticut space.
For lunch, be sure that to cease at Mystic Pizza. It’s the very best pizza in all of Connecticut, and I don’t say that frivolously! Ensure to go for his or her ‘construct your personal’ pizza. It’s scrumptious and made contemporary with all of the elements 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 all the time discover the East Coast waters just a little chilly.
Oh, and don’t overlook to cease off on the Oyster Membership for supper. Their oysters are contemporary and from the jap seaboard – plus, they’re fairly priced! We cherished them with a splash of Tabasco. Simply be sure that to ebook a reservation if
Learn extra: Finest locations in New York State to go to
2.) New Haven
House to Yale College, New Haven is a comparatively small Connecticut metropolis that’s nicely price staying for a number 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, be sure that to move 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 overlook about visiting the Yale Middle for British Artwork. It homes the biggest assortment of British artwork exterior the UK and is nicely price seeing. They’ve installations from historic and trendy artists, and it’s really very 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 for the reason that 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 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 1,000,000 miles away from the extra distinguished city centres you could be used to on the East Coast.
Round a 1-hour drive from New Haven, Gillette Citadel is the previous dwelling of William Hooker, aka the primary actor of the long-lasting character Sherlock Holmes. These days, you possibly can peek across the fortress on their organised excursions that you may ebook on their web site. It’s nicely price visiting for just a little 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 the town is crammed 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 the town or a number of days for a slower journey.
After you arrive, be sure that 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 immediately. It’s nicely price it to expertise a interval property and be taught extra in regards to 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 hold your eyes peeled for his or her seasonal occasions all year long. They even host a ‘behind the scenes’ tour, which is simply improbable.
For a chew 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.
Learn extra: Finest locations in Lengthy 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 highway 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 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 crammed 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 when you’re on a Connecticut highway journey with the household.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Cape Cod
6.) Groton
Don’t let the fairly unpleasing identify of Groton idiot you. It’s under no circumstances ‘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 need to head to the close by Submarine Pressure Museum and see the USS Nautilus. It’s one of many largest submarine museums in america. 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 absolutely nice.
Getting peckish? Head to Norm’s Diner for brunch or lunch. It’s an old-school diner, and their rooster 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 immediately. It’s unimaginable to be taught in regards to the historical past, tradition, and wealthy heritage the Mashantucket Pequot nonetheless holds sturdy.
Whereas right here, you possibly can discover Pequot Village and expertise life on a Reservation. You’ll additionally be taught a lot extra in regards to 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 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 when you’re round Bridgeport or Stamford. Nonetheless, don’t anticipate the hustle and bustle of a metropolis in Ridgefield—it has a extra suburban (even rural) really feel.
In case you are passing by means of, head to the Aldrich Up to date Artwork Museum. It homes native and worldwide artwork. Plus, the hallways are nicely price seeing! Visits take round half-hour, so it’s pleasant and simple when you’re stopping off alongside a wider route.
For a yummy chew, head to Bailey’s Yard for his or her Buttermilk Rooster. 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 gorgeous and a ravishing place to discover, particularly with the gorgeous seashore. You possibly can simply spend a number of hours right here, particularly on a sunny day.
Additionally, be sure that to cease off at Lasse’s Restaurant for lunch. Their scorching 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 prepare from Grand Central and acquired 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 go away stuffed.
In case 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
Verify Out The Very Finest Of Nice Britain!
