
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 terms of 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 which you could simply journey between them on a street journey or prepare. So, don’t simply suppose it’s essential go to a single state, particularly should you’re travelling from a world context. As an illustration, you may 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 which you could’t miss beneath. As all the time, be at liberty to message us should you want any extra tips about the state. We’ve all the time cherished 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, be sure that to discover the Mystic Seaport Museum. It’s a stunning 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, be sure that to cease at Mystic Pizza. It’s the very best pizza in all of Connecticut, and I don’t say that calmly! Ensure that to go for his or her ‘construct your personal’ pizza. It’s scrumptious and made recent with all of the elements 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 superb 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 Club for supper. Their oysters are recent and from the jap seaboard – plus, they’re moderately priced! We cherished them with a splash of Tabasco. Simply be sure that to e book a reservation if
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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 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 go straight over to the Yale College Museums. We completely cherished 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 Corridor of Dinosaurs to their Eygypt exhibition, which is so fascinating.
Additionally, don’t overlook about visiting the Yale Center for British Art. It homes the biggest assortment of British artwork exterior the UK and is properly value seeing. They’ve installations from historic and trendy artists, and it’s really very well performed. 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 Fort State Park
Open in the summertime months, Gillette Fort is a shocking place to go to whereas in Connecticut. It’s located on the broader grounds of Gillette Fort State Park. It’s attractive and feels 1,000,000 miles away from the extra outstanding city centres you could 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 may peek across the fort on their organised excursions which you could e book on their web site. It’s properly value visiting for just a little cease, particularly because it’s such a novel 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 would like a weekend journey away. It’s bought fairly a younger crowd, and town is stuffed with museums and plenty of cafes however continues to be actually relaxed (if that is smart). You possibly can simply spend a day or so exploring town or a couple of 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’ll simply discover the Victorian-style home right this moment. It’s properly value it to expertise a interval property and be taught extra concerning the state’s historical past.
Additionally, 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 modern artwork in its rooms. Give your self round 90 minutes to walk by way of 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 implausible.
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.
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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 must spend plenty 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 maintain 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 should you’re on a Connecticut street journey with the household.
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6.) Groton
Don’t let the reasonably 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 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 Force 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 actually 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.
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7.) Mashantucket Pequot Museum
North of Groton, the Mashantucket Pequot Museum focuses on the Mashantucket Pequot nation right this moment. It’s unimaginable to be taught concerning the historical past, tradition, and wealthy heritage the Mashantucket Pequot nonetheless holds sturdy.
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 when you head additional east by way of Connecticut.
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8.) Ridgefield
Proper on the border with New York state, Ridgefield is fairly simple to go to should 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.
If you’re passing by way of, 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 should 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 large draw for stopping right here. The boardwalk is beautiful and a stupendous place to discover, particularly with the attractive seaside. You possibly can simply spend a couple 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.
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10.) Rowayton
We visited Rowayton throughout our go to from Manhattan. We caught the prepare from Grand Central and bought off at Norwalk to discover the broader space of Connecticut. It was all really easy, particularly should 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.
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