connecticut travel book

Connecticut

Fairfield Southwest

Hartford Central

Litchfield Northwest

Mystic Eastern

New Haven South Central

Welcome to visit connecticut, great shopping, dining, casinos, and maritime fun.

Connecticut , the southernmost New England state, is bounded by Long Island Sound on the south, Rhode Island on the east, New York State on the west, and Massachusetts on the north. The finger-like extension of Fairfield County is an easy drive to and from New York City. Connecticut is the nearest New England state to New York, Pennsylvania and points south for a short getaway.

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Connecticut regions and highlights :, fairfield county & southwest ct.

Located along the shore of Long Island Sound , Fairfield County is a short drive from New York City. Its boundaries include the towns of Greenwich, Danbury, Southbury, Stratford, Shelton, and Bridgeport, CT . Good restaurants, with a special cluster in the SoNo section of Norwalk, CT , a waterfront area with lots of hip restaurants and shops. Family attractions include Beardsley Zoo, Discovery Museum, and the Barnum Museum in Bridgeport, CT; Maritime Aquarium and the Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk, CT; and the Stamford Museum & Nature Center in Stamford, CT .

New Haven & South Central CT

North and east of the Fairfield region and also on Long Island Sound, New Haven, CT is home to Yale University , which is loved for its fine architecture and excellent science & art museums, including the Yale Center for British Art and the Yale University Art Gallery . New Haven calls itself the "birthplace of pizza in America" , with the pies served in old legendary pizzerias like Frank Pepe's Pizzeria Napoletana , Sally's Apizza and Modern Apizza . New Haven's downtown and harborfront are bustling with dining and cultural activities, and it is known and loved for its blossoming food truck offerings. As you move along the coast in either direction to the smaller cities and towns, alive with historic New England charm. Town centers of Milford, Branford, Guilford, and Madison, CT are expansive, pleasant and perfect for a weekend stroll or picnic. The coastline is also quite scenic, with beaches and some small islands that you can tour by boat.

Mystic Country & Eastern CT

The Mystic Country region is in the southeast corner of the state, aside Long Island Sound and also extending northward and inland, has attractions that are uniquely New England in character and great for families and kids. At the western corner is the mouth of the Connecticut River , and the nearby historic towns of Essex, Old Saybrook, Ivoryton, Old Lyme, Haddam, East Haddam and Deep River, CT . Towards the east there's the well-known village of Mystic, CT ; Mystic Seaport is a historic shipbuilding museum and re-created 19th-century seaside village. Mystic Aquarium is associated with Robert Ballard, who discovered the HMS Titanic , and it has a marvelous exhibit exploring the legendary shipwreck. The city of New London, CT has the state's best salt-water beach and Ocean Beach Park , and is home to both a Naval submarine base and the Coast Guard Academy. Further inland, the Foxwoods Resort & Casino in Mashantucket (Ledyard), CT and Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT are two of the largest casino resorts in America, with reputations to match. To the north, the countryside opens up and is dotted with big farms and wooded hills, old historic towns and small cities including Norwich, Willimantic, Mansfield, Plainfield and Putnam, CT . In this area you'll find the University of Connecticut 's main campus at Storrs, CT , which has quickly grown in size and stature over the years.

Greater Hartford & Central CT

The capital city of Hartford, CT , in the geographical center of the state, is known for some fine art and history museums, including the Mark Twain House & Museum . The Wadsworth Atheneum 's renowned collections include Hudson River School landscapes, Old Master paintings, modernist masterpieces, Impressionist paintings, and American decorative arts. The city is also home to a large concert ampitheater and minor-league pro hockey and baseball teams. To the north, Bradley International Airport , in Windsor Locks, CT , is the second-largest airport in all of New England. In the scenic mountainous area to the northeast is Stafford Motor Speedway in Stafford Springs, CT , which hosts car enthusiasts and racing events. The hills and mountain in the area also offer great locations for the state's ski areas - several of which are located within a short drive of the capitol city.

Litchfield County & Northwest CT

In the western part of the state along the eastern border of New York State, the Litchfield region is a rural paradise of picturesque farms, villages, vineyards and wineries, lots of antique shopping, and fishing and rafting in the Housatonic River. Major towns are Litchfield, Danbury, Waterbury, Bantam, Kent, and Torrington, CT . Litchfield region has no saltwater shoreline, but has wonderful rivers and ponds.

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Connecticut TRAVEL GUIDE

Fodor's New England: with the Best Fall Foliage Drives, Scenic Road Trips, and Acadia National Park Whether you want to visit Cape Cod's beaches, eat lobster in Maine, or ski in Vermont, the...

You can travel from just about any point in Connecticut to any other in less than two hours, yet the land you traverse—fewer than 60 miles top to bottom and 100 miles across—is as varied as a drive across the country.

Connecticut's 253 miles of shoreline blows salty sea air over beach communities like Old Lyme and Stonington, while patchwork hills and peaked mountains fill the state's northwestern corner, and once-upon-a-time mill towns line rivers such as the Housatonic. Connecticut has seemingly endless farmland in the northeast, where cows might just outnumber people, as well as chic New York City bedroom communities such as Greenwich and New Canaan, where boutique shopping bags are the dominant species.

Just as diverse as the landscape are the state's residents, who numbered more than 3½ million at last count. There really is no such thing as the definitive "Connecticut Yankee." Yes, families can trace their roots back to the 1600s, when Connecticut was founded as one of the 13 original colonies, but the state motto is "He who transplanted still sustains." And so the face of the Nutmegger is that of the family from Naples now making pizza in New Haven and the farmer in Norfolk whose land dates back five generations, the grandmother in New Britain who makes the state's best pierogi and the ladies who lunch in Westport, the celebrity nestled in the Litchfield Hills and the Bridgeport entrepreneur working to close the gap between Connecticut's struggling cities and its affluent suburbs.

One quality all Connecticut Yankees have in common, however, is inventiveness; Nutmeggers are historically known for both their intellect and their desire to have a little fun. The nation's first public library opened in New Haven in 1656 and its first state house in Hartford in 1776. Tapping Reeve developed America's first law school in Litchfield in 1784, and West Hartford's Noah Webster published the first dictionary in 1806. On the fun side, Lake Compounce in Bristol was the country's first amusement park; Bethel's P. T. Barnum staged the first three-ring circus; and the hamburger, the lollipop, the Frisbee, and the Erector Set were all invented here.

Not surprisingly, Nutmeggers have a healthy respect for their history. For decades, Mystic Seaport, which traces the state's rich maritime past, has been the premier tourist attraction. Today, however, Foxwoods Casino near Ledyard, run by the Mashantucket Pequots, is North America's largest casino, drawing more than 40,000 visitors per day. Thanks in large part to these lures, not to mention rich cultural destinations, cutting-edge restaurants, shopping outlets, first-rate lodgings, and abundant natural beauty (including 92 state parks and 30 state forests), tourism is one of the state's leading industries. Exploring Connecticut reveals a small state that's big in appeal.

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Top destinations, new haven, mystic, and the coast.

As you drive northeast along Interstate 95, culturally rich New Haven is the final urban obstacle between southwestern Connecticut's overdeveloped...

The Litchfield Hills

The foothills of the Berkshire Mountains are some of the most spectacular and unspoiled scenery in Connecticut. Two highways, Interstate 84...

Hartford and the Connecticut River Valley

Less touristy than the coast and the northwest hills, the Connecticut River Valley is a swath of small towns and uncrowded state parks punctuated...

Southwestern Connecticut

Southwestern Connecticut is a rich swirl of old New England and new New York, a region that consistently reports the highest cost of living...

Though the city is best known as the home of Yale University, New Haven's historic district, dating back to the 17th century, and the distinctive...

Midway between New York City and Boston, Hartford is Connecticut's capital city and the former insurance capital of the United States. Founded...

The Quiet Corner

Few visitors to Connecticut experience the old-fashioned ways of the "Quiet Corner," a vast patch of sparsely populated towns that seem a world...

While business is often what brings people to Stamford, what keeps them here are the quality restaurants, nightclubs, and shops that line Atlantic...

Everything in Litchfield, the wealthiest and most noteworthy town in the Litchfield Hills, seems to exist on a larger scale than in neighboring...

New London, a small and slightly gritty city on the banks of the Thames River, has long had ties to the sea. In the mid-1800s it was the second...

Mystic has devoted itself to recapturing the seafaring spirit of the 18th and 19th centuries. Some of the nation's fastest clipper ships were...

In the 19th century, Norwalk became a major New England port and manufacturing center, which produced pottery, clocks, watches, shingle nails...

Westport, an artists' community since the turn of the 20th century, continues to attract creative types. Despite commuters and corporations...

Kent once held many ironworks, and today boasts the area's greatest concentration of art galleries—some nationally renowned—as well as a prep...

There may be more antiques shops in quickly growing Woodbury than in all other towns in the Litchfield Hills combined. Some of the best-preserved...

Lush forests, rolling hills, sandy beaches overlooking sparkling Long Island Sound, and a picture-perfect downtown area filled with chic boutiques...

Connecticut's Cornwalls can get confusing: there's Cornwall, Cornwall Bridge, West Cornwall, Cornwall Hollow, East Cornwall, and North Cornwall...

Farmington, incorporated in 1645, is a classic river town with a perfectly preserved main street. This bucolic and affluent suburb of Hartford...

In Ridgefield, you'll find an outstanding contemporary art museum nestled in a rustic atmosphere within an hour of Manhattan. The inviting town...

• New Preston

The crossroads village of New Preston, perched above a 40-foot waterfall on the Aspetuck River, has a little town center that's packed with...

Thanks to its severe climate and terrain, Norfolk has resisted development and stands as one of the best-preserved villages in the Northeast...

• Old Saybrook

Old Saybrook, once a lively shipbuilding and fishing town, bustles with summer vacationers and antiques shoppers. Its downtown is an especially...

With its Connecticut River setting, easy access to major highways, and historic architecture, Middletown is a popular destination for recreational...

Pomfret, one of the grandest towns in the region, was once known as the inland Newport because it attracted the wealthy, who summered here in...

Located in the woods of southeastern Connecticut between Norwich and the coastline, Ledyard is known first and foremost for the vast Mashantucket...

Upscale boutiques and artisans' studios fill the chiefly 19th-century buildings along Chester's quaint and well-preserved Main Street. Chester...

Essex, consistently named one of the best small towns in the United States, looks much like it did in the mid-19th century, at the height of...

The majority of Storrs's hillside and farmland is occupied by the 4,400 acres (and some 18,000 students) of the main campus of the University...

Colonial-style shopping centers, a smattering of antiques shops, and a proliferation of insurance-industry executives define this chic bedroom...

The landscape of this enchanting town is splendid in every season: the rolling hills seem to stretch for miles. Scenic roads lead past antiques...

• New Milford

If you're approaching the Litchfield Hills from the south, New Milford is a practical starting point to begin a visit. It was also a starting...

Ambitious antiques dealers have reinvented Putnam, a mill town 30 miles west of Providence, Rhode Island, that was neglected after the Depression...

The pretty village of Stonington pokes into Fishers Island Sound. A quiet fishing community clustered around white-spired churches, Stonington...

The beautiful buildings of the Gunnery prep school mingle with stately Colonials and churches in Washington, one of the best-preserved Colonial...

Outstanding Georgian and Victorian structures surround the triangular town green in Norwich, and more can be found downtown by the Thames River...

Coastal Madison has an understated charm. Ice cream parlors, antiques stores, and quirky gift boutiques prosper along U.S. 1, the town's main...

• East Haddam

Fishing, shipping, and musket making were the chief enterprises of East Haddam, the only town in the state that occupies both banks of the...

Home to the Naval Submarine Base New London (the U.S. Navy's first) and to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics, designer and manufacturer...

Old Lyme, on the other side of the Connecticut River from Old Saybrook, is renowned among art lovers for its past as the home of the Lyme Art...

There were some 275 clockmakers in and around Bristol during the late 1800s—it is said that by the end of the 19th century just about every...

Bridgeport, a city that has endured its share of hard times, is working hard to revitalize itself and overcome its negative image with improvements...

• Wethersfield

Wethersfield, a vast Hartford suburb, dates to 1634 and has the state's largest—and, some say, the most picturesque—historic district, with...

• Windsor Locks

Incorporated in 1854, Windsor Locks is halfway between Hartford and Springfield, Massachusetts. Named for the locks of a canal built to bypass...

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Connecticut Travel Guide

From suburbs of New York City to historic towns, beautiful rolling countryside, quiet lakes and beaches , vineyards and wineries , even flashy casinos , Connecticut has a lot of variety.

The Connecticut Shoreline bordering Long Island Sound has everything from booming industrial cities to pristine colonial villages. Southwestern Connecticut is heavily influenced by giant New York City , while Northwestern Connecticut is really part of the Berkshire Hills . Pretty towns along the mighty Connecticut River are steeped in history and culture.

Connecticut Highlights

Mystic Seaport is Connecticut's outstanding "living" museum of 19th-century New England maritime life .

Yale University in New Haven has outstanding museums , including the Center for British Art, the University Art Gallery, and the Peabody Museum of Natural History

Hartford 's Wadsworth Atheneum has a fine collection of over 60,000 works of art

Nook Farm , in Hartford , was home to Mark Twain , who wrote Tom Sawyer here, and also to Harriet Beecher Stowe

Goodspeed Opera House right on the Connecticut River in East Haddam is a Victorian gem mounting performances of American musical theater

Connecticut has over a dozen vineyards and wineries producing good to excellent vintages, and offering free wine tasting

Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun near Ledyard, in southeastern Connecticut , offer elaborate gambling casino-resorts

Rural western Connecticut has beautiful lakes for swimming, inns either cozy or elaborate, and several good local wineries .

Here's information on transportation in Connecticut .

Connecticut Shoreline

Connecticut's 618 miles (995 km) of convoluted coastline stretch from the suburbs of New York City in the west to the quaint village of Stonington on the Rhode Island border to the east.

Along the way, it includes New Haven , home of Yale University ; pretty and peaceful Guilford , founded in 1639; Old Lyme, Essex and other fine old towns at the mouth of the Connecticut River ; New London & Groton , submarine capital of the world; Mystic Seaport , the re-creation of an old Connecticut maritime village and, nearby, some of Connecticut's best beaches and several vineyards ; and Stonington , once a shipbuilding town, now noted for its beauty and charm. More...

Connecticut River Valley

The mighty, 410-mile (660-km)-long Connecticut River flowing from Québec, Canada, to Long Island Sound, is dotted with beautiful, historic towns: Old Saybrook and Old Lyme at the river's mouth; Essex and Ivoryton just to the north; farther north, Chester ith its historic ferry, and East Haddam with its Goodspeed Opera House ; and Hartford , Connecticut's capital city.

Hartford & Vicinity

Connecticut's capital , straddling the Connecticut River 45 miles (72 km) north of the Connecticut Shoreline , is marked by tall insurance-company skyscrapers, and famous for its Connecticut historic sites , its Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art , and for Nook Farm , home of Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe . Nearby Wethersfield is a pretty historic town. More...

Western Connecticut

Perfect for a leisurely scenic drive , Western Connecticut 's historic towns of Litchfield and Salisbury , and pretty Lake Waramaug , are great places to go on a day-trip. You can even sto at a vineyard for a tour and tasting. More...

The Casinos

Southeastern Connecticut's gleaming gambling meccas of Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun stand in stark contrast to the old-fashioned charm of seaside Stonington , but if it's action and entertainment you want, this is the place. More...

Connecticut History

The Constitution State (so called because Connecticut was the first American colony to have a written constitution ) is sprinkled liberally with lakes, rivers, and streams.

The state's namesake is the mighty Connecticut River , which springs from the Connecticut Lakes in northern New Hampshire , flows southward forming the boundary between New Hampshire and Vermont , cuts through Massachusetts and Connecticut, finally to empty into Long Island Sound.

The great river is navigable as far north as Hartford , a significant fact that was not lost on the region's Native American inhabitants. They were the ones who gave it the name Quinnehtukqut , "the long tidal river."

Almost three-quarters of the territory in Connecticut is woodland , and drives along the back roads through these forests reveal rich fields of corn, grain, vegetables, and tobacco. But the state's wealth comes not from agriculture, or from tourism, but rather from insurance and manufacturing .

In the old days the state's production of buttons, pins, doo-dads, and kitchenwares gave rise to the breed of men known as Yankee peddlers , who traveled from town to town in horse and buggy, spreading the products of Connecticut's industry far and wide. Later Connecticut Yankees such as Charles Goodyear, Eli Whitney, Seth Thomas, and Mr. Fuller (of Fuller Brush fame) pave the way for today's Connecticut products: helicopters, submarines, insurance, firearms and high-tech .

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Connecticut Travel Guide

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Just ninety miles long by 55 miles wide, CONNECTICUT is New England’s southernmost state and the most influenced by New York City; thousands of commuters make the trip each day, and many of the opulent mansions are owned by Wall Street bankers. As a result, tourism here is of a sophisticated sort, with art galleries, vineyards, historical houses, museums and increasingly eclectic cuisine on offer, while the state’s lesser-known natural offerings along the densely populated coast make for some pleasant surprises.

The coast is studded with enticing small towns, from the colonial charms of Mystic and Stonington to hip New London and intellectual New Haven, home of Yale University. Further inland, the state capital at Hartford is a real surprise, with a gradually regenerating downtown and a trio of attractions.

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Connecticut

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Connecticut.

Visit Connecticut

Sometimes Connecticut is unfairly dismissed simply as New York’s neighbor or a state for commuters. Yet the rolling hills, forested valleys and historic coastal towns make the “Constitution State” an engaging and welcoming destination in its own right. Discover the friendly and authentic charm of one of New England’s lesser-seen regions.

Connecticut was one of the 13 original colonies of America that declared independence from the British Crown. Wander down classic American Main Streets in towns that maintain the charm and character of the Revolutionary era. Browse the exhibits of the Museum of Connecticut History in Hartford to learn about the state’s industrial history and to see displays on America’s abolition movement and the famous underground railroad.

Linger in the charming capital city of Hartford to visit its other cultural attractions. Stop by the eye-catching 19th-century Mark Twain House and Museum, a burnt-orange home with displays dedicated to the life of the writer. The Wadsworth Atheneum, a public art gallery, is the oldest museum of its kind in the U.S.

Soak up the academic atmosphere of Yale University in the stylish town of New Haven. This famous educational institution is the home of Yale University Art Gallery and the Yale Center for British Art. Visitors are welcome to stroll around the picturesque campus grounds.

The history of Connecticut is inextricably linked with its connections to the Atlantic Ocean. Visit quaint waterfront towns along the length of the Long Island Sound and visit historic ports. Mystic Seaport, in the town of Mystic, offers an in-depth insight into the state’s maritime history and features four National Historic Landmark ships. The Connecticut River Museum in Essex gives visitors the chance to travel upriver in old schooners while learning about the state.

Connecticut borders New York City, making it easily accessible from all flights into that metropolis. Drive northeast of JFK International Airport for just an hour to reach the town of Norwalk, a great place to begin your exploration of compact Connecticut. Visit the state in fall to experience New England’s famously beautiful fall colors.

Where to stay in Connecticut

Downtown Hartford

Downtown Hartford boasts a bustling business district, housing major corporations and Connecticut's state government. Explore historic sites like the Wadsworth Atheneum, Bushnell Park, and the Old State House, while enjoying convenient access to Connecticut Transit Hartford and Union Station.

Downtown New Haven

In the heart of New Haven, this residential downtown area boasts a variety of restaurants, cafes, theaters, and stores. Explore the arts at Chapel Street Historic District, Broadway area, and Ninth Square district, or visit the Shops at Yale.

Downtown Stamford

Central business district with major retail establishments, a shopping mall, and a university campus. Explore the historic district's architecture, enjoy bars and restaurants near Columbus Park, and easily access the Metro-North train station.

West Mystic

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in West Mystic and surrounding area, you can visit Mystic Downtown Marina and Mystic River Bascule Bridge.

Westbrook Center

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Westbrook Center and surrounding area, you can visit Westbrook Town Beach and Tanger Outlets.

Coventry Lake

Coventry Lake might not have many top sights, but J. M. Sarnik & Sons' The Old General Store and Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

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Popular places to visit, foxwoods resort casino.

Why not roll the dice by visiting Foxwoods Resort Casino where you can enjoy the entertainment at this popular casino in Mashantucket? Discover the area's acclaimed theater scene and casinos.

Yale University

Enjoy the collegiate vibe around Yale University, a top college in New Haven. Stroll along the beaches or experience the area's art scene.

Mohegan Sun Arena

Catch an event at Mohegan Sun Arena during your trip to Montville. Amble around the area's waterfront or attend a sporting event.

Mystic Seaport

You can spend time browsing the exhibits at Mystic Seaport in Mystic. Visit the area's casinos or amble around its waterfront.

Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration

Uncover the mysteries of the bottom of the ocean and its amazing marine animals when you explore this aquarium’s interactive displays and touch pools.

Ocean Beach Park

A day by the beach at this fantastic waterfront park is sure to please with its fun waterslides, large pool, landscaped foreshore and beautiful Atlantic Ocean views.

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2023 Connecticut Travel Guide | Best Restaurants, Hotels, & Things to Do

With an eye on what’s new for 2023, Yankee’s editors round up the best attractions, eateries, and hotels in top Connecticut travel destinations.

By Yankee Editors

Apr 29 2023

Best of Connecticut 2023

With an eye on what’s new for 2023, Yankee’s editors round up the best attractions, eateries, and hotels in top Connecticut travel destinations. Headed to the city? Check out our spotlight guide to New Haven, Connecticut.

Editors’ Picks: Where to Eat and Drink in Connecticut in 2023

Bakery, Bread | Soleil Bakery, Woodstock

Step around industrial-size sacks of flour stacked on the bakery floor and place your order at Soleil’s pastry-packed glass counter. The aroma of fresh-baked bread permeates this Quiet Corner bakery tucked away in a modest strip mall. Loaves emerge from the ovens throughout the day, along with a vast array of cookies, cakes, pies, muffins, brownies, and more. Local favorite: the melt-in-your-mouth kalamata bread, loaded with tart, brined Greek olives.

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Coffee Roaster | Perkatory Coffee Roasters , Middletown

On your way to heaven (or Hartford), be sure to grab a cup of soul-reviving java at Perkatory. Steeped in the skate-punk culture of the 1980s, this youthful place is tricked out with lots of spooky art and skateboards repurposed into seats and benches. Their most popular offerings include drip, espresso, and cold-brew coffees and lattes made from single-source beans roasted on the premises. Check out the roasting machine churning away behind the counter.

Destination Brewery | Elicit Brewing , Manchester

Elicit is that special brewery that welcomes the entire family. Housed in an 1800s brick mill building, the expansive space includes a beer hall with dozens of brews on tap, several rooms for private parties, and a massive beer garden with firepits out back. And there’s a kitchen counter for ordering light meals and bar foods. Numerous pinball machines and arcade games keep the kids (and adults) busy in this frenetic hall of fun.

Historic Restaurant | Griswold Inn , Essex

How’s this for history? The Griswold Inn is one of the oldest in the country and was occupied by British soldiers during the War of 1812. Today, “The Gris” is a peaceful gathering spot with a priceless collection of maritime and other antiques, sea chanty singalongs on Monday nights, and a global menu with some New England classics (chowder, fish and chips, and prime rib). Don’t miss the apple pie.

New Restaurant | Materia , Bantam

This newest star in the Litchfield dining firmament is wowing foodies from near and far. Chef-owner David DiStasi, a Le Bernardin alum, brings his fresh take on Italian cuisine to a six-course tasting menu and à la carte delights such as roasted corn velouté, tagliatelle al ragú, and aged Rohan duck breast. Finish with a nip from Materia’s seductive grappa cart.

Pizza | Sparrow Pizza Bar , West Hartford

Hometown boy Adam Greenberg has returned after multiple Chopped championships to helm this busy, colorful bistro that’s half pizza joint, half watering hole. The bar pizzas feature paper-thin crust with inventive, mostly veggie toppings. Street art enlivens the walls, adding to the electric atmosphere. There are more than 25 seats around the oval-shaped bar, providing a focal point for socializing and game watching on flat-screen TVs.

Seafood Shack | Lobster Landing , Clinton

This salt-scrubbed shack perched on pilings over Long Island Sound serves our favorite hot-and-buttered Connecticut-style roll. Owner Enea Bacci sources meat from Long Island Sound and delicately poaches it in lobster stock, giving it wonderful sweetness. The menu is limited, but the lobster bisque and chowder are also great, and the sausage sub with peppers will satisfy the seafood-averse.

Editors’ Picks: Best Places to Stay in Connecticut in 2023

Budget Stay with a View | Blackberry River Inn , Norfolk

When lodging prices in western Massachusetts spike during the summer arts season, rates remain steady and reasonable 45 minutes south in the Berkshire foothills. Set on 27 acres with gentle ridgelines in view—even while you’re cooling off in the outdoor pool—activity here revolves around the 1763 main house, where breakfast, featuring signature raised waffles, is served every morning.

Green Hote | Saybrook Point Resort & Marina , Old Saybrook

Four-star and eco-friendly don’t always go hand in hand, but they come together in grand style at Saybrook Point. The resort became the state’s first “Green Lodging”–certified hotel in 2009, but it didn’t stop there: From the pool warmed by recycled heat to biofuel generators, and from locally focused cuisine to electric vehicle charging stations, Saybrook Point continues to set the eco-innovation bar high.

Hotel Restaurant | Terreno at the Goodwin Hotel, Hartford

After a prolonged closure, there’s a restaurant again at the capital’s finest hotel. And not just any restaurant: Celebrated chef Tyler Anderson is behind a menu of comforting California-Italian dishes crafted with travelers and the pre-theater crowd in mind. Start with Sicilian-style pizzettes, made with superb local bakery Small State Provisions’ focaccia, before you oink out on house-made pasta or cioppino loaded with East Coast seafood.

Luxury Suite | Greenhouse at Winvian Farm , Morris

For lovers of architecture and design and cravers of pampering and privacy, Winvian Farm’s cottages and the surrounding 113 acres of woodlands and fields are the ultimate escape. While options like Treehouse and Helicopter are fantastically whimsical, the restyled, dog-friendly Greenhouse is our choice for a summer steal-away. Steps from the spa and pool, and with its own jetted bathtub and stone-walled patio, it’s a space where nature seeps into your psyche. The Great Room’s high glass ceiling lets a little starlight magic in, too.

Pet Pampering | Delamar Greenwich Harbor , Greenwich

If pups could talk, they’d implore their families to take them to this swanky, marina-side hotel. Not just because the pet amenities here include a welcome treat and a snuggly bed, plus add-on services like walking, grooming, and even dog massage. But because a portion of the nightly $50 pet fee is donated to local nonprofit Adopt-a-Dog, ensuring homes as loving as yours will be found for their canine kin.

Romantic Overnight | The Homestead , Madison

A vitamin-infused shower softens your skin; 1,000-thread-count sheets soften your sleep; and beach passes and bikes to borrow make playful adventures easy-breezy for you and your boo. Mood-setting vinyl will be waiting by your room’s record player if you share your musical tastes pre-arrival, and two outdoor firepits make staying “out” late to sip wine and stargaze equally inviting.

Stay & Play | Water’s Edge Resort & Spa , Westbrook

A private, creamy-sand beach is a rare amenity in Connecticut. And with indoor and outdoor pools to complement the gently wavy waters of Long Island Sound, all of your cool-off options are covered. But wait: There are more reasons you’ll rarely venture off-property. Play tennis, revive your skin at the spa, dine at four restaurants, and don’t miss the spectacle that is Sunday brunch.

Editors’ Picks: Best Things To Do in Connecticut in 2023

Animal Encounter | Riverside Reptiles Education Center ,  Enfield

Most days, especially weekends, you can interact with a few of the 200-plus creatures that inhabit education- and conservation-focused Riverside Reptiles. Private experiences, though, are even more unforgettable. Spend 20 minutes with a reticulated python in your lap. Hand-feed giant tortoises Leo and Fig and African spurred tortoise Tank (but don’t wear red sneakers, which they’re apt to confuse for strawberries). Or be zookeeper for a half day … if you can deal with cleaning up reptile poop.

General Store | Warren General Store , Warren

The late-19th-century general store at the crossroads of Litchfield County had been vacant eight years when John Favreau decided to restore it. He’s now run Warren’s vibrant hub for four years—and he’s crushing it, with smartly curated products from emergency necessities (Pampers!) to local craft and gourmet goods to order-ahead indulgences (caviar!). People drive miles for the privately roasted coffee, pastries, creative sandwiches, to-go meals, hand-selected wines, and yesteryear community spirit.

Ghost Tour | Seaside Shadows Haunted History Tours , Mystic

Walk among Mystic’s dead, who may or may not be RIP-ing, on a lantern-lit tour that is equal parts history lesson and creepy-good fun. Think you’ll need liquid courage? A paranormal pub crawl is the option to book. Once you’ve met Mystic’s spirits, venture across the Rhode Island state line for a rendezvous with the souls of shipwrecked sailors and the witches of Westerly.

New Attraction | Connecticut Golf Land , Vernon

A 50-year-old attraction that shut down in 2014 is resurrected at last. Golf Land is set to open in May with all-new family enticements including dinosaur-themed mini golf, bumper boats, and the Rocking Horse Smokehouse: a barbecue restaurant in an old movie theater. ConeHeads ice creamery will satisfy your cravings for classic flavors. And as summer progresses, even more fun will be on offer: Watch for a game room, volleyball courts, and a rooftop patio.

Stay-All-Day Beach | Ocean Beach Park , New London

Soft sand and the Sound’s relatively gentle, warm waves may be the main attraction, but a multitude of amusements keep Ocean Beach lively 14 hours each day. There’s an Olympic-size pool, a Spray Park for kids, an arcade, mini golf, water slides, and nostalgic rides, plus everything you might want to consume including bay scallop pizza and local beers. As daylight wanes, hear a band, learn to salsa or line dance, “Ooh!” at fireworks, or admire classic cars.

Summer Performances | Levitt Pavilion, Westport

You don’t have to be besties with the promoter. You don’t have to be caller number nine. You just have to scoop up free tickets online or at the box office before any of the more than “50 Free Nights Under the Stars” hosted by Westport’s riverfront venue each summer. You can see big names here, too, for a price. It’s a feel-good investment that helps to sustain a 50-year-old nonprofit with a mission of making live music accessible for all.

Used Bookstore | Pourings & Passages , Danielson

Playful, bright, and eight times the size of its old space, this volunteer-powered purveyor of children’s books, best sellers, movies, music, craft kits, and puzzles may cure your Amazon addiction. Prices are more than fair. All proceeds benefit St. James School just around the bend. And the tiny café is just mighty enough to keep you browsing for hours if that’s your heart’s content.

Check out our full 2023 Best of New England Summer Travel Guide to find our current editors’ picks in all six New England states.

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Plan Your Trip with Central Connecticut Brochures

last updated: January 2024

Need help planning your Connecticut getaway? From family fun and shopping to foodie spots galore, find inspiration in these Central Connecticut brochures . 

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Connecticut

Connecticut is located in the northeast, halfway between New York City and Boston, a varied state with rolling hills, upscale cities, Yale University, the Connecticut River Valley, vineyards, historic sites, and a coastline bordering the Long Island Sound. Known as a haven for antique shoppers, the Putnam Antiques Marketplace is an antiques mega-mall. From boating, swimming, and fishing in the east to hiking, winter sports, and canoeing in central and western Connecticut, the state offers much to enjoy.

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A summary of what Mystic has to offer.

When it comes to historic sites, Hartford, one of the nation's oldest cities, is no slouch, nor, happily, does it lack for accessible scenic landscapes or cultural pursuits.

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Mystic, Connecticut Travel Guide

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The old seafaring village of Mystic sits at the mouth of the river of the same name. Looking out to sea in a misty reverie, it seems to be thinking back on those days when it was captain of the shipyards. Time seems to have stood still since then, at least in this little town.

Mystic began building boats in the 1600s and continued the trade up into the first third of the 20th Century. During its Golden Years, more than 600 wooden maritime vessels were constructed here. After 1929, the business crumbled. Today, Mystic Seaport (a society dedicated to preserving Connecticut's maritime history) harbors more maritime boats, photos and artifacts than any other place on the planet.

Mystic Seaport is a reconstructed 19th Century seaside community built with history in mind and maritime in the heart. The village boasts old-time shops and dining. This is probably the only place on Earth where a nickel buys a beer. More than 1500 volunteers work at the seaport making this living museum a success.

Other points of interest in Mystic include: Mystic Aquarium, which houses nearly 6,000 marine animals in a spectacular array of exhibits, and the Denison Homestead Museum at Pequotsepos Manor (circa 1717).

With the Mystic River on tap, this village offers a number of excellent water sports, including kayaking and sailing. Several fishing charters pull out for adventures on the water. Lorna Anne Fishing Charters specializes in bluefish and bass offshore fishing. Mataura Sportfish sails offshore for tuna and shark, and inshore for bass and bluefish.

Indoor rock climbing and tennis facilities are available. In nearby Stonington, golfing is offered at the Pequot Golf Club and at both the Birch Plain Golf Course and Four Season Golf in Groton.

Other sports in the area include: camping; walking the seven miles of trails at Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center; fishing at the pier in New London's Fort Trumbull State Park; and the fine art of beachcombing at Ocean Beach Park in New London.

Mystic, a living museum, is located in southeast Connecticut on I-95.

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Art Programs and Services

The state offers grants and programs to enhance the state's art scene, upgrade and promote tourist destinations identify and preserve historic properties, and educate the public about Connecticut's history and tourism sites.

Connecticut Freedom Trail

Residents and visitors interested in Connecticut's role in the anti-slavery effort and the growth of free African-American communities can follow Connecticut's Freedom Trail to more than 130 locations in 50 towns.   

Connecticut Visitor Guide

Find a diverse range of experiences including natural and cultural, relaxing and active, and historical and contemporary destinations all across the state in Connecticut's official visitors guide with special sections on regions, seasonal activities, getaways, hiking, biking, golf, and theater listings.

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Those searching for that perfect Connecticut getaway or seasonal event can find suggestions for vacations, including what to do and where to stay; and sign up for free e-newsletters featuring special promotions and travel deals. Join other passionate residents and visitors by becoming part of the state's social community, on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Resources and Links

The Offices of Culture and Tourism offers a list of local organizations, associations and foundations for the arts, tourism and humanities. Some of the associations listed include the American Association of Museums, the Association of Performing Arts Presenters, the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC), The New England Foundation of the Arts and the American Automobile Association.

Connecticut State Parks and Forests COVID-19 Updates

Updates on the status of Connecticut State Parks and Forests due to COVID-19.

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This website provides information on the status of swimming areas throughout the state to help you plan ahead.

Access information to help you start your Connecticut fishing adventure, including where to fish, what fish you are likely to find there, and more to keep you safe and successful on the water.

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