Ultimate guide to the best things to do in Connecticut

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My husband and I moved to Connecticut nearly 20 years ago. We thought we would live here for 4 years (while my husband worked on an advanced degree), and then we would move somewhere else. We could have moved after the 4 years, but we had jobs we loved and had fallen in love with our new home.

Connecticut is a tiny and often forgotten state. Mention New England and everyone can name a few states, but Connecticut (and Rhode Island) always get left out. If people think about Connecticut at all it is generally in conjunction with Yale University. If you look at the map, we are so small, you have to write our name and point an arrow to us, because we are too small for our long name to fit!

It’s time for Connecticut to take its rightful place next to the show-off states of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. We are part of New England, too, and have fun things to see and do. We are not just a state to drive through between Boston and New York City! We are tired of being the cousin no one remembers to invite to the party.

Why should I visit Connecticut?

Connecticut is one of the 13 original colonies so that means it has historic buildings in spades!
You can visit during fall foliage time, see great fall foliage and not have to drive all the way to Vermont.
Yale University
New Haven pizza is award winning and some might say even better than NYC or Boston pizza.
UConn always wins women’s basketball.
You can stay anywhere in Connecticut and not be more than 2 hours away from anything there is to see and do.

So are you going to visit us now? Here are lots more reasons!

Southwest Connecticut

This area of Connecticut is one of the wealthiest regions in the United States. That means great shopping, great restaurants, and lots of activities. The towns of Greenwich and Westport boast great shopping.

Stepping Stones Museum

This hands on and experiential children’s museum for kids under 8. The water table alone will give your little ones hours of entertainment. There are exhibits that allow your kids to create, challenge, and discover. The construction area was a big favorite of my boys when they were little. They also enjoyed the outdoor playscape.

If you have the ASCT pass, this will work here.

Plan on 2-4 hours.

Beardsley Zoo

Bridgeport, Connecticut

Connecticut’s only zoo is a great size for the family to spend a few hours and see lots of animals. When the kids were young this was their very favorite place! The zoo has great summer hours and offers special programing for holidays.

Stew Leonards

Multiple locations

It is a odd thing to put a grocery store on a list of family friendly travel ideas, but this isn’t your ordinary grocery store! Stew Leonards is a regional chain of stores in New York and Connecticut.

This store has been delighting my kids for years! You will be greeted by Elsie the cow on your arrival (a mechanical puppet) and from there you will find puppets all over the store in every grocery section. Some will sing songs, others do back flips and tricks and they are all so fun. At the end of the grocery store is a great buffet that allows the kids to pick exactly what they want to eat. My kids often end up with Mac and cheese, wings, sushi, and ice cream!

Its a great stop for lunch or to stretch your legs during a road trip.

Plan on an hour.

New Haven County

New Haven County is the cultural center of Connecticut and the home of world renown Yale University. There are lots of things for families to do, and the ones having to do with Yale are free!

It ropes course

New Haven

This indoor ropes course is located inside a furniture store! This is the largest indoor ropes course in the world, and it means that it’s a great activity for rainy days. There are zip lines, climbing challenges, swinging beams, and planks. It is great for kids ages 6 and up. Adults will love it too!

Plan on 1-2 hours.

Thimble Island Cruise

Branford

These tiny islands in the Long Island Sound have an exciting history. Pirates used to use these islands as hideouts, and there is even rumor that there is buried treasure on one of the islands. The 45 minute cruise will teach you about the pirates and the modern day use of the islands. Its a great way to spend a beautiful day.

Plan on an hour.

Yale University

New Haven

This world-renowned university is in downtown New Haven. They offer tours daily that focus on the history of Yale and the architecture of its campus. In addition there are two fabulous Yale art galleries that offer free admission. If you don’t have time for the tour or the galleries, it is also a beautiful campus for a quick stroll.

To read more about what to do in New Haven read my extensive post!

Dinosaur State Park

Oakdale

This park is geared toward younger travelers, but even the most accomplished paleontologist will be charmed by this park. 40 life sized dinosaur models dot the park and trails wind around them on a peaceful hike. There are multiple play structures throughout the park and lots of fun facts to learn about the dinosaurs that once lived in this area of the earth.

There are indoor activities like arts and crafts, panning for gold, and more information for young dinosaur lovers.

Plan on 2-3 hours.

Lake Compounce

Bristol

Lake Compounce is the oldest continuously operating amusement park in the United States. Visiting this beloved park is a great way to spend an entire day or just an afternoon. They have a great variety of rides for different ages and abilities. The centerpiece of the park is their wooden roller coaster “Boulder Dash” that runs along the side of a mountain.

I love that the park isn’t enormous! It is a great size for people who don’t want to spend the day walking from one side of the park to another. If you like that sort of park Six Flags New England would be a better bet. But I love how family friendly Lake Compounce is and how it has kept my family entertained for decades.

They also offer a great Christmas event.

Casinos

Uncasville and Mashantucket

Two of the largest casinos in the United States are not in Nevada, they are in Northeast Connecticut. Now I know this is a family travel blog, but we often go to the casinos for dinner, a concert, or to stay the night and play in their amazing swimming pools. Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun are both relative newcomers in the casino game, but they draw people from all over New England and New York. I much prefer Mohegan Sun as it is decorated in the beadwork of the Mohegan tribe, it is smaller, smells less like smoke, and we love Bobby’s Burger Palace and Hash House a Go Go! However, we also love the ice skating pond at Foxwoods in the winter, and the kids love the Sugar Factory restaurant. Take your pick, you will enjoy either for a night of fun.

Hartford

Hartford is the capitol of Connecticut and has the nickname, “Insurance Capitol of the World.”

Connecticut Science Center

Hartford

This science center has been a great addition to Hartford, and we find that we take the kids quite often. This hands-on museum teaches kids of all ages about the mysteries of science and math. There are several floors of activities including water exploration, engineering lab, forces in motion, exploring space, energy city, a butterfly garden, and more.

The Connecticut Science Center has unique events going on year round. We recently went to their Harry Potter Day, where the science center was turned into Hogwarts!

Plan on 3-4 hours.

Mark Twain’s House

Hartford

I was surprised to find Mark Twain’s house in Connecticut, but he made his home in Hartford from 1874-1891. Mark Twain is one of the most famous writers in the United States. During his residence in Connecticut he wrote many of his most famous books (Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, and a Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court).

The Twain house has been lovingly restored and houses many of his original belongings. The tour also features information about Twain’s place in the literary heyday of Hartford.

Plan on 1-2 hours.

Harriet Beecher Stowe house

Hartford

The Harriet Stowe house is next door to Mark Twain’s house, which makes it really easy to visit both! Harriet Stowe was an American author, known best for her book “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” Her book took a controversial look at the issue of slavery during America’s Civil War. She lived in her home in Hartford for the last 23 years of her life enjoying the litany of authors that frequented the area.

Today you can visit her home and learn more about her personal life and legacy.

Plan on an hour.

Elizabeth Park Rose Garden

West Hartford

If you happen to visit Connecticut in June you can’t miss this! This beautiful rose garden is set on two and a half acres of land and is the oldest rose garden in the United States. It is also the 3rd largest. Walking trails amble through the rose bushes, and when they are in a bloom it is a feast for the senses!

Over 15,000 rose varieties are represented in the garden, and the roses grow up gazebos and are attached to arches. If you can’t go in peak season then check their website as roses bloom at different times throughout the season, or you may be able to see the dahlias in the fall.

Plan on an hour.

Southeast Connecticut

This area of Connecticut is all about the ocean. For hundreds of years, this has been the site of shipbuilding, whaling, and fishing. Today you can learn about the trades of long ago and learn how the industry is changing today.

Mystic Seaport

Mystic

This living history museum focuses on the lives of maritime families in the 1800s by recreating a seaside town. Most of the buildings belong to the era, if not the place, and have been carefully moved and preserved by Mystic Seaport. You can visit the various buildings and see demonstrations of ship building techniques. Visit the baker, the rope maker and the printing press. You can also visit the stores a seafaring town would have had with all their unusual goods. The staff is very knowledgeable, and you can’t ask too many questions!

In the seaport itself you can visit half a dozen historic ships, many from the 1800’s. This is my favorite part to see seaworthy ships that are over 200 years old!

Plan on 3-5 hours.

Mystic Aquarium

New London

Mystic aquarium is one of 2 aquariums in Connecticut, but I mention it because I find it to be the best one for kids and adults. (If you don’t have time to get to Mystic, the Norwalk aquarium is still good, just geared toward younger kids.) The aquarium includes sea life from all over the world, including sea lions, Beluga whales, penguins, sting rays and sharks.

There are 3D movies, a sea lion show, a dinosaur exhibit, and other seasonal activities.

Plan on 2-4 hours.

Groton Submarine Museum

New London

Have you ever wanted to tour a real submarine? Well you can at Groton Submarine museum. The USS Nautilus is the centerpiece of the museum. In addition there are lots of interactive exhibits that detail the history of the Marines. The self guided tour of the Nautilus allows you to see a working periscope, they close quarters of the sailors, and the weaponry it carried.

Plan on 1-2 hours.

The Connecticut River Valley

This tranquil area of the state offers lots for the nature lovers in your crew. It has some of the most beautiful vistas in the state and the old towns of the area are great places to grab a bite to eat.

Devil’s Hopyard State Park

East Haddam

For outdoor enthusiasts visit Devil’s Hopyard State Park and see the country’s finest pothole stone formations that gave the park its name. These perfectly round formations in the rock were thought to be the impressions from the Devil’s hooves. Devil’s Hopyard also features waterfalls, hiking, camping, and fishing.

Plan on 1-3 hours

Gillette’s Castle

East Haddam

This unusual castle was built by an eccentric actor, William Gillette, in 1914. Gillette was famous for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes and was active in the theater scene as an actor, playwright, and director. When he turned his attention to architecture and design he designed a castle fit for Sherlock Holmes himself. Your kids will enjoy the secret passage ways, unusual locks and moving furniture in the castle. You can combine your visit with gentle hikes all around the 122 acre property.

Plan on 1-2 hours or more if you want to do a hike.

Goodspeed Opera House

East Haddam

For theater lovers visit the Goodspeed Opera House and see some world-class theater. This historic building was built in the late 1800’s and sits right up against the Connecticut River. In addition to being a beautiful building, the musicals produced here are top notch. Many Broadway shows have gotten their start here before they have transferred to Broadway.

Essex Steam Train and Riverboat

Essex

Take a ride on the Essex Steam Train to see the wooded splendor of the area or do a combo of the steam train and a riverboat cruise. Grab a bite to eat at the historic Griswold Inn. The Griswold Inn has been in operation since 1776, the longest continually operating hotel in the US, and was once captured by the British for use as their headquarters during the war of 1812. Their food is superb, and their accommodations are reasonable.

I hope you are excited to visit Connecticut now! It is a great day trip from New York City or Boston and has lots to offer in a small package. Let me know if you decide to visit!

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