Top Vacations Spots in Connecticut

Connecticut vacation spots

 

The best way to really appreciate Connecticut is to look at the communities in the state and choose those with the most to offer. There is so much to see in Connecticut. Historical places, theme parks, state parks, the coast. Whatever you are looking for in a vacation, you will find it in Connecticut.

1-Hartford

Hartford, a former Dutch trading post, sits on the Connecticut River, and is one of the best child-friendly vacation spots in Connecticut. Particularly popular with children is the Bushnell Park vintage carousel, and the outstanding Connecticut Science Center. Other great places to visit are Mark Twain House and Harriet Beecher Stowe House.

If you want to spend some time in the great outdoors, just a short drive away from Hartford is the Talcott Mountain State Park, where you can enjoy the great scenery and a chilled out atmosphere, contrasting the hustle and bustle of the city.

Hartford is the capital city of Connecticut and was founded in 1665 (one of the oldest established cities in the country). Just after the civil war, it was one of the richest cities in the USA, however, these days it is among the poorest and 30% of families live below the poverty line. the original site of the first settlement was in the area now known as Park River.

The best place to stay

Hartford Marriott Downtown is our recommended hotel, situated opposite the convention center and just 1 km from the XL Center. The hotel features an on-site Starbucks and its own fitness center and it has a choice of four different golf courses within just 8 km of the hotel.

2-Milford

Milford is an old historic city that dates back as far as 1639. The whole place feels very English. The city straddles the Wepawaug River which gently flows through the center of the center. The spot on which the city now rests was home to Native Americans for thousands of years, until in 1639 English settlers bought the land from Ansantawae, the chief of the Paugussett Tribe.

Once in Milford, why not relax on the beautiful Woodmont Beach. This is a laid-back neighborhood location that is ideal for kayaking, fishing, sea-side walks, or just lounging on the beach. Not far from the harbor is Wilcox Park which is a small wooded park that has several tracks where you can walk or mountain bike. It is just perfect for a blanket picnic.

Every year on the third Saturday of August they hold an Oyster festival which takes place on and around the green. There is a wide range of things happening during the festival.

Best place to stay

The Red Roof Inn Milford – is the best place to stay. It offers great customer service and attractive prices. It is a real home from home.

3-Chester

Just a two-hour journey from Boston and New York, Chester is an excellent place to visit for relaxation and as an escape from urban life. There is a cute main street that offers a selection of cafés and gift shops the brim with character. Just stroll around and chill and enjoy the atmosphere.

Catch a show at the Terris Theater after enjoying a meal at one of the nearby restaurants. In the daytime, take the Chester Hadlyme Ferry and visit the Gillette Castle State Park that sits high above the Connecticut River. The castle was originally a private home, that was designed and commissioned by William Gillette, an American actor. in 1943 the State purchased the castle for the low price of $5,000. A bargain, since the home had cost $1 million to build and took a team of 20 men five years to construct.

Best place to stay

The Riverwind bed and Breakfast located just south of Chester is a romantic bed and breakfast situated in the river valley, between the towns of Essex and Chester.The seven-bedroom Colonial Inn features rooms with private baths, wifi, and air-conditioning.

4-Bristol

Bristol is an absolutely perfect place for a family with kids to vacation. it is home to the famous Lake Compounce, which is the oldest established theme park in the USA. Lake Compounce features some exciting rides, including water rides and the Boulder Dash.

Lake Compounce

At Lake Compounce the oldest continually running Theme Park in the USA, you are never going to be short of things to do. It is a fun location for all the family and a fantastic vacation resort. Plenty of rides and some fun shows to watch.

Top Attractions

  1. American Flyers
  2. Anchor Bay
  3. Antique Carousel
  4. Bayou Bay
  5. Boulder Dash
  6. Bumper Cars
  7. C.P.Huntingdon train
  8. Clipper Cove
  9. Croc-O-Nile
  10. Dino Expedition
  11. Down Time
  12. Drop Zone
  13. Drum Circus
  14. Fantasy Carousel
  15. Flying Elephants
  16. Ghost Hunt
  17. Giant Wheel
  18. Jolly Jester
  19. Little critters
  20. Little Daredevils
  21. Mammoth Falls
  22. Phobia Fear Coaster
  23. Pirate Ship
  24. Rainbow Riders
  25. Rev-O-Lution
  26. Riptide Racer
  27. Saw Mill plunge
  28. Sky Coaster
  29. The Trolley
  30. The Wave swinger
  31. The Wildcat
  32. Thunder N’ Lightning
  33. Thunder Rapids
  34. Tunnel Twisters
  35. Tunnel Twisters
  36. Twister
  37. Venus Vortex
  38. Zoomerang
  39. Zoomers Gas and Go

Best Place to Stay

Rent one of the cabins, camp out, or park your RV at the Lake Compounce Campground. prices start from just $30.

5-Madison

Madison has been described as a sweet coastal town. it has a laid-back lifestyle. Start the day at one of the local cafes for a pleasant unhurried breakfast. Then you can think about the rest of your day. Possibly a trip to the Hammonasset Beach State Park. The park is Connecticut’s largest shoreline park with over 2 miles of beach to enjoy swimming or relaxing. Maybe you will want to take a stroll along the beautiful sands,

Some activities to enjoy at Hammonasset Beach State Park

  • Boating
  • Cycling
  • Fishing
  • Picnics
  • Programs and Exhibits
  • saltwater fishing
  • walking trails

You may also want to visit the Meigs Point Nature Center and see snakes, turtles, crabs, birds, and fish all at close up. This center is free to visit.

The best place to stay

For a vacation staying in the Madison area, you cannot do better than the Water’s Edge Resort & Spa. Comfortable rooms on a waters edge location make this a delightful place to stay. A large private beach with a leisure pool, boating facilities, and children’s activities.

6-Mystic

Mystic used to be an important Connecticut Seaport that lasted around 135 years before things moved on. It first started to operate in 1784 and over 600 ships were built at Mystic. the village is located on the Mystic River.

Mystic is an exciting vacation spot for families with children. It has a wide variety of things for families to do. The popular Mystic Seaport Museum, the largest maritime museum in the United States, is a firm favorite, and children love to explore the exhibits and visit the shipyard.

Another great attraction is the Mystic Aquarium, where you get to see penguins, sharks, and beluga whales.

Fields of Fire Adventure Park

Fields of Fire is an area of 50 acres filled with woodlands. They created an aerial adventure park with five elevated trails, 76 elevated obstacles, and 14 zip lines. There are courses with various levels of difficulty ranging right up to the black course which is so hard that 80% of those that attempt it fail. Could you be one of those that succeed?

Place to Stay

Hampton Inn and Suites in mystic is an excellent place to stay quite near some interesting places to visit.

Westport

Westport is located along the famous Connecticut Golden Coast. It is the 19th richest city in the USA, and the third richest in Connecticut. People were living in the Connecticut area for over 75,000 years. When the first white settlers arrived the area was inhabited by the Pequot Indians.

During the revolutionary war, the British, under Major William Tryon landed on Compo beach and headed inland. The Minutemen from Westport remained in hiding as they passed and then hit them from the rear There is a statue of a Minuteman on Compo Beach, facing away from the sea, to commemorate this attack.

What to do in Westport

Sherwood Island State Park – Features woodland, wetlands, and a very attractive seafront.

Compo beach – A curving beach of beautiful sand with basketball courts, wooden playscape, volleyball courts, skate park

Earthplace – A natural history museum, nature center, and sanctuary all in one location.

Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts – Biggest and oldest summer festivals in the USA

Place to stay

The best place to stay in Westport is the Delamar Southport. with 45 guest rooms

Cornwall

If you are seeking a small-town America feel with individually styled buildings and quaint shops. A place that reminds you of how things used to be, then Cornwall is the place for you. Located in Litchfield county which is claimed for its covered bridge, which has been in service since 1864. It is a hotspot for winter sports (if that makes sense) and a great place to ski, but do not want to travel to Vermont.

Cornwall, as you may have guessed, was named after the County of Cornwall in England. It is notable that many communities in Connecticut are named after English or Welsh locations.

Mohawk Mountain is a resort that has great reviews from families. The slopes are not huge but they still offer a variety of slopes that are suited to skiers of varying abilities.

Place to stay

Particularly good after skiing is The Cornwall Inn, which is a small bed and breakfast that offers superb hospitality.

Greenwich

Greenwich is named after the Roya Borough of Greenwich in London and is the center for several financial businesses, dealing in Hedge Funds. The town was first settled in 1640 The town was first founded on what is now known as Greenwich Point, and that area is today known as Old Greenwich. Greenwich is the wealthiest town in Connecticut and the median value of a home in Greenwich is $1.278 million.

Top things to do in Greenwich

The Bruce Museum – A place to explore science and the arts.

Greenwich Avenue – The main street in Greenwich. A place to e seen amongst the upscale shops and restaurants which have some of the best Commercial Kitchen Design in the country.

Greenwich polo Club – Of course a popular sort in Greenwich would have to be polo.

Putnam Cottage – 3 Room cottage that belonged to general Punam

Place to stay

The best place to stay in Westport is the Delamar Greenwich with 45 guest rooms

Essex

Essex was the inspiration for the long-running TV series, the Gilmore girls. The fictional town of Stars Hollow was based on Essex, Essex is made up of three villages, Essex Village, Centerbrook, and Ivoryton. Essex was the only American tow to ever be attacked by a foreign power. It was attacked in the war of 1812 when 28 ships and a very large two-story house in Essex were destroyed by the British. One historian described the attack as the Pearl Harbor of the 1812 war.

163 Marine rowed ashore in six boats under the command of Richard Coote. They were supported by four British warships anchored in long island Sound. They arrived at Main Street at 4 am. These boats were armed with swivel guns which fired grapeshot and the marines were equipped with muskets. They quickly took control of the town and struck a deal that in return for no resistance from the townspeople and militia, that they would not destroy the town and surrounding farms, nor would they harm the townspeople. The British soon had destroyed the ships at Anchor, liberated stores of rum and rope, and made their escape despite an attack by militia from Killingworth.

Things to do in Essex

Connecticut River Museum – Displays on the maritime history of the Connecticut river

Pratt House – Home of one of the original settlers

Essex Steam train and riverboat – Take on or both tours together, Riverboat and restored railway.

The best place to stay in Essex

We suggest that a good hotel you may like to try is the Griswold Inn has 33 rooms and is the oldest continually operated Inn in the USA!