Places to vacation in connecticut

Stonington

Situated on the shores of Fishers Island Sound and hugging the Rhode Island border, Stonington is one of the best towns in Connecticut for a relaxing vacation. After colonists from Plymouth arrived in the area in 1649, Stonington became a hub for shipbuilding and the whaling industry. While fishing still contributes to the town’s economy today, Stonington also relies on tourism. The town’s coastal charm, historic preservation, and resort-like atmosphere come together to attract visitors in droves.

Nothing says “vacation” like a beach, and Stonington’s DuBois Beach is one of New England’s best. Open on a seasonal basis, the beach is popular with families thanks to its soft sand, gentle surf, and shaded gazebo. The beach also features jetties for crabbing. Just steps from the beach is one of Stonington’s best known landmarks, the Old Lighthouse Museum. Built in 1840, this distinctive stone structure is the first lighthouse museum in the nation.

Stonington is also a great vacation spot for wine connoisseurs. Founded in 1987, Stonington Vineyards is a founding member of the Connecticut Wine Trail. The winery is about five miles north of downtown and specializes in barrel-fermented chardonnay. Saltwater Farm Vineyard is located on the west bank of the Wequetequock River and features a tasting room housed in a World War II-era airplane hangar.

Mystic

Mystic is technically a census-designated place located within the towns of Groton and Stonington, but the village unquestionably deserves its own entry on this list. Mystic is a major tourist draw and a must-see in Connecticut. Located at the mouth of the Mystic River, the village was a historically significant seaport between the 17th and 19th centuries and served as a hub of whaling and shipbuilding activity. To this day, many of Mystic’s most-visited sites recall its maritime culture.

The Mystic Seaport Museum is one of the leading maritime museums in the world and Mystic’s most popular tourist attraction. Established in 1929, the museum currently boasts a planetarium, gardens, historic vessels, a recreated 19th-century seaport village, and much more. The Mystic Aquarium is a favorite destination for families. This particular aquarium is known for its animal rescue program and dedication to conservation; it also has the largest outdoor beluga habitat in the country.

Flanking both banks of the Mystic River, Historic Downtown Mystic is a picturesque, walkable neighborhood brimming with local retailers and seafood eateries. This is also the location of Mystic Pizza, the pizza parlor that inspired the 1988 film of the same name. For even more unique shops and restaurants, head about a mile north to Olde Mistick Village.

Enders State Forest

In northern Connecticut, about five miles south of the border with Massachusetts, Enders State Forest was initially a 1,500-acre gift of land from the Enders family to the state. The land was officially declared a state forest in 1970, and today Enders comprises nearly 2,100 acres total. The forest is one of the best places to visit in Connecticut for outdoorsy travelers who appreciate waterfalls and diverse topography.

Hiking is the main activity in Enders State Forest. The terrain includes wetlands, forest, and bedrock outcrops, so the trails remain interesting even for experienced hikers. The altitude ranges from approximately 900 feet to 1,100 feet above sea level. While engaging and beautiful, the combination of the park’s varied topography, full tree canopy, and plethora of streams produces slippery conditions, so caution is advised.

The waterfalls are the stars of this forest, and several designated trails will lead hikers to optimal spots to view the falls. Other popular activities here include picnicking, fishing, and bird-watching. Hunting is permitted in certain areas, but heavy restrictions are in place under the terms of the original deed.

Lake Waramaug State Park

If you’re looking for a lakeside vacation in Connecticut, Lake Waramaug can’t be beat. Situated in western Connecticut, Lake Waramaug State Park boasts postcard-worthy vistas thanks to its sparkling blue water and rolling hills covered in lush greenery. The 95-acre landscape was purchased by the state in 1920 and is named after the chief of the Wyantenock tribe, whose people spent summers by the lake.

The lake’s transformation throughout the seasons makes it one of the most beautiful places in Connecticut. Vibrant fall foliage on the lakeside trees and its reflection in the water draws plenty of photographers and leaf-peepers. In wintertime, the frozen landscape becomes a wonderland of ice skating and ice fishing for brown trout, yellow perch, chain pickerel, and largemouth and smallmouth bass.

With summertime come all the quintessential outdoor activities. Swimming and picnicking are popular family pastimes. Canoe and kayak rentals are convenient for visitors from afar who can’t bring their own craft. The park has 76 open and wooded campsites as well as some cabins that are available to rent on weekends. The typical camping season begins on Memorial Day weekend and extends to October. 

Old Saybrook

When it comes to weekend getaways in Connecticut, quiet and coastal Old Saybrook is a noteworthy option. Situated at the mouth of the Connecticut River, Old Saybrook possesses the quintessential New England combination of waterfront charm and historic sites. European settlers first arrived in the area in 1624 and quickly established a community. The design of the current Connecticut state flag derives from the seal of the Saybrook Colony.

Unsurprisingly, one of the most beloved spots in Old Saybrook is on the water. Harvey’s Beach is considered by many to be one of the best beaches in the state thanks to its soft, white sand and various amenities. Swimming, boating, and fishing are welcome here, and facilities include a children’s playground, restrooms, and a concession stand. For more waterfront fun, consider a fishing charter or a cruise along the Connecticut River.

Known locally as the Kate, the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Old Saybrook. Originally opened in 1911 as the town hall, today the center hosts museum exhibits, film showings, concerts, and theater performances. For more history appreciation, stop by the General William Hart House or the Lynde Point Lighthouse, or browse some of the town’s many antiques shops.

Stamford

Stamford is Connecticut’s third largest city, situated right next to Greenwich on the Gold Coast. Like Greenwich, Stamford is home to a significant number of commuters who take advantage of the one-hour travel time by train between their city and Manhattan. Stamford is also a business hub, but the city isn’t lacking vacation-worthy spots. Like many of the best things to see in Connecticut, Stamford’s top attractions are primarily outdoors.

Only a few miles east of Stamford’s bustling downtown is Cove Island Park, a popular oasis with two sand beaches, a one-mile walking trail, multiple sports courts, a cycling path, a playground, and more. The neighboring Cove Island Wildlife Sanctuary boasts 309 bird species and some 50 species of butterfly. Venture roughly five miles north of downtown to visit the Stamford Museum & Nature Center, a 118-acre property that includes trails, a playground, an observatory and planetarium, a farm, the Bendel Mansion, and many educational exhibits and programs.

If you’re looking to be entertained in a beautiful, historic setting, check out the event schedule at the Palace Theatre. The 1,580-seat venue originally opened in 1927 as a vaudeville house and has since been restored to include a Broadway-caliber stage. The Palace hosts concerts, stand-up comedy, musicals, ballet and symphony performances, and more.

Gillette Castle State Park

From an architectural perspective, Gillette Castle State Park is one of the most interesting tourist attractions in Connecticut. Sitting on the east bank of the Connecticut River, Gillette Castle is the former estate of William Gillette, a noted director, playwright, and actor of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The state purchased the castle and its grounds in 1943 from the executors of Gillette’s will.

Gillette himself designed most of the castle, which he named the Seventh Sister after the chain of hills upon which the castle sits. The castle’s exterior was built to resemble a medieval castle, and the interior is filled with Gillette’s personal touches, such as built-in couches, wooden light switches, and uniquely and intricately carved door latches. Gillette’s 184-acre estate also included walking paths and a narrow gauge railroad.

Today, the castle operates as a museum and visitor center and is consistently rated as one of the top attractions in Connecticut. In addition to touring the remarkable castle, guests can stroll the hiking trails and enjoy picnic spots. River camping is also available from May through September for visitors traveling on the Connecticut River.