Day Trips in CT: Here are 50 fun things to do, from pizza to parks (and a castle, too)

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Day Trips in CT: Here are 50 fun things to do, from pizza to parks (and a castle, too)

New England News Collaborative | By ,

Published June 27, 2024 at 3:50 PM EDT

Hands reach across a glass counter towards two ice cream cones. — A customer picks up their ice cream order at the UConn Dairy Bar in Storrs, Conn. on Tuesday, June 18, 2024.

In the eyes of surrounding New England states, Connecticut might seem like it's got a bit of an identity crisis. We鈥檙e nestled between New York City and Boston, two vibrant cities that split our sports fandom and offer so much that even some life-long residents might shrug at what鈥檚 around them. But Connecticut is bursting with things to do in nature, history, the arts and more.

From the southern shoreline to the hills in the northwest, state parks and public gardens offer a break from the hustle and bustle. But we've got plenty of excitement too; our cities are packed with things to see, places to go and great food. Historically, Connecticut plays host to art that New York turned its nose up to 鈥� like the first Picasso gallery in America.

The Celtics might have just won their 18th NBA championship, but who needs the pros when you have UConn鈥檚 two title-winning college basketball teams? Oh, and pizza! Ours is the best. It鈥檚 not up for debate. Grab a slice (or a lobster roll 鈥� those are delicious, too) as a pit-stop on the way to our beaches.

We鈥檝e broken up the state into five regions. Go out and explore!

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Litchfield Hills (Northwest Corner)

In autumn, leaf-peeping steals the show here, with colors blanketing the rolling landscape. But Connecticut鈥檚 northwest corner has many other gems, if you know where to look. From flowing waterfalls , the Litchfield Hills are packed with spots to explore.

What to do if you're a 鈥β�

Nature lover

West Cornwall Covered bridge in West Cornwall, Connecticut July 22, 2022.

Soak up a waterfall at . Feel the mist on your face as water plunges 70-feet into the mighty Housatonic River. Spring snow melts make the falls a memorable sight, but the scene is worth taking in any time of the year. A nice summer rain can really get those cascades pumping! Open daily, with a staircase winding its way up alongside the falls.

Joe Amon

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Connecticut Public
Kent Falls in Cornwall, Connecticut July 22, 2022.

Step back in time as you make your way across the . Fall is best, but the eye-catching colors of this iconic mid-19th century bridge make for memorable photos any time of year. Bridge geeks will love the engineering, which uses treenails () to hold the whole bridge together.

? Connecticut鈥檚 forests are packed with hidden stories, including long-buried charcoal pits. Charcoal, the lifeblood of the state鈥檚 iron industry, fueled furnaces used to make weapons and wheels that rolled across America. Don鈥檛 miss the , a towering relic of that industrial past, where workers forged 鈥減ig iron,鈥� so named for how the molten metal looked when it was poured 鈥� flowing crosswise to a channel called a "sow" and feeding smaller ingot molds.

Shopper

Vintage toys, gaudy light fixtures and unique musical vinyls are some of the many hidden (and often nostalgic) treasures waiting to be re-discovered on the massive floor of the . Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with ample parking out front. A great spot for quirky gifts!
After antiquing, a short drive will take you to the . A staple of Collinsville for years, this restaurant offers sit down dining, ice cream and live musical performances throughout the year 鈥� all in the heart of Collinsville鈥檚 historic downtown.
From LaSalle, a two-minute walk will take you to . This multi-seller space features dozens of dealers spread out over two floors. It鈥檚 a delightful collection of ephemera, with new goodies added daily. Open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Eastern Shoreline

Handcrafted oars dangle from the skylight at the Institute Library in New Haven, Conn.

Connecticut鈥檚 eastern shoreline encapsulates the picturesque New England summer-on-the-water scene, while simultaneously offering a packed list of activities that aren鈥檛 on the beach. The southeastern corner of the state has rich maritime history to explore, fresh offerings in culture and the arts, and the vibrant cityscape offered by New Haven. Though much of Connecticut鈥檚 shoreline is privately owned, there are plenty of chances to take a beach day 鈥� Hammonasset Beach is an entire state park devoted to the water. Take your time driving down the coastline and stop often 鈥� Mystic (home of the famous 鈥淢ystic Pizza,鈥� though you might not see Julia Roberts) is a classic, but there鈥檚 always more to see than what meets the eye.

What to do if you鈥檙e a鈥�

Historian

The has a notable and extensive collection of impressionist paintings, some of which were painted mere steps away from where they鈥檙e housed in Old Lyme, the center of American impressionism. The grounds consist of much more than a museum 鈥� the mansion that became the home of some 200 artists throughout the early 20th century is open for exploration. Its education center offers a nearly non-stop schedule.
- While you鈥檙e there, make a stop at , where you can take a break to sit, sip, and enjoy the view of the Lieutenant River.
Eda Uzunlar/WSHU

Visitor Beverly Schirmeier recreates the scenery on the campus of the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, Conn.

High above the Connecticut River, a stone fortress known as sits, waiting to be explored. The castle, located in what鈥檚 now Gillette Castle State Park, was built between 1914 and 1919 by actor William Gillette, best known for his role as Sherlock Holmes. In his will, Gillette, who had no spouse or children, simply expressed a desire not to leave the home to a 鈥渂lithering sap-head who has no conception of where he is or with what surrounded.鈥� The state took control of the castle a few years later. Explore the grand estate, as well as its surrounding trails.

is a historic gem that even some New Haven residents don't know about. Nestled between a tattoo parlor and a bike shop on Chapel Street near the New Haven Green, this nearly 200-year-old library is one of the few 鈥渕embership鈥� libraries to remain standing in the United States. Don鈥檛 be fooled 鈥� you don鈥檛 need to become a paying member of the space to visit. You鈥檙e free to drop by, peruse centuries鈥� worth of archival records about the area, make your way through the vinyl collection, and start up what will absolutely be some intriguing conversation on comfy couches upstairs.

Eda Uzunlar/WSHU

鈥淒e-Circulated, an Interpretation of Banned Books鈥� by Karen Duncan Pape on display in the upstairs gallery at the Institute Library in New Haven, Conn.
- A little more history for you, since membership libraries are no longer all the rage: The advent of the public library system in the United States allowed for residents to borrow books 鈥� which, at the time, were quite expensive 鈥� without having to buy them. But before the public library came to New Haven, membership libraries were the only option. 鈥淚n the case of New Haven, Connecticut, if you wanted to be able to read books, you basically had to be affiliated with Yale University,鈥� said Eva Geertz, the library鈥檚 operations manager. 鈥淭hese were, like, working guys. And they had the brainchild, 鈥榳e can sort of build a library system that people will pay a little bit to be a member of.鈥欌€�

Creative

Aerial photograph of Goodspeed Opera House — The Goodspeed Opera House on the banks of the Connecticut River of East Haddam in 2024.

If you鈥檙e looking for a spot to get a book you never knew you wanted, this is the place. If you鈥檙e looking to meet some friendly people/cats/goats or to get lost in immaculate gardens with sweet signs to remind you of your way, this is also the place. , a favorite in Niantic, offers more than 500,000 titles, many of which are priced at just a few bucks. This pick is for the bookish kind, yes, but is also a place to visit for anyone who鈥檚 interested in inserting some child-like wonder into their day. There are three Book Barn locations in Niantic, all of which are wonderful, but the main show is at 41 West Main St.

Eda Uzunlar/WSHU

The 鈥楴ew Age/Occult鈥� book section on the grounds of the Book Barn in Niantic, Conn.
- If you鈥檙e looking for a good cup of coffee and a sweet treat to pair with your browsing, the waterside is just down the street. The pecan sticky buns and ebbieoche (a hard-to-say, easy-to-eat braided cinnamon and sugar bread) are fan favorites.

According to its long-time staff member Dan McMahon, the best way to make the most of a visit to the in East Haddam is to spend all day in the area. Start the leisurely drive along the Connecticut River to this postcard town less than half an hour north of Niantic. On the way, stop in Chester, the neighboring town, to walk down the one-block downtown bursting with shops and restaurants. When you reach the Opera House 鈥� which doesn鈥檛 actually show any operas; it鈥檚 a stage strictly for musicals 鈥� have a drink overlooking the river in the house鈥檚 gorgeously refurbished bar.
- The shows you鈥檒l see there are like no other. With two Tonys under its belt and a comparatively smaller theater that makes for an intimate experience, you鈥檙e bound to see a show that you won鈥檛 forget. There鈥檚 also a chance the show makes it to Broadway after its debut 鈥� more than 20 musicals that began at Goodspeed have done the same.
  - If you鈥檙e looking for a quick bite in the area, Goodspeed staff recommend for sandwiches.

A counter of platters piled high with baked goods. — An assortment of pastries at Sift Bake Shop in Niantic, Conn. The outdoor seating area has a view of Niantic Bay.

Foodie

If you鈥檝e been in Connecticut for more than five minutes, you鈥檒l know we鈥檙e quite proud of our pizza 鈥� or apizza (like ah'beetz). There are an overwhelming number of guides ( , or ) on what pizza to get in New Haven; if you鈥檙e still struggling, you can ask just about anyone you see about their go-to spot. Odds are you鈥檒l end up in Little Italy near Wooster Square, quite possibly at Frank Pepe鈥檚.

Ryan Caron King

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Connecticut Public
A worker at Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana takes a piping hot pizza out of a coal oven and places it into a to-go box during a weekday lunchtime rush. The restaurant was founded in 1925 by Italian immigrant Frank Pepe in New Haven, and has since opened locations across the Northeast.
After you鈥檝e had your slice (or a whole pie), the natural conclusion to your culinary experience will be at , or just Libby鈥檚. There, you鈥檒l find a wide variety of cannoli and other pastries, which are all phenomenal. But the raison d'锚tre of this recommendation is for their iced cappuccino, which really isn鈥檛 coffee at all 鈥� but rather, some delicious ice cream with a hint of espresso. It鈥檚 a non-negotiable.

A Connecticut lobster roll is not a Maine lobster roll. Where some folks might expect cold lobster meat, mayo and coleslaw, the lobster roll experience in our state is served hot and simply 鈥� with copious amounts of butter to enhance the taste of the meat. There are many spots along the coast to get fresh lobster, including in Clinton, about a half-hour east of New Haven. The menu at Lobster Landing is simple, but the folks in the shop encourage customers to BYO any food the restaurant doesn鈥檛 serve 鈥� drinks, desserts, and anything else you want to go with your lobster dinner.

Capital Region (Central Connecticut)聽

Yes, the gold-domed state Capitol draws eyes (and maybe some flashbacks to middle school field trips?) from visitors trekking down Interstate 84. But the capital region offers many more curiosities to the itinerant daytripper. From trolley rides to ferries, dinosaurs to cutting-edge fighter jets, the Hartford region ! (Wait, isn鈥檛 that a slogan?)

A statue of Nathan Hale stands alone in the east atrium of the Connecticut State Capitol.

What to do if you're a 鈥�

Historian:

Take a tour through 鈥淗istoric Hartford.鈥� Start your journey by walking through the . Constructed with New England marble and topped with an iconic gold-leafed dome, in the 1870s (today it鈥檚 valued around $200 million). After touring the Capitol, step back in time to Connecticut鈥檚 original seat of government, the , home to historic trials and even . Thirsting for 19th-century vibes? Check out the , a genteel time capsule of what high-life in Hartford was like in 1896. Today, the house is visible from I-84 and hosts tours (usually by appointment) .
Visit the , a 25-room architectural marvel that was home to one of America鈥檚 most famous authors while he wrote some of his most famous works, including 鈥淎dventures of Huckleberry Finn鈥� and 鈥淎 Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur鈥檚 Court.鈥� While on the tour, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the

Mark Mirko

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Connecticut Public
Mark Twain House, Hartford Connecticut. Samuel and Olivia Clemens built their three-story Hartford home in 1874. 55-minute tours are available seven days a week.
After checking out the Twain House, walk next door to the , home to the author of 鈥淯ncle Tom鈥檚 Cabin,鈥� an anti-slavery novel that pushed Stowe to international celebrity. Guided tours through the National Historic Landmark are available, alongside modern gallery spaces. Open .
More of a visual person? Check out the , the oldest continuously-operating public art museum in the United States. The downtown gallery features a collection of over 50,000 works spanning 5,000 years. If landscapes are more your style, don鈥檛 miss the , which features internationally-acclaimed works from the Hudson River School.

Transportation geek:

The CT DOT ferry between Rocky Hill and Glastonbury in 2023.

Got a kid who loves trains? Are you a big kid who still loves trains? (It鈥檚 OK; trains are cool.) Ride into the past at the . Working trolleys offer rides; there are boardable streetcars and even a large collection of firehouse equipment.

Take a boat or a ferry! The transports you to the late 19th century as you embark on a ride through the Connecticut River Valley. Keep your eyes peeled for special seasonal experiences, including visits from , that are sure to delight your kids (or your own inner toddler).
Is the 19th century a little too recent for your taste? Travel a little farther north to ride on the , the nation's oldest continuously operating ferry, dating back to 1655. After all, .
Looking for something a little more fast-paced? Glide over to the where you can sit in a fighter jet, check out old helicopters and on simulated wings in the facility鈥檚 working flight simulators.

Family Trip Planner

With animals that were designed to standout and delight in the midst of the amusement park the Coney Island Style installation does as well in the New England Carousel Museum in Bristol, Connecticut December 27, 2023.

Itching to relive the magic (or terror) of childhood? Check out the . Delight your senses with antique carousel art, hundreds of unique carousel figures (including horses, donkeys and rabbits 鈥� oh my!) and take a ride on the museum鈥檚 working indoor Venetian carousel.
While things went a , here鈥檚 a Jurassic Park we fully endorse. The past comes alive at where hands-on, kid-friendly exhibits surround dinosaur footprints preserved from 200 million years ago.
Try out some putts at . Yodeling fades in and out as you make your way through this Swiss-themed course, which culminates with a par-3 18th hole featuring 鈥渁 71-foot long alpine meadow complete with wildflowers.鈥� It鈥檚 about 30 minutes west of Hartford.
Take a picnic. There are too many beautiful parks in this region to mention, but just outside the capital city offers large grounds, animal exhibitions and beautiful trails and gardens. In Hartford, check out for more floral wonders 鈥� the rose garden is a can鈥檛 miss when it鈥檚 in bloom. (Did you know it鈥檚 the country鈥檚 oldest public rose garden?)

Mark Mirko

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Connecticut Public
The downtown Hartford skyline pokes up from the horizon looking east from the Elizabeth Park Rose Garden. The Elizabeth Park Conservancy says the 2.5 acre garden is the first municipal rose garden in the United States and currently the third largest. It is home to more than 15,000 rose bushes and 800 varieties. (Mark Mirko/Connecticut Public)

Quiet Corner (Northeast Connecticut)

While southwest Connecticut blends with New York City鈥檚 bustle, the state鈥檚 northeastern corner oozes the opposite 鈥� rustic New England charm. The Quiet Corner is so-named for a reason. Scenic drives. Rural farms and plenty of low-key living. But this part of Connecticut still has plenty of gems. From race tracks to ice cream, basketball to bird-watching, let鈥檚 make some noise for the quietest part of the Nutmeg State.

What to do if you鈥檙e a 鈥β�

Sports fan

Check out a . The University of Connecticut is home to two basketball powerhouses. The men are fresh off their sixth national NCAA title. The women have won 11. Both are can鈥檛-miss on the court!

Joe Amon

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Connecticut Public
UConn Huskies ready to take on UCF Knights during the NCAA Tournament second Round at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Connecticut March 21, 2022.

More of a gear head? (about 50 miles from downtown Boston) offers NASCAR races, a historic track and even an 18-hole golf course for those looking to downshift with some relaxing drives of a different sort.