Located just between New York City and Boston, Massachusetts, Connecticut is home to marvelous places tourists would surely never forget. For instance, you can head to Long Island to indulge in fresh and yummy seafood dishes. You can also shop until you drop in Chester or Guilford. You can also party all night long in Kent. Moreover, Connecticut also offers great experiences for nature lovers because this beautiful city has scenic forests, impressive trails, clean coastlines, and captivating hills. Indeed, there are many places to explore in this southernmost state in New England. We’ve curated the best places to visit in Connecticut, the USA. Check them out!
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1. Greenwich
Located in the southernmost side of Connecticut, Greenwich offers various exciting things to explore. You can take a short walk downtown to know where to shop, dine, or just see the attractions within the area. You can also uncover Greenwich’s colorful past when you drop by at Greenwich Art Galleries or The Bruce Museum. If being an outdoor enthusiast is the main reason why you’re traveling, you can hike at Babcock Preserve or jog at Mianus River State Park.
2. Manchester
This interesting town in Hartford, Connecticut has a rich culture stemming from Scottish colonization. In fact, due to the town’s traces of Scottish culture, it has a continuously operating pipe band since 1914. On the other hand, taking a walk at a park, hopping from one restaurant to another, or visiting reservoir trails are just a few of the many fascinating things to do in Manchester. Some of the remarkable places here where you can enjoy these things to do are Wickham Park, Case Mountain Recreational Area, Howard Porter Reservoir Trails, and The Shoppes at Buckland Hills. You’ll also love the classic American dining experience at Shady Glen, one of Manchester’s most popular restaurants for tourists and locals.
3. Bridgeport
Bridgeport is known as a seaport and park city in Connecticut. Here, you can explore well-maintained and clean parks and recreation facilities such as Seaside Park and Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum. If you’re a sports enthusiast, you can also watch games as well as various entertainment acts at Webster Bank Arena. If your trip would not be complete without shopping, head on to Harborview Market to snag some local souvenirs and interesting finds. You can also grab a bite of delicious baked goodies from the said market. If you’re up for some wildlife sightseeing, Beardsley Zoo is located in this city. At Beardsley Zoo, you can enjoy seeing tigers, leopards, bald eagles, and many adorable mammal creatures.
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4. Fairfield
The town of Fairfield borders Bridgeport and three towns in Gold Coast, Connecticut. In this Fairfield County town, you can find various points of interest to explore. If you’re interested in getting up close and personal with Fairfield’s history, you can visit historical sites such as Connecticut Audubon Society Birdcraft Museum and Sanctuary, David Ogden House, Fairfield Historic District, and many more. Moreover, Fairfield is such a quintessential town with a great location because it is popular for being near the Long Island Sound. At Long Island Sound, you can visit five town beaches or just stroll around its beautiful coastline while appreciating the scenic views. You can also take the time to enjoy spectacular performances and sporting shows at Fairfield Theatre Company, Fairfield University, and Sacred Heart University.
5. Westport
Westport is a small but impressive town in Fairfield County. It is impressive not only because of its picturesque beauty but also due to the many family-friendly activities you can enjoy here. If you’d like to treat your family and friends to dining out and shopping, go to Westport Inn. At Westport Inn, you’ll never run out of things to explore because you can find a number of shops and dining areas here. If your family loves outdoor activities, you can have a picnic set up at Sherwood Island or play golf at Longshore Golf Course. You and your family can also enjoy live events in Westport’s prime entertainment spots such as Westport Country Playhouse, Quick Center at Fairfield University, or Levitt Pavillion.
6. New Haven
Connecticut houses a number of wonderful coastal cities. One of the must-see coastal cities here is New Haven, the second-largest city in the said state. Here, you can explore lovely recreational parks, beaches, science and nature sites, and arts and entertainment hubs. Among the popular recreational parks here, you should see East Shore Park, Bittner Park, Eisenhower Park, and Bradley Point Park and Promenade because these parks are some of the most frequented parks by the tourists. If you’re into an active lifestyle, you can jog, hike, or go mountain biking at Bauer Park Trails, Timberlands Trails, or at Mattabesett Blue Trail. If you want to see the famous Japanese cherry blossoms but can’t go to Japan, the city’s Wooster Street has it for you.
7. Hartford
Hartford is surrounded by numerous historic attractions because of this magnificent city’s centuries-old existence. The city is also known as a home to remarkable historical figures such as Harriet Beecher Stowe and Mark Twain. You’ll get to visit a lot of places here showcasing US culture and history. Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art is one of the most significant examples of these historical places. Aside from historical sites, there are cool places in Hartford where you can enjoy a lot of things to do. You can watch stunning performances at Hartford Stage, eat to your heart’s content with some flavorful snacks at The Hartford Flavor Company, or shop at The Center & The Square.
8. Norwalk
If you’re kind of short on time and would like to visit a place in just a day or less, we’d suggest visiting Norwalk! Norwalk is a small town that offers numerous attractions you can explore. To kick off your day tour, appreciate the serene beauty of a modern waterfront at South Norwalk Historical District. You can also enjoy a feast at The Spread for some delectable, local farm-to-table dishes. You might also want to relax with the sight of adorable marine creatures at The Maritime Aquarium.
9. New London
If you can’t resist the calming vibe of the sea when traveling, consider visiting New London. New London is a coastal city with beautiful seaside parks, gorgeous heritage parks, and numerous exciting seafood restaurants to try. For a clearer picture of a historical overview of New London, you can check out the 400-year-old Thames River Heritage Park. Want to try open-air dining while enjoying various seafood dishes? Go to Captain Scott’s Lobster Dock. For seaside parks, a few of the best seaside parks you can visit are Ocean Beach Park, Bluff Point State Park, and Waterford Town Beach.
10. Danbury
If you’re fond of Alfred Hitchcock flicks, you should visit Danbury because here you’ll find the old railway station where one of his popular movies was filmed. That’s just one of the many interesting things about Danbury. You’ll also find here Tarrywile Park and Mansion, a city-owned state park where you can set up a picnic surrounded by lush forests and hillsides. If you’ve never tried ice skating, you can try skating programs for beginners at Danbury Ice Arena. Visit Ives Concert Park as well if you’d like to experience shows in an amphitheater with surrounding gardens and greeneries.
Connecticut is jam-packed with places you'll love
Connecticut boasts a marvelous combination of seaside attractions, lovely meadows, and cool cosmopolitan charm. There are many best places to visit in Connecticut, the USA so make sure to plan your trip ahead so that you’ll have a lot of time to enjoy these wondrous places.
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