Christmas Movies Filmed in Connecticut

Every holiday season, networks like Hallmark and Lifetime play romantic, sweet movies that make everyone fall in love with Christmas. This year, quite a few of these movies have recently been filmed here in Connecticut, capturing the magic of our small towns.

Featuring: Amato's Toy and Hobby | City of Hartford | City of New Britain | City of Norwich | Connecticut Convention Center | Griswold Inn | Harkness Memorial State Park | Heirloom Market at Comstock Ferre | Lucky Lou's Bar & Grill | Mansion at Bald Hill | Olde Mistick Village | Silas W. Robbins House | The Inn at Woodstock Hill | Town of Branford | Town of Colchester | Town of Essex | Town of Mystic | Town of North Haven | Town of Old Lyme | Town of Putnam | Town of Stonington | Town of Wethersfield | Town of Woodstock | Webb Deane Stevens Museum

8 Connecticut Towns with Real Holiday Spirit

No one dresses up for the holiday season quite like Connecticut. To find a few of the towns that show particularly scenic levels of festive spirit, we consulted the photo book, A Connecticut Christmas by Caryn B. Davis. We’re sharing some of her photographs that we think perfectly capture the charm of Connecticut and the warmth of the holiday season! 

Featuring: City of Meriden | City of New Haven | Connecticut River Museum | Cornwall Bridge Pottery | Falls Village Inn | Griswold Inn | Homestead Inn - Thomas Henkelmann Restaurant | Hubbard Park & Castle Craig | Libby's Italian Pastry Shop | Little House Brewing Company | Mystic Aquarium | New Haven Green | Olde Mistick Village | Pattaconk 1850 Bar & Grille | The Shops at Yale | The Village Restaurant | Thompson Chocolate | Tollgate Hill Inn | Town of Chester | Town of Essex | Town of Greenwich | Town of Litchfield | Town of Mystic | Town of Newtown | West Cornwall Covered Bridge

5 Connecticut Small Towns to Explore with Kids

CTvisit.com is proud to partner with some of Connecticut’s most popular bloggers for ideas, insights and inspirations from the people who are lucky enough to call Connecticut home. This CT Ambassadors article is from our friends at Mommy Poppins Connecticut. 

Cities like New York and Boston can be fun, but just a short drive to Connecticut and you'll find 169 inviting towns that dot the countryside, hills, and coastline. Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures, wonderful museums with fun family programing, or just strolling charming town centers, browsing the shops and enjoying great food, you can find it all in these small towns in Connecticut.

Featuring: Abigail's Grille & Wine Bar | Connecticut River Museum | Essex Steam Train & Riverboat | Flamig Farm | Griswold Inn | Kent Falls State Park | Lobster Shack | Mystic Aquarium | Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream | Mystic Seaport Museum | Sea Mist Thimble Island Cruise, LLC | Stony Creek Brewery | Stratton Brook State Park | Town of Branford | Town of Essex | Town of Kent | Town of Mystic | Town of Simsbury

Arriving by Water — Connecticut’s Port Towns

Over 300 miles of Connecticut’s coastline hug the shore of Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. So it’s no surprise that many of the region’s early European settlers arrived by sea. Working seaports were among the first industries here as well, and today these coastal towns and cities still maintain their maritime character while welcoming travelers with classic New England charm. As many visitors still like to arrive in Connecticut by private boat or public ferry, we’re suggesting a few port towns that make it easy to visit for a day or even longer.

Featuring: Audubon Guilford Salt Meadow Sanctuary | City of New London | City of Norwalk | Connecticut River Museum | Cross Sound Ferry Lighthouse Cruise | Discover East Lyme | Docking at Mystic Seaport Museum | Downtown Essex | Essex Island Marina | Fort Trumbull Marina | Griswold Inn | Guilford Art Center | Guilford Mooring | Guilford Town Marina | Guilford Walking Tours | Mystic Aquarium | Mystic Pizza | Mystic Point Marina | Mystic River Marina | Mystic Seaport Museum | New London Historic Waterfront District | Niantic Bay Shellfish Market & Farm | Paddle Mystic-Mystic River Adventure Company | Port Niantic | Sheffield Island Lighthouse and Harbor Tour | Shoreline Segway | Skipper's Seafood Restaurant | SoNo Nightlife | Thamesport Marina | The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk | Town of Essex | Town of Guilford | Town of Mystic

Date Spots in Connecticut for Valentine’s Day & Beyond

Coming up with a date idea is no easy feat – whether you’re planning a first date, third date, a big anniversary or something special for Valentine’s Day. To ease the stress, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite Connecticut date spots, broken down by what kind of date you’re planning.

Featuring: Black-Eyed Sally's Southern Kitchen & Bar | Brignole Vineyards | City Steam Brewery Cafe | Firehouse 12 | Foxwoods Resort Casino | Gouveia Vineyards | GrayBarns Inn | Griswold Inn | Haight-Brown Vineyard | Infinity Music Hall & Bistro (Norfolk) | Inn at Harbor Hill Marina | Interlaken Inn, Resort & Conference Center | Manor House Inn | Maugle Sierra Vineyards & Winery | Mohegan Sun | Saybrook Point Resort & Marina | Sharpe Hill Vineyard | Water's Edge Resort & Spa

Fireside Dining

One of Connecticut’s great autumn pleasures is cozying up to a fire while enjoying cocktails or a meal, or both. Luckily, there are dozens and dozens of fireside dining options in the state. Some of the hearths are located in country pubs, some in shoreline inns, and many can be found in fine-dining establishments – so make your choice and toast the cold days and nights from your comfortable perch. 

Featuring: Abigail's Grille & Wine Bar | Captain Daniel Packer Inne | Cava Restaurant | Fresh Salt at Saybrook Point Resort & Marina | G.W. Tavern | Griswold Inn | Homestead Inn - Thomas Henkelmann Restaurant | Jesse Camille's Restaurant | Millwright's Restaurant | Olive Tree | Sharpe Hill Vineyard | Tavern at the Armory | The Goose American Bistro & Bar | Union League Café | White Horse Country Pub

Best Date Spots in Connecticut

Coming up with a date idea is no easy feat – whether you’re planning a first date, third date, a big anniversary or something special for that special someone. To ease the stress, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite Connecticut date spots, broken down by what kind of date you’re planning.

Featuring: Black-Eyed Sally's Southern Kitchen & Bar | Chamard Vineyards | City Steam Brewery Cafe | Firehouse 12 | Foxwoods Resort Casino | Gouveia Vineyards | Griswold Inn | Haight-Brown Vineyard | Little Barn | Maugle Sierra Vineyards & Winery | Miya's Sushi | Mohegan Sun | Old Riverton Inn | Stanton House Inn | Water's Edge Resort & Spa | Willimantic Brewing Company

Charm Alert

With its appealing, historic architecture, village greens and tidy shops, Connecticut still does “charming” very well, especially in the autumn. In fact, there are immensely attractive little towns all across the state that—with their shops, restaurants, galleries and inns—are perfect for a visit and even an overnight stay this fall.

Featuring: Ballou's Restaurant Wine-Whiskey & Food | Bernard's + Sarah's Wine Bar | Brushmill by the Waterfall | Chester/Hadlyme Ferry | Copper Beech Inn | Delamar Southport | Griswold Inn | Guilford Art Center | Guilford Walking Tours | Henry Whitfield State Museum | Hopkins Inn | Hopkins Vineyard | Inn at Fox Hill Farm | Inn at Stonington | Keeler Tavern Museum (c.1713) | Litchfield Distillery | Lori Warner Studio / Gallery | Noah's Restaurant | Old Lighthouse Museum | Pequot Library | River Tavern | Sharpe Hill Vineyard | Stonington Vineyards | The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum | The Inn at Woodstock Hill | The Vanilla Bean Café | The West Lane Inn | The Windemere B&B | Thimble Islands Bed & Breakfast | Tollgate Hill Inn | Town of Chester | Town of Guilford | Town of Litchfield | Town of Pomfret | Town of Ridgefield | Town of Stonington | West Street Grill | White Flower Farm | White Horse Country Pub | White Memorial Foundation

Making Thanksgiving Traditions in Connecticut

Thanksgiving is about coming together with family or friends. And in Connecticut, we’ve got all kinds of ways to make the holiday even more special, from farm-raised foods to community events, to honoring Native American traditions. Here are a few ideas for celebrating Thanksgiving in Connecticut.

Featuring: Abigail's Grille & Wine Bar | Artisan Restaurant, Tavern & Garden | Avon Old Farms Hotel | Bear's Smokehouse (Hartford) | Captain Daniel Packer Inne | City of Hartford | City of Norwalk | Clark Farms at Bushy Hill Orchard | Connecticut Wine Country | Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm | Fife 'n Drum Restaurant & Inn | Fresh Salt at Saybrook Point Resort & Marina | Gozzi's Turkey Farm | Griswold Inn | Holmberg Orchards & Winery | Maple Bank Farm | March Farm | Market Grille | Millwright's Restaurant | Silverman's Farm | The Simsbury Inn | Town of Manchester | Town of Newtown | l'escale

If Walls Could Talk — Connecticut’s Historic Inns

The inns of Connecticut can offer far more than a good night’s rest. If you look across the state, you’ll find establishments with renowned golf courses, on-site dining and live music. Many of these destinations also have rich histories, allowing guests the opportunity to explore Connecticut’s past.

Featuring: Griswold Inn | Inn at Mystic | Mayflower Inn & Spa | The Inn at Longshore | The Wallingford Victorian Inn

Romantic Winter Retreats in Connecticut

When the weather cools down, romance heats up in Connecticut’s hotels, inns and B&Bs. Whether getting cozy by the fire or enjoying a wintry hike in the woods, we’ve got so many ways to help you make the most of the season together.  Here are just a few of the destinations where you’ll find safety-friendly lodgings, activities and attractions to help you set the mood. Planning a romantic escape to Connecticut? You'll always find great ideas and getaways here.

Featuring: 116 Crown | Book Barn | Bruce Museum | Carlson's Landing | Connecticut River Artisans | Connecticut River Museum | Fife 'n Drum Restaurant & Inn | Flanders Fish Market & Restaurant | Florence Griswold Museum | Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana - New Haven | Greenwich Point Park | Griswold Inn | Gumdrops & Lollipops Candy Shoppe | Homestead Inn | Hopkins Vineyard | Inn at Harbor Hill Marina | Kehler Liddell Gallery | La Belle Aurore | Macedonia Brook State Park | Manor House Inn | Meli-Melo | Old Lyme Inn | R.J. Julia Booksellers | RiverQuest | Rocky Neck State Park | Rolling River Antiques | Scranton Seahorse Inn | Soleil & Suns Bakery | Taste of New Haven Tours | Taylor Brooke Winery | The Company Store Antiques | The Inn at Woodstock Hill | l'escale

Immersive Travel in Connecticut

Ever heard the expression, “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey”? Today, travelers are adapting this mentality more and more. They consciously look to visit destinations where they can immerse themselves in local cultures and ways of life. Immersive travel experiences offer a range of possibilities for the traveler—focusing less on fitting specific places and attractions into an itinerary, and more on experiencing the special traits that make a destination unique.

Connecticut has lots of unique characteristics and authentic experiences for visitors to immerse in. From attending staple events to meeting local artisans to working and learning on farms—here are a few ideas to inspire your immersive travel trip to Connecticut!

Featuring: B&B at Bartlett Farm | Bashan Lake Mansion | Bridgeport Islanders | City of Hartford | City of New Haven | City of New London | City of Norwalk | City of Stamford | Cold Spring Farm | Connecticut Historical Society Museum and Library | Connecticut Sun | Fitstyle Walking Tours | Greenwich Historical Society | Griswold Inn | Guilford Art Center | Hartford Athletic | Hartford Wolfpack | Hartford Yard Goats | Heirloom Market at Comstock Ferre | Lavender Pond Farm | Lime Rock Park | Milford Walking Tour | Silas W. Robbins House | The Blake Hotel | The Wine Press | Town of Greenwich | Town of Mystic | Town of New Milford | Town of Southington | Town of Westport | Wall to Wall: The New London Mural Walk | Winvian Farm

Leap Year of the Holiday Weekend

Who doesn’t love a long weekend? It gives us an extra day to rest, play or get away – and in 2020, it seems we have Leap Day to thank for more time to celebrate. This extra day in the year has rearranged our calendar to create three more long weekends and puts holidays like Valentine’s Day and Halloween on Fridays or Saturdays. Cinco de Mayo even falls perfectly on a (taco) Tuesday! For maximum celebration, we’ve put together a list of exciting ways to enjoy your extra holiday weekends in 2020.

Featuring: Agave Grill | Ashley's Ice Cream (Madison) | Avalon Nightclub | Black-Eyed Sally's Southern Kitchen & Bar | Cafe Allegre | Chester Bulkley House B&B | Connecticut Wine Country | Copper Beech Inn | Daniel Rust House | Elizabeth's Café | Essex Steam Train & Riverboat | Foxwoods Resort Casino | Griswold Inn | Heirloom Market at Comstock Ferre | High Rollers Luxury Lanes & Lounge | Historic Downtown Mystic | Homestead Inn | Homestead Inn - Thomas Henkelmann Restaurant | Infinity Music Hall & Bistro (Norfolk) | Inn at Mystic | La Boca Restaurant & Cantina | Lake Compounce Theme Park | Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum (c.1864) | Madison Beach Hotel | Manor House Inn | Mayflower Inn & Spa | Meli-Melo | Milagro | Mystic Aquarium | Mystic Seaport Museum | Old Riverton Inn | Oyster Club | Ridgefield Playhouse | Rincon Taqueria LLC | River - A Waterfront Restaurant & Bar | Saybrook Point Resort & Marina | Sayulita | Seaside Shadows Haunted History Tours | Ski Sundown | Spa at Delamar Greenwich Harbor | Tacos La Rosa | Tanger Outlets at Foxwoods | The Mark Twain House & Museum | The Whaler's Inn | Vista Lounge | West Cornwall Covered Bridge | l'escale

Cozying Up to the Fire

A good fireplace can be a crucial decider when you make your overnight plans in Connecticut. Whether you’re going out for dinner or looking for a cozy overnight room, a fire can really add to the allure.

Featuring: Abbey's Lantern Hill Inn | Blackberry River Inn | Captain Daniel Packer Inne | Griswold Inn | Inn at Stonington | Jesse Camille's Restaurant | Madison Beach Hotel | Manor House Inn | Mayflower Inn & Spa | Red Stone Pub | Saybrook Point Resort & Marina | Scranton Seahorse Inn | Stanton House Inn | Stonecroft Country Inn | The Goose American Bistro & Bar | The Inn at Woodstock Hill | White Horse Country Pub

15 Unusual Dining Experiences in Connecticut

Dining out doesn’t have to be just eating – it can be an adventure. Connecticut has some fantastically unusual restaurants that will give you more than just a meal. You can dine with the fishes surrounded by an aquarium.  Be served outdoors while seated on tree stumps.  Solve a mystery while enjoying your entrée. Check out these places for a dining experience you’ll never forget.

Featuring: Ascot's at The Norwich Inn | City of Hartford | City of Middletown | City of New Haven | East Side Restaurant | GoodWorks Smokehouse | Griswold Inn | Louis' Lunch | Mystic Whaler Cruises | The Place | Town of Pomfret | Town of West Hartford | Town of Westport | Traveler Restaurant | Visit Collinsville

Mother's Day: More Important Than Ever

This year as we prepare to celebrate Mom, we recognize that festivities will be different – but that doesn’t mean we can’t make the day special. We’ve put together some suggestions for showing Mom how much she’s loved. From gift ideas, to takeout feasts, to ways to celebrate, you’ll find there are still many fantastic ways to enjoy Mother’s Day in Connecticut.

Featuring: Adventure Park at Storrs | Arethusa Farm | Arethusa al tavolo | Bee & Thistle Inn & Spa | Bigelow Hollow State Park | Brewery Legitimus | Bridgewater Chocolate Factory Retail Store - Brookfield | Brignole Vineyards | Cafe Aura | Chamard Vineyards | Charter Oak Brewing Company | City Steam Brewery Cafe | City of Bridgeport | City of Hartford | City of Milford | City of New Haven | City of Norwalk | City of Norwich | Connecticut Valley Brewing Company | Delamar Spa West Hartford | Divine Treasures | East Rock Park | Elicit Brewing Co. | Fascia's Chocolates | Griswold Inn | Half Full Brewery | HighFlyer Zipline at Foxwoods Resort Casino | Hog River Brewing Company | Horse Guard State Park | Kinsmen Brewing Company | Lyman Orchards | Mansfield Hollow State Park | Maugle Sierra Vineyards & Winery | McLean Game Refuge | Montana Nights Axe Throwing | Munson's Chocolates | Mystic Knotwork | Nipmuck State Forest | On Track Karting | Pine & Iron Axe Throwing - Hartford | Pine & Iron Axe Throwing - New Haven | Priam Vineyards | River - A Waterfront Restaurant & Bar | Spa at Delamar Greenwich Harbor | Spa at Delamar Southport | Spa at Saybrook Point Resort & Marina | Sunnybrook State Park | Supercharged Powered by Mohegan Sun - Indoor Karting & Trampoline Park | The Spa at Norwich Inn | The White Hart | These Guys Brewing Company | Tiffany Juliet House | Town of Bloomfield | Town of Canton | Town of Chester | Town of East Granby | Town of East Hampton | Town of East Windsor | Town of Farmington | Town of Litchfield | Town of Mystic | Town of Newtown | Town of Simsbury | Town of South Windsor | Town of Southington | Town of Stonington | Town of Wallingford | Town of West Hartford | Town of Westport | Town of Willington | Town of Woodbury | Town of Woodstock | Urban Lodge Brewing | Water's Edge Resort & Spa | Willoughby's Coffee & Tea (New Haven) | l'escale

The Perfect New England Fall...is in Connecticut

New England is internationally recognized for having among the most spectacular fall foliage displays in the world — renowned for vibrant reds among the oranges and yellows.  And in Connecticut, you can experience the quintessential New England fall without traveling far. From hiking, biking and ziplining, to craft breweries, pumpkin picking, corn mazes and everything in between, it’s all right here in Connecticut!

We’ve compiled a few of the more popular autumn activities below, so you can find fall faster.

Featuring: Abigail's Grille & Wine Bar | Adventure Park at Storrs | Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum | Angevine Farm | Barcelona Restaurant & Wine Bar | Berkshire Balloons | Bidwell Tavern | Bigelow Hollow State Park | Bishop's Orchards Farm Market & Winery | Black Hall Outfitters - Old Lyme | Black Hall Outfitters - Westbrook | Blue Jay Orchards | Brignole Vineyards | Captain Daniel Packer Inne | City of New Haven | Connecticut Parachutists, Inc. | Connecticut Valley Brewing Company | Connecticut Voyager Balloons | Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center | Ellsworth Hill Orchard & Berry Farm | Engine Room | Essex Steam Train & Riverboat | Flamig Farm | Fresh Salt at Saybrook Point Resort & Marina | G.W. Tavern | Gouveia Vineyards | Grano Arso | Griswold Inn | Hidden Valley Preserve | HighFlyer Zipline at Foxwoods Resort Casino | Hopkins Vineyard | Housatonic River Brewing | Hubbard Park & Castle Craig | Jones Family Farms | Lyman Orchards | Macedonia Brook State Park | Mattabesett Blue Trail | Mine Hill Preserve/Roxbury Land Trust | Mountain Biking at Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort | Nathan Hale Homestead | Present Company | Preston Ridge Vineyard | Rose's Berry Farm | Saltwater Farm Vineyard | Seaside Shadows Haunted History Tours | Silverman's Farm | Skydive Danielson | Stony Creek Brewery | Talcott Mountain State Park | The Mark Twain House & Museum | Town of Mystic | Town of Plainville | Town of Stratford | Town of Wallingford | Town of Wallingford | Town of Wethersfield | Tox Brewing Company | Two Roads Brewing Company | Union League Café | Urban Lodge Brewing | Warbird Experience | White Memorial Conservation Center Museum | elm Restaurant

Special & Safe: Thanksgiving 2020

'Tis the season to cherish what we're grateful for — even if it looks a little different this year. To keep your family and community safe, we recommend reviewing the state's holiday guidance and considering these low-risk celebration ideas . The holiday may be smaller and quieter in 2020, but we certainly can still make it memorable. We've gathered a few Thanksgiving ideas for you and your closest kin, so you can still make the day special!

From unique take-home feasts and dine-out dinners to farm fresh shopping, Christmas tree chopping and more, the Thanksgiving fun doesn’t just make your day great — it helps support beloved Connecticut businesses who have been hit hard by the pandemic. And when you do, you can even use our hashtag #SupportCTBusinesses to help keep our restaurants, attractions and hotels top of mind.

Featuring: Abigail's Grille & Wine Bar | Allen Hill Farm | Angevine Farm | Avon Old Farms Hotel | Bear's Smokehouse (Hartford) | Bear's Smokehouse (New Haven) | Bear's Smokehouse (South Windsor) | Bear's Smokehouse (Windsor) | Bishop's Orchards Farm Market & Winery | Captain Daniel Packer Inne | Castle Hill Farm | City of Danbury | City of Hartford | City of Norwalk | City of Stamford | City of Waterbury | Clark Farms at Bushy Hill Orchard | David Burke Prime Steakhouse | Dzen Tree Farm | Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm | Fairfield Museum & History Center | Fairview Tree Farm | Fire at the Ridge | Flora | Fresh Salt at Saybrook Point Resort & Marina | Griswold Inn | Hamilton Park | Hickory Ridge Tree Farm | Holmberg Orchards & Winery | Hopkins Inn | J. Gilbert's Wood-Fired Steaks | Judy's Bar + Kitchen | Lincoln Financial Sculpture Walk at Riverfront | Maple Bank Farm | Maple Hollow Christmas Tree Farm | March Farm | Market Grille | Match | Max Amore | Max Downtown | Max a Mia Ristorante | Mill on the River | Miller Tree Farm | Millwright's Restaurant | Olde Mistick Village | On the Rocks Restaurant | Pequot Library | Silverman's Farm | Staehly Tree Farm & Winery | The Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk | The Shops at Yale | The Spa at Norwich Inn | The Waters Edge at Giovanni's | The Wharf Restaurant | Town of Branford | Town of Deep River | Town of Enfield | Town of Greenwich | Town of Manchester | Town of Morris | Town of Newington | Town of Newtown | Town of Stratford | Town of Washington | Town of Wethersfield | Town of Woodbury | Wall to Wall: The New London Mural Walk | Westbrook Outlets | Whittle's Willow Spring Farm | Winterberry Farm | l'escale

Safe, Merry & Bright: The Holiday Season in 2020

Walkin’ in a winter wonderland may look different this year, but we can still make the holiday season memorable. While the state’s holiday guidance calls for smaller or even virtual gatherings, Connecticut has many new and creative ways to keep your holiday spirits up.

Featuring: Abigail's Grille & Wine Bar | Action Wildlife Foundation | Allen Hill Farm | Angevine Farm | Bear's Smokehouse (Hartford) | Bernard's + Sarah's Wine Bar | Black-Eyed Sally's Southern Kitchen & Bar | Blue Back Square | Broken Arrow Nursery | Cafe on the Green | Castle Hill Farm | Cava Restaurant | Charlie Brown's Christmas Tree Farm | City of Bridgeport | City of Bristol | City of New London | City of Norwalk | City of Torrington | Connecticut Chocolate Trail | Connecticut Trolley Museum | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo | Copper Beech Inn | Da Capo | Divine Treasures | Dzen Tree Farm | Essex Clipper Dinner Train | Essex Steam Train & Riverboat | Evergreen Acres Tree Farm | Fairview Tree Farm | Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar | Fresh Salt at Saybrook Point Resort & Marina | Goodwin Park | Greiser's Coffee & Market | Griswold Inn | Hickory Ridge Tree Farm | Hubbard Park & Castle Craig | Jones Family Farms | La Trattoria | Madison Beach Hotel | Maple Hollow Christmas Tree Farm | Maple Row Farm | Mayflower Inn & Spa | Mill on the River | Miller Tree Farm | Mohawk Mountain Ski Area | Mount Southington Ski Area | Mozzicato DePasquale Bakery & Pastry Shop | Mystic Seaport Museum | Olde Mistick Village | Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort | River - A Waterfront Restaurant & Bar | Shell & Bones Oyster Bar & Grill | Sift Bake Shop | Ski Sundown | Staehly Tree Farm & Winery | Tavern at Graybarns | The Inn at Woodstock Hill | The Shops at Yale | The Whaler's Inn | Town of Avon | Town of Greenwich | Town of Hebron | Town of Sherman | Town of Southington | Town of Washington | Town of West Hartford | Town of Wilton | Town of Windsor | Toyota Oakdale Theatre | West Street Grill | White Memorial Conservation Center Museum | Wickham Park | Winding Trails Cross Country Ski Center | Winterberry Farm | elm Restaurant

31 Things to Do in Central Connecticut this Winter

Temperatures are dropping, snow is falling — it’s winter in Connecticut. While the air is cooling down, seasonal fun is heating up — and you can be sure businesses are working hard to keep you safe. From active adventure and family fun to relaxation and romantic escapes, here’s your guide to the winter season in Central Connecticut.

Featuring: Abigail's Grille & Wine Bar | Antiques on the Farmington | B&B at Bartlett Farm | BAR | Barcelona Restaurant & Wine Bar | Barker Character, Comic & Cartoon Museum | Barnes Museum (c.1836) | Bear's Smokehouse (Hartford) | Beech Tree Cottages | Bella's Café | Broken Arrow Nursery | By The Sea Day Spa | Carbone's Kitchen | Cava Restaurant | Central Rock Gym | Chester Bulkley House B&B | City Climb Gym | City Gallery | City Steam Brewery Cafe | City of Hartford | City of Meriden | City of New Haven | Connecticut Historical Society Museum and Library | Connecticut Science Center | Copper Beech Inn | Delamar Spa West Hartford | Dinosaur State Park | Dzen Tree Farm | East Rock Brewing Company | Elizabeth Park Rose Gardens | Escape New Haven | Essex Clipper Dinner Train | Farmington Canal Linear Park | Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana - New Haven | Giuffrida Park | Griswold Inn | Guilford Art Center | Hill-Stead Museum | Hops on the Hill Brewery | Hurst Farm Country Store & Greenhouses | Hydeville Sugar Shack | IT Adventure Ropes Course | Joseph's Tree Farm | Kehler Liddell Gallery | Key to the Past Antique Center | La Luna Ristorante | Lake Cottage | Lessard Lanes Family Entertainment Center | Louis' Lunch | Lutz Children's Museum | Madison Beach Hotel | Middletown Roller Skating Rink | Miller Tree Farm | Millwright's Restaurant | Millwright's Restaurant | Mission Escape Games | Modern Apizza | Mount Southington Ski Area | New Britain Museum of American Art | New England Air Museum | New England Air Museum | New Haven Museum | No Worries Brewery | Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society | Nomads Adventure Quest | On Track Karting | PEZ Visitor Center | Painting with a Twist | Penwood State Park | Pond House Cafe | Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort | Prime Climb Mountain Fun | Rockland Preserve | Ron-A-Roll Indoor Roller Skating Center | Rose's Berry Farm | Sally's Apizza | Saoco Restaurant | Saybrook Point Resort & Marina | Scranton Seahorse Inn | Sleeping Giant State Park | Soarin' Indoors | Stone Age Rock Gym | Stony Creek Brewery | Taste of New Haven Tours | The Antiques Depot | The Blake Hotel | The Children's Museum | The Place 2 Be | The Sculpture Mile | The Shops at Yale | The Vault Virtual Reality | Town of Avon | Town of Chester | Town of Essex | Town of Farmington | Town of Glastonbury | Town of Plainville | Town of West Hartford | Town of Wethersfield | Union League Café | Vintage Radio & Communications Museum of Connecticut | Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art | Walker Loden (Madison) | Walker Loden (Madison) | Water's Edge Resort & Spa | West Rock Ridge State Park | Wharton Brook State Park | Winding Trails Cross Country Ski Center | Yale Center for British Art

34 Things to Do in Connecticut this July

Looking for something to do in Connecticut in July? Whether you want something active or relaxing, cultural or nature-oriented, historic or trendy, Connecticut's got you covered. Here are some highlights.

Featuring: 55 Wine Bar & Restaurant | BAD SONS Beer Company | Backyard Adventure UTV Tours | Barcelona Restaurant & Wine Bar | Belltown Hill Orchards | Bernard's + Sarah's Wine Bar | Blue Venture Fishing Charters | Brownstone Adventure Sports Park | Buell's Orchard | Captain Seth Sportfishing Fleet | Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary | City of Hartford | City of New Haven | City of Norwalk | City of Stamford | Club Getaway | Connecticut's Old State House | Courtyard Waterbury Downtown | Farmington River Tubing | Goodspeed Musicals - The Goodspeed | Griswold Inn | Hartford Yard Goats | Interlaken Inn, Resort & Conference Center | Islander Sport Fishing Charters | Lavender Hill Farm Alpacas | Lincoln Financial Sculpture Walk at Riverfront | Lucky Strike Charters | Madison Beach Hotel | Nathan Liverant & Son Antiques, LLC | New Britain Bees | Old Saybrook Antiques Center | Owl Wine Bar | Ray of Light Farm | RiverQuest | Rowanwood Farm | Saybrook Point Resort & Marina | Scott's Yankee Farmer | Sea Unicorns | Stonington Vineyards | Surfside Hotel | The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum | The Whaler's Inn | Tongue in Chique LLC | Town of West Hartford | Town of Woodbury | Wall to Wall: The New London Mural Walk | Water's Edge Resort & Spa

Coastal Central Connecticut

Coastal Central Connecticut takes you everywhere from the Thimble Islands to elegant seaside resorts, walkable beach towns and more. Below, discover a few of Central Connecticut's coastal towns and ways to enjoy them.

Featuring: Ashley's Ice Cream (Branford) | Ashley's Ice Cream (Madison) | Audubon Guilford Salt Meadow Sanctuary | B&B at Bartlett Farm | Bear's Smokehouse (New Haven) | Bishop's Orchards Farm Market & Winery | Black Rock Fort and Fort Nathan Hale | Black Seal Seafood Grille | Blazing Fresh Donuts | Branford Point Beach | Branford River Paddlesports, Kayaks and Tours | Carlson's Landing | Chaffinch Island Park | City Point Kitchen | City of New Haven | Connecticut River Museum | Connecticut Shoreline Bike/Boat Tour | East Wharf Beach | Essex Art Association Gallery | Essex Clipper Dinner Train | Essex Paint & Sip | Essex Steam Train & Riverboat | Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana - New Haven | Goodspeed Opera House Tour | Griswold Inn | Guilford Lobster Pound | Hammonasset Beach State Park | Harvey's Beach | Henry Whitfield State Museum | Ivoryton Playhouse | Jacob's Beach | Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center and Museum | La Luna Ristorante | Lenny & Joe's Fish Tale Restaurant (Madison) | Lenny's Indian Head | Lighthouse Point Park | Liv's Shack - Old Saybrook | M&J Beach Grille & Seafood | Nightjack Sportsfishing | Old Saybrook Town Beach | Pine & Iron Axe Throwing - New Haven | R.J. Julia Booksellers | Real Escape | Saybrook Point Miniature Golf | Saybrook Point Resort & Marina | Scotch Plains Tavern | Scranton Seahorse Inn | Sea Mist Thimble Island Cruise, LLC | Shell & Bones Oyster Bar & Grill | Shoreline Segway | Stony Creek Beach | Stony Creek Brewery | Taste of New Haven Tours | The Antiques Depot | The Blake Hotel | The Cottage | The Essex Public Market & Food Hall | The Homestead Madison | The Place | The Sculpture Mile | The Village Chocolatier | The Wharf Restaurant | Thimble Island Brewing Company | Thimble Islands Bed & Breakfast | Town of Branford | Town of Essex | Town of Guilford | Town of Madison | Town of Old Saybrook | Victorian on the Village Green | Volsunga IV Thimble Island Cruise | Yale Center for British Art | Yale University Art Gallery

Great Places to Stay in Connecticut

There’s so much to see and do in Connecticut – but no trip is complete without the perfect place to stay. Whether you want a seaside escape, the serenity of the countryside, the excitement of the city or beyond, Connecticut has plenty of great options to rest your head after a day of adventure.

Featuring: Avon Old Farms Hotel | Courtyard Waterbury Downtown | Delamar Greenwich Harbor | Delamar West Hartford | Foxwoods Resort Casino | GrayBarns Inn | Griswold Inn | Gwyn Careg Inn | Hilton Hartford Hotel | Hopkins Inn | Inn at Harbor Hill Marina | Inn at Middletown | Inn at Stonington | Interlaken Inn, Resort & Conference Center | Madison Beach Hotel | Manor House Inn | Mayflower Inn & Spa | Mohegan Sun | Mohegan Sun's Sky Tower and Earth Tower | New Haven Hotel | Old Lyme Inn | Residence Inn Stamford Downtown | Saybrook Point Resort & Marina | Simsbury 1820 House | Stonecroft Country Inn | Surfside Hotel | The Blake Hotel | The Fox Tower Hotel | The Goodwin Hotel | The Inn at Longshore | The Inn at Woodstock Hill | The Lloyd | The Study at Yale | The West Lane Inn | The Whaler's Inn | The White Hart | Water's Edge Resort & Spa

10 Reasons to Make Connecticut Your First Stop in New England

Connecticut is located halfway between Boston and New York City.  That’s what makes it such an easy place to visit. But what really makes Connecticut an amazing destination is how much you can do in this compact state — all year round! From hiking to sailing, cross-country skiing to designer outlet shopping, riding a roller coaster to being a high roller at the casino, there is so much to do in Connecticut, you won’t know what to experience first.

Featuring: B&B at Bartlett Farm | Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library | Blue Back Square | Bradley International Airport | Brownstone Adventure Sports Park | Candlelight Farms Inn | Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets | Connecticut Science Center | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo | Cross Sound Ferry Lighthouse Cruise | Dinosaur State Park | Downeast Lighthouse Cruises | Essex Steam Train & Riverboat | Foxwoods Resort Casino | Griswold Inn | Hard Rock Cafe at Foxwoods | Homestead Inn | Hopkins Inn | Inn at Stonington | Institute for American Indian Studies | Keeler Tavern Museum (c.1713) | Lake Compounce Theme Park | Lake of Isles Golf Course | Lighthouse Point Park | Mandara Spa at Mohegan Sun | Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center | Mohegan Sun | Mohegan Sun's Sky Tower and Earth Tower | Mystic Aquarium | Mystic Seaport Museum | New London Historic Waterfront District | Old Lighthouse Museum | Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale | Putnam Memorial State Park | R/V "Spirit of the Sound" | Riverwind Inn Bed & Breakfast | Scoot & Paddle | Sheffield Island Lighthouse and Harbor Tour | Silas W. Robbins House | Tanger Outlets at Foxwoods | Tanger Outlets at Foxwoods | The Fitch House B&B | The Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk | The Shops at Yale | The West Lane Inn | Webb Deane Stevens Museum | Westbrook Outlets | Wolf Den at Mohegan Sun | Yale Center for British Art | Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History | Yale University Art Gallery | Yale University Visitor Center