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

Connecticut’s Favorite Towns for Arts and Culture

The state of Connecticut is filled with picturesque towns. That’s why so many artists, musicians, photographers and authors are drawn to them. And that’s exactly what makes them a great place to visit. Here are a few towns where you can explore galleries, studios, gardens, theaters and more, as well as great places to stay, eat and shop!

Featuring: B&B at Bartlett Farm | Carriage Barn Arts Center | Connecticut Art Trail | Connecticut River Artisans | Cooley Gallery | Cooper & Smith Gallery | Copper Beech Inn | Essex Art Association Gallery | Florence Griswold Museum | Grace Farms | Guilford Art Center | Guilford Walking Tours | Ivoryton Playhouse | Lyme Academy of Fine Arts | Lyme Art Association | Old Lyme Arts District | Old Lyme Inn | Ridgefield Guild of Artists | Ridgefield Playhouse | Ridgefield Theater Barn | Roger Sherman Inn | Silvermine Arts Center | Studio 80 + Sculpture Grounds | The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum | The Bird Nest Salon & Gallery | The Glass House | The West Lane Inn | Town of Essex | Town of Guilford | Town of New Canaan | Town of Old Lyme | Town of Ridgefield | Weir Farm National Historic Site

6 Connecticut Towns and 30 Ways to Enjoy Them

Six small towns... five reasons to visit each in summer. The math seems simple: that’s 30 reasons to plan a Connecticut getaway. But these suggested things to see, eat and do only hint at what awaits. There’s always something happening in these vibrant communities—something for you to discover. And no calculator can compute the joys of making a small town “your” place.

Featuring: Antiques Marketplace | Argia Mystic Cruises | B&B at Bartlett Farm | Bradley Playhouse | Bruce Museum | Connecticut River Valley Inn | Deary Brothers/Mikes Stand | Delamar Greenwich Harbor | Guilford Art Center | Henry Whitfield State Museum | Macedonia Brook State Park | Mansion at Bald Hill | Max Fish | Meli-Melo | Mystic Aquarium | Mystic Seaport Museum | Red 36 | Rooftop 120 | Rose's Berry Farm | Shoreline Segway | Starbuck Inn | Steamboat Inn | The Place | The Shops at Somerset Square | Town of Glastonbury | Town of Greenwich | Town of Guilford | Town of Kent | Town of Mystic | Town of Putnam | West Cornwall Covered Bridge | l'escale

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

Find Fall Faster with Connecticut's Top Fall Foliage Drives

Ready for some leaf peeping? Head no farther than Connecticut, where you'll find New England’s longest fall foliage season. Running from north to south steadily over about 6 weeks, the foliage coverage varies, but there’s always somewhere to see the colors change. Thanks to our friends at the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, here are a few suggested driving “loops” to get you out and about during prime leaf peeping season. Be sure to program your mapping app, or set your gps, for an amazing drive through the wonders of fall in Connecticut.

Featuring: Abbey's Lantern Hill Inn | Antiques Marketplace | Arrigoni Winery | Barker Character, Comic & Cartoon Museum | Bishop's Orchards Farm Market & Winery | Boardman House Inn | Candlelight Farms Inn | City of New London | Copper Beech Inn | Creamery Brook Bison | Devil's Hopyard State Park | Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm | Enders State Forest | Gelston House | Guilford Art Center | Hank's Dairy Bar | Hartford Flavor Company | Hickory Hill Orchards | Hopkins Inn | Hopkins Vineyard | Hotel Zero Degrees Norwalk | Inn at Middletown | Kent Victorian Lodging & Vacation Rental | Leffingwell House Museum | Lost Acres Vineyard | Maple Bank Farm | Matterhorn Mini Golf | Mystic Sweets & Ice Cream Shoppe | Old Riverton Inn | Olde Mistick Village | On the Waterfront | RiverQuest | Riverwind Inn Bed & Breakfast | Sharpe Hill Vineyard | Steamboat Inn | Stew Leonard's Norwalk | Sweet Claude's Ice Cream Parlor | Sweet Wind Farm Sugarhouse & Farm Stand | Talcott Mountain State Park | The Crossings Restaurant & Brew Pub | The Inn at Woodstock Hill | The Simsbury Inn | These Guys Brewing Company | Town of Chester | Town of Falls Village (Canaan) | Town of Litchfield | UConn Dairy Bar | Watercure Farm Distillery | West Street Grill | White Silo Farm & Winery | Woodbury Antiques Trail

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

39 Things to Do in Connecticut This December

Looking for something to do in Connecticut in December? Whether you want something active, relaxing, cultural, or nature-oriented, we have you covered. Learn more!

For even more ideas, check out CTvisit.com, where you can search by type of activity under the DO navigation tab, or browse articles full of ideas under the IDEAS tab.

Featuring: Adventure Rooms | Alice in the Village | Ansonia Nature & Recreation Center | Bantam Lake | Blue Ox Axe Throwing - Bridgeport | Bridgeport Islanders | Bruce Museum | Bushnell Park | Charlie Brown's Christmas Tree Farm | Connecticut Science Center | Connecticut Trolley Museum | Eleanor Buck Wolf Nature Center | Essex Steam Train & Riverboat | Florence Griswold Museum | Goodwin Park | Guilford Art Center | Hartford Stage | Hartford Wolfpack | Hot Rod Cafe | International Skating Center of Connecticut | Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts | Lake Waramaug State Park | Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum (c.1864) | Long Wharf Theatre | Lou's Christmas Tree Farm | Mohawk Mountain Ski Area | Mohegan Sun | Montana Nights Axe Throwing | Mount Southington Ski Area | Mystic Aquarium | Mystic Seaport Museum | New Britain Museum of American Art | Osborne Homestead Museum | Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort | Railroad Museum of New England/Naugatuck Railroad Company | Ridgefield Playhouse | Salt Cave of Darien | Shore Line Trolley Museum | Ski Sundown | Spa at Saybrook Point Resort & Marina | Sundial Gardens & Tea Shop | Tea Roses Tea Room | The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts | Thrillz High Flying Adventure Park | Town of Bethlehem | Town of Essex | Town of Greenwich | Town of Litchfield | Town of Madison | Town of Middlebury | Town of New Milford | Town of South Windsor | Warner Theatre | White Memorial Conservation Center Museum | Wilton Historical Society | Winding Trails Cross Country Ski Center | Wood Memorial Library & Museum | Yale Center for British Art

33 Things to Do in Connecticut This December

Looking for something to do in Connecticut in December? Even with all the COVID-19 safety restrictions, there is still so much to see and do — and you can be sure businesses are working hard to keep you safe. Whether you want something active or relaxing, cultural or nature-oriented, historic or trendy, Connecticut's got you covered. Here are some highlights for December.

Featuring: Adventure Rooms | Alice in the Village | Allegra Farm & Horse-Drawn Carriage & Sleigh Rides | Bantam Lake | Barnes Museum (c.1836) | Bear's Smokehouse (Hartford) | Blue Ox Axe Throwing - Bridgeport | Cabela's | Carriages & Country Weddings - Wood Acres Farm | Cedar Knoll Farm | Charlie Brown's Christmas Tree Farm | City of Hartford | City of Torrington | Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets | Corner Pug | Danbury Ice Arena | Delamar West Hartford | Fifth State Distillery | Full Moonshine | Gilbertie's Herb Gardens | Goodwin Park | Guilford Art Center | Hartford Flavor Company | House of Naan Indian Kitchen & Bar | International Skating Center of Connecticut | J. Timothy's Taverne | Lake Waramaug State Park | Litchfield Distillery | Lou's Christmas Tree Farm | Mayflower Inn & Spa | Mohawk Mountain Ski Area | Montana Nights Axe Throwing | Mount Southington Ski Area | New Britain Museum of American Art | Northford Ice Pavilion | Olde Mistick Village | Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort | Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field | Quaker Diner | Railroad Museum of New England/Naugatuck Railroad Company | Salt Cave of Darien | Sayulita | Seaside Shadows Haunted History Tours | Shore Line Trolley Museum | Ski Sundown | The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum | The Dudley Farm Museum | The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk | The Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk | The Shops at Farmington Valley | The Spa at Norwich Inn | Thrillz High Flying Adventure Park | Town of Bethlehem | Town of Greenwich | Town of Hebron | Town of Litchfield | Trumbull Nature & Arts Center | Waypoint Spirits | White Memorial Foundation | Wickham Park | Winding Trails Cross Country Ski Center | Yurechko Tree Farm

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 Central Connecticut this Fall

When the air is crisp and vibrant foliage hues emerge, so do safe and fun fall activities. From active adventure and family fun to relaxation and romantic escapes, here’s your guide to the fall season in Central Connecticut.

Featuring: 5 Churches Brewing | Abigail's Grille & Wine Bar | Ancient Burying Ground of Hartford | BAR | Bear's Smokehouse (Hartford) | Bear's Smokehouse (New Haven) | Bear's Smokehouse (South Windsor) | Bear's Smokehouse (Windsor) | Belltown Hill Orchards | Berkshire Balloons | Bishop's Orchards Farm Market & Winery | Black Hall Outfitters - Westbrook | Boardman House Inn | Book Trader Café | Bradley Mountain Farm | Bradley Mountain Farm | Branford River Paddlesports, Kayaks and Tours | Brignole Vineyards | Buttermilk Lane Farm | By The Sea Day Spa | Cedar Hill Cemetery | City Climb Gym | City Gallery | City of Milford | City of New Britain | City of New Haven | Claire's Corner Copia | Collinsville Canoe & Kayak | Connecticut Historical Society Museum and Library | Copper Beech Inn | Corner Pug | Delamar Spa West Hartford | Divine Treasures | Drazen Orchards | Easy Pickin's Orchard | Empower Adventure Park at Nomads | Escape New Haven | Farmington Canal Linear Park | Flamig Farm | Flora | Fresh Salt at Saybrook Point Resort & Marina | Gallery on the Green | Geronimo Bar & Grill | Gillette Castle State Park | Goodspeed Musicals - The Goodspeed | Gouveia Vineyards | GrandView Camp Resort and Cottages | Griswold Inn Tap Room | Grove Street Cemetery | Guilford Art Center | Hey Day Antiques | Hickory Hill Orchards | Historic Wethersfield | Hops on the Hill Brewery | House of Naan Indian Kitchen & Bar | Hubbard Park & Castle Craig | IT Adventure Ropes Course | J. Timothy's Taverne | Johnny Appleseed's Farm | Johnson's Duckpin Lanes | Karabin Farms | Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center and Museum | Kinsmen Brewing Company | Lenny & Joe's Fish Tale Restaurant (Westbrook) | Lyman Orchards | Maple View Farm | Maple View Farm | Mattabesett Blue Trail | McLean Game Refuge | Middletown Roller Skating Rink | Milford Historical Society | Millers Pond State Park | Montana Nights Axe Throwing | New England Cider Company | On Track Karting | Overshores Brewing Company | Penwood State Park | Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort | R.J. Julia Booksellers | Ray of Light Farm | Real Art Ways | Rhythm Brewing Company | Rockland Preserve | Rogers Orchards Shuttle Meadow Farm | Rose's Berry Farm | Sayulita | Scranton Seahorse Inn | Simsbury 1820 House | Smash Avenue | Soarin' Indoors | Stanley-Whitman House | Stowe's Seafood | Talcott Mountain State Park | Tap & vine | Ted's Montana Grill | The Children's Museum | The Chowder Pot of Hartford | The Pickin Patch at Woodford Farm | The Place 2 Be | The Wallingford Victorian Inn | Thimble Island Brewing Company | Three Girls Vegan Creamery | Town of Avon | Town of Chester | Town of Essex | Town of Farmington | Town of Glastonbury | Town of Hamden | Town of Hamden | Town of Manchester | Town of Old Saybrook | Town of Portland | Town of West Hartford | Traveler Restaurant | Treat Farm | Union League Café | Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art | Webb Deane Stevens Museum | West Rock Ridge State Park | Wickham Park | Wolf's Den Family Campground | Yale Center for British Art | Yankee Cider Barn at Staehly Farms