Country Fair Season is Here

Late summer/early fall is country fair time in Connecticut. Across the state, you’ll find authentic country fairs that have been an annual event here for generations. From midways to music, livestock competitions to deep-fried everything, there’s no better way to spend a day, night or weekend than at the fair! Here’s a short list of just a few of the fairs happening in August and September.

Featuring: City of Norwalk | Town of Berlin | Town of Bethlehem | Town of Brooklyn | Town of Durham | Town of Goshen | Town of Guilford | Town of Haddam | Town of Harwinton | Town of Hebron | Town of Somers | Town of Woodstock

Step Back in Time in These Connecticut Towns and Cities

Connecticut is home to towns and cities rich with history. From the Native Americans to the earliest European settlers, the revolutionary war era to the industrial revolution, so much of our past is so well preserved, it’s worth planning a visit just to travel back in time. Once you’re there, you’ll walk in the footsteps of forefathers and enjoy a modern taste of these vibrant, welcoming destinations. You can find a wealth of historic information on any of these towns and many more from our friends at ConnecticutHistory.org.

Featuring: Ancient Burying Ground of Hartford | Argia Mystic Cruises | B&B at Bartlett Farm | Black Rock Fort and Fort Nathan Hale | Butler-McCook House & Garden | Chester Bulkley House B&B | City of Hartford | City of New Haven | City of Norwich | Connecticut Audubon Society Birdcraft Museum & Sanctuary | Connecticut Freedom Trail | Connecticut's Old State House | Fairfield Museum & History Center | Guilford Walking Tours | Harriet Beecher Stowe Center | Heirloom Market at Comstock Ferre | Henry Whitfield State Museum | Historic Mystic Harbor Tours | Hyland House Museum (1713) | Indian Burial Grounds | Keeler Tavern Museum (c.1713) | Leffingwell House Museum | Marriott Hartford Downtown | Mount Crescent House B&B | Mystic River Historical Society | Mystic Seaport Museum | New Haven Museum | Norwich Heritage & Regional Visitors’ Center | Ogden House & Gardens | S&P Oyster Co. | Spa at Delamar Southport | Steamboat Inn | Taste of New Haven Tours | The Dudley Farm Museum | The Mark Twain House & Museum | The Study at Yale | The West Lane Inn | Thomas Griswold House | Town of Fairfield | Town of Guilford | Town of Mystic | Town of Ridgefield | Town of Wethersfield | Uncas Leap | Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art | Webb Deane Stevens Museum | Weir Farm National Historic Site | Wethersfield Historical Society | Yale University Visitor Center

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

Hiking (and Biking) with a View

Sometimes the hike is its own reward. Other times, there’s nothing like reaching the summit of a great hike and being greeted with an amazing vista. As activities will look a little different right now, outdoor recreation is a great way to safely enjoy the season. Here are some spots where you’ll find spectacular high points you can reach easily by hiking (or in some cases, mountain biking) Connecticut’s trails.

Featuring: Cabela's | City of Danbury | Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center | Hubbard Park & Castle Craig | Old Furnace State Park | Shenipsit State Forest | Sleeping Giant State Park | Talcott Mountain State Park | Tarrywile Park & Mansion | The Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk | Town of Guilford | Town of Kent | Town of Ledyard | Town of Manchester | Town of New Hartford | Town of Salisbury | Town of Washington | West Rock Ridge State Park

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

Roadside Food Extravaganza

One thing that's great about Connecticut's compact, manageable size is that you're never far from a great roadside meal, especially in summer. In fact, there are so many good ones that we couldn't stop at five or 10 or even 15 - our list of 20 doesn't even cover the entire scene, of course, but it's a good place to start. Here they are, in brief and in alphabetical order. Can you get to them all?

Featuring: Abbott's Lobster in the Rough | Blackie's Hot Dogs | Captain Scott's Lobster Dock | City of Bristol | Clam Castle | Glenwood Drive-In | Guida's Drive-in Restaurant | Harry's Place | Sea Swirl of Mystic | Stowe's Seafood | Town of Bethel | Town of Fairfield | Town of Guilford | Town of New Milford | Town of Old Saybrook | Town of Southbury | Town of Southington | Town of Stratford

Outdoor Summer Concert Series 2019

Summer nights, warm breezes, stars up above and music filling the air – how divine! With many outdoor concerts happening around the state this summer, you can enjoy musical days and nights with family and friends. Bring a picnic, relax, and savor the melodies of summer. Here are just a few of the annual music events going on right now in Connecticut. To find events near you, visit our Events Calendar.

Featuring: Blackie's Hot Dogs | Bushnell Park | Cava Restaurant | City of Bristol | City of Hartford | City of New Britain | City of Stamford | Elbow Room | Hill-Stead Museum | Lady Katharine Cruises - Hartford | Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts | Mansfield Drive-In Theatre & Marketplace | RiverQuest | Sharon Playhouse | Town of Branford | Town of Durham | Town of East Haddam | Town of Falls Village (Canaan) | Town of Guilford | Town of Hamden | Town of Norfolk | Town of Putnam | Town of Simsbury | Town of Stonington | Town of Washington | Town of Woodbury | Two Roads Area 2 | Two Roads Brewing Company

Hike 8 of Connecticut’s Coolest Treks

Whether passing through forests, along mountain ridges or in wetland preserves, Connecticut’s hiking trails offer a range of things to experience, from soaring views and lush scenery to winding rivers and even a waterfall or two. So we got some advice from someone who knows them well. Rob McWilliams is an avid hiker who details his four-season adventures on western and central Connecticut trails in his blog, McWilliams Takes a Hike. He shared a few of his favorite hikes with us, along with tips on what to look for, how to get there and even where to park (including GPS coordinates).

Featuring: Lake Waramaug State Park | Lucius Pond Ordway/Devil's Den Preserve | Mount Riga State Park | New England National Scenic Trail | People's State Forest | Timberlands Trails | Town of Guilford | Town of Redding | Town of Sharon

7 Connecticut Towns for Fall Family Fun

Meet the CT Ambassadors! 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, like blogger Mommy Poppins.

From apple picking to leaf peeping, fall in Connecticut is made for family fun!  The perfect fall weekend is a mixture of quality time with the family, festivals, farms, and tons of fresh air. Connecticut has enough Fall fun to fill up an entire weekend and then some. From cider in Mystic to the farms of Easton, every corner of the Nutmeg State exudes autumnal charm just begging to be explored. Make sure to check out Mommy Poppins for more fun things to do in Connecticut this fall. 

Featuring: Abigail's Grille & Wine Bar | B.F. Clyde's Cider Mill | Bishop's Orchards Farm Market & Winery | Breck Marshall at Mystic Seaport | Connecticut Shoreline Bike/Boat Tour | Covered Bridge Electric Bike Rental | Ellsworth Hill Orchard & Berry Farm | Flamig Farm | Gold Rush Farm LLC | Gozzi's Turkey Farm | Lee's Riding Stable | Millwright's Restaurant | Mystic Seaport Museum | Seaside Shadows Haunted History Tours | Silverman's Farm | Sport Hill Farm | Talcott Mountain State Park | The Place | Town of Cornwall | Town of Easton | Town of Guilford | Town of Litchfield | Town of Mystic | Town of Redding | Town of Simsbury | TreeTrails Adventures Mystic

Connecticut's Foliage Finder: Week-by-Week Guide

Planning a New England leaf-peeping trip? Drive no farther than Connecticut! Since we offer New England's longest foliage season, you’ll find amazing color here throughout October and into November. To help you plan your trip, we’ve provided this handy guide showing peak foliage areas by week, courtesy of our friends at the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, as well as suggestions for seven driving loop tours.

Featuring: City of Danbury | City of Hartford | City of New Haven | City of New London | City of Norwich | City of Stamford | City of Waterbury | Macedonia Brook State Park | People's State Forest | Shenipsit State Forest | Talcott Mountain State Park | Town of Branford | Town of Greenwich | Town of Guilford | Town of Kent | Town of Litchfield | Town of Mansfield | Town of Norfolk | Town of Simsbury | Town of Woodstock

10 Connecticut Travel Resolutions for 2020

Every year around this time, we make resolutions for the year ahead. Most of these promises to ourselves don’t survive January, but we’ve got 10 resolution ideas that can easily be accomplished next year, all right here in Connecticut. So, make 2019 the year you …

Featuring: A Yankee Balloon | Adventure Park at Storrs | Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum | Adventure Rooms | Aer Blarney Balloons, LLC | Berkshire Balloons | Brownstone Adventure Sports Park | Dalice Elizabeth | Empower Adventure Park at Nomads | Escape 101 | Escape New Haven | Guided Flyfishing Trips-Housatonic River Outfitters | Jones Family Farms | Mountain Meadow Outfitters and Charters | Mystified Escape Rooms | Panic Room | Saybrook Point Resort & Marina | Shoreline Segway | Skydive Danielson | Team vs Time - Premier Room Escape | Town of Guilford | Town of Hamden | Town of Trumbull | Town of Westport | Town of Wilton | TreeTrails Adventures Mystic | Wigwam Escape

Celebrating Black History in Connecticut

Connecticut is rich with Black history and stories of the trailblazing efforts that African American people have contributed to American History. With such abundant history comes many ways to celebrate it, especially during February for Black History Month. Explore the state that spawned Harriet Beecher Stowe, whose abolitionist Uncle Tom’s Cabin helped changed the world, the first boarding school for women of color, the birthplace of a famous abolitionist and more!

Featuring: Amistad Center for Art & Culture | Canton Historical Museum | City of Hartford | City of New Haven | City of Stamford | City of Torrington | Connecticut Freedom Trail | Garde Arts Center | Harriet Beecher Stowe Center | Mattatuck Museum | Norwich Arts Center | Prudence Crandall Museum | The Klein | The Mark Twain House & Museum | Torrington History Museum | Town of Guilford | Town of North Haven | Town of West Hartford | Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art

Virtual Activities for Families

As the weeks of keeping our families safe at home continue, parents are looking for virtual activities to engage, teach, and add some structure to their kids’ day. 

Many popular Connecticut attractions are now offering a wide array of virtual experiences from live animal webcams, to arts and crafts classes, science demonstrations, yoga classes for kids and nightly bedtime story readings. Enjoy these as a family, or grab a little time away without feeling guilty about your kids’ screen time.

Due to the rapidly evolving situation, we encourage you to check back frequently for updates to this list and to verify offering details with individual properties.

Featuring: Ballard Institute & Museum of Puppetry | City of Bridgeport | City of Danbury | City of Meriden | City of New Haven | Connecticut Science Center | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo | Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center | Fairfield Museum & History Center | Gunn Memorial Library & Historical Museum | Imagine Nation, A Museum Early Learning Center | KidsPlay Children's Museum | Lake Compounce Theme Park | Mattatuck Museum | Meigs Point Nature Center | Mystic Aquarium | Mystified Escape Rooms | Quassy Amusement & Waterpark | Shubert Theatre | Stepping Stones Museum for Children | The Children's Museum | The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk | Town of Ashford | Town of Berlin | Town of Bethel | Town of Cheshire | Town of Cheshire | Town of Essex | Town of Guilford | Town of Hamden | Town of Madison | Town of Mystic | Town of Portland | Town of Salisbury | Town of Stonington | Town of Wallingford | Town of Wallingford | Town of West Hartford | Town of Westport | Westport Country Playhouse

32 Things to Do in Connecticut This January

Looking for something to do in Connecticut in January? 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 January.

Featuring: Abigail's Grille & Wine Bar | Adventure Rooms | Bantam Lake | Blackstones Grille | Blue Ox Axe Throwing - Bridgeport | Bruce Museum | Cabela's | City of Norwalk | Connecticut River Museum | Florence Griswold Museum | Fresh Salt at Saybrook Point Resort & Marina | Guided Flyfishing Trips-Housatonic River Outfitters | International Skating Center of Connecticut | Lake Waramaug State Park | Lyman Allyn Art Museum | Meadowbrook Estate and Mansion | Mohawk Mountain Ski Area | Mohawk State Forest | Mount Southington Ski Area | Muse Paintbar (Glastonbury) | Muse Paintbar (Norwalk) | Muse Paintbar (West Hartford) | Mystic Aquarium | On Track Karting | Pine & Iron Axe Throwing - Hartford | Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort | Ski Sundown | The Goodwin Hotel | The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk | Thrillz High Flying Adventure Park | Town of Chester | Town of Guilford | Town of West Hartford | Town of Westport | Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art | White Memorial Conservation Center Museum | Winding Trails Cross Country Ski Center | Yale Center for British Art

33 Things to Do in Connecticut This February

Looking for something to do in Connecticut in February? 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 February.

Featuring: Bantam Lake | Central Rock Gym | Chatfield Hollow State Park | City Climb Gym | City of New Haven | City of Stamford | Connecticut Antiques Trail | Connecticut Science Center | Covered Bridge Electric Bike Rental | EverWonder Children's Museum | Foxwoods Resort Casino | Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana - New Haven | Greenwich Historical Society | Hill-Stead Museum | James L. Goodwin State Forest | Keeler Tavern Museum (c.1713) | KidsPlay Children's Museum | Lake Waramaug State Park | Lutz Children's Museum | Modern Apizza | Mohawk Mountain Ski Area | Mohegan Sun | Monza World Class Karting at Foxwoods | Mystic Aquarium | Niantic Children's Museum | On Track Karting | PEZ Visitor Center | People's State Forest | Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort | Sally's Apizza | Salt Cave of Darien | Ski Sundown | Sky Zone - Norwalk | Soulshine Salt Cavern | The Children's Museum | The Goodwin Hotel | The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk | Town of Avon | Town of Guilford | Town of Southbury | Town of Trumbull | White Memorial Foundation | Winding Trails Cross Country Ski Center

Country Fair Season in Central Connecticut

Fan of deep fried treats, games and rides? When late summer/early fall hits, it's country fair time in Hartford and New Haven counties. Across the region, you’ll find authentic country fairs that have been an annual event here for generations — and there’s no better way to spend a day, night or weekend than at the fair! Of course, many of these beloved events were put on hold for 2020, but hope to see a return in 2021. Here’s a short list of fairs to plan to attend.

Featuring: Town of Berlin | Town of Durham | Town of East Hampton | Town of Guilford | Town of Hebron | Town of Orange

Book Your Connecticut Beach Rental Now!

Now’s the time to secure your rental property so you won’t miss out on a summer vacation at the Connecticut shore! Imagine relaxing days swimming and sunbathing, taking walks along the beach searching for seashells, planning outdoor gatherings by the barbecue and discovering your favorite ice cream spot.  For families, Connecticut offers several shoreline communities that are ideal for fun in the sun and lazy days at the beach.

Featuring: Allis-Bushnell House and Museum (c.1785) | Audubon Guilford Salt Meadow Sanctuary | Bishop's Orchards Farm Market & Winery | Black Hall Outfitters - Old Lyme | Chaffinch Island Park | Chamard Vineyards | Clinton Antique Center | Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets | Florence Griswold Museum | Foxwoods Resort Casino | General William Hart House (c.1767) | Henry Whitfield State Museum | Hey Day Antiques | Indian River Kayak | Jacob's Beach | Lyme Academy of Fine Arts | Meigs Point Nature Center | Mohegan Sun | Mystic Aquarium | Mystic Arbor Cottage | Mystic Seaport Museum | Old Beautiful | Penny Lane Pub Restaurant | R.J. Julia Booksellers | Saybrook Home | Saybrook Point Park | Shoreline Segway | Studio 80 + Sculpture Grounds | The Sculpture Mile | The Village Chocolatier | Town of Clinton | Town of Guilford | Town of Madison | Town of Mystic | Town of Old Lyme | Town of Old Saybrook

Virtual Activities for At-Home Experiences

Connecticut attractions, museums and entertainment venues have temporarily closed in order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. But that doesn’t mean you can’t visit—virtually.

Here are a few popular attractions across Connecticut that have created special online experiences or projects to entertain, teach and engage you while you stay safe at home.

Due to the rapidly evolving situation, we encourage you to check back frequently for updates and to verify offering details with individual properties.

Featuring: Artspace | Avon Theatre Film Center | Ballard Institute & Museum of Puppetry | Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens | Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library | Bradley Playhouse | Bruce Museum | Cafe Aura | City of Bristol | City of Danbury | City of Hartford | City of New Haven | Connecticut Art Trail | Connecticut Historical Society Museum and Library | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo | Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center | Eli Whitney Museum | Fairfield Museum & History Center | Fairfield Theatre Company | Fairfield University Art Museum | Fitstyle Walking Tours | Florence Griswold Museum | Glastonbury Planetarium | Goodspeed Musicals - The Goodspeed | Harriet Beecher Stowe Center | Hartford Public Library | Hartford Stage | Henry Whitfield State Museum | Imagine Nation, A Museum Early Learning Center | Kehler Liddell Gallery | KidsPlay Children's Museum | Lake Compounce Theme Park | Lyman Allyn Art Museum | Lyme Art Association | Maritime Grille | Mattatuck Museum | Meigs Point Nature Center | Mohegan Sun | Mystic Aquarium | Mystic Seaport Museum | Mystified Escape Rooms | New England Air Museum | New England Carousel Museum | Niantic Children's Museum | Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society | Norfolk Chamber Music Festival | Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine | PEZ Visitor Center | Palace Theater | Pequot Library | Playhouse on Park | Quassy Amusement & Waterpark | Roseland Cottage Museum | Seaside Shadows Haunted History Tours | Slater Memorial Museum | Stafford Motor Speedway | Stamford Museum & Nature Center | The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum | The Children's Museum | The Glass House | The Mark Twain House & Museum | TheaterWorks | Town of Ashford | Town of Guilford | Town of Hamden | Town of Orange | Town of Salisbury | Town of Stonington | Town of West Hartford | Town of Westport | Town of Wethersfield | Town of Woodbridge | United States Coast Guard Academy | Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art | Wadsworth Mansion | Westport Country Playhouse | Westport Museum for History & Culture | White Memorial Conservation Center Museum | William Benton Museum of Art | Wilton Historical Society | Windham Textile and History Museum | Woodcock Nature Center | Yale Center for British Art | Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History | Yale University Art Gallery | Yale University Visitor Center

Connecticut’s Country Fairs 2021

It’s that time of the year again when Connecticut welcomes the summer and fall seasons with carnivals, festivals, and fairs in every corner of the state.  With tons of activities, entertainment, live music, and delicious food, the only difficult choice will be deciding which ones to attend. Take the family to the same fair you went to as a child or check out a new one. Everyone can enjoy observing the animal exhibits up close, seeing an antique tractor pull or livestock show, taking in live music, perusing locally made food and even indulging in a piece (or two) of fried dough. Connecticut has agricultural fairs that are major fairs, district fairs, 4-H fairs, and local fairs. Here are some of the major fairs happening around the state. You can see the full calendar for 2021 at http://www.ctagfairs.org.

Featuring: Town of Berlin | Town of Bethlehem | Town of Brooklyn | Town of Chester | Town of Durham | Town of Goshen | Town of Guilford | Town of Haddam | Town of Harwinton | Town of Hebron | Town of Lebanon | Town of North Haven | Town of North Stonington | Town of Orange | Town of Portland | Town of Somers | Town of South Windsor | Town of Wolcott | Town of Woodstock

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

Unique Places to Stay — Connecticut's Most Unconventional Accommodations

Ever slept in a helicopter? Or booked an overnight in a luxury treehouse? When getting away, why not make every detail extraordinary – including where you stay. Connecticut’s unconventional accommodations make for truly unique experiences and endless Instagram photo-ops. From refurbished spaces and glamping tents to modern marvels, storybook-like cottages and beyond, here are some of the state’s most one-of-a-kind places to stay.

Featuring: Captain Grant's, 1754 | City of Norwich | City of Stamford | Club Getaway | Finnegan's Farm, West | House of 1833 B&B | Lake Compounce Campground | Lake Compounce Theme Park | Saybrook Point Resort & Marina | Sticks and Stones Farm | The Study at Yale | Town of Bethlehem | Town of Cornwall | Town of Deep River | Town of Essex | Town of Granby | Town of Guilford | Town of Salisbury | Town of Stonington | Town of Thompson | Town of Willington | Town of Woodbridge | Winvian Farm | Woolley Acres Farm