| 
Be a sport and dive right into the action this summer by taking advantage of one of the many exciting adventures awaiting in Connecticut. From hiking, biking and boating to fishing, camping and golfing, Connecticut has practically every activity imaginable. 
Camping Resorts
Get lost in the exhilarating Connecticut wilderness at one of many family camping resorts throughout the state! Take in the ocean-cooled breeze, westerly views of rolling wooded hills and magnificent sunsets at the Mystic KOA Camping Grounds in North Stonington. Set amidst one of Connecticut’s first farms, with century-old maples, stonewalls and reproduction colonial architecture all around, this campground is the perfect destination for a classic New England getaway. For a true outdoors experience, there is a variety of secluded tent sites and a three-acre field for groups. Or if roughing it is not your idea of fun, enjoy the specialty accommodations like the Mystic cottage and Mystic lodge, featuring such amenities as air-conditioning, private bathrooms, free Wi-fi and more. If you decide to leave the grounds, there are plenty of attractions in the greater Mystic area to take advantage of, including Rhode Island beaches, Mystic Seaport and Aquarium, Foxwoods Resort Casino and the Mohegan Sun Resort Casino. Enjoy the beauty and serenity of the Connecticut woods at Odetah Campground in Bozrah, voted ‘The Most Beautiful Campground in Connecticut’ by Frommer’s. On-site amenities include: The Oasis, Odetah’s beachside café offering live entertainment, bonfires, beachside dining and drinks and plenty of reasons to gather with family and friends; a heated swimming pool and 15-person Jacuzzi spa; a 32-acre lake with a 25-foot water trampoline; an 18-hole miniature golf course and so much more! For a unique camping experience, stay in one of the campground’s yurts – circular dwellings inspired by those which the nomadic people of Central Asia and the Far East have lived in. Odetah’s yurts can sleep up to five people and are complete with such amenities as electricity (indoor and outdoor), a refrigerator, bunked beds with twin and double mattresses, a fold-out double size futon, Adirondack chairs and a relaxing porch. Off-site, visit nearby historical sites, take scenic drives and walks, go on challenging hikes and much more. The 160-acre Strawberry Park Resort Campground in Preston is nestled in the heart of southeastern Connecticut, in a region of lakes, streams and ocean beaches. Conveniently located near all the major points of interest, Strawberry Park offers a wide variety of campsites, ranging from open lawns, wooded and shaded sites, to secluded sites. Plan your visit just right and capture one of the many events hosted by the campground throughout the summer, including the 13th Annual “Blast for the Bayou” Cajun/Zydeco Festival going on June 4 through 7. The park also offers camping specials throughout the summer and amenities such as playgrounds, swimming pools and a video arcade. Check out the camp’s site for a full list of events and specials. Nestled away in the Berkshire foothills at the base of Canaan Mountain, the Lone Oak Campsite of East Canaan offers an outdoor adventure you will not soon forget. Spread over 250 acres with 500 campsites, Lone Oak lets you camp under the cool canopy of the woods or in a sun-drenched field. Throughout the summer, Lone Oaks offers camping specials and hosts themed weekends for campsite patrons including a Hawaiian weekend, a country weekend and a Christmas in August weekend! Wilderness Lake Campground of Willington is set serenely on over 100 acres of pristine countryside with a freshwater lake for swimming, boating and fishing. There is something for everyone at Wilderness Lake with mini-golf, trails for hiking and biking, horse-shoe pits, a tribal village, game rooms, playgrounds, a lodge with home-theater entertainment and a new basketball court all within minutes of the campsites! Located on 35 scenic acres in the beautiful Connecticut River Valley, the Wolf’s Den Family Campground in East Haddam offers all the makings for a great family getaway. Individuals or groups are welcome for a day or a season. The campground facilities are open for family or company picnics or outings, with all scheduled activities available as well as custom programs. Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison is more than a campground. It is Connecticut's largest shoreline park and offers more than two miles of beach to enjoy swimming, strolling along the boardwalk or just relaxing in the sun and surf. There is a playground for the kids, a large field great for flying kites or Wiffleball games and plenty of biking areas. Take a moonlight stroll on the new boardwalk and catch an incredible view of the night’s starry sky. 
Kayaking and Canoeing
Paddle your way through Connecticut for a one-of-a-kind look at its many offerings. The Thimble Islands, an archipelago of small islands off the Branford coastline, feature ample nooks and crannies to explore by kayak. Connecticut Coastal Kayaking in Lyme offers guided kayak tours through these islands, once home to Tom Thumb and President Taft. Legend has it that pirate Captain William Kidd buried treasure there while hiding from the British navy. Beside the beautiful and unique homes of the islands’ residents, kayakers will also spot a variety of waterfowl. For canoers and kayakers seeking rapids, the Farmington River has water trails for all levels. Outfits along the river, such as Main Stream Canoes and Kayaks in New Hartford, offer lessons, rentals and guided trips. Along the way, paddlers will see a variety of wildlife, from otters along the banks to eagles overhead. Huck Finn Adventures in Collinsville combines history with the outdoors during its Lost Park River Tour, an underground canoe trip through tunnels in the city of Hartford. Participants learn about the history of Connecticut’s capital city as they navigate through the darkness. The Norwalk Islands are another paddling playground. This chain of islands continues for six miles beyond Norwalk Harbor. Three of the islands are part of the Stewart B. McKinney Wildlife Refuge, a sanctuary to many waterfowl. For a true night on the sea, Cockenoe, Shea and Grassy Islands provide overnight camping. Collinsville Canoe & Kayak offers a guided kayak tour of the islands that includes a stop at the Sheffield Island Lighthouse, built in 1868. On a clear day, you can see the skyscrapers of Manhattan from the top of the lighthouse.
|  | 
Hiking and Biking Hotspots
Leave the car behind for a day and explore Connecticut’s diverse landscape by foot or bike. Mohawk State Forest in Cornwall is one of the state’s largest parks, offering hikers a 30-mile trail system that winds through deep forests, open fields, a black spruce bog and up steep mountainsides. Lookout towers offer panoramic views while you rest. In Hamden, Sleeping Giant State Park’s ridges cause the mountain to resemble the profile of a person lying on his or her back. But there’s no time for rest at this park! Thirteen trails of varying difficulty – including a nature trail and tower trail – cover more than 30 miles of land. Hike through pastoral fields, dense forests and country towns on Connecticut’s portion of the Appalachian Trail. The trail stretches 52 miles down the northwest corner of the state and passes cozy country inns, historic covered bridges and gently streaming rivers. For bikers, the Air Line State Park Trail begins in East Hampton and stretches for 50 miles through the hills of Connecticut, ending in Thompson. Dating back to the 1800s, this trail originally served as a railroad track for “fast-speed” trains, offering a straight diagonal route through Connecticut – as if the line had been drawn in the air. Bikers and hikers alike can enjoy the recently constructed Farmington Valley Greenway, a 26-mile multi-use trail that spans five towns along the Farmington River, and its spur route, the Farmington River Trail, which follows abandoned rail beds through Farmington, Unionville, Burlington, Collinsville and Canton. These trails pass by stone arches, historic buildings, canal locks and iron bridges, offering visitors a glimpse into central Connecticut’s history.
Fisherman’s Paradise
With serene lakes, rushing rivers and miles of coastline, Connecticut is the ideal place to get hooked on fishing! If river fishing is your forte, head to the Housatonic, one of the northeast’s top fishing rivers. Outfitters in Cornwall sell fishing licenses and supplies, as well as offer guided trips with fishing pros who can help you navigate the waters. Spend the night in the great outdoors at Housatonic Meadows State Park’s campground. The next morning, you can fish right at the park. If you prefer the quiet still of a lake, cast your line at Candlewood Lake in New Milford, Connecticut’s largest man-made lake. The lake is stocked with bass, trout, walleye, catfish and panfish. Rent a boat for the day at the Echo Bay Marina in nearby Brookfield. Deep-sea fishermen can reel in flounder, blackfish, striped bass and bluefish in Long Island Sound. Outfits along the coastline, like the Daystar out of Captain’s Cove in Bridgeport, offer small and/or private guided trips. Other outfits, like Sunbeam Fleets in Waterford and Blackhawk II in Niantic, host large party boat trips. For the brave of heart, Rock and Roll Charters in Clinton offers guided shark fishing tours in the waters off Montauk, N.Y., known for some of the best shark fishing in the world.
Hit the Links (and the Hay)
Like to golf? Then you’ve come to the right place. With more than 70 public courses designed for a range of skill levels, Connecticut fits golf enthusiasts such as yourself to a tee. Named one of “America’s Best Courses You Can Play” by Golfweek and one of “America’s Top Courses” by the Zagat Survey, the 900-acre Lake of Isles at Foxwoods Resort Casino was designed by renowned golf architect Rees Jones and includes rolling terrain, island greens and tees and breathtaking views. In short, it’s awesome. The 7,300 yards of championship tees, suited for all levels, is yours to conquer. If you need a little crash course before driving away, take a class taught by PGA professionals at the on-site Lake of Isles Golf Academy. Sign up for a two- or three-day class and you’ve got yourself the perfect excuse to stay the night at one of the resort’s three on-property hotels or the new MGM Grand at Foxwoods. Picture this: 36 holes against a backdrop of rolling hills and orchard trees. We are talking about Lyman Orchards Golf Club in Middlefield. There you will find two golf courses – one a qualifying site for the Buick Championship of the PGA Tour and the other designed by golfer world-renowned Gary Player – both of which are ranked among Connecticut’s “Top 10 Public Golf Courses” and were recognized as some of the best courses to play in the United States by the Zagat Survey and Zagat.com. The Lyman Orchards Golf Academy also offers special programs for beginners, juniors, women and advanced golfers. After working up an appetite on the course, indulge in the orchard’s signature Hi-Top Apple Pie, voted “Connecticut’s Best Apple Pie” by Connecticut Magazine. Then, why not make a night of it and stay at one of the nearby hotels, including the Courtyard by Marriott in Wallingford and the Crowne Plaza Cromwell — both of which offer special Lyman Orchard rates. Overlooking the Meshomasic State Forest and Connecticut River, Quarry Ridge Golf Course in Portland offers 18 holes on varied elevations. As you putt along, try not to be distracted by the savory aroma coming from the Quarry Ridge Restaurant, which serves up casual, grilled fare on weekdays and creative American cuisine Friday through Sunday nights. If you are looking for a way to stretch your day of golf into a night or weekend of fun, try the Inn at Middletown. Right in the heart of Main Street Middletown, the inn gives you front row seats to an array of restaurants and unique shopping. Give your swing a true test at Tunxis Plantation Country Club’s 45 championship holes or at the on-site driving range. The club, located in Farmington, features two 18-hole courses and one nine-hole course – all with pristine greens and small ponds featuring waterfalls – to meet various skill levels. Nearby Centennial Inn Suites, also in Farmington, offers a unique all-inclusive golf package – the name of which certainly will catch your eye: Burger, Beer & Golf Package.
|
