The State of Connecticut: More than Meets the Eye!

June 23, 2022

With its natural beauty, world-class casinos, renowned museums, adrenaline-pumping activities, neon nightlife, live music scene, cultural festivals, foodie finds and much more, Connecticut offers a unique blend of experiences – even more than you’d expect.

There are five diverse regions in Connecticut, each with its own personality. Fairfield County, Litchfield Hills, Mystic Country, Greater New Haven and River Valley, each appeal to a variety of different types of travelers – whether they’re looking to relax and recharge or enjoy some adventurous family fun.

Culinary

Connecticut’s foodie scene takes the cake. From the nation’s #1 pizza and a variety of cuisines to wineries and breweries, visitors can get their fill at these spots throughout the state.

Arts & Music

Connecticut’s live music scene is always growing, with great venues and new festivals each year. You’ll find many critically-acclaimed theater destinations plus cool art spaces like Real Art Ways, The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, the Knowlton, and plenty of outdoor murals.

Accommodations

Across the state, you’ll find awesome accommodations of all types – by the water, in the city, in the country, and luxury spots too. For those who think outside-of-the-box, Connecticut offers unconventional accommodations from treehouses and storybook cottages to glamping sites, lighthouse suites, and more.

Romance

For couples, there are romantic and luxurious country inns, such as The Mayflower Grace in Washington, The Bee & Thistle Inn in Old Lyme or the Griswold Inn in Essex, acclaimed restaurants, dazzling boat rides along the Connecticut River or Long Island Sound and fine wineries spread out across the state. Plus, find unique date spots that’ll impress any date!

Family Fun

Families and kids love the water and theme park attractions, such as Lake Compounce Theme Park in Bristol and Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury, as well as acclaimed children’s museums and aquariums, such as The Maritime Aquarium at NorwalkMystic SeaportMystic AquariumStepping Stones Museum in Norwalk and The New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks. Find even more ideas for family fun here.

Gaming

Adults can test their luck at the world-famous Mohegan Sun or Foxwoods Resort Casino, where they can also take in exciting live entertainment, fine dining, relaxing spa treatments, golf and more.

Outdoors & Adrenaline

Connecticut does outdoor adventure really well. Visitors can get out and take in our 110 state parks, 32 state forests, and literally hundreds of outdoor activities. We offer great hiking trails, biking trails,  inland and coastal fishing, and many ways to get out on the water. Find even more fun at Brownstone Exploration & Discovery Park in Portland, EMPOWER Leadership Sports & Adventure Center in Middletown and the Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort in Middlefield. For the adrenaline junkies, there’s plenty to love – from skydiving to mountain climbing and UTV adventures.

History

History and culture buffs will marvel at the plethora of historical homes like the Florence Griswold House in Old Lyme, the Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington and the Bush-Holley Historic Site in Greenwich. Renowned art and famous architecture can be found throughout the state, from Yale University in New Haven, the Mark Twain House in Hartford and The Philip Johnson Glass House in New Canaan to the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum in Norwalk, the Prudence Crandall Museum in Canterbury and The Sloane-Stanley Museum in Kent, which features the studio and artwork collections of Eric Sloane.

LGBTQ+

Connecticut is a place for everyone—so all our fun is LGBTQ+ friendly fun. But there are some spots and events that are particularly popular with the LGBTQ+ crowd. Discover nightlife, drag shows, and pride events worth traveling for.

Multicultural

Connecticut has long welcomed people from many different cultures. And the impact of all those cultures has spiced our culinary scene, created so many annual festivals and continues to add to the richness of life in Connecticut. Find multicultural food destinations and events here.

Just a quick, scenic drive from New York, Boston and any other New England state, travelers of all interests enjoy Connecticut because they can create any kind of experience they want – no matter how unique or unexpected. Connecticut… there’s more than meets the eye.