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Day Trips in CT: Here are 50 fun things to do, from pizza to parks (and a castle, too)

New England News Collaborative | By Eda Uzunlar,

Published June 27, 2024 at 3:50 PM EDT

Hands reach across a glass counter towards two ice cream cones. — A customer picks up their ice cream order at the UConn Dairy Bar in Storrs, Conn. on Tuesday, June 18, 2024.

In the eyes of surrounding New England states, Connecticut might seem like it's got a bit of an identity crisis. We’re nestled between New York City and Boston, two vibrant cities that split our sports fandom and offer so much that even some life-long residents might shrug at what’s around them. But Connecticut is bursting with things to do in nature, history, the arts and more.

From the southern shoreline to the hills in the northwest, state parks and public gardens offer a break from the hustle and bustle. But we've got plenty of excitement too; our cities are packed with things to see, places to go and great food. Historically, Connecticut plays host to art that New York turned its nose up to — like the first Picasso gallery in America.

The Celtics might have just won their 18th NBA championship, but who needs the pros when you have UConn’s two title-winning college basketball teams? Oh, and pizza! Ours is the best. It’s not up for debate. Grab a slice (or a lobster roll – those are delicious, too) as a pit-stop on the way to our beaches.

We’ve broken up the state into five regions. Go out and explore!

Litchfield Hills | Eastern Shoreline | Capital Region | Quiet Corner | Western Shoreline

Litchfield Hills (Northwest Corner)

In autumn, leaf-peeping steals the show here, with colors blanketing the rolling landscape. But Connecticut’s northwest corner has many other gems, if you know where to look. From flowing waterfalls to relics of an industrial past, the Litchfield Hills are packed with spots to explore.

What to do if you're a …

Nature lover

West Cornwall Covered bridge in West Cornwall, Connecticut July 22, 2022.

Soak up a waterfall at Kent Falls. Feel the mist on your face as water plunges 70-feet into the mighty Housatonic River. Spring snow melts make the falls a memorable sight, but the scene is worth taking in any time of the year. A nice summer rain can really get those cascades pumping! Open daily, with a staircase winding its way up alongside the falls.

Joe Amon

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Connecticut Public
Kent Falls in Cornwall, Connecticut July 22, 2022.

Step back in time as you make your way across the West Cornwall Covered Bridge. Fall is best, but the eye-catching colors of this iconic mid-19th century bridge make for memorable photos any time of year. Bridge geeks will love the engineering, which uses treenails (wedged, wooden pegs found on covered bridges across New England) to hold the whole bridge together.

Why not go look for some charcoal? Connecticut’s forests are packed with hidden stories, including long-buried charcoal pits. Charcoal, the lifeblood of the state’s iron industry, fueled furnaces used to make weapons and wheels that rolled across America. Don’t miss the Beckley Furnace in East Canaan, a towering relic of that industrial past, where workers forged “pig iron,” so named for how the molten metal looked when it was poured – flowing crosswise to a channel called a "sow" and feeding smaller ingot molds.

Shopper

Vintage toys, gaudy light fixtures and unique musical vinyls are some of the many hidden (and often nostalgic) treasures waiting to be re-discovered on the massive floor of the The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with ample parking out front. A great spot for quirky gifts!
After antiquing, a short drive will take you to the LaSalle Market & Deli. A staple of Collinsville for years, this restaurant offers sit down dining, ice cream and live musical performances throughout the year – all in the heart of Collinsville’s historic downtown.
From LaSalle, a two-minute walk will take you to Antiques on the Farmington. This multi-seller space features dozens of dealers spread out over two floors. It’s a delightful collection of ephemera, with new goodies added daily. Open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Eastern Shoreline

Handcrafted oars dangle from the skylight at the Institute Library in New Haven, Conn.

Connecticut’s eastern shoreline encapsulates the picturesque New England summer-on-the-water scene, while simultaneously offering a packed list of activities that aren’t on the beach. The southeastern corner of the state has rich maritime history to explore, fresh offerings in culture and the arts, and the vibrant cityscape offered by New Haven. Though much of Connecticut’s shoreline is privately owned, there are plenty of chances to take a beach day – Hammonasset Beach is an entire state park devoted to the water. Take your time driving down the coastline and stop often – Mystic (home of the famous “Mystic Pizza,” though you might not see Julia Roberts) is a classic, but there’s always more to see than what meets the eye.

What to do if you’re a…

Historian

The Florence Griswold Museum has a notable and extensive collection of impressionist paintings, some of which were painted mere steps away from where they’re housed in Old Lyme, the center of American impressionism. The grounds consist of much more than a museum – the mansion that became the home of some 200 artists throughout the early 20th century is open for exploration. Its education center offers a nearly non-stop schedule.
- While you’re there, make a stop at Café Flo, where you can take a break to sit, sip, and enjoy the view of the Lieutenant River.
Eda Uzunlar/WSHU

Visitor Beverly Schirmeier recreates the scenery on the campus of the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, Conn.

High above the Connecticut River, a stone fortress known as Gillette Castle sits, waiting to be explored. The castle, located in what’s now Gillette Castle State Park, was built between 1914 and 1919 by actor William Gillette, best known for his role as Sherlock Holmes. In his will, Gillette, who had no spouse or children, simply expressed a desire not to leave the home to a “blithering sap-head who has no conception of where he is or with what surrounded.” The state took control of the castle a few years later. Explore the grand estate, as well as its surrounding trails.

The Institute Library is a historic gem that even some New Haven residents don't know about. Nestled between a tattoo parlor and a bike shop on Chapel Street near the New Haven Green, this nearly 200-year-old library is one of the few “membership” libraries to remain standing in the United States. Don’t be fooled – you don’t need to become a paying member of the space to visit. You’re free to drop by, peruse centuries’ worth of archival records about the area, make your way through the vinyl collection, and start up what will absolutely be some intriguing conversation on comfy couches upstairs.

Eda Uzunlar/WSHU

“De-Circulated, an Interpretation of Banned Books” by Karen Duncan Pape on display in the upstairs gallery at the Institute Library in New Haven, Conn.
- A little more history for you, since membership libraries are no longer all the rage: The advent of the public library system in the United States allowed for residents to borrow books — which, at the time, were quite expensive — without having to buy them. But before the public library came to New Haven, membership libraries were the only option. “In the case of New Haven, Connecticut, if you wanted to be able to read books, you basically had to be affiliated with Yale University,” said Eva Geertz, the library’s operations manager. “These were, like, working guys. And they had the brainchild, ‘we can sort of build a library system that people will pay a little bit to be a member of.’”

Creative

Aerial photograph of Goodspeed Opera House — The Goodspeed Opera House on the banks of the Connecticut River of East Haddam in 2024.

If you’re looking for a spot to get a book you never knew you wanted, this is the place. If you’re looking to meet some friendly people/cats/goats or to get lost in immaculate gardens with sweet signs to remind you of your way, this is also the place. The Book Barn, a favorite in Niantic, offers more than 500,000 titles, many of which are priced at just a few bucks. This pick is for the bookish kind, yes, but is also a place to visit for anyone who’s interested in inserting some child-like wonder into their day. There are three Book Barn locations in Niantic, all of which are wonderful, but the main show is at 41 West Main St.

Eda Uzunlar/WSHU

The ‘New Age/Occult’ book section on the grounds of the Book Barn in Niantic, Conn.
- If you’re looking for a good cup of coffee and a sweet treat to pair with your browsing, the waterside Sift Bakeshop is just down the street. The pecan sticky buns and ebbieoche (a hard-to-say, easy-to-eat braided cinnamon and sugar bread) are fan favorites.

According to its long-time staff member Dan McMahon, the best way to make the most of a visit to the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam is to spend all day in the area. Start the leisurely drive along the Connecticut River to this postcard town less than half an hour north of Niantic. On the way, stop in Chester, the neighboring town, to walk down the one-block downtown bursting with shops and restaurants. When you reach the Opera House – which doesn’t actually show any operas; it’s a stage strictly for musicals – have a drink overlooking the river in the house’s gorgeously refurbished bar.
- The shows you’ll see there are like no other. With two Tonys under its belt and a comparatively smaller theater that makes for an intimate experience, you’re bound to see a show that you won’t forget. There’s also a chance the show makes it to Broadway after its debut – more than 20 musicals that began at Goodspeed have done the same.
  - If you’re looking for a quick bite in the area, Goodspeed staff recommend Simon’s for sandwiches.

A counter of platters piled high with baked goods. — An assortment of pastries at Sift Bake Shop in Niantic, Conn. The outdoor seating area has a view of Niantic Bay.

Foodie

If you’ve been in Connecticut for more than five minutes, you’ll know we’re quite proud of our pizza — or apizza (like ah'beetz). There are an overwhelming number of guides (here here, or here) on what pizza to get in New Haven; if you’re still struggling, you can ask just about anyone you see about their go-to spot. Odds are you’ll end up in Little Italy near Wooster Square, quite possibly at Frank Pepe’s.

Ryan Caron King

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Connecticut Public
A worker at Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana takes a piping hot pizza out of a coal oven and places it into a to-go box during a weekday lunchtime rush. The restaurant was founded in 1925 by Italian immigrant Frank Pepe in New Haven, and has since opened locations across the Northeast.
After you’ve had your slice (or a whole pie), the natural conclusion to your culinary experience will be at Libby’s Italian Pastry Shop, or just Libby’s. There, you’ll find a wide variety of cannoli and other pastries, which are all phenomenal. But the raison d'être of this recommendation is for their iced cappuccino, which really isn’t coffee at all – but rather, some delicious ice cream with a hint of espresso. It’s a non-negotiable.

A Connecticut lobster roll is not a Maine lobster roll. Where some folks might expect cold lobster meat, mayo and coleslaw, the lobster roll experience in our state is served hot and simply – with copious amounts of butter to enhance the taste of the meat. There are many spots along the coast to get fresh lobster, including Lobster Landing in Clinton, about a half-hour east of New Haven. The menu at Lobster Landing is simple, but the folks in the shop encourage customers to BYO any food the restaurant doesn’t serve – drinks, desserts, and anything else you want to go with your lobster dinner.

Capital Region (Central Connecticut)

Yes, the gold-domed state Capitol draws eyes (and maybe some flashbacks to middle school field trips?) from visitors trekking down Interstate 84. But the capital region offers many more curiosities to the itinerant daytripper. From trolley rides to ferries, dinosaurs to cutting-edge fighter jets, the Hartford region has it! (Wait, isn’t that a slogan?)

A statue of Nathan Hale stands alone in the east atrium of the Connecticut State Capitol.