New England’s southernmost state is full of surprises. From tony seaside mansions to quaint fishing villages, the Connecticut coast is among the region’s most varied and scenic road trip destinations. Home to Yale University, the community of New Haven is a cultural heavyweight with a small-town feel that belies its world-class museums and grandiose architecture. Inland, you’ll find farms, forests, and the urban grit of Hartford, a historic city with ties to writers Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe.
Spring flowers start blooming from April through June. These months feature mild temperatures and are ideal for exploring. Summer heat in July and August sends visitors and locals alike to the beach for family fun. September ushers in cooler weather, pick-your-own apples, and crisp air. While Connecticut enjoys milder winters than northern New England states, you can still say it has cold winters compared to the south. Cold snaps mean skiing, ice skating, and sleigh rides.
Connecticut is among New England’s best places to travel by public transit. The small state has 11 Amtrak stops that link key towns—including New Haven, Mystic, Hartford, and Old Saybrook—to neighboring states. Bus services by CTtransit, Greyhound, and other private companies put everything else within reach. The most scenic rides, however, are on Connecticut ferries, including interstate ferries between New London and destinations in Rhode Island and New York.
If you want to explore the more rural northwest corner of the state, known as Litchfield Hills, or take photos of the state’s many covered bridges, you’ll probably need to rent a car. Fortunately, you don’t need one to see the Connecticut River Valley. Simply hop aboard the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat.
New Haven pizza is nothing like New York slices. Firstly, many restaurants call the thin-crust, blistered, coal-fired specialty “apizza,” and if you want mozzarella it’s essential to ask for yours with “mootz.” White clam pizza and cheese-free tomato pie are signature styles, which you can find at all three of the city’s most famous pizza places: Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, Modern Apizza, and Sally’s Apizza.
Most travelers visiting Connecticut have the Mystic Seaport Museum on their list. The coolest way to arrive is via the Mystic Seaport Express which sails from downtown to the docks right by the museum. Cruises are offered daily and last around 30 minutes. Complete with narration, they’re more than just a method of transportation. If you have your own boat, you can also dock it in the museum’s marina.
