Connecticut is a small state, therefore easy to see almost everything. This is just a small part of what we have to offer. Lots of hiking trails Look for 50 Hikes in Connecticut by David Gerry and Sue Hardy. To understand why our roads in Hartford all seem to lead one place read A Woman in Business: The Life of Beatrice Auerbach, a fascinating woman. I remember her from dining in G. Fox as a child.
Hartford: Attractions:Mark Twain House Harriet Beecher Stowe HouseWadsworth Atheneum - oldest continually operating art museum in the United StatesElizabeth Park Rose Gardens - also has a wonderful restaurant on the groundsState Capitol Museum of CT History - great Colt firearm exhibit, Samuel Colt was from Hartford Connecticut Science CenterHistorical SocietyA. Everett Austin HouseRestaurants:ON20 - is on the 20th floor of an office building with awesome views of the river and hill of MassachusettsMax Downtown Agave Grill - killer guacamolePolish National Home - delish Polish food, duh!Costa del Sol - favorite place for paellaCarbone’s - Italian since 1938 in what was once Little ItalyMozzicato’s Bakery - line around the block for cookies on the holidaysSimsbury - Millwright. Chef was on this year’s Top Chef
Litchfield County: Lots of beautiful old homes and where a lot of movie stars live. Beautiful ride any time of year but fall exceptional. This is what people think all of Connecticut looks like. I had friends come to visit and they said “there is nothing out here”. Exactly. Attractions:White Flower Farm - my go to nursery. They have stunning test gardens on the grounds.Lourdes in Litchfield Grotto - nun there once acted with Elvis Presley and left Hollywood for a nuns life.West Cornwall Covered BridgeLoads of Antique storesRestaurants:West Street Grill - get the cheese bread and heirloom tomato salad. With a glass of wine life doesn’t get any better!Arethusa al tavalo - in the town of Bantam. If not open check out the ice cream next door. OMG.
Connecticut Shoreline: Most of CT shoreline is private sadly.Attractions:Stony Creek: Thimble Island Cruise - Check schedule for Sea Mist. Great cruise of all the tiny islands and houses.Mystic Seaport - a manufactured community of what life was like back in the day. They do current restorations of old ships.Mystic Aquarium - great place for kids.Restaurants:Westbrook - Bill’s Seafood. I try to go to other places but I can’t seem to drive past Bill’s. Seafood to die for.Mohegan Sun Casino - loads of restaurants and massive casinoFoxwood’s Casino - loads of restaurants and massive casino
Fairfield County: A generally wealthy community. Sometimes referred to as an annex of NYC.New Canaan: The Glass House - need reservations well in advanceThe PT Barnum MuseumRestaurants:Almost to many to mention. Downtown Fairfield has wonderful restaurants and downtown is quaint
Tolland & Windham Counties: known as the “Quiet Corner” also nice ride any time. Lots of small towns,Attractions:Coventry - Nathan Hale HouseWoodstock - Roseland CottagePutnam - loads of antique stores and fire on the water, check websites for event schedulesRestaurants:Coventry - Bidwell Tavern - pub food. Known for their Chicken Wings.Pomfret - soup and sandwichWoodstock - Mrs. Bridges tearoom and UK food store. Where I stock up on treatsUCONN Dairy Bar - University of CT campus ice cream made on premises. A must stop on car rides.Vernon - Rein’s Deli - loaded with NY cars in the summer on way to from the city.
New Haven County:Attractions:Yale University & MuseumsRestaurants:Louis Lunch - claim to be the “original” hamburger inventorSally’s PizzaPepe’s Pizza - Note Sally’s and Pepe’s have been rivals for years