Lisa loves animals and has dogs, rats, cats, guinea pigs, and snakes. She is passionate about animal rescue and live music - traveling across the country to see a favorite band is a pretty regular occurrence! Being out hiking in the woods enjoying the scenery with her beloved dogs is another favorite hobby, and also checking out the Pokemon Go scene in whatever city she happens to be in at any given time (coffee and dog leash in hand). You can reach Lisa at lsammons@onlyinyourstate.com
The Nutmeg State is pretty small, but one of the fantastic things about that is that it’s very easy to plan a realistic road trip and still see a good chunk of the state. In larger states, you would have to ignore huge swaths of land if you wanted to complete a trip in a reasonable time frame, but that’s simply not true here. You can easily plan a Connecticut road trip that manages to be realistic and see a large portion of the state. We’ve got just such a trip planned for you today, and this epic journey will take you to some of the best waterfalls and beaches in Connecticut.
The trip covers most of the state and will require almost 300 miles of driving, but don’t sweat it. There are plenty of great places to spend the night right along your route. Make the most of your trip by taking your time and sleeping in safety and comfort at a conveniently-located Best Western property in Connecticut. Several are located right along your route, so you won’t have to drive out of the way to access them. Grab your keys, gas up your car, and let’s hit the road!
1. Kent Falls, Kent Falls State Park
Kent Falls State Park, 462 Kent Cornwall Rd, Kent, CT 06757, USA
The first stop on this waterfall and beach road trip in Connecticut is the stunning Kent Falls State Park. This place has been named the most beautiful park in the Nutmeg State, and it's easy to see why. The falls that the park is named for fall over 250 feet over the span of a quarter-mile. They're visible from the parking lot, so you don't have to trek deep into the woods to get a good view if you're not feeling up to it. There are plenty of hikes to be enjoyed here, so if you like the outdoors, it's definitely worth spending some time on the park's many trails.
Your next stop will be the incredible Enders State Forest. This amazing refuge spans 1,500 acres in Granby and Barkhamsted. You'll find several falls within the forest, and many hikes ranging from easy jaunts to arduous treks.
3. Great River Park
Great River Park, 301 E River Dr, East Hartford, CT 06108, USA
Drive on a bit to the state's capital and you'll find the beautiful Great River Park. Now, this isn't technically a beach or waterfall, but it's an absolutely wonderful place to enjoy a bit of nature within the city. There are two miles of paved river walk trail, and you can enjoy stunning views of the mighty Connecticut River. There are a number of other great attractions worth checking out in Hartford if you'd like to spend the afternoon there.
After visiting these great parks in Connecticut, stay the night at the Best Western Hartford, conveniently located right along the route!
4. Southford Falls State Park
Southford Falls State Park, 175 Quaker Farms Rd, Southbury, CT 06488, USA
Don't oversleep, because you'll want to get an early start the next morning! Your next stop will be the underrated Southford Falls State Park in Southbury. This 126-acre state park is a great spot to go for a morning stroll, with several short trails that won't take too long to walk through. There's a gorgeous waterfall and even a picturesque covered bridge.
Your next stop will be the lovely Wadsworth Falls State Park, home to two waterfalls that are some of the prettiest in the state. The park offers plenty of trails, so spend the afternoon checking some of them out.
The third day of your trip will take you to Devil's Hopyard State Park. This place is not only beautiful, but it also has some neat urban legends surrounding it. Puritan colonists that lived in the area believed the devil himself played the fiddle atop Chapman Falls.
7. Niantic Boardwalk
Niantic Boardwalk, 30 Main St, Niantic, CT 06357, USA
Our next stop is Niantic. The beach here is simply stunning, but it also happens to be one of the best small villages in Connecticut. There's a lot to do here, whether you want to relax in the sand, splash in the surf, or take the little ones to the local children's museum.
We hope you're not tired yet, because your next stop is close to heaven. Hammonasset Beach State Park is the longest shoreline in Connecticut, so you know it had to be included on this epic road trip! The two miles of Long Island Sound waterfront is perfect for all your favorite beach activities.
You've finally got a bit of a chance to relax, so why not do it in front of one last beautiful waterfall? The Saugatuck Falls Natural Area is such a tranquil bit of natural beauty and the perfect place to spend a relaxing afternoon.
What do you think about this delightful waterfall and beach road trip in Connecticut? Are there any that you think are worth adding? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Don’t forget, you can always find the closest Best Western property to stop at while traveling so that you’ve got somewhere to rest in comfort, no matter where your travels take you.
