Is your New Year’s resolution to get out and explore more? There are so many places to go in the Nutmeg State that it’s almost overwhelming, so it’s really no wonder we have so many hidden gems in Connecticut. It’s only natural that some places would fall through the cracks and not get as much attention as they should. If you’re looking to plan out a year’s worth of travels, here are some great under-appreciated places throughout the state. Some are better known than others, but all are worth a visit!

January: Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 600 Main St, Hartford, CT 06103, USA
Mary Vasquez/Google Local
Did you know that the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art is the oldest-running public art museum in the country? There are both permanent and traveling exhibits here, and your self-guided tour can be accompanied by a smartphone app that gives you more information on the works of art here. This is the perfect indoor attraction for a cold January day.

February: Mew Haven Cat Cafe

Mew Haven Cat Cafe, 904 Whalley Ave, New Haven, CT 06515, USA
Mew Haven Cat Cafe/Facebook
People who love both felines and caffeine will be delighted to know there's a cat cafe in Connecticut. New Haven's Mew Haven Cafe features one side where beverages and snacks are sold and a separate area where visitors can interact with adoptable cats. The cats live at the cafe while waiting to be adopted, so if you fall in love with one, you can even apply to take them home.

March: Submarine Force Museum

Submarine Force Library & Museum, 1 Crystal Lake Rd, Groton, CT 06340, USA
Greg Catcott/Google Local
The Submarine Force Museum is one of our favorite free museums in Connecticut. Even if you don't feel like you're particularly interested in naval history, this place has plenty of fascinating exhibits. There are several dioramas of submarines and you can even tour the USS Nautilus, the world's first nuclear-powered ship.

April: Glass House

The Glass House, National Trust for Historic Preservation, 199 Elm St, New Canaan, CT 06840, USA
Adrien Pajot/Google Local
The Glass House is located in a 200-acre park and is one of the most impressive pieces of architecture in Connecticut. The house was designed by famed architect Philip Johnson and is made almost entirely out of glass, except for a steel frame. No one lives in the house today, and it's open for tours seasonally starting in April.

May: Weir Farm

Weir Farm National Historical Park, 735 Nod Hill Rd, Wilton, CT 06897, USA
James Miculka/Google Local
By May, the weather's warm and flowers are in bloom. It's a perfect time to head outside and spend time in nature, and Weir Farm is just the place to do it. This 60-acre historic site features an old farmhouse and tons of gardens to explore, plus a pond. The farmhouse is open for tours from May to October.

June: Lavender Pond Farm

Lavender Pond Farm, 318 Roast Meat Hill Rd, Killingworth, CT 06419, USA
Lavender Pond Farm/Facebook
The scent of lavender is such a calming and delightful smell. If you want to feel completely surrounded by that, you'll absolutely love a visit to Lavender Pond Farm, one of the best lavender farms in Connecticut. Lavender typically starts blooming in early summer, so June is a great time to visit. This place looks straight out of a fairy tale!

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July: Hawk Ridge Winery

Hawk Ridge Winery, 28 Plungis Rd, Watertown, CT 06795, USA
Hawk Ridge Winery/Google Local
Hawk Ridge Winery is such a delightful summer trip! Stroll through the beautiful grapevines or enjoy the wines and cheese that are available for sampling.

August: Buttonwood Farm

Buttonwood Farm Ice Cream, 473 Shetucket Turnpike, Griswold, CT 06351, USA
Buttonwood Farm
Is there a better combination for summer than sunflowers and ice cream? You can get just that at Buttonwood Farm. By August, the farm's 14 acres of sunflowers are typically in bloom. Pair that with freshly-made ice cream and you're in for a real treat.

September: Yantic Falls

Yantic Falls, Norwich, CT, USA
MeganZopf/TripAdvisor
There are so many waterfalls in Connecticut that it's easy to overlook some, but we have to say, Yantic Falls is one of the most underrated. There's a nearby pedestrian bridge that provides a perfect vantage point for capturing this 40-foot cascade.

October: Connecticut's Old State House

Connecticut's Old State House, 800 Main St, Hartford, CT 06103, USA
Connecticut's Old State House/Google Local
The Old State House was constructed back in 1796. It is now home to a Connecticut history museum on the lower floors, but the third floor is probably the most interesting. There, you'll find a unique curiosities museum with items like a two-headed pig fetus, a two-headed calf, and plenty more.

November: Abbey of Regina Laudis

Matthew Martinez/Google Local
The Abbey of Regina Laudis is one of the most unusual attractions in Connecticut. It's a 450-acre farm operated by a group of nuns. The farm is authorized to sell raw milk that has not been pasteurized and also is a producer of delicious artisanal cheeses.

December: Barker Character, Comic, and Cartoon Museum

Barker Character Comic and Cartoon Museum, 1188 Highland Ave building b, Cheshire, CT 06410, USA
Barker Character, Comic and Cartoon Museum/Facebook
The Barker Character, Comic, and Cartoon Museum is a great attraction if you're looking to feel some nostalgia. This place has over 80,000 vintage toys, with plenty of memorabilia from Disney and old TV shows.

Have you been to any of these places in Connecticut? What was your experience like? Did we miss your favorite Connecticut hidden gem? Let us know and share your suggestions in the comments. We always love hearing from you.

Whether it’s for hidden gems in Connecticut or more mainstream activities, be sure to check out Viator for help planning your next adventure!

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More to Explore

Connecticut Hidden Gems

Katie Feldkamp | November 29, 2023

What are some other hidden gems in Connecticut?

Just when you think you know a state, you realize that there is more to discover. To make it easy to explore some lesser-known places in Connecticut, how about a road trip? Along the way of this hidden gems in Connecticut road trip, you will visit places such as:

  • Don’t be surprised if you’re left speechless at the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry in Storrs.
  • You won’t lose track of time when you visit the American Clock and Watch Museum in Bristol.
  • Have you seen The Greatest Showman? Gain even more appreciation for PT Barnum when you visit The Barnum Museum, which is a National Landmark. (Note: The Barnum Museum has been undergoing massive renovations, so be sure to check their website before you try and visit!)

 

Where are some of Connecticut’s best-kept secrets?

Connecticut sure knows how to keep a secret. For a state small in size, there are dozens of hidden gems throughout The Constitution State that you will want to take the time to explore. Some of these places include:

  • Take in the beauty of the Faulkner Island Lighthouse when you visit Chaffinch Island.
  • Tell your own tales from the crypt when you visit Center Church-on-the-Green’s crypt which dates back to the 1600s in New Haven.
  • Take a hike on any of the easy trails in Hidden Valley Preserve.
  • Book a restful retreat with a stay at The Mayflower Grace in Washington.

For more information on these and several other destinations, check out this article on hidden places in Connecticut.

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