The Heart And Soul Of Connecticut Is The Small Towns And These 7 Have The Best Downtown Areas
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Lisa Sammons
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There’s something so special about small towns in Connecticut. Sure, our bigger cities are great and we often feature attractions from New Haven and similarly-sized cities. But our small towns deserve love, too! They may lack size, but they often feature vibrant downtown areas with tons of local shops and tasty restaurants. Here are seven of our favorite small towns in Connecticut with great walkable downtowns to explore.
Putnam, CT, USA
Though its population is only around 6,600, Putnam is actually one of the larger towns in Connecticut's Quiet Corner. Northeastern Connecticut is more famous for its farmland than its cities, but there's plenty of attractions here. While you're in town, check out some of the delicious restaurants in Putnam!
Mystic, Stonington, CT, USA
Mystic is a nationally-known spot thanks to the cult classic film Mystic Pizza (you can still visit the restaurant today!), but there's plenty to do here besides eat. The Mystic Aquarium is one of the best attractions in Connecticut, and Olde Mistick Village is delightfully charming.
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Essex, CT, USA
Essex regularly finds itself ranked among the best small towns in America. This historic town has picturesque scenery, great historical museums, and more. The steam train and riverboat experience is something you won't want to miss! Essex makes for a great day trip in Connecticut.
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Litchfield, CT, USA
Litchfield is the quintessential New England town. It's got colonial era history, beautiful outdoor areas, cute locally-owned shops, and plenty of tasty cafes. The Litchfield History Museum is a must-see if you want to learn more about the area, but there's plenty else to do here.
While the little town of Kent is primarily a residential town, their downtown has some quaint shops and art galleries. Nearby Kent Falls State Park boasts 15 waterfalls and has some great trails if you are into hiking.
Niantic is one of our favorite small towns in Connecticut. This charming little spot is just beside Long Island Sound, and has a great mile-long boardwalk. There are so many small shops here. Don't miss Book Barn! This shop houses over 500,000 volumes and is a bibliophile's dream.
Chester is such a cute area. It's right along the Connecticut River and the downtown area has beautiful colonial architecture. It feels like a step back to a simpler time. This is one of the best day trips in Connecticut.
There are so many great small towns in Connecticut that we know we missed a few: share your favorites in the comments!
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