Your Ultimate Guide To Winter Attractions And Activities In Connecticut
Lisa Sammons
Author
Connecticut is such a winter wonderland, don’t you agree? The entire New England region is ever-so-picturesque in the winter. Snowy streets, holiday celebrations, outdoor activities, and winter festivals combine to make winter in Connecticut a truly amazing season. Sure, the cold weather can be a bit draining after a while, but those of us who love the Nutmeg State know how many fun Connecticut winter activities there are. It’s a beautiful time of year, and there’s no end to any list of fun things to do in Connecticut in winter. Here’s a definitive guide to the best winter attractions in Connecticut:
Holiday Events In Connecticut
From snowy train rides to Christmas lights, there are virtually endless fun things to do around the holidays in the Nutmeg State. It’s a perfect time to take the little ones out and search for family things to do in Connecticut in winter. You’ll find all kinds of unique activities that are perfect for kids and adults alike. These fun day trips are sure to put you into the holiday spirit!
1. Festival of Silver Lights
The free Festival of Silver Lights is an annual favorite for many Connecticut families. Meriden's beautiful Hubbard Park looks even more magnificent when decked out with more than 350,000 twinkling Christmas lights. You can drive or walk through this festive display. Keep an eye on the Meriden Parks & Recreation Department Facebook page for the most current information.
2. Holiday Stroll
Holiday Stroll in Stamford's Mill River Park will make you feel like you stepped right into a snow globe. This fun-filled fest features thousands of holiday lights, a winter beer garden with sips from local breweries, seasonal treats like hot chocolate, and kids' activities. Follow Holiday Stroll on Facebook for more information.
3. Winterfest
The Connecticut Trolley Museum is a great year-round destination, but in the winter, it really goes all out with Winterfest. This magical celebration features a 20 to 30-minute trolley ride through more than 15,000 lights. Both open-air and closed trolleys are offered, depending on the weather. The Visitor Center features costumed characters and seasonal snacks. You can get more information from the Connecticut Trolley Museum website.
4. Holiday Lights at Lake Compounce
Did you know Lake Compounce in Bristol, CT is the oldest continuously-running amusement park in America? This place is so much fun during any season, but the Holiday Lights event is truly magical. The park's Christmas tree is 100 feet tall, making it the largest Christmas tree in Connecticut. The entire park is decked out in more than 300,000 lights, and select rides, like the carousel, are open (dependent on weather). It's one of the best holiday events around and it's held at an iconic American amusement park. The Lake Compounce website has all the details.
5. North Pole Express
The Essex Steam Train and Riverboat is a bucket list must for every Nutmegger, but the North Pole Express here is a whole new experience. This holiday train ride features lights, music, festive music, and, of course, visits with Santa, all aboard a historic train. Tickets to this event sell out quickly, so make sure you visit the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat website for advance purchase.
Christmas Towns In Connecticut
If you want to feel like you stepped straight into a Norman Rockwell painting, the holidays in Connecticut are the time for you. Christmas here is incredible, and some of the towns here really go all-out, with lights all around, costumed characters, festivals, and all kinds of splendid celebrations. Even the Grinch would be feeling holly and jolly with a visit to these Christmas towns in Connecticut!
6. Mystic
It doesn't get much better than a trip to Mystic, CT. Regardless of when you visit, you'll find an array of family-friendly attractions that are some of the best in the USA. The Mystic Aquarium features beluga whales and African penguins (it's one of the best maritime aquariums in the country). The Mystic Seaport Museum provides a fascinating look back in time, and the Mystic River provides a bit of all-natural beauty. The village's adorable Olde Mystick Village, a little shopping district made up of locally-owned artisan shops, gets all decked out for the holidays. There's a lot to do here, and it's a great place for a winter getaway. Keep an eye out for current events on the This Is Mystic website.
7. Old Lyme
Another of our favorite Christmas towns in Connecticut is the charming coastal town of Old Lyme. The town is home to the Florence Griswold Museum, a nature, history, and art museum that puts on one heck of a Christmas celebration in fine Victorian style. You'll find so many fun activities in Old Lyme and the many small towns that surround it. You can get more information about Holiday Magic at the museum from the Florence Griswold Museum website.
8. Torrington
No need to travel to the North Pole to see Santa's workshop this winter: just take a visit to Torrington's Christmas Village. This magical holiday extravaganza will put everyone in a festive spirit. Reindeer are on hand, plus costumed characters, and there are so many great photo opportunities. This one's a must-visit if you've got young kids. Keep an eye on the Carl Bozenski's Christmas Village Facebook page for the most current information.
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9. Hartford
The state capital gets something of a bad rap as a tourist destination. Sure, it's full of thriving businesses (and a great many insurance companies), but that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of other things to do here. Places like Bushnell Park and the Connecticut River are stupendously beautiful in the wintertime, and the Mark Twain House puts on one of the most splendid Christmas celebrations in the state. There's a lot to do here, no matter the season, but winter in Hartford, CT is especially magical.
Outdoor Activities
Some of us may be tempted to bundle up indoors when the cold weather hits, but if you’re an outdoor enthusiast, you know that the fun doesn’t stop just because the temperature drops. Whether you’re looking for waterfalls, hiking trails, snow tubing, state parks, ice skating, or just about anything else, there are so many opportunities for outdoor attractions in Connecticut in the winter. Bundle up and get out there, because adventure is waiting!
10. Ingalls Ice Rink
The "Yale Whale," as this unique building is nicknamed, is the official ice skating rink for the ultra-successful Yale University ice hockey team. Each year, it's open to the public on select days, both for open ice skating and for lunchtime ice hockey. This is such a cool opportunity to stretch your legs on an iconic rink. Check out this year's open dates on the Yale University website.
11. Bushnell Park
Bushnell Park is the oldest publicly-funded park in America. It's got a huge pond and a carousel, plus lots of green space that's typically white with snow in the wintertime. Winterfest takes place here, running from Thanksgiving to January. Winterfest Hartford has an ice skating rink within the park and offers free skate rentals plus free learn-to-skate classes. You can learn more about Bushnell Park's other offerings from the Bushnell Park Conservancy website.
12. Mohawk Mountain Ski Area
Come winter, many of the athletic among us start fantasizing about snowshoeing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and all the other fabulous winter sports in Connecticut. If you're looking to indulge in this type of adrenaline rush, it doesn't get much better than a visit to Mohawk Mountain Ski Area in Litchfield County. You can indulge in a variety of winter sports here, including the no-skill-required options like tubing. Learn more and purchase passes from the Mohawk Mountain website.
13. Ski Sundown
Ski Sundown is another of the best winter parks in Connecticut. It's been open for more than 50 years and has 16 different snow trails to explore. There are more than 70 acres here, and if you're not an experienced skier, you can take private or group lessons. Ski Sundown even offers adaptive lessons so that those with disabilities can still enjoy the slopes. Learn more or purchase lift tickets at the Ski Sundown website.
14. Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort
Powder Ridge is an all-seasons adventure park with a lot to offer visitors, including the largest snow tubing run in Connecticut. You can even enjoy snowbiking here! Equipment rental and lessons are offered for a variety of winter sports, and the entire experience here is fun for all ages. Get more information from the Powder Ridge Park website.
Winter Getaways
Winter is the perfect time for a cozy getaway, whether you’re a solo traveler, looking for romantic things to do in Connecticut in the winter, or want to travel with the whole family in tow. There are tons of comfy cabins in Connecticut where you can enjoy a quiet getaway surrounded by the tranquility of winter. If you prefer something a little livelier, we also have some great resorts (hot tub, anyone?) that offer family fun and plenty of winter activities.
15. Historic Cabin (Vrbo)
This former blacksmith's shop in Hebron, CT has it all: history, natural beauty, and plenty of luxury. It's such a neat spot for a getaway because it's a wonderful place to relax indoors, but if you're looking to be more active, you'll find plenty to do. It's not far from hiking trails, ski resorts, a lake, and even Mohegan Sun Casino. Check current rates or book a stay at the property's Vrbo listing.
16. Log Cabin (Airbnb)
The Litchfield County area is one of the best places for a quiet getaway in Connecticut, whether you're traveling from Massachusetts, New York, or elsewhere in the Nutmeg State. This Airbnb cabin looks straight out of a fairy tale. It's an authentic log cabin on seven acres that even has a pond. This looks like a perfect escape for any season, though we think it looks pretty spectacular all covered in snow. You can check current rates or book a stay at the Airbnb listing.
17. The Spa at Norwich Inn
If you're looking to relax, it doesn't get much better than The Spa At Norwich Inn. This is such a luxurious spot for a stay! An on-site salon, exercise room, spa, and indoor pool are just some of the amenities at this wonderful Norwich, CT hotel. Check current rates and book a stay at Booking.com.
Sure, winter in Connecticut can feel at times like it never ends, but it’s a beautiful season with plenty of activities to entertain the whole family. And everything looks so gorgeous covered in snow! If you’re adventuring out on the roads, make sure to stay safe and take temperatures into account by practicing smart winter packing. Get out there and have fun!
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