The Nutmeg State may be small, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have plenty of great places to spend a weekend. Just taking day trips from New Haven alone gives you nearly unlimited places to explore. Looking for some inspiration? Here are twelve great cities that make for a fantastic day excursion. If you’re a long-time Connecticut resident, you’ve likely visited most of them before… but that doesn’t mean there aren’t new destinations there waiting to be explored! Check out the 12 best day trips in Connecticut:

1. New Haven
New Haven, CT, USA
Emporostheoros, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
New Haven is best known as the home of Yale University. It's got that great college town atmosphere with too many attractions to even list. As the birthplace of Connecticut-style pizza, there are a multitude of restaurants in New Haven worth a visit. Frank Pepe Pizzeria has been ranked as having the best pizza in the entire country. Art fans won't want to miss the Yale Center for British Art. It's the largest collection of British artwork outside of the United Kingdom.

New Haven is one of our favorite destinations in Connecticut. If it comes up in a "what are the best day trips near me" search for you be sure to add it to your list of must-do adventures. Join James Andrews as he explores the town and shows us some wonderful places to eat and explore:
2. Hartford
Hartford, CT, USA
jglazer75, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Hartford is known as the world's insurance capital because so many insurance companies are based here. But to dismiss the capital of Connecticut as a boring and industrial area would be to miss out on all the great attractions here!
3. Niantic
Niantic, East Lyme, CT, USA
K e v i n/Flickr
Niantic is one of the most underrated day trips in Connecticut. This little village is absolutely beautiful. It's home to Rocky Neck State Park, a stunning oasis that overlooks Long Island Sound. There's also a great children's museum here and a gorgeous boardwalk. It's definitely one of our favorite destinations in the state.
4. Mystic
Mystic, Stonington, CT, USA
Juliancolton, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Mystic is another fun little village with plenty to offer. Mystic Pizza is a world-famous pizza spot thanks to the 1988 film named for it. There's a lot more to see here though: the Mystic Aquarium is one of the best in the country, and Fields of Fire is a treetop adventure like no other.
5. Putnam
Putnam, CT, USA
JJBers, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Tucked away in the "Quiet Corner" is Putnam. This place is a surprisingly good foodie town in Connecticut. It's also home to a number of good antique stores if you like antiquing.
6. Chester
Chester, CT, USA
James L. Goodwin State Forest/Google Reviews
Chester is definitely one of our favorite small towns in Connecticut. There are so many cute shops and restaurants here, and it's also home to stunning natural surroundings. Find out more about this tiny town!

If you are looking for another lovely town to add to your trip-list Chester, CT is definitely one of the best day trips in Connecticut if you love small town living:

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7. Old Saybrook
Old Saybrook, CT, USA
Juliejules, CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Old Saybrook is another charming beach town in Connecticut. It's got some fantastic restaurants to visit while you're there. Harvey's Beach is a cute beach that's great for fun in the sun.
8. East Haddam
East Haddam, CT, USA
pedrik/Flickr
East Haddam is small, but not lacking things to do! It's got something for everyone, with natural beauty abounding at Devil's Hopyard State Park, and plenty of fun shops and places to visit. Plus, it's home to a castle that looks straight out of a fairytale!
9. Essex
Essex, CT, USA
JG, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Essex is such an excellent day trip in Connecticut that it was named the Perfect Small Town. It's got a fascinating history and great local shops to support. The Connecticut River Museum is a fascinating attraction, and if you love being out on the water, Essex will feel like heaven.
10. Litchfield
Litchfield, CT, USA
Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Litchfield is a perfect town to explore in the warm months in Connecticut. The White Memorial Conservation Center is a fantastic preserve that will show you so much of the state's natural beauty. Litchfield is so much fun that Smithsonian Magazine named it one of the best small towns to visit.
11. Madison
Madison, CT 06443, USA
Léo Schmitt, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
We love Madison! There are so many charming beach towns in Connecticut, and this one's one of our favorites. Hammonasset Beach is the longest public beach in the state, but the town has plenty to do even if you don't like the beach. It's home to one of the best bookstores in Connecticut, and there are also plenty of outdoor attractions that nature lovers will adore.
12. Simsbury
Simsbury, CT, USA
YankeeGuy at the English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Simsbury is a pretty cool place, but did you know it's home to the largest tree in Connecticut? The park where it's located is a great spot for fishing and canoeing, making this an excellent warm weather destination!

Feel a little Simsbury love in this mini documentary about this charming town from Robert J. Moravek Jr. who grew up here and knowns why you should add it to your list of Connecticut day trips:

 

With so many lovely small towns in Connecticut to explore, picking a home base like New Haven and setting out to enjoy the surrounding communities makes for a wonderful vacation. Taking Day trips from New Haven allows you to enjoy scenic natural wonders, cute shops, and charming towns all across the state. With so many great places to take day trips in Connecticut, obviously, we couldn’t name them all. So, what do you think are the best day trips in Connecticut? Share your suggestions in the comments!

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best day trips in Connecticut

Elisa Regulski | March 08, 2022

What are the most charming small towns in Connecticut?

Some of the most charming small towns in Connecticut include:

 

If you’re looking for ‘day trips near me,’ you can never go wrong with one of Connecticut’s charming small towns. We love exploring Mystic, and not just because of the pizza! This area is home to lovely views and exciting shops. While you’re in the area, you must visit the Mystic Aquarium. No matter your age, you’ll be dazzled by the incredible creatures. If you loved visiting Mystic, you should also check out Kent. This tiny town is home to numerous parks and museums. But you can’t visit without exploring Kent Falls State Park. This magical destination is home to one of the most stunning waterfalls in Connecticut. To learn more about our state’s amazing attractions, read our full article about the best small-town day trips in Connecticut.

What can I do with kids in Connecticut?

Some of the activities you can do with kids in Connecticut include:

 

There are so many great places to take kids in Connecticut. For starters, check out some of the best playgrounds in Connecticut! Kiddos especially love exploring Bodie's Place Playground at Eisenhower Park in Milford. This tree-house-inspired playscape is full of swings, monkey bars, and creative adventures. For more fun, take the family on one of the best hikes for kids in Connecticut. Tarrywile Park, located in Danbury, is home to several short and sweet trails. Plus – the views will amaze you!

What are the most highly rated restaurants in Connecticut?

Some of the most highly-rated restaurants in Connecticut include:

 

Kick your day off in the best way possible and visit That Breakfast Place in Willimantic. Here, you can dig into some of the most scrumptious pancakes and omelets around. For a fun and nostalgic dining experience, visit Olympia Diner in Newington. This place looks like it’s straight out of the ‘50s, and their comfort food never disappoints. For more dining ideas, check out our list of the best restaurants in Connecticut.

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