West Cornwall Bridge
Some people unfairly label Connecticut as a pass through state, or a necessary evil to get to where you really want to go. This would be an unfair assumption, and I will tell you why!
Within my several years of living in the state of Connecticut, I have identified some great reasons why traveling to the state of Connecticut is worth any hassle it might mean to you and your family.
So let me begin explaining to you the 5 great reasons YOU should travel to Connecticut!
1 – The Autumns in New England
If you are a well traveled or informed individuals, you no doubt have heard of the famous “New England Autumns.” Most people when they immediately think of New England think of Massachusetts, Vermont or maybe New Hampshire. One of the nice things about Connecticut is that in the northern parts of Connecticut, the autumns have the same appeal as places like Vermont or New Hampshire. Beautiful foliage, trees and greenery that is unmatched almost anywhere in the United States!
2 – Close Proximity to Other Great Locations
There is something nice about being nestled in between large metropolitan cities such as Boston and New York. By visiting Connecticut, you can easily make side trips to these two cities. Or you can go the famous beaches of Cape Cod, or Rhode Island. Or you can hop on the ferry and go to Long Island, and travel with the rich and the famous in the Hamptons. Or if you enjoy skiing or snowboarding, take a short drive to the mountains of Vermont and Maine for some of the best mountains in the country. Those are just a few of the possibilities you can tie into a trip to Connecticut.
3 – Variance in Possibilities
If you want a beach retreat, the Connecticut shoreline provides innumerable options for relaxing on beautiful beaches. If you want a country retreat and escape from the hectic city life, the Connecticut Berkshires can provide a beautiful serene getaway for the whole family. If you want to enjoy excellent nightlife and entertainment, and world class concerts and shows, then Eastern Connecticut has you covered.
4 – World Class Dining
Because of the New York influence, Connecticut has some of the greatest restaurants in the country. If you like amazing pizza, New Haven’s pizza rivals pizza ANYWHERE in the world. If you are looking for high end, upscale restaurants, Hartford county has some of the best! If you like seafood, Connecticut’s shoreline has some amazing fresh seafood places.
5 – History, Literacy and Education
If you are a history or a literacy buff, then Connecticut is the place to be! Famous civil war monuments, Mark Twain’s home, and one of the most famous and longest running universities in the country all reside in Connecticut.
How to Travel to Connecticut?
If driving, the 3 main roads that run through Connecticut are Routes 91, 84, and 95. Almost anything worth seeing is off one of these roads. Except the Connecticut Berkshires.
If flying, you have several options. If visiting in the northern or central part of Connecticut the best option is almost always flying into BDL, or Bradley International Airport. The airport is located about just a few miles outside of Hartford. The problem is they don’t have a lot of direct flights, and sometimes flights can be very expensive since the airport is on the smaller side.
If you are staying in Eastern or Northeastern Connecticut, your best option might be Providence airport. But Hartford airport shouldn’t be too far either.
If staying on the Connecticut shoreline or Southern Connecticut, your best option is probably flying into one of the NYC airports. (JFK, LaGuardia, Newark)
Always weigh out all the options and price them all out. Sometimes its 6 one way, half a dozen the other. Sometimes its a matter of preference or convenience.
If taking the train, there are major train spots throughout Connecticut. For a list, take a look here.
Connecticut is a place near and dear to my heart. In the comments section below, what are your favorite things to do or see in Connecticut?