As the largest maritime museum in the United States, Mystic Seaport offers a glimpse into New England’s seafaring past with historic ships, a recreated 19th-century village, and ongoing maritime crafts. It’s a significant cultural landmark with extensive educational programs.
Stretching through 26 towns in Connecticut’s northeast corner, this national heritage corridor is remarkably rural and undeveloped. It offers dark night skies unusual for the East Coast, making it an excellent place for stargazing, besides its trails, rivers, and cultural events.
Known for its series of waterfalls on Kent Falls Brook, this park features trails that run alongside the cascading waters with multiple viewing platforms. It’s especially beautiful in the fall when the foliage adds a vibrant backdrop.
This park is centered around a medieval-style castle built by actor William Gillette, famous for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes. Visitors can explore the castle and its intricate, quirky architecture, and the park also offers beautiful views of the Connecticut River.
Named for its mountaintop resemblance to a sleeping giant, this park offers a range of trails with varying difficulty levels, including a tower trail that leads to a stone observation tower on the peak. It’s a favorite for hikers and offers panoramic views of Long Island Sound and the surrounding countryside.
Offering a mix of coastal forest and salt marsh, Bluff Point is accessible only by foot or bicycle. It provides a quiet retreat with spectacular views of Long Island Sound and is a great spot for bird watching, fishing, and picnicking.