New Haven
Home to Yale University and the ambitious students that walk its halls, New Haven is a beautiful coastal city, filled with grand architectural structures and an abundance of pretty parks.
The campus itself is more than 300 years old, and guided tours are encouraged during your visit. Aside from the grandiose libraries, of which there are 15, visitors can also explore the art gallery and the Peabody Museum of Natural History. Grab a take-out coffee from Van Gogh’s ‘Night Café’ and experience campus life at its best.
Of course, New Haven’s not just a university city. You can release your inner wild child at West Rock and Sleeping Giant state parks, where there’s chance to enjoy plenty of outdoor activities. Whether it’s hiking, a gentle stroll, fishing, or even cross-country skiing at the right time of year, New Haven’s great outdoors is perfect for adventures.
Hartford
You may recognize Hartford from hit TV show Gilmore Girls, but there’s more to this city than Lorelai and Rory ever let on.
Hartford is at the center of the Knowledge Corridor, known for its abundance of colleges and universities. It has the second-highest amount of learning establishments in the entire New England region, falling just short behind greater Boston.
The city lives and breathes knowledge and the written word, thanks to its once-booming publishing industry, attracting the likes of Mark Twain to the community. Hartford now features a plethora of museums dedicated to the works of established literary geniuses, such as the State Capitol Building and the Old State House.
Bridgeport
Connecticut’s biggest city has somehow managed to retain all its New England charm, despite its large selection of tourist attractions. Explore the beaches along the waterfront, watch boats set sail from Cove Seaport marina while tasting seafood along the boardwalk and enjoy the around 12-mile hike along the Pequannock River Trail.
Seaside Park is one of the most beautiful spots in Bridgeport and offers amazing viewpoints of the Long Island Sound flowing by. Spread across 325 acres, the park is built up of large stretches of lawns and a three-mile beach.
You won’t find any food vendors or gift shops here, but that only amplifies the park’s tranquil nature. Soak up some sunshine and splash in the water along the beach and stroll away your worries in the glades.
Stamford
Just a short hour-and-a-half drive from New York via the I-95 N along the Long Island Sound coastline, Stamford is the ever-growing corporate hub of the state. While it may be small, the city has seen a boom of cultural and professional diversity in recent years.
‘The City That Works’ is arguably one of the most beautiful places in Connecticut state. Stamford’s splendid scenery and public parks make up a large amount of the city and is particularly beautiful in fall.
Cove Island Park and Cummings Parks are particularly attractive, featuring fresh green lawns, ponds and a network of walking trails. While Shippan Point, in the southernmost part of Stamford, offers breathtaking views of nearby Long Island and includes an abundance of impressive architecture.