Connecticut: Nature, Coast and Culture

More than 750 Early Jurassic dinosaur footprints have been preserved at their discovery site in Dinosaur State Park and are on display in the museum. The route follows more than two miles of nature and hiking trails through wetlands, dense forest and meadows, and over a traprock ridge of basalt, a rock that was once hot lava. At the outdoor site, visitors can pan for gemstones and fossils. Seasonal operating dates apply; check current dates before your visit.

Nature, Trails and Water

Connecticut has 142 state parks and state forests statewide; the total may change over time. The system offers opportunities for camping, swimming, boating, horseback riding, cycling, hiking and cross-country skiing. It also includes a network of more than 2,000 miles of multi-use trails and bike paths. The variety ranges from individual park trails to longer routes across the state.

The Air Line State Park Trail stretches 50 miles through eastern Connecticut, from Thompson to Portland, and is suitable for walkers, hikers, cyclists and horseback riders. One section is part of the East Coast Greenway. In Columbia, the trail connects with the Hop River Trail; at the Massachusetts border, it connects with the Southern New England Trunkline Trail. These routes and connections can be factored into your trip planning.

On the water, Hammonasset Beach State Park offers a distinctive experience: its two-mile sandy beach invites visitors to swim, surf fish and stroll along the boardwalk. A brackish marsh, deciduous forest and estuary also provide habitat for many rare and endangered birds. Across the state, there are also more than 115 boat launches on lakes, ponds, rivers and Long Island Sound that are operated or managed by CT DEEP. The availability of individual launches may change; check your chosen launch in advance.

Other scenic highlights include Kent Falls State Park, with its covered bridge and a 250-foot waterfall that flows down to the Housatonic River, and Talcott Mountain State Park. Hikers can visit Heublein Tower and take in a 360-degree view from a 1,000-foot rocky outcrop. At the Edwin Way Teale Trail Wood Memorial Sanctuary, nearly four miles of trails wind through old fields, forests, streams and ponds; the property covers 168 acres. It was once home to naturalist Edwin Way Teale and his wife, Nellie.

History and Heritage

Gillette Castle State Park combines architecture with a forest setting: William Hooker Gillette had the 14,000-square-foot stone fortress built in 1914. The castle sits 200 feet above the Connecticut River and is surrounded by 184 acres of woodland. Visitors can hike through the wooded grounds along the former route of a miniature railway.

Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park was the site of the largest battle of the American Revolutionary War in Connecticut. The Connecticut Freedom Trail offers a broader look at the state’s history. It documents and marks sites that embody the struggle for freedom and human dignity. These include places connected to the Amistad case of 1839 to 1842, buildings reportedly used for the Underground Railroad, as well as burial sites, monuments, homes and other buildings associated with African American heritage and the pursuit of freedom.

Museums, Animals and Unique Experiences

The New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks, near Bradley International Airport, has more than 100 aircraft. Visitors can use flight simulators and step inside historic cockpits from World War II, the Cold War and the Vietnam War. The Long Island Sound takes center stage at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. Touch experiences include sturgeon, stingrays, sharks, jellyfish and intertidal animals. The aquarium offers public trips aboard the R/V Sound Explorer year-round; check the schedule in advance, as dates may change.

For art enthusiasts, the Connecticut Art Trail comprises 24 museums whose permanent exhibitions together contain more than 500,000 works of art; collection figures may change. The Museum of Connecticut History features exhibitions where visitors can discover thousands of objects from its extensive collection. At the Bird of Prey Compound at Fairfield Nature Center, visitors can observe raptors up close.

Statewide collections also offer inspiration for exploring your own interests: the Connecticut Wine Trail includes 21 vineyards, wineries and cider producers; its membership may change. The official Connecticut Pizza Trail brings together winners from all eight counties, selected from more than 900 applicants. These listings may also change.

Discover more destinations: Tolland County, Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex, New London, Litchfield, Hartford, Windham, New Haven.

Go to the main travel overview: USA.