26 Exciting Things to Do in Connecticut in 2026 (You’ll Want to Save This List)

Some of my happiest memories are of living in West Haven, where I could easily stroll to the shops, restaurants, and even the beach in the coastal Connecticut town. I love everything about Connecticut, from its small towns and big cities to its people, food, and natural beauty.

That’s why, as we ring in a new year, I plan to make 2026 full of epic adventure, starting with creating a list of things to do in Connecticut that I plan to check off my bucket list. As the months roll on, I hope to hit up some of these state treasures—and I hope you do, too.

1. The Sleeping Giant Tower Trail – Hamden

Even though I’m still pretty new when it comes to hiking, I think the challenge of the mostly uphill Sleeping Giant Tower Trail is a good way to work on my skills. But the most enticing part of this trail is the reward of some of the best views in Connecticut (all the way to Long Island on a clear day).

2. Wadsworth Falls Trail – Middletown

Waterfalls are my favorite of Mother Nature’s creations, making the Wadsworth Falls Trail a must-hike. With a slight elevation gain and an easy rating, the popular hiking trail in Connecticut spans just 3.6 miles, ideal for a brief respite on a busy day. Once I return from my waterfall-chasing adventure, I'll check AllTrails+ for my next waterfall hike.

3. Bluff Point State Park – Groton

A leisurely picnic followed by a stroll on the beach? I can’t think of a better way to spend an hour or two at Bluff Point State Park, a hidden gem state park in Connecticut, except staying long enough to catch one of its sensational sunsets.

4. Harry Potter Orchestra – Hartford

Sometimes all we need to feel the stress melt away is to sit back, close our eyes, and listen to classical music. This Hartford Symphony Orchestra performance will combine both relaxation and nostalgia. On March 28, 2026, listen to "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 in Concert." Relive some amazing movie scenes with the talented orchestra—it's perfect for a date night and is one of the most unique things to do in Connecticut.

5. Lyman Orchards – Middlefield

Winter can get pretty dreary, so a stroll at the Winter Lantern Festival at Lyman Orchards adds a much-needed dose of color and cheer. More than 1,000 handmade lanterns, hot chocolate, and live entertainment… can you think of a better way to spend a few hours on a cold day? I can't!

6. Winterfest – Hartford

One of my favorite ways to relax in the winter is to bundle up and glide around the ice. If you feel the same, then you must attend Winterfest in Hartford, which offers free ice skating sessions and lessons each year from after Thanksgiving until early January. This is one of the best winter festivals in Connecticut.

7. Powder Ridge Park and Mountain Resort – Middlefield

We all need an adrenaline rush every so often, and snow tubing is the answer during the winter. Powder Ridge Park and Mountain Resort even offers, on certain days, four-hour interstellar tubing, an evening adventure that’s perfect for night owls (like me). What a unique thing to do during winter in Connecticut.

8. Elizabeth Park – Hartford

After hiding indoors for most of the winter, I love spending as much time as I can outdoors when spring arrives, breathing in the fresh air and smelling the blossoming flowers. Elizabeth Park’s gardens bloom with different flowers—daffodils, tulips, and roses—from spring through most of the fall. It's one of the prettiest parks in the state.

9. Wicked Tulips Flower Farm – Preston

While we can’t tiptoe through the tulips at Wicked Tulips Flower Farm, we can stroll past them, stop to smell and pick our favorites, and snap photos, an idyllic way to celebrate the beauty of spring in Connecticut. Add it to your spring 2026 bucket list—you won't regret stopping to admire these beautiful blooms.

10. Meriden Daffodil Festival – Meriden

A beloved spring event in Connecticut, the Meriden Daffodil Festival boasts a full menu of family-friendly fun, including a parade, rides for the kiddos, and arts and crafts. We can’t forget all the delicious food, from steamed cheeseburgers and barbecue to cotton candy and fried dough (my favorite), either. This is another event to add to your 2026 Connecticut bucket list.

11. Walnut Beach – Milford

Of all the beaches I’ve visited, Connecticut’s are my favorite for lounging on the sand on a hot summer day. Walnut Beach provides an idyllic backdrop for a summer stroll along the water, a leisurely picnic, and watching the sunset. This may be one of the best beaches in Connecticut, and I think you'll love it as much as I do.

12. Lake Compounce Amusement and Water Park – Bristol

Summer wouldn’t be the same without a day at Lake Compounce. Nothing quite compares to a float down the Croc-O-Nile lazy river, riding coasters, and digging into fried dough, pizza, and fries drenched in cheese from the Potato Patch. You can also visit the park in the winter for the holiday season, too.

13. Naugatuck Duck Day – Naugatuck

I love ducks—real, stuffed, and rubber—so I'm marking my calendar for June 7, 2026, for the 21st annual Naugatuck Duck Day. This epic event features good food, live entertainment, and vendors, and if you missed it this year, add it to next year's bucket list. My favorite part is, undoubtedly, the duck race between 20,000 adorable rubber duckies.

14. Castle Hill Farm – Newtown

Fall always flies by so fast, probably because we have so many fun things to do in Connecticut, like visiting Castle Hill Farm’s Fall Festival. From hay rides and pumpkin picking to an impressively designed corn maze and seasonal treats (can you say apple cider donuts?). It’s everything fall’s supposed to be and more.

15. Glastonbury Apple Harvest & Music Festival – Glastonbury

Pumpkins might get all of the attention during fall, but apples steal the spotlight at the must-visit Glastonbury Apple Harvest & Music Festival. It’s all about fun rides, good eats, and great music. Of course, you can't leave without trying delicious apple cider, apple fritters, and much, much more.

16. Devil’s Hopyard State Park – East Haddam

I love both the colors of autumn and the haunted tales of the spooky season, which makes Devil’s Hopyard State Park the best place to be in the fall. After all, the popular state park boasts some of the state’s most beautiful fall foliage and is one of the most haunted places in Connecticut. Drive past or trek through the winding trails on foot.

17. Beardsley Zoo – Bridgeport

Time with animals, at least for me, is always well-spent. One of the best attractions in Connecticut, Beardsley Zoo promises plenty of fun whether you have an hour or an entire day to explore and visit with the red pandas, prairie dogs, and two-toed sloth. It's a fantastic day trip destination for the entire family.

18. Gum Drops & Lollipops Candy & Ice Cream – Niantic

For someone with a relentless sweet tooth, Gum Drops & Lollipops Candy & Ice Cream is a tiny piece of paradise. But the best part of all that sweetness? The selection of nostalgic candy, from Pixy Sticks and Tootsie Pops to candy cigarettes and gold chocolate coins, is huge. It's especially fun to visit around a holiday—like Easter or Halloween—where they also go all-out with decorations.

19. Duchess Diner – West Haven

Duchess Diner always sparks happy memories of trudging through the snow on the short walk from my home in West Haven to its cozy interior and of delicious meals that left me stuffed, making it a natural addition to my must-visit list in 2026. If you visit, you have to get a slice of cheesecake or one of their scrumptious Belgian waffles.

20. Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana – New Haven

I love pizza. If you do too, a trip to New Haven is in order, as it's home to the oldest pizzeria in Connecticut. Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana has been slinging pies since 1925, and is still just as delicious (and arguably even more popular!) as it is was back then. There's no doubt it belongs on the 2026 Connecticut bucket list.

21. Top City to Visit in Connecticut in 2026 – Mystic

One of the most enchanting towns in Connecticut, Mystic sits at the top of my weekend getaway list, and the first thing I’ll do is head to the Mystic Aquarium and then grab a slice at the iconic Mystic Pizza, explore Old Mistick Village, and stroll through historic Downtown Mystic. My biggest challenge, besides squeezing everything in, is deciding where to stay in Mystic, Connecticut.

22. Mountaintop Horse Farm – Bloomfield

As a lifelong animal lover, anytime I have the chance to spend time around animals, I take it, and the Mountaintop Horse Farm Airbnb looks simply magical. The two-bedroom Airbnb in Connecticut is spacious with 2,000 square feet, but it’s the proximity to the horses (and a seasonal pool) that takes it to the next level.

23. Barn Suite at Southwood Alpacas – Woodstock

One of my dreams is to have alpacas, so a stay at the Barn Suite at Southwood Alpacas would be amazing. I can’t think of a more magical way to relax than by sitting on the porch of this one-bedroom Airbnb in Woodstock, Connecticut, and watching the alpacas roam.

24. The Scranton Seahorse Inn – Madison

From the first time I saw photos of The Scranton Seahorse Inn, I knew it belonged on my bucket list. The fireplace promises coziness on chilly nights, and a long bubble bath in the oversized tub is the perfect way to relax and perhaps even read a good book. It's a winter or summer 2026 getaway.

25. Avon Old Farms Hotel – Avon

With bright and airy rooms, an outdoor pool, and an exercise room, Avon Old Farms Hotel combines a historic vibe with modern luxury, and I can’t wait to stroll up the long, winding staircase to the guest rooms. It's also close to other fun attractions like Riverdale Farms Shopping, the Norman Rockwell Museum, and downtown Hartford.

26. Thimble Islands - Branford

You don't need to fly to a tropcial destination to experience island life in 2026. The Thimble Islands, a collection of 25 quaint, wooded islands off the coast of Branford, Connecticut, offer the perfect mix of New England and island vibes. Stay at one of the Victorian-era summer cottages or enjoy activities like boating, paddle boarding, and kayaking, or simply relax by the water. The best way to wrap up summer (or any time of year, really).

Which of these sights will you add to your 2026 bucket list? If you're absolutely sold on them all, start planning your Connecticut adventures today using Only In Your State's itinerary planner. You'll get all the best lodging, dining, and sightseeing recommendations.