The Ultimate And Definitive Bucket List For Everyone In Connecticut

Our Ultimate Connecticut Bucket List is designed to identify the top attractions and activities in a number of different fields. So, if you've been looking for a new restaurant to try or a fun place to visit, we hope this list helps you get started. Check out our bucket list of things to do in Connecticut, as well as all the fun places to go and cool stuff to see that our state has to offer.

Restaurants That Will Satisfy Your Tastebuds:

1. Tablao Wine Bar and Restaurant

86 Washington Street, Norwalk, CT 06850

Tablao offers a taste of the Iberian Peninsula right here in Connecticut. With Spanish tapas, a fantastic wine selection, and regular live music, this is the place to go for an amazing night out.

2. Puerto Vallarta

Metro Square Shopping Center, 200 Main Metro Square, Middletown, CT 06457

Named for the Mexico City, the food will transport you there. Order the popular Arroz con Pollo and enjoy the vibrant and fun decor.

3. The Little Rendezvous

256 Pratt Street, Meriden, CT 06450

This cash only pizza joint serves some of the best slices you'll ever taste! Made in a coal oven fire, these pizzas are the real deal.

Places That Are Loaded With History:

1. Mark Twain House

351 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105

Built in 1874, this house and museum celebrates one of our most beloved authors. It's full of fun colors and quirky designs, starting with its American High Gothic exterior.

2. Beckley Furnace Industrial Monument

140 Lower Road, East Canaan, CT 06024

This historic site preserves an iron-making blast furnace built in 1847. The only industrial monument in the state, its size alone is sure to impress you.

3. The Charles W. Morgan

Mystic Seaport, 75 Greenmanville Avenue, Mystic, CT 06355

This is the last remaining wooden whaling ship in the whole world, making it an experience unique to Connecticut. Hop aboard this 175 year old boat, once used for collecting whale blubber, and have a wonderful time.

4. Old Drake Hill Flower Bridge

Old Bridge Rd, Simsbury, CT 06070

Constructed in 1892, this charming bridge is known for the flowers you'll see decorating its sides in the springtime. Built in 1892, it's one of only three surviving Parker trusses in Connecticut.

5. Gillette Castle State Park

67 River Road, East Haddam, CT 06423

This stone beauty was commissioned and designed in 1914 by William Gillette, the American actor famous for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes. Inside you'll find 47 uniquely designed doors, weird door knobs, and a magical view.

Fun Attractions:

1. The Dinosaur Place

1650 Hartford-New London Turnpike, Oakdale, CT 06370

This 1.5 mile nature trail includes both statue and animatronic dinosaurs, but every one is life size! This place is as close to a Jurassic Park safari ride as it gets.

2. Lake Compounce

186 Enterprise Drive, Bristol, CT 06010

The oldest continuously operating amusement park in the United States, visiting this park is practically tradition. The carousel on the grounds took four master carvers to complete.

3. Connecticut Science Center

250 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, CT 06103

One of the coolest looking buildings in the city, this nine story exploration center is nothing short of incredible. Tons of hands on exhibits and cool technologies are here, making it one of the best science centers you could ever go to.

4. Ocean Beach Park

98 Neptune Avenue, New London, CT 06320

This beach experience is unlike any other. There's a boardwalk, a splash pad, mini golf, and even an olympic sized pool. This place will sweep you off your feet!

5. Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

1 Railroad Avenue, Essex, CT 06426

The only steam train and riverboat connection in the country means you get to enjoy the land and the river at one scenic location. There's no better way to explore the countryside.

Explore Your Natural Surroundings:

1. Enders State Forest

From Rt 20, Take Route 219 West for 1.4 Miles, Granby, CT

Enjoy the trails and pay a visit to Enders Falls, a cascade of six drops that collects into a natural pool. It's the perfect place to dip your toes in summer.

2. Thimble Islands

Located in Branford, there are plenty of cruise options!

Who knew Connecticut had its own set of islands? This archipelago consisting of roughly 100 small islands, most of which are home to wildlife alone. Take a cruise here and learn the stories behind some of the island's names, like the ones named Potato and Mother-In-Law.

3. Bluff Point State Park

Park entrance at end of Depot Road, Groton, CT 06340

Eight hundred acres of untouched peninsula, just off the long island sound. Hike, bike, fish or lounge and enjoy the stunning sights of the trails, beach, and forest.

4. White Memorial Conservation Center

80 Whitehall Road, Litchfield, CT 06759

This is a great place to visit if you're seeking great views without breaking a sweat. The super easy Little Pond Trail is a 1.2-mile walk that follows a boardwalk around a lake.

5. Devil's Hopyard State Park

366 Hopyard Road, East Haddam, CT 06423

This 860-acre state park is overwhelmingly beautiful. From its stone underpass to its charming waterfall, this is one of the best places to explore in the state.Before you head out exploring all the beautiful natural places in our state, be sure to download your free trial of AllTrails Plus, so you'll always know exactly where you are on the trail.

Locales That Go Bump In The Night:

1. Gunntown Cemetery

Gunntown Road, Naugatuck, CT 06770

Host to a number of colonial plots, this cemetery was declared haunted by the Warrens themselves. Claims range from the voices of small children laughing, to a man leading his horse across the grounds with a lantern.

2. Mansfield Training School

6 Bourn Place, Storrs, CT 06269

Maybe you've heard of Depot Campus at UConn, but did you know it was formerly the Mansfield Training School? Reports include whispered voices, unexplained sounds, shadows, and spirit orbs. Even after building the museum in parts of the former school, the rumors persist.

3. Pequabuck Tunnel

Half a mile south of Wolcott and Woodtick Road Intersection, Wolcott, CT 06716

Although many locals also refer to is as the Mile Long, it's only half a mile in length. First a lack of finances, and then a cave-in, this place has long been associated with bad luck. Accounts of two ghosts standing in or around the entrance persist, but with no history.

4. Saw Mill City Road

Saw Mill City Road, Shelton, CT 06484

During the day it can be quite pretty, but at night the silence is unnerving. Said to be the hunting grounds of the infamous Melon Heads, beware of what you find on this winding road.

5. Captain Grant's 1754

109 CT-2, Preston, CT 06365

This charming inn is supposedly haunted by the ghosts of those who died in the war, as well as a couple separated by sickness who were not able to be buried together.

But that doesn't stop people from booking a room and enjoying the amenities!

Our Ultimate Connecticut Bucket List is just the beginning of the endless number of things to do in Connecticut. From mouth-watering pizza joints to our collection of totally awesome road trips, there's plenty of fun to be had right here at home!