Connecticut is home to whimsical places. Sometimes walking through the Nutmeg State is like experiencing a fairytale. If you want to really absorb all of the enchanting beauty this state has to offer, take this road trip to several magical places in Connecticut! The total drive time is only about 3.5 hours, but you'll want to stretch it out over two days, so you can have time to really enjoy all of the magnificent sights around you.
It's easy to adjust the journey depending on where you live. Click here for an interactive Google Map.
Gas up the tank and get ready to embark on this whimsical Connecticut fairytale road trip!
Studio 80 + Sculpture Grounds in Old Lyme. This stunning destination perfectly combines art and nature for a breathtaking experience. Stroll through perfectly manicured lawns and stare at over 100 different sculptures. Most pieces were created by celebrated Connecticut sculptor Gilbert Boro, but you'll also see works from other renowned artists. The photo above features an enchanting piece from Deborah Hornbake. After exploring the grounds, it's easy to understand why this is a magical place in Connecticut.
Next, explore the 42-room Renaissance Revival mansion at Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford. The ivy-covered archways, perfectly landscaped gardens, and historic decorations will make you feel like you've entered another world. Find a secret garden of your very own, or wait and see if Rapunzel will appear from the tower windows.
After a breezy 45-minute drive, you'll reach Buttonwood Farm in Griswold. If you visit in the summer, you'll get to experience their vibrant sunflower fields. Whether you decide to take a relaxing walk or a fun tractor ride through the grounds, you'll be enamored with their sunny golden hue. Don't leave without getting a scoop of handmade ice cream from their delicious farm stand! But don't wait too long, the farm is open to visitors typically from March until the end of October.
After a full day of exploring, rest your feet at Roseledge Country Inn. This charming bed and breakfast sits just 8 minutes away from Buttonwood Farm, and it's the perfect place to recharge for the day ahead. With three fireplace guest rooms, a tranquil tea garden, and lovely antique shop, Roseledge Country Inn is perfectly whimsical.
Enjoy a delicious breakfast from Roseledge Country Inn before taking the one-hour drive to Elizabeth Park in Hartford. This vibrant attraction is open every day of the year, and it's free to the public. Smell the fragrant flowers and keep your eye out for fluttering butterflies.
You'll really feel like you've stepped inside a classic German fairytale when you dine at East Side Restaurant in New Britain. This beloved restaurant serves authentic strudel and schnitzel in a charming environment. If the weather is nice, request a seat on their covered patio. You'll love relaxing in this scenic dining area.
End your trip with a bit of forest bathing at Pine Mountain Reserve in Ridgefield. This secluded area is full of lush woodland hiking trails and peaceful babbling brooks. If you hike along The Red Trail, you may even come across a family of deer. You're going to love strolling through this natural oasis.
So, there you have it, and you are ready to get started on your road trip! Have you been to any of these magical places in Connecticut? What are your favorite whimsical destinations in the Nutmeg State? Let us know in the comment section. We would love to hear from you!
As a book lover, there's nothing I love more than checking out a bookstore. Sure, I'm well aware that my "to read" list is getting completely out of hand and unless I quit working, socializing, and pretty much all aspects of my life that aren't reading, I have no hope of ever finishing it. Even so, there's no reason not to try! If you feel the same way and are hoping to enjoy a great road trip in the Nutmeg State, we've got the perfect one for you: a literary road trip in Connecticut that will take you to some of the state's best bookstores. Check it out:
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In all, the trip requires just under three hours of driving time, though you'll want to set aside plenty of time to explore each bookstore and grab a few new reads.
Feeling hungry? Don’t worry, our next stop is the delightful Atticus Bookstore Cafe, where you’ll find sandwiches, salads, and coffee here. The location we featured on this road trip is inside the Yale Center for British Art, a free museum that’s got the largest collection of British art outside of the United Kingdom.
For our next stop, we’ll travel to the adorable little town of Madison. You’ll find plenty of delightful shops here, but one of our favorites has got to be RJ Julia Booksellers.
This two-story bookstore is considered one of the top independent bookstores in the entire country. Author signings and book club meetings are a regular occurrence here.
Bennett's Books is one of those delightful little shops that makes you remember the joys of in-person shopping. I think we're probably all guilty of a little too much online ordering, but this place is so cozy and comfortable that it's hard not to fall in love the second you walk in the door!
No list of bookstores in Connecticut would be complete without mentioning The Book Barn in Niantic, and that's where we'll end our trip. There are actually three separate locations for this massive store, but we're focusing on the main one on this road trip.
This multi-building store houses more than 500,000 books, plus other fun attractions, like art installations and gardens. It doesn't get much better than a visit here!
Before you hit the highway, make sure to get your playlist or audiobook ready and have all the road trip essentials on hand for safety and maximum fun on this literary road trip in Connecticut.
Doesn't this trip look like so much fun? Share your literary recommendations in the comments!
Connecticut! It's one of the most beautiful states in the country. When it comes to adventures here, there are as many as you'll find in some of the larger states across America. From rolling farmland to coastal hotspots, mountain regions to tiny towns, we've got it all. So if you're looking for some kind of theme for exploring the Nutmeg State, then be sure to check out these awesome Connecticut road trip ideas. No matter what time of year you’re looking to visit, these are some of the best road trips in Connecticut.
Route: Silver Sands State Park > Nordic Fish > Greenwich Point Park
Distance: 35 miles
Trip Time: 1 hour
A long, leisurely weekend or week-long trip is great, but sometimes you just don't have the time. This one-day road trip in Connecticut offers a great deal of fun along a stunning sunrise-to-sunset itinerary. Get your cameras ready as you experience a sunrise and a sunset from two different Connecticut beaches, plus we’ve included a lovely spot to stop and grab a bite to eat. This road trip is easily doable year-round, and might just become a tradition for you and your family.
Route: Ocean Beach Park > Harvey’s Beach > Hammonasset Beach State Park
Distance: 35 miles
Trip Time: 1 hour
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Everyone loves taking extra time off, and if you love the beach, this 3-day weekend road trip is right up your alley. Short and sweet, this itinerary takes you to some of the Nutmeg State’s most spectacular beaches where you can swim, sun, or just sit and enjoy the water. Since the drive time between each destination is so short, you can rest assured you’ll be spending more time sitting in the sand than in your car.
Route: Sheffield Island Lighthouse > New Haven Harbor Lighthouse > Avery Point Lighthouse > Stonington Lighthouse Museum
Distance: 110 miles
Trip Time: 3 hours
So many New England towns along the coast are known for historic lighthouses, and this road trip shines the spotlight on them. There's just something about a lighthouse, those beacons of bright that in many places have served as illuminated guideposts for seafaring vessels for decades. This coastal lighthouse road trip itinerary spans almost 120 miles and in about three hours’ time you will experience the best of the best of these stunning land structures.
Route: Woodbury > Washington > Litchfield > Kent > Salisbury
Distance: 65 miles
Trip Time: 1.5 hours
Peppered with beautiful rolling hills and charming hidden gems, the Litchfield Hills area is recognized as one of the most beautiful regions in Connecticut. This Litchfield Hills Towns Road Trip takes you to five charming small towns that will leave you clamoring for more.
Route: East Canaan > New Hartford > Kent > Warren > Shelton > Wallingford
Distance: 127 miles
Trip Time: 3.5 hours
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With all of the flowers blooming and migratory birds fluttering about, spring is one of the best times of year to visit Connecticut. This short and sweet road trip may only clock in at 3.5 hours, but it’ll take you from the northwest corner of the state down to New Haven, exploring some of our favorite hidden gem vineyards along the way. In between visiting the local wineries in Connecticut stops off at Kent Falls State Park for a different type of cascade, the Kent Falls. Clocking in at 250 feet, it’s the tallest waterfall in Connecticut! As you take this wine and waterfall road trip through Connecticut, please remember to drink responsibly. Let’s be safe out there.
When the summer rolls around, thoughts often go straight to the beach---those sandy, wide open spaces, sun-packed spots that feed your mind, body, and soul. This summer road trip in Connecticut itinerary traverses through some beautiful coastal towns and cities with beaches that draw folks from all over the state. Feast on lobster rolls as you stop off for lunch, and don’t forget the sunscreen!
Route: Macedonia Brook State Park > Mohawk State Forest > Dennis Hill State Park > Peoples State Forest > Talcott Mountain State Park > Manchester > Shenipset State Forest > Pachaug State Forest > Sleeping Giant State Park > Mt Tom State Park
Distance: 280 miles
Trip Time: 7 hours
One of the most fun things to do every autumn for many people is to take in the beautiful fall foliage. And there's no denying that in Connecticut the colors are nothing short of magnificent. This makes a great excuse for a Connecticut road trip in the fall. Get ready to enjoy some of the best multi-hued views imaginable as you take a scenic ride through some of the best leaf-peeping spots in the state.
While winter may not scream, “Let’s take a road trip!” you’d be surprised at how stunning the state is when everything is cloaked in fresh snow. This winter road trip itinerary fully embraces the season and is chock full of traditional (e.g. ice skating and skiing) and unique and perhaps little well-known (e.g. maple sugaring or bald eagle watching) activities that are sure to delight and inspire.
Route: Stepping Stones Museum for Children > Uncle Buck's Fish Bowl and Grill > Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo > The Dinosaur Place > Bushnell Park > White Memorial Conservation Center .
Distance: 153 miles
Trip Time: 3 hours
Chock full of interesting museums, beautiful parks, exciting attractions, interactive animal adventures, and more, this family-friendly Connecticut road trip offers so much for kids and adults alike. From Norwalk to Litchfield, this is one family-friendly road trip that the entire family can enjoy.
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Road Trip to Connecticut Landmarks & Natural Wonders
Route: Sleeping Giant State Park > Bluff Point State Park > CT-169 > West Cornwall > Kent Falls State Park > Sleeping Giant State Park
Distance: 248 miles
Trip Time: 5.5 hours
Any road trip through Connecticut simply must include some of the state’s stunning landmarks and natural wonders. If you are an outdoor lover, get ready...this trip will blow your mind as it meanders through some of the most scenic places in the state! From waterfalls to dense forests, this road trip shows off Connecticut’s natural beauty like no other.
Route: Chester > East Lyme > Putnam > Tolland > Canton > Litchfield > Redding > Madison
Distance: 266 miles
Trip Time: 5.5 hours
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If you ever want to really experience what it’s like to live in any particular state, then you have to check out the state’s small towns. Small towns are the heartbeat of each state, and Connecticut’s small towns are simply amazing. You’ll discover and enjoy several charming towns on this adventure which traverses several of the state’s most picturesque counties. Each one of these towns would make for a memorable getaway, too.
So what did you think about these awesome Connecticut road trip ideas? Did they make you want to create your own Connecticut road trip map? Have you been to any of these places listed? We'd love to read all about your experiences in the comments section below.
