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Trips & RoutesDay Trips

The Friendly Town In Connecticut That’s Perfect For A Summer Day Trip

Glastonbury, Connecticut, offers a variety of summer attractions perfect for a day trip, including historic sites, orchards, wineries, and outdoor activities.

Published Jun 10, 2023

Written by 

Lisa Sammons

Summer is a wonderful time to travel. The weather's great, the kids are out of school, tons of festivals and events are scheduled... it's such a magical season for adventuring. It all just combines to make you want to get out and explore. If you're looking to enjoy a great summer day trip in Connecticut, check out the friendly town of Glastonbury. This city has a population of around 30,000, but it feels like an adorable small town. It's filled with fun attractions that are just perfect for a warm weather adventure. Check out all the best attractions in Glastonbury, CT:

This is a beautiful town with a large historic district. There are a number of 17th and 18th-century homes on Main Street.

A white house with large windows surrounded by trees and a well-maintained lawn, located along a road.
-Grondemar/Wikimedia Commons

Dondero Orchards has a history going back over 100 years. It's well-known for its apple pies in the fall, but in the summertime, you can enjoy u-pick fruit and flowers.

A variety of fresh fruits displayed in baskets, including grapes, peaches, and apples, at a market stall.
Dondero Orchards/Facebook

Click here for more information on Dondero Orchards.

Crystal Ridge Winery is a small family-owned vineyard that's part of the Napa in New England movement. The wine industry is booming in this region of the country, and Crystal Ridge is always reliable for top-quality wines.

A scenic view of a sunset over rolling hills, with a winding path and scattered rocks in the foreground.
Crystal Ridge Winery/Facebook

Click here for more information on Crystal Ridge Winery.

Another great place to enjoy the outdoors is Cotton Hollow Preserve. This 80-acre spot provides a tranquil refuge from the chaos of everyday life. There are plenty of wooded trails and even a creek where you can fish.

A serene stream flows over rocks, surrounded by lush green trees and foliage in a peaceful forest setting.
Shelly Maritzer-Lawrence/Alltrails

If you're not a big fan of the hot weather in the Nutmeg State, Central Rock Gym is a great place to check out. This gym offers rock climbing day passes, as well as yoga and fitness classes.

Indoor climbing gym with colorful walls, climbers scaling routes, and a blue mat covering the floor.
Central Rock Glastonbury/Facebook

If you don't have any experience, you can opt to be belayed (secured) by an instructor. Click here to find out more information about Central Rock Gym.

The hike to Blackledge Falls is just over a mile in length and is not overly difficult. It's found inside the lovely Gay City State Park.

A serene waterfall cascading down a rocky cliff, surrounded by lush green foliage and moss-covered stones.
Claire/Google Reviews

Click here to read our past coverage of Blackledge Falls.

Glastonbury is one of our favorite day trips in Connecticut, and it's even more magical in the summertime!

A red barn stands in a field under a colorful sunset with clouds and bare trees in the background.
ilirjan rrumbullaku/Flickr

Did we miss your favorite attractions in Glastonbury, CT? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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