This 174-Mile Road Trip Leads To Some Of The Most Scenic Parts Of Connecticut, No Matter What Time Of Year It Is

Connecticut is incredibly beautiful and has a surprising array of scenery throughout the year. Summer brings thousands to our stunning beaches. With autumn come the leaf peepers, searching for fall foliage in the Litchfield Hills. Come winter, the state is transformed into a wonderland of postcard-worthy embodiments of the quintessential New England small town. And, of course, spring is a resplendent array of colorful flowers blooming all over the Nutmeg State. No matter what time of year it is, there's nothing better than a scenic road trip through Connecticut. We've compiled a trip for you that features some of the most beautiful places in Connecticut, all on one 174-mile trip. Check out the itinerary on Google Maps.

The entire trip spans 174 miles and just under four hours of driving time, though, of course, you'll likely want at least two or three days to explore the stops.

The great thing about this road trip in Connecticut is that it's suitable (and just as beautiful!) at any time of year.

1. Enders State Forest: Granby, CT

You'll begin your trip at Enders State Forest. This 2,000-acre paradise is a magnificent collection of forests, waterfalls, and marshlands.

There are some great trails to check out here!

2. Macedonia Brook State Park: 159 Macedonia Brook Rd, Kent, CT 06757

Macedonia Brook State Park is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful places in Connecticut. It spans over 2,300 acres and has a campground, so if you are visiting between April and October, this might be a good place to spend the night.

The hike up Cobble Mountain is one of the best trails in Connecticut. The views are absolutely magnificent.

3. Hopkins Vineyard: 25 Hopkins Rd, Warren, CT 06777

Connecticut's burgeoning wine industry features a number of great vineyards throughout the state. Even if you're not a fan of drinking wine, these places are incredibly scenic and often feature restaurants or live music performances.

One of the prettiest wineries in Connecticut is Hopkins Vineyard. This heritage farm is in the heart of the Litchfield Hills region, right on lovely Lake Waramaug. You can find out more at their website.

4. Hammonasset Beach State Park: 1288 Boston Post Rd, Madison, CT 06443

No trip to scenic places in Connecticut would be complete without a trip down to the beach! One of the prettiest in the state is Madison's Hammonasset Beach State Park.

With two miles of shore frontage, it's the longest beach in Connecticut. Many only think to go to the beach during the summertime, but it's just as gorgeous (and far less crowded) in the off season.

5. Old Saybrook

While you're down at our shore, make the time to visit Old Saybrook. This charming town is one of the oldest in the state, and has plenty of things to do.

It's also home to some phenomenal restaurants, so you'll definitely want to plan on grabbing a bite to eat here.

6. Mystic

You'll end your trip in beautiful Mystic. Another historic Connecticut beach town, this one's probably most famous for the Mystic Aquarium and Mystic Pizza.

However, even if you don't stop at either of those destinations, this is still a gorgeous and charming town at any time of year!

Connecticut is such a magnificent state that we know we missed several must-see places, but we didn't want to make an endless road trip (as fun as that would be)! What beautiful places in Connecticut would you recommend adding to this trip? Share your ideas in the comments.