12 Unforgettable Connecticut Day Trips, One For Each Month Of The Year

The Nutmeg State may be small, but that doesn't mean we don't have plenty of great places to spend a weekend. Just taking day trips from New Haven alone gives you nearly unlimited places to explore. Looking for some inspiration? Here are twelve great cities that make for a fantastic day excursion. If you're a long-time Connecticut resident, you've likely visited most of them before... but that doesn't mean there aren't new destinations there waiting to be explored! Check out the 12 best day trips in Connecticut:

1. New Haven

New Haven is best known as the home of Yale University. It's got that great college town atmosphere with too many attractions to even list. As the birthplace of Connecticut-style pizza, there are a multitude of restaurants in New Haven worth a visit. Frank Pepe Pizzeria has been ranked as having the best pizza in the entire country. Art fans won't want to miss the Yale Center for British Art. It's the largest collection of British artwork outside of the United Kingdom.

New Haven is one of our favorite destinations in Connecticut. If it comes up in a "what are the best day trips near me" search for you be sure to add it to your list of must-do adventures. Join James Andrews as he explores the town and shows us some wonderful places to eat and explore:

2. Hartford

Hartford is known as the world's insurance capital because so many insurance companies are based here. But to dismiss the capital of Connecticut as a boring and industrial area would be to miss out on all the great attractions here!

3. Niantic

Niantic is one of the most underrated day trips in Connecticut. This little village is absolutely beautiful. It's home to Rocky Neck State Park, a stunning oasis that overlooks Long Island Sound. There's also a great children's museum here and a gorgeous boardwalk. It's definitely one of our favorite destinations in the state.

4. Mystic

Mystic is another fun little village with plenty to offer. Mystic Pizza is a world-famous pizza spot thanks to the 1988 film named for it. There's a lot more to see here though: the Mystic Aquarium is one of the best in the country, and Fields of Fire is a treetop adventure like no other.

5. Putnam

Tucked away in the "Quiet Corner" is Putnam. This place is a surprisingly good foodie town in Connecticut. It's also home to a number of good antique stores if you like antiquing.

6. Chester

Chester is definitely one of our favorite small towns in Connecticut. There are so many cute shops and restaurants here, and it's also home to stunning natural surroundings. Find out more about this tiny town!

If you are looking for another lovely town to add to your trip-list Chester, CT is definitely one of the best day trips in Connecticut if you love small town living:

7. Old Saybrook

Old Saybrook is another charming beach town in Connecticut. It's got some fantastic restaurants to visit while you're there. Harvey's Beach is a cute beach that's great for fun in the sun.

8. East Haddam

East Haddam is small, but not lacking things to do! It's got something for everyone, with natural beauty abounding at Devil's Hopyard State Park, and plenty of fun shops and places to visit. Plus, it's home to a castle that looks straight out of a fairytale!

9. Essex

Essex is such an excellent day trip in Connecticut that it was named the Perfect Small Town. It's got a fascinating history and great local shops to support. The Connecticut River Museum is a fascinating attraction, and if you love being out on the water, Essex will feel like heaven.

10. Litchfield

Litchfield is a perfect town to explore in the warm months in Connecticut. The White Memorial Conservation Center is a fantastic preserve that will show you so much of the state's natural beauty. Litchfield is so much fun that Smithsonian Magazine named it one of the best small towns to visit.

11. Madison

We love Madison! There are so many charming beach towns in Connecticut, and this one's one of our favorites. Hammonasset Beach is the longest public beach in the state, but the town has plenty to do even if you don't like the beach. It's home to one of the best bookstores in Connecticut, and there are also plenty of outdoor attractions that nature lovers will adore.

12. Simsbury

Simsbury is a pretty cool place, but did you know it's home to the largest tree in Connecticut? The park where it's located is a great spot for fishing and canoeing, making this an excellent warm weather destination!

Feel a little Simsbury love in this mini documentary about this charming town from Robert J. Moravek Jr. who grew up here and knowns why you should add it to your list of Connecticut day trips:

With so many lovely small towns in Connecticut to explore, picking a home base like New Haven and setting out to enjoy the surrounding communities makes for a wonderful vacation. Taking Day trips from New Haven allows you to enjoy scenic natural wonders, cute shops, and charming towns all across the state. With so many great places to take day trips in Connecticut, obviously, we couldn't name them all. So, what do you think are the best day trips in Connecticut? Share your suggestions in the comments!