Connecticut Vacations Idea #1:
The Mark Twain Days Festival in Hartford is an annual three-day event that celebrates the life of Mark Twain along with the local cultural heritage. Entertainment is different each year but always includes activities, exhibits, games and events which reflect either the era in which Samuel Clemens lived, or the eras about which he wrote. Part of the celebration should include a visit to
The Mark Twain House which is a national historical landmark.
Connecticut Vacation Ideas #2:
The seaport of Mystic is an interesting place to visit. Every year they celebrate their lobstering heritage with an outdoor festival,
Lobsterfest. At the
Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center you can take a guided
bird watching. There is also the Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic Aquarium, and a shopping mall in the shape of a New England Village.
Connecticut Vacations Idea #3:
Have you ever seen a dinosaur print? Well, there are over 2,000 of them in
Dinosaur State Park. These 200 million year old, three toed dinosaur tracks criss-cross the 65 acres of park that also has nature trails for you to explore. Some of the prints are preserved under a geodesic dome and there is also a skeletal cast and life size models to examine.
Connecticut Vacations Idea #4:
Take a tour of
The United States Coast Guard Academy grounds and see what life is like on one of the toughest colleges in the country.
The USCGC Eagle, one of the few remaining wind-powered vessels in the world, is open to visitors when it is in port. The US Coast Guard Museum has a collection of ship models, patrol boats, and airplane models spanning 75 years of history.
Connecticut Vacations Idea #5:
The Connecticut Storytelling Festival, on the campus of Connecticut College, is the springtime meeting place for the best storytellers around the country. There are plenty of performances and concerts that will please the whole family.
Vacation Ideas in Connecticut #6:
Roaring Brook Nature Center is a wildlife sanctuary .... outdoor classroom .... and
bird watching playground. The 100 plus acres are home to a variety of native wildlife species including some 150 bird species. You will also find natural history exhibits, a wildlife observation area, outdoor flight cages and six miles of marked trails. Year-round educational programs are available for all ages.
Connecticut Vacations Idea #7:
The American Clock and Watch Museum in Bristol has over 1400 timepieces. Situated in this historic house, built in 1801, are exhibits and a video show on the history of clock and watch manufacturing, and an award winning sundial garden. It's treat for both eyes and ears.
Vacation in Connecticut Idea #8:
The Sharon Audubon Center is a nature center and wildlife sanctuary owned and operated by the National Audubon Society. It includes a nature center, 11 miles of walking trails, self-guided tours, herb and wildflower garden. Other features are live animal exhibits, a children's adventure center, a nature store, and a natural history library.
Connecticut Vacations Idea #9:
Take a
Connecticut River Cruise on the Lady Fenwick out of Hartford. The boat is a reproduction of an 1850s steam yacht and has regular sailings May-September and special events throughout the year. The cruise departs from Charter Oak Landing.
Vacation in Connecticut Idea #10:
Take a
Nature Cruise with Sunbeam Fleet in Waterford. One cruise will provide sightings of harbor seals as they laze on rock outcrops and frolic in the water, and another to look at bald eagles. Another cruise gives you a look at a number of historic lighthouses. Cruises depart from the dock near the Niantic River Bridge.
Vacation in Connecticut Idea #11:
For a great family vacation idea in Connecticut try
Lake Compounce Theme Park. They've been dishing up family fun for New Englanders and vacationers from across the country since 1846.
They are America's oldest amusement park so they must be doing something right. Their motto is "Whoever has the most fun wins!". And you can do it on their excellent variety of themed rides, water slides, thrill rides, musical entertainment and Garfield's Circus World for kids 3-10 years old.
Connecticut Vacations Idea #12:
Take a vacation trip along the
Connecticut Wine Trail. This is a multiple day wine tour where you can discover fine wines at fifteen of the stae's best vineyards. The route passes through some of Connecticut's most scenic and historic towns with dozens of historic sights along the way. The Eastern Trail covers eight wineries along the Conecticut coastline. The Western Trail covers seven more wineries in the heart of the state. This is an excellent vacation idea for discovering Conecticut's warm hospitality, historic New England towns and excellent local wines.
Connecticut Vacations Idea #13:
Seymour is one of Connecticut's growing arts and antiques spots. Located between Waterbury and New Haven, the downtown Seymour area is the ultimate arts and antique lover's destination. Here you can find some of the state's best art galleries, antique and specialty shops, theater and restaurants. And they are all within easy walking distance. Along the Naugatuck River is the Seymour historic village where you can visit the Victorian Arts and Antiques District. On the first Saturday night of each month, downtown Seymour comes alive with the District of Seymour Arts & Antiques Association's
First Saturdays.
Connecticut Vacations Idea #14:
Connecticut's
Devil's Hopyard State Park has 1,000 scenic acres that is particularly beautiful during the fall season with it's colorful foliage display. Located near Bristol, the highlight of the park is the sixty foot high Chapman Falls. The falls flow into the Eight-Mile River which provides a tranquil location for fishing and picnicking. You can enjoy the 15 miles of hiking trails that wind through the hemlock forest and past the marshland. During the winter the trails are used for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
