• Updated with new information since originally published.
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  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Branford ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Branford
© jason/stock.adobe.com

2. Burlington, VT ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Burlington, VT
© Bill/stock.adobe.com

3. Cape Cod

Cape Cod
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4. Chaplin

Chaplin
© alonesdj/stock.adobe.com

5. Chester

Chester
© laura/stock.adobe.com

6. Dinosaur State Park

Category: Activities
Dinosaur State Park
© Ruben/stock.adobe.com

7. East Haddam

East Haddam
© jgorzynik/stock.adobe.com

8. Essex

Essex
© FLX2/stock.adobe.com

9. Griswold

Griswold
© Ritu Jethani/stock.adobe.com

10. Groton Long Point

Category: Activities
Groton Long Point
© Elizaveta/stock.adobe.com

11. Haddam

Haddam
© OlegDoroshin/stock.adobe.com

12. Kent, Connecticut

Kent, Connecticut
© duke2015/stock.adobe.com

13. Lake Compounce

Category: Activities
Lake Compounce
© Dasha Petrenko/stock.adobe.com

14. Lime Rock Park

Category: Activities
Lime Rock Park
© storm/stock.adobe.com

15. Litchfield Hills

Litchfield Hills
© Dan/stock.adobe.com

16. Mansion at Bald Hill

Category: Museums & Culture
Mansion at Bald Hill
© Mansion at Bald Hill

17. Mystic

Mystic
© Enrico Della Pietra/stock.adobe.com

18. Pachaug State Forest

Category: Activities
Pachaug State Forest
© kaninstudio/stock.adobe.com

19. Old Saybrook

Old Saybrook
© lucky-photo/stock.adobe.com

20. Steep Rock Preserve

Category: Activities
Steep Rock Preserve
© Dmytro Panchenko/stock.adobe.com

21. Thomaston Railroad Museum of New England

Category: Kids & Family
Thomaston Railroad Museum of New England
© Thomaston Railroad Museum of New England

22. Walnut Beach

Category: Beaches
Walnut Beach
© LBSimms Photography/stock.adobe.com

23. Woodstock

Woodstock
© alicja neumiler/stock.adobe.com

24. Yantic Falls

Category: Activities
Yantic Falls
© Jennifer/stock.adobe.com

Summary and Frequenly Asked Questions:

Known for its beautiful beaches and its charming rural towns, Connecticut offers plenty of opportunities for day trips and mini vacations. The hot summer weather tends to lure visitors out to the beaches of Cape Cod and Long Island Sound, while autumn is the perfect time to venture into the countryside and admire the colorful fall foliage.

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