BEST TOWNS IN CONNECTICUT: Finest Vacation Spots 2023

BEST TOWNS IN CONNECTICUT

Connecticut is a great option if you want to live close to New York City’s opportunities and bustle while maintaining extra space and more laid-back family life. Although it is one of the smallest states in the US, Connecticut is home to many quaint rural towns, historic cities, and breathtakingly beautiful natural areas. These villages in the state are not to be missed because of their calm demeanor, hospitality, and breathtaking beauty.

Read Also: BEST TOWNS TO LIVE IN TEXAS: Top 12 Towns in Texas

Plan your itinerary for sightseeing using our list of the top cities in Connecticut for suggestions on the finest locations to visit.

Best Towns in Connecticut To Live In 

Living in Connecticut has several positive aspects. In addition to having a variety of cultural and recreational possibilities, the state is home to some of the greatest schools in the nation.

Connecticut has several advantages, including a robust economy, a top-notch educational system, and a remarkable quality of life. Due to the region’s temperate climate, you can spend the whole year outside without having to worry about blizzards or extremely high temperatures.

Want to learn more? This detailed guide lists the top Top locations to live in Connecticut.

#1. Simsbury (One Of Best Towns in Connecticut To Live In)

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IMAGE SOURCE: Simsbury A Better Chance

Simsbury is one of the best towns in Connecticut to live in. It is noted for its stunning surroundings, is situated in Hartford County, southwest Connecticut. As compared to other similar-sized municipalities, Simsbury’s crime rate is quite low. The likelihood that you may experience a violent crime in Simsbury is 1 in 6129.

Simsbury’s housing index is 133.3, and the typical cost of a home there is $364,700, significantly more than the national and state averages.

Furthermore, Simsbury outpaces the rest of the state in terms of per capita income, coming in at about $65,329 per person. That amounts to $261,316 in yearly income for a household of four.

Likewise, Simsbury is a fantastic area to call home if you’re looking for a serene suburban neighborhood with top-notch schools. In addition, it has a lot of facilities and is one of Connecticut’s safest neighborhoods.

#2. Stamford (Best Towns in Connecticut)

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IMAGE SOURCE: Visit ICT

Usually, it requires a little under 60 minutes of travel on Metro-North to reach Grand Central, the nearest significant Connecticut hub to New York City. Also, it is not necessary to travel to New York when there’s so much to do in Stamford. it is considered by many as one of the best towns in Connecticut to live in.

Everything you need is right here, from beautiful parks to a massive mall to a movie theater. Bedford Street has a variety of busy boutiques and eateries. Stamford Town Center is right at the end of the block, so you can practically shop until you drop into this vibrant community.

Cove Island Park is a great place to get some fresh air. You may work out outside, stroll one of the many paths, or simply sit and enjoy the views of the sea. More primitive walking pathways at the Stamford Nature Center take guests on wildlife-spotting adventures into the forest.

Mianus River Park is also a must-see for wildlife enthusiasts. To explore this 300-acre paradise, bring food, drink, and comfortable shoes.

#3. Hartford

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IMAGE SOURCE: TripSavvy

Hartford is indeed, one of the best towns in Connecticut to live in located one hundred miles west of Boston, and is easily accessible by car, bus, or train. It also has an international airport, so you can reach pretty much everywhere from this Connecticut center.

In addition to world-class institutions, the state capital of Hartford offers a diverse range of food and retail alternatives. In addition, the lovely 37-acre Bushnell Park, with its carousel and unmatched State Capitol Building vistas, is popular with both children and adults.

Hartford’s streets are permeated with history. This bustling city, one of the oldest in the country, is situated on the banks of the Connecticut River. Hartford was formerly wealthy due to its insurance sector, which lured great authors to come here.

Visit Mark Twain’s Home & Museum, one of Hartford’s major tourist sites, or see Harriet Beecher Stowe’s former house in the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center to expand your understanding of literary culture.

The Wadsworth Atheneum, America’s oldest free public museum, houses an impressive collection of items.

Best Hotels to Stay in Hartford

The Goodwin Hotel
image source: TripAdvisor

James J. Goodwin and Rev. Francis Goodwin, two brothers, built this iconic edifice as an apartment complex in 1881, which is when the Goodwin saga began. It was eventually transformed into a hotel and is now a well-known landmark in Hartford. The Goodwin’s 2017 revival will include a dynamic City aesthetic while preserving aspects of its history, legacy, and tradition to show off its true self. It is one of the best towns in Connecticut to live in.

Hilton Hartford
IMAGE SOURCE: Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau

The commercial and eating core of Connecticut’s historic city of Hartford is the perfect location for the Hilton Hartford hotel. At the crossroads of I-91 and I-84, our hotel is conveniently close to over 30 exclusive eateries, bars, nightclubs, theatres, and performing arts authorities. Trumbull Street leads right up to our hotel, and the skywalk to the Hartford XL Center makes it easy to attend the region’s top sporting events. 

Enjoy UCONN basketball, Hartford Wolfpack hockey, cultural and consumer show events, and countless concerts. Hartford Wolfpack hockey is a New York Rangers affiliate. Via this relationship, the hotel is also able to host sizable conventions and use the XL Center for exhibitions and sizable banquet events. There are 393 guest rooms, including seven exquisite

Hartford Marriott Downtown
IMAGE SOURCE: TripAdvisor

A five-star hotel connected to the Connecticut Convention Center is the Hartford Marriott Downtown. Our Hartford hotel provides a distinctive environment for conferences, weddings, and other special occasions. It is one of the best towns in Connecticut to live in.

#4. Old Greenwich

IMAGE SOURCE: Zillow

Old Greenwich is a wealthy seaside community in the Connecticut county of Fairfield. This charming coastal village still has a small-town atmosphere and provides many breathtaking vistas.

In comparison to the median crime rate in the US of 35.4, Old Greenwich has a low crime rate of 11.4. As per Top Places, the typical house value in this seaside community is $1,633,500. Moreover, Old Greenwich is rated as the #21 Primary School in Connecticut.

One of the nicest locations to reside in Connecticut in Old Greenwich. Old Greenwich homeowners enjoy a minimalist suburban vibe and control the majority of their properties. There are several eateries, coffee shops, and parks in Old Greenwich. Old Greenwich has a large family population, and the locals are generally liberal. Great praise is given to Old Greenwich’s public schools.

#5. Greenwich 

IMAGE SOURCE: The Siegfried Group

A suburb of New York City, Greenwich has 63,455 residents. One of the nicest locations to reside in Connecticut is Greenwich, which is located in Fairfield County. Residents of Greenwich enjoy a thick suburban atmosphere, and the majority own their houses. There are several eateries, coffee shops, and parks in Greenwich. In Greenwich, there are many families, and liberal attitudes are prevalent. High praise is given to Greenwich’s public schools. 

Greentown Avenue is among the top destinations in Greenwich. Similar to the Historical Society, Bruce Museum, Audubon Center, and Greenwich Polo Park, Greentown Avenue is a favorite hangout for wealthy locals. It has a wide selection of stores with prestigious brands and high prices, like Apple, TUMI, Hermès, and Saks Fifth Avenue. There are also less expensive choices like LF, Shoes ‘N More, and Lululemon. Wandering the street, observing yoga mothers drinking lattes and well-groomed men and women racing to their next appointments is half the enjoyment. There are several mid- and expensive cafés and eateries along Greenwich Avenue.

#6. Norwalk 

IMAGE SOURCE: www.norwalk.org

Although Norwalk is one of Connecticut’s top seaside towns, there are other reasons to go there as well. This seaside community has a bustling center that residents refer to as SoNo (also known as South Norwalk). Washington Street, which is crowded with visitors on warm, sunny days, is lined with hip eateries and unique boutiques.

Take a few tacos from Rio Bravo to Calf Pasture Beach, the greatest (and sandiest) feature of the community. Before visiting the stunning rural home and museum, the 44,000-square-foot Lockwood-Mathews House, built in 1864, shake off the sand.

Visit the Maritime Aquarium to round off your day. This exciting location is home to more than 2,700 aquatic species and is the second-most popular family attraction in Connecticut.

Where to Stay in Norwalk (Best Towns in Connecticut To Live In)

Hotel Zero Degrees Norwalk
IMAGE SOURCE: Booking.Com

The Hotel Zero Degrees Norwalk is not like other hotels. From the lovely rooftop terrace to our prime location in the center of Norwalk, we’ve created a hotel for those looking for something unique. It is one of the best towns in Connecticut to live in.

Hilton Garden Inn Norwalk
IMAGE SOURCE: Eventective

Visitors coming to Fairfield County, Connecticut for business or pleasure may stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Norwalk hotel and enjoy first-rate service, elegance, and convenience. Our suburban Coastal Connecticut hotel is close to Glover Avenue, i-park Norwalk, and the Towers Building, and it provides quick access to I-95 and the Merritt Parkway.

LaKota Oaks
IMAGE SOURCE: Booked.net

The Lakota Oaks is the top hotel and conference venue in Norwalk, Connecticut, for business retreats, seminars, and overnight stays. LaKota Oaks provides 10,500 square feet of event space, including 17 multipurpose conference rooms and 123 bedrooms, amid 66 secluded acres of lovely meadows and forests. As an IACC venue, we provide meeting packages that include all of your conference requirements, including meeting space, lunches, breaks, AV, and accommodations. 

Lakota Oaks is one of the best towns in Connecticut to live in. It can accommodate meetings for 2-225 participants in a calm, stimulating setting that will help you concentrate, learn, and develop. Hiking trails, basketball, racquetball, volleyball, tennis, a fitness center, and an indoor pool are just a few of our leisure facilities. Our inventive and healthful culinary choices, all under the direction of Head Chef John Peper, are supported by a restaurant and lounge.

#7. New Britain

IMAGE SOURCE: Wikipedia

In New Britain, there are almost 72,000 residents. Once you come to visit, it is easy to see why they chose to establish roots here. Visitors are kept busy by attractive parks, a vibrant cultural scene, and a baseball stadium that is the ideal size—neither too huge nor too little.

With a history dating back to 1903 and a permanent collection that numbers more than 8,200 pieces by American painters, the New Britain Museum of American Art is a well-liked tourist destination. Just a few of the well-known artists on display are Norman Rockwell, Howard Pyle, as well as Hudson River School artists.

New Britain, called “Hardware City,” was a thriving manufacturing area in the early nineteenth century and has been home to the Stanley Works ever since. Walnut Hill Park, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, has a 2.7-meter-tall obelisk honoring the town’s troops who participated in World War I.

#8. West Hartford

BEST TOWNS IN CONNECTICUT
IMAGE SOURCE: Brookdale

West Hartford, located five miles west of the state capital, is a smaller and more tranquil counterpart of Hartford. It has tree-lined lanes, historic residences, as well as activities for the whole family. Elizabeth Park’s stunning gardens are a sight to behold, and the West Hartford Center provides traditional New England charm, eccentric boutiques, tasty restaurants, and an opportunity to meet the people. The Noah Webster House and West Hartford Historical Society bring history to life, while the Children’s Museum has a life-sized sperm whale reproduction. Lastly, there are waterfalls, mountains, and hiking paths at West Hartford Reservoir. 

Furthermore, living in West Hartford provides people with a thick suburban atmosphere, and the majority of inhabitants own their houses. While there are several taverns, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks in West Hartford. West Hartford is home to many young professionals and retirees, and the population is liberal. West Hartford’s public schools are well regarded.

#9. Avon 

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IMAGE SOURCE: Koverage Insurance Group

Avon, Connecticut, has a population of 18,821. It is located in Hartford County and is one of the nicest locations to live in Connecticut. Avon provides inhabitants with a minimal suburban vibe, and the majority of homeowners own their houses. It also has several restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Avon is a liberal town with many retirees. Avon’s public schools are well-ranked.

#10. New Haven

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IMAGE SOURCE: Connecticut P

An Ivy League university is right outside New Haven’s door, and the city is home to several fantastic eateries. You really must see the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, especially if you’re traveling with kids. The Yale University Art Museum, which features pieces from the ancient Mediterranean region to the present, is particularly inspirational. Together with Wooster Square’s decadently pink cherry blossoms and a town green surrounded by faux-Gothic, contemporary, and Victorian structures. In Edgewood Park’s Duck Pond, you may relax and take in the busy cafés and eateries.

What Is the Nicest Town in Connecticut?

7 best towns in Connecticut are:

  1. Greenwich
  2. Norwalk
  3. Stamford
  4. West Hartford
  5. Avon
  6. New Britain
  7. Simsbury

What Is the Best Town in Connecticut To Raise a Family?

Several families live in Old Greenwich, which is a peaceful, beautiful, and liberal neighborhood.

Conclusion

You can go around Connecticut quickly since it is the third-smallest state in the union. It won’t take you more than two hours to get from one end to the other. Despite its physical limitations, the Constitution State makes up for it with its distinctively New England flavor and incredibly active cities.

Moreso, colonial communities, peaceful seaports, and cosmopolitan metropolises are scattered across the state. You may discover everything you’re searching for in Connecticut’s top cities, including excellent cuisine, Ivy League schools, and modern art institutions.

For towns with immaculate beaches, stay along the coast (Connecticut has over 250 miles of coastline) or travel inland to experience a vibrant metropolis surrounded by beautiful woodland and brilliant lakes. The beauty of the surrounding landscape will help to counterbalance the excitement of the crowded city streets.

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