Despite its modest size, Connecticut is charming and provides a wide range of choices for weekend getaways. The Nutmeg State has something to offer everyone, whether they are history buffs, thrill seekers, or seeking a peaceful getaway. Connecticut is home to charming seaside towns and scenic retreats in the countryside. Wander through Mystic Seaport, savor New Haven’s culinary treats, or hike the Sleeping Giant State Park trails. There are countless options.
In this post, we’ll look at some of the top weekend getaways in Connecticut and offer planning advice for your upcoming trip to this stunning state. So gather your belongings, set out, and get ready to make lifelong memories.
#1. Chester
Chester is one of the best weekend getaways in Connecticut. An antidote for urbanites’ stress can be found in this charming rural community. Travelers will feel their shoulders unwind as they stroll along the quaint main street of this top-rated weekend retreat in Connecticut, which is only two hours away from New York and Boston.
The town center, complete with cafés and adorable gift shops, is the ideal location for relaxation. Visit Gillette Castle State Park while you’re in East Haddam by taking the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry. It’s a 24-room mansion that has been meticulously kept, and it has breathtaking vistas from above one of the Seven Sisters peaks.
Take in a play at The Terris Theatre, grab a bite to eat nearby, and then return to the Madison Beach Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton in adjacent Madison, CT, for a sound night’s sleep. Rent bikes for touring the neighborhood in the early hours of the day, go for a walk on the private beach, or enjoy a massage at the spa.
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#2. Mystic
The events and sights to see in Mystic, Connecticut, are the most crucial details in this piece. A picnic lunch at Mystic Market, a private sailboat charter, snorkeling, and scuba diving at Fisher’s Island, and a visit to the Mystic Seaport Museum all fall within this list of activities. There are numerous seafood eateries, such as the Oyster Club, the Mystic Museum of Art, and the Mystic Seaport Museum, that are open for dinner.
The Inn at Mystic is the only hotel with views of Mystic Harbor and Fisher’s Island Sound. Its on-site restaurant, Rocks 21, serves lobster-filled avocados for dinner on its deck. Most of the rooms include Jacuzzi tubs and fireplaces.
#3. Avon Old Farms Hotel in Avon
The Avon Old Farms Hotel is a vintage, premium hotel situated in Connecticut on 10 acres of picturesque Talcott Mountain. Although it has features like a continental breakfast, an outdoor pool, and a restaurant that has won awards, the real fun is only a few miles away. The Hublein Tower at Talcott Mountain State Park, a 165-foot tower with stunningly vast views of the fall foliage, is a favorite of CT leaf-peepers.
One of New England’s top water parks is located at Lake Compounce near Bristol, the oldest continuously functioning amusement park in North America. If you prefer not to hike to breathtaking natural vistas, consider taking the family to Bristol’s Lake Compounce for some good old-fashioned family fun.
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#4. Saybrook Point Inn & Spa
The Saybrook Point Inn and Spa is exceptional among Connecticut weekend getaways since it is situated right on the Long Island Sound shore. Over 82 guestrooms, including standard rooms, villas, and guesthouses, are available at the inn.
This resort’s adaptability makes it a fantastic choice for couples or groups traveling together. Irrespective of the accommodation they select, visitors will experience a comfortable setting with breathtaking views. The hotel also has 5-star amenities like an award-winning spa, a cutting-edge fitness center, and the quaint Fresh Salt restaurant. There is a marina for ships up to 230 feet if you’re seeking romantic vacations in Connecticut that allow arrival by sea.
#5. Hammonasset State Park
Due to its breathtaking sandy beach that stretches two miles along the Long Island Sound, Hammonasset State Park is one of Connecticut’s top state parks. A popular attraction is the Meigs Point Nature Center, which provides activities and events to educate visitors about vital ideas such as dune ecology and finding local flora and wildlife. With more than 500 campsites available, the park is one of Connecticut’s top camping locations. A more opulent choice is the Madison Beach Hotel, which features luxury accommodations, first-rate service, and a sizable beachfront site.
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#6. Essex
The history and transportation history of Essex, Connecticut, are the most significant facts in this piece. In contrast to the riverboat trip, which focuses on some of the region’s most well-known sites, the rail tour explores nature preserves and coves. Essex’s downtown is well known for having a small-town feel, with historical homes and buildings, shops, galleries, and restaurants.
The Connecticut River Museum houses the history of boating in Essex, while the Bee and Thistle Inn in Lyme serve as a comfortable home base for weekend trips to Essex. Visitors to this de facto gallery can see, inquire about, or even buy works from the Bee and Thistle Inn’s collection of sculptures, paintings, photography, and other works.
#7. Winvian Farm, Litchfield Mills
The tranquil Winvian Farm in the Litchfield Hills is ideal for couples in need of a soothing getaway. This opulent hideaway is spread out over 113 peaceful acres and has the Hadley Suite in addition to 18 exquisitely furnished cottages. Every visitor has lots of space to spread out and take in the surroundings, and each cottage has bikes for guests to use to explore the estate. Although each cottage was designed by a different architect, luxury and intimacy run throughout them all.
As you get ready for the highlight of your day, dinner in The Restaurant, where you will savor a seasonal farm-to-table fine-dining menu, there is a sizable outdoor pool where you can unwind and soak up some sun. It is indeed one of the best weekend getaways in Connecticut.
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#8. Rocky Neck State Park
One of Connecticut’s best weekend getaways is Rocky Neck State Park, which has a beautiful beach, a boardwalk, a snack stand, restrooms, and showers. Additionally, it offers a variety of hiking trails, salt marshes teeming with unusual wildlife, and birding locations. Bring supplies if you want to set up a tent because it’s also one of the best camping spots in Connecticut. Book a stay at the charming Bee and Thistle Inn and Lounge in Old Lyme, close to Niantic, if you’d prefer to sleep on a downy, soft bed.
#9. Cornwall
Skiers and snowboarders have been flocking to Mohawk Mountain State Forest State Park since the 1940s. Black Spruce Bog and a noteworthy wildlife sanctuary can be found in the park during the warmer months. The use of snowmobiles is permitted on several forest and park paths when the snowfall is at least six inches high for wintertime enjoyment. Cornwall’s outstanding covered bridge, a popular spot for strolls, picnics, and social media gurus, is its most well-known landmark. Two lakes that offer a wealth of water recreation are on either side of the Interlaken Inn Resort & Conference Center.
#10. Interlaken Resort in Lakeville
The Interlaken Resort in Litchfield Hills, Connecticut, is the ideal place to stay if you’re searching for a pleasant country resort experience for your weekend trip. Everybody will find something to do at Interlaken, whether they prefer to be pampered with full body treatments at the on-site spa or are seeking busy outdoor fun such as kayaking, swimming, hiking, golfing, etc. There is really no need to travel offsite during your weekend break when there is so much to do and see right here in Interlaken.
Breakfast is free, so make the most of it by eating at the on-site restaurant, Morgan’s, which specializes in delicious farm-to-table cuisine. Order the Berkshire Burger, which is topped with red dragon cheddar cheese and balsamic onions on a butter-grilled potato bun.
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#11. Inn at Stonington
This is also one of the most beautiful weekend getaways in Connecticut. In the picturesque coastal village of Best Stonington Borough, Connecticut, there is an inn with 18 rooms called The Inn at Stonington. The inn provides 18 individually designed, roomy rooms with luxurious linens, balconies, fireplaces, big bathrooms with stone tiles, and picturesque views of the hamlet or Fisher’s Island Sound. All are conveniently located near the wonderful Dubois beach, numerous top restaurants, antique shops, and galleries. This is a fantastic option if you’re seeking intimate retreats in Connecticut close to a beach.
Visitors can take advantage of the basement fitness center, a hot continental breakfast, and afternoon wine and cheese receptions. In the village, it’s easy to book boat excursions of many kinds, such as sailing and kayaking.
#12. Hartford
Hartford is a city in Connecticut that was formerly known as the “House of Hope” because it served as a Dutch trading center. The capital of Connecticut has a wide variety of attractions. The Connecticut Science Center is possibly the most fascinating attraction to see, though you’ll blame yourself for skipping the Mark Twain or Harriet Beecher Stowe Houses. Within the confines of the center, visitors can hold a butterfly in the greenhouse, design and test a heli-flyer, or go on a galactic adventure.
There is also the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art and the serene nature reserve and walking trails known as West Hartford Reservoir. The distance is 20 minutes to Talcott Mountain State Park. A beautiful panorama of the Farmington River Valley awaits hikers who reach the Heublein Tower.
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#13. Mountain View Green Retreat
The Mountain View Green Retreat is a gorgeously restored Victorian with seven extraordinary rooms, a delightful guest house, and three acres of stunning slope surrounding it. Each room is uniquely furnished, filled with antiques, vintage furnishings, and priceless artwork. They are pleasant and comfortable, with private, lavish bathrooms and free wifi.
Additionally, walk through the expansive grounds, unwind by the fireplace, swing beneath a 200-year-old sugar maple, or unwind on the porch and quaint Victorian courtyard. The renowned Yale University Summer Music Festival, Music Mountain’s vibrant music culture, Lime Rock Park’s road racing activity, and the Norman Rockwell Museum’s picturesque paths for a relaxing afternoon ramble are all just over the street.
#14. Milford
In Milford, you can find charm if you’re seeking it. This quaint village, which was founded in 1639, has an English air about it. Milford is the ideal destination for individuals who enjoy a more relaxed, romantic weekend since the Wepawaug River winds through the middle of the city.
It appears that Captain Kidd and other pirates traveled along the adjacent coast while concealing hidden wealth. Maybe you can find it at Charles Island, Silver Sands State Park, or Walnut Beach. Before exploring the neighborhood shops, settle in at the Residence Inn Milford. After that, sip a cup of coffee (or two) in one of the town’s beautiful cafés and take your time exploring.
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#15. Old Saybrook
A little village in Connecticut called Old Saybrook is renowned for having a classic New England charm. The Florence Griswold Museum, General William Hart House, Harvey’s Beach, Saybrook Point Resort & Marina, and Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center are all located there. Aside from performances, the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center also features impressionist art and history. Impressionist artwork is available at the Florence Griswold Museum.
Travelers with young children will find Harvey’s Beach to be a tranquil and shallow area. Saybrook Point Resort & Marina offers opulence and stunning views of the lake.
#16. Litchfield
In Litchfield, Connecticut, the Litchfield Historic District should not be missed. It provides tourists with a voyage back in time and is built around a village green. Weekend visitors have plenty of options to get outside because the eateries are primarily located on West and North Streets. A particularly well-known conservation center with 4,000 acres of farmland, ponds, and forests is the White Memorial Conservation Center.
Another must-see destination is Topsmead State Forest, which has miles of trails, a butterfly garden, and an opulent summer home. A boutique hotel, The Litchfield Inn has conventional rooms as well as 12 themed accommodations, such as the presidential suite, log cabin, and hot tub suite.
#17. Westport
Westport is a short commute from Manhattan and offers a blend of small-town and urban charm. There are several shops and restaurants there, as well as the Westport Farmer’s Market. Compo Beach, Sherwood Island State Park, and the Westport Country Playhouse, or Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts, are the town’s three most popular places to relax, swim, and construct sandcastles. You can interact with stingrays and jellyfish at the close-by Norwalk Aquarium, observe sharks feeding, and enjoy a ride on the Sound. It is truly one of the best weekend getaways from Connecticut.