Connecticut is a state in New England that is full of hidden gems that not many people realize outside of the residents of the state that are used to its daily quirks. While it is home to many big name attractions and large bustling cities, it also has a lot of gorgeous oceanside quaint attractions as well as rural areas with small, more cozy towns.
An ideal bucket list for travel ideas in Maine would be a mix of more bustling things to do or see and some more calming outdoor or indoor experiences. While there are also plenty of yearly and semi yearly events all throughout the state, we’re going to stick to open seasonal or year-round ideas today. Here’s the top five bucket list ideas for Connecticut locals or tourists alike.
Gillette Castle State Park
Starting off strong with Gillette Castle and Gillette Castle State Park in Lyme Connecticut, let’s get into a unique state park with its own interesting history and a full castle! This was a castle designed by William Gillette, an American actor, and built in the early 1900s. The state park spans over 100 acres of land, and now you can visit the park to learn more about William Gillette as well as experience a truly unique trip.
You can tour the stone castle while here, settle in to camp at a river campsite on the location, hike and walk along many trails including previous train trails, and so much else here at the Gillette Castle State Park. For directions, parking, and pricing you want to visit the Connecticut Parks website for Gillette Castle State Park to get the most up to date information when you’re planning a trip there. But, the grounds and trails are free to wander!
Connecticut Wine Trail
This is definitely focused on our adult audience in specific, but it’s such a unique experience we had to add it to the top five bucket list ideas for Connecticut. West Hartford Connecticut has the Connecticut Wine Trail, something we’re sure you’ve never experienced anywhere else. This activity is a partnership of many wineries and vineyards that give you a list of places to visit while you learn about wine making, try unique wines from each location, and enjoy Connecticut.
While it may not be your cup of tea if you don’t enjoy wine, even just visiting the locations and going for the trip without drinking can be really enjoyable! The small areas that these wineries and vineyards are in show you a new perspective on the smaller areas of Connecticut that are there to be enjoyed and seen, and it can be educational even if you don’t drink. Please drink responsibly and check the Connecticut Wine Trail website for details and pricing.
Mark Twain House
Lovers of classic literature and American idols would definitely want to take a detour on any Connecticut trip to make it to Hartford Connecticut where the author Mark Twain, also known as Samuel Clemens, spent time residing in what is now the Mark Twain House and Museum between 1874 and 1891. The home is showed only by guided tour because of its popularity and efforts to preserve the quality of the aging structure.
If you know anything about titles like The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, or any other Mark Twain books, you definitely want to tune in to this guided tour. Prices and times can be found on the Mark Twain House and Museum’s website. As mentioned earlier, this is only a guided tour because the group that restored this historic location wants to preserve it as well as possible, but it is the site where Twain wrote multiple of his classic novels.
Yale University Art Gallery
An esteemed college like Yale is a once in a lifetime attendance option for those that get accepted into their students each term, but Yale has a lot to offer for the public as well. Whether you want to wander the grounds to see the historic buildings or opt for a more specific building of choice, you’ve found the place to be in New Haven Connecticut. Yale University’s Art Gallery is home to several interconnected buildings with tons of art and collections to see.
This is the oldest college art museum in all of America, and it’s even free and open to the public. Yale’s Art Gallery hosts over 100 thousand works of art and does many events, classes, and rotating exhibits throughout the year based on their theming, current holidays, and more. Even little ones would marvel at some of the beautiful pieces throughout this location, and if you want to know more about the current exhibits, events, or classes visit Yale’s Art Gallery website.
Lake Compounce Amusement and Water Park
Finally but certainly not least on the list is something for those of you looking for something more fun, interactive, and high energy. This is great for families especially families with high energy or adrenaline loving kiddos. Lake Compounce Amusement and Water Park in Bristol Connecticut has appeal for all ages and a variety of rides, attractions, events, and fun water rides too. And it all started as a picnic park in the 1800s!
They run a variety of promotions and programs throughout the year that change what tickets or passes you may want to purchase, and since we don’t know your budget or needs for a visit to Lake Compounce Amusement and Water Park you can find the ticket and pass information here on their website. They run promotions for as much as 50% off of the normal price of tickets and passes! Any amusement park or water park lover can find something to enjoy here.
Once you spend some time exploring, you may find that Connecticut can keep you coming back year after year or visit after visit to enjoy more of the same experiences you love as well as explore some new ideas you hadn’t seen yet. Even as a resident in Connecticut, there’s always going to be something you can do that you enjoy or that you can travel a little to see as a fun road trip idea for yourself or your family.
Hopefully this list of the top five bucket list ideas in Connecticut can give you another insider peek into one of New England’s six states and what it can offer for any age group, interests, or size of traveling group. Maybe it’ll inspire a future vacation or road trip someday!
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