8 Underappreciated Towns To Visit In Connecticut
Connecticut, located in the southern New England region of the US, is a real treat for travelers who crave a refreshing itinerary. The state is known for its beautiful commercial locales and natural or historical landmarks that are often underrated and not usually appreciated by the outside world. From the historical allure of Guilford to the coastal charm of Old Saybrook and the relaxing getaway in Farmington, Connecticut's towns have a lot to offer. With so many exciting things to see and do, these underappreciated towns will leave anyone speechless!
Guilford
A small town with lots of fascinating landmarks, Guilford is a wonderful destination for exploring historical and natural foundations surrounded by coastal charm. The Henry Whitfield State Museum is an amazing site with its 1630s Puritan architecture and underrated self-guided tours with a fun gift shop inside; it even has outdoor Bingo sessions that many might overlook during their visit! The Dudley Farm is an 1840s tannery mill that has since become a scenic farmland touring zone for tourists who want a rural ambiance.
For even further underrated history tours, the Hyland House has equal amounts of comfort and 17th-century antique furniture to bring people back to the old days of homestead living. On the 25-acre Jacobs Beach, travelers can enjoy kid-friendly playgrounds and underappreciated boating pleasures while taking in humid air and stunning waters. The welcoming Paperscape Artworks locale brings out the best of town with its art studio workshops and fun-loving company. One can visit Guilford Lobster Pound for truly underrated seafood meals to eat some delicious buttered lobster and clam chowders!
Woodstock
Woodstock, recognized as part of the "Quiet Corner," is an underrated destination worth seeing in person for its natural splendors! The Roseland Cottage is a primary stop for tourists who love 19th-century Gothic Revivalism and a seasonal garden estate that stands out as an amazing museum as well. Nature lovers may love Echo Farm, a historical and natural farm locale with pretty flowers and organic vegetable varieties that remain underappreciated to outsiders! At Woodstock Orchards and Bakery Barn, tourists can participate in fun cider-tasting activities and enjoy pies, muffins, and other baked goods.
Scranton's Shops is a must-see for unusual antiques and underrated New England merchandise that traces back three decades. At Southwood Alpacas, farm visitors can appreciate and take cute photos with alpacas! For dining, travelers can visit the Mansion at Bald Hill, a hidden gem landmark with solitary northeastern history and underappreciated "Bed and Breakfast" delights. Thai Basil has plenty of menu options to keep everyone interested in spicy appetizers and sushi meals.
Old Saybrook
Old Saybrook is overlooked by many as one of the oldest towns in Connecticut! With 10,571 locals, it is home to famed landmarks like Saybrook Monument Park is a great stop with 17 acres of Saybrook Colony birdwatching points and a nice storyboard-driven boardwalk that may appeal to outsiders. At General William Hart House, underrated local tours of the 17th century come to life as visitors can admire colonial-era residences and Georgian influence. Clark Community Park has lots of thrilling hiking trails and spring wildlife, like frogs and coyotes, that may catch any nature enthusiast's eye!
Mini-Golf at Saybrook Point is the best locale to check out for challenging golf courses and surprisingly scenic ocean views. At the Antiques Depot, some of the most fascinating furniture relics and showroom features can be found that some may not notice while shopping around. Penny Lane Pub is a hotspot for tourists and locals who love classic English-style hamburgers and historic outdoor ambiance. The Monkey Farm has splendid Italian dishes and an underappreciated pool and darts corner to reel in newcomers!
Woodbury
Woodbury is not a destination to be left out on any itinerary as it charms tourists with its adventurous stops and historic significance as the "Antiques Capital" of the state. Hogpen Hill Farms is a vibrant sculpture museum that caters to those with a penchant for stainless steel and 234-acre landscapes filled with contemporary boulder art. History and commercial enjoyment combine at Canfield Corner Pharmacy, a nice little detour with its local pharmacy goods and some of the oldest Victorian products that make this locale truly spectacular and underappreciated!
The Highwire Deer & Animal Farm brings out the best of exotic wildlife and local town pleasures for tourists who crave up-close observations of cute kangaroos, camels, zebras, and other species. At Walker Road Vineyards, visitors can experience family-friendly beauty within a grape vineyard and enjoy underrated lunches with the owners! The 14-acre Southbury Dog Park remains one of the best spots to meet new people as a fun landmark with dog-friendly trails and welcoming hikers all around! At 1754 House, one can find satisfying American dishes and authentic pretzel bites that easily stand out.
Simsbury
Home to the first steel mill in America, tourists very much underappreciate Simsbury, a remarkable town that has an unnoticed reputation for natural beauty! Talcott Mountain State Park is a top-notch landmark with its Metacomet Trail splendors and the best views of town around the Heublein Tower, a grand motivator for any tourist who wants a truly underrated panoramic memory! Stratton Brook State Park has lush greenery, fishing relaxation, and wooden pathways connected to an open stream that makes for a nice winter adventure while out and about. The Old Drake Hill Flower Bridge is yet another underappreciated landmark with its meaningful 19th-century metal bridge sights and colorful hanging flower baskets!
The Simsbury Historical Society may be more appealing for history buffs who want to cherish local tavern culture and ten historic building sites that pay tribute to the founders of the town. Rosedale Farms & Vineyards is a hidden gem worth exploring with its farmland community vibrance and award-winning sunflower treats. Tulmeadow Farm Store is an amusing locale with the best peppermint and coconut chocolate desserts! At Blossom Cafe, Asian fusion cuisine and Hong Kong-inspired syrup meals make for an outstanding trip that one may not commonly find on travel itineraries.
Wethersfield
Located along the Connecticut River just south of Hartford, Wethersfield is a noteworthy destination that holds up to its name as the "onion trade" leader in the New England region. 27,114 inhabitants here love some of its underappreciated landmarks, such as the Webb Deane Stevens Museum, a grand stop for learning about George Washington's original headquarters and the 18th-century national history of the U.S. government. Mill Woods Park is a natural detour with its animal-friendly picnic areas and family-oriented landscapes that allow newcomers to barbecue with fellow residents! Wethersfield Cove is a recreational site with boating and fishing sights to take in for anyone who prefers solitude around town.
The Eleanor Buck Wolf Nature Center has live animal exhibits and cool reading game workshops for children as a cozy ecological center. At the Heirloom Market, visitors can enjoy organic grocery shopping and underrated avocado toast! The Old Wethersfield Country Store is known for its timeless candy assortments and interesting vintage wafers that remain a true gem in town. At Lucky Lou's Bar and Grille, one can find fancy Italian and Greek dishes, not to mention the most underappreciated calamari in town!
East Haddam
East Haddam is full of historical and natural appeal as an underrated destination with quirky European rural living. Gillette Castle State Park is a medieval stone landmark with the coolest mansion sights and 184 acres of scenic woodlands that cannot be found in other towns! East Haddam History Society & Museum has lots of 1960s local history and a nine-room foundation with a cultural village upbringing. Nathan Hale Schoolhouse East Haddam is also on the list for anyone who prefers quality guided tours of educational schoolrooms from the 1770s and American Revolution history.
For architectural splendors, tourists can visit East Haddam Swing Bridge for perfect views of the Connecticut River! Devil's Hopyard State Park is another amazing stop with 1,000 acres of underrated hazel hiking trails along Chapman Falls. Travelers who love evening entertainment may find underappreciated live events and musical concerts at Goodspeed Opera House, a must-visit for thriving local artistry and Connecticut River Valley stage performances. Yankee Cider Company is the best option for tourists who want to mingle with locals while enjoying unique tap rooms full of historic brews and ciders from the 1980s. Gelston House has custom salad creations and friendly fireplace conversations that are overlooked by newcomers!
Farmington
A farmland destination for travelers with a reputation for being one of the best places to live in, Farmington is home to lots of underappreciated landmarks guaranteed to bring some enjoyment! The Hill-Stead Museum is a Colonial Revival estate with 19th-century French Impressionism exhibits and stately finds that one may not easily find elsewhere. The Stanley-Whitman House is another historical stop with underappreciated colorful architecture and colonial New England heritage full of orchard stone walls. For a laidback public tour, one can visit the Farmington Historical Society for a close-up of 18th-century cottage artifacts often forgotten.
The Farmington Memorial Town Forest is an underappreciated landmark that serves to memorialize men and women who once fought during World War I and also doubles as a unique birdwatching stop! Nature lovers may admire the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail, an 82-mile rail trail with a famous lookout and cozy forestry that are lesser known to outsiders. At Antiq's, one may discover quality Victorian household items, underrated trinkets, and folk art furniture that have been around since the 18th and 19th centuries. Hungry stomachs may want to check out overlooked diners such as Naples Pizza for the most delicious pizza varieties and fried mozzarella.
These small towns in Connecticut are all truly underappreciated and worthwhile for any traveler looking to visit someplace new. The "Constitution State" is full of the best locales and landmarks that will reel in tourists of all ages. With many cool stops and lots of history and nature to absorb, the state has just about everything one needs for a good time!
