12 Amazing Connecticut Day Trips That Are Worth The Drive

Despite its small size as the third smallest US state by land size, there is so much to see and do in Connecticut. It ranks number 10 in the country for the most state parks at 109, beating out much larger states like Texas, Montana, and New Mexico. The capital of Connecticut is Hartford, one of the oldest cities in the United States, founded in 1635. It has a strong history in finance and commerce as it is the headquarters for several globally-leading insurance companies. Bradley International Airport (BDL) is about 20 minutes from Hartford and a convenient alternative to New York and Boston airports. Use Hartford as a starting point for 12 amazing day trips, all less than two hours from the World’s Insurance Capital.

Sleeping Giant State Park, Hamden

Sleeping Giant State Park is a popular state park only 30 minutes from Hartford, known for its rocky trails and sweeping views of the landscape from the Sleeping Giant Observation Tower. The park gets its unusual name from two miles of traprock mountain top that resembles the profile of a large man lying down with outcrops, ridges, and rock formations, giving the man a distinct head, chin, chest, hip, knee, and feet. The mountain is stunning all year round, with spectacular views, 40 miles of hiking trails, fishing holes, and dramatic cliffs.

First-time visitors with families should try the easy 3-mile out-and-back Tower Trail, which gently climbs to the peak of Mount Carmel, the tallest of the ridges that make up the sleeping man’s body—his hip. See 360-degree views of Long Island Sound and the New Haven area from the top of the tower.

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Hartford

The oldest public art museum in the United States, the Wadsworth Atheneum, houses an impressive collection of European and American art, including pieces by Monet, Dalí, and Miró. The museum opened its doors to the public in 1844; today, it is home to nearly 50,000 works of art. Its collection spans 5,000 years and encompasses European art from antiquity to contemporary and American art from the 1600s. There is a selection of tours geared to the artist in everyone, from a family tour recommended for ages 12 and under to a highlights tour to the Austin House Tour, the Hartford home of the director of the Wadsworth, and the largest object in the museum’s collection.

Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, New Haven

The Peabody Museum of Natural History at Yale University in New Haven is one of the world's oldest, largest, and most renowned natural history museums. The museum first opened in 1876. It has numerous exhibits on anthropology, paleontology, and wildlife, including its famed Great Hall of Dinosaurs, custom-built in 1925 to fit its prized brontosaurus fossil. Adorning the walls is a 110-by-16-foot "The Age of Reptiles" mural by Rudolph F. Zallinger. The museum has over 14 million specimens and objects from 10 curated collections that tell the story of Earth, life, history, and culture.

If museum lovers have already visited the Peabody, it’s time for a return trip as the museum reopened in 2024 after an extensive $160 million renovation, adding 15,000 square feet of exhibit space and new galleries. Admission to the museum is free, and it is less than 45 minutes from Hartford.

Mystic Seaport & Mystic Aquarium, Mystic

Aquarium enthusiasts will find the Mystic Aquarium in the historic seaport village of Mystic, an hour’s drive from Hartford. The museum is home to the only beluga whales in New England, plus African penguins, Californian Sea Lions, Zebra Sharks, and other marine life. Plan a day trip to celebrate a special event, book an exciting animal encounter, and come face to face with sea turtles, meet the trainers, or paint with seals, who benefit from being stimulated by interactions with people.

After spending time in the aquarium, explore the Mystic Seaport Museum by walking the wooden deck of the 1841 Charles W. Morgan whaling ship. Stroll through the re-created village, explore the shops and eateries in downtown Mystic, and stop for photographs at landmarks like the iconic 1922 Mystic River Bascule Bridge—a drawbridge connecting Mystic with Stonington.

The Pachaug State Forest, Griswold

Pachaug State Forest is the largest state forest in Connecticut, encompassing 26,477 acres. It is also less than an hour’s drive from Hartford. The forest provides endless outdoor adventure for nature lovers and hikers with miles of trails across different terrain, woodland paths, boardwalks, and rocky outcrops. The Pachaug Forest is divided into the Chapman Area and the Green Falls Area, but both areas have opportunities like boating, mountain biking, fishing, picnicking, and more.

A short, worthwhile walk to start any hike in the mystical green forest is the Rhododendron Sanctuary, which is part of Pachaug-Great Meadow Swamp—one of Connecticut’s eight National Natural Landmarks. The .5-mile trail in the Chapman Area of the state forest follows Mount Misery Brook as it flows past white cedar trees, hemlocks, and native rhododendrons. From there, hikers can climb to the top of the 441-foot-high Mount Misery to view the massive forest.

Gillette Castle State Park, East Haddam

Only 45 minutes from Hartford, medieval enthusiasts will love a day trip to this neat castle sitting 200 feet above the Connecticut River, built by the famous stage actor William Gillette, widely known for portraying Sherlock Holmes. The 14,000 square foot, 24-room castle is surrounded by 184 acres of woodlands, perfect for nature lovers and picnickers. Hikers can follow a 1.5-mile-long railroad trail once used to ferry the actor’s friends around the large estate. There are scenic footbridges and trestles and an abandoned tunnel to explore. Tours of the castle are available throughout the year, and special events coincide with occasions like Halloween and Christmas.

Mark Twain House & Museum, Hartford

Visit the beautifully preserved home of Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known as the author Mark Twain. Built in 1873, this 25-room architectural marvel was home to the famous author when he wrote some of his best-known works, including Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Prince and the Pauper, and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. In the adjoining museum, fans of literature can learn about the author’s life and work, see the first editions of his famous books, the infamous Paige Compositor (a mechanical typesetting machine comprised of 18,000 parts designed to speed up the typesetting process), and various other rotating and permanent exhibits.

After checking out the Twain House, walk next door to the Harriet Beecher Stowe House, the former home of Harriet Beecher Stowe, best known for her anti-slavery novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Stowe and Twain were neighbors in the late 19th century, and today, their homes are preserved as museums.

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, Essex

Travelers can take a step back in time to historic 1892 Essex Station for a 2.5-hour journey as a steam locomotive pulls riders on vintage coaches on a narrated trip through the Connecticut River Valley. From May through October, riders can continue aboard the multi-deck Becky Thatcher riverboat for another hour-ish cruise on the Connecticut River.

Take the whole family to enjoy this railroad attraction on the themed 2024 North Pole Express journey to the North Pole with Santa and Mrs. Claus, where every coach car enjoys a live musical performance of The Night Before Christmas with cookies and hot cocoa. The railroad adventure is only 40 minutes from Hartford by car.

Florence Griswold Museum, Old Lyme

A day trip to the charming Florence Griswold Museum will appeal to artists and art historians, to learn about the Lyme Art Colony—a vibrant artist community that flourished in the town of Old Lyme in the late 19th and 20th centuries. The colony became the hub of the American Impressionist movement. Florence Griswold’s house became the boardinghouse for artists drawn to the picturesque landscape where they could paint outdoors (en plein air).

Famous impressionist artists from France, including Claude Monet, Renoir, and Edgar Degas, inspired the Lyme Art Colony and gave birth to a wave of American impressionist artists like William Metcalf, Matilda Brown, and Frank Weston Benson. The garden and grounds around the museum are worth exploring on the Robert E. Schumann Artists’ Trail, which explores the connection between art, history, and nature. The museum is less than an hour from Hartford.

Connecticut Science Center, Hartford

The perfect day trip for the entire family is the Connecticut Science Center in downtown Hartford. With over 165 hands-on exhibits, a 3D digital theater, live daily science experiments, and Connecticut’s only indoor tropical butterfly habitat, plenty of activities promote learning in a fun, state-of-the-art space overlooking the Connecticut River. There’s Science Alley showcasing exploration from the deep sea to outer space, an Invention Dimension space where kids can learn all about Connecticut-made inventions, and a Sight and Sound exhibit that combines art, music, and science. An ice cream shop is on-site for a treat at day’s end.

Enders State Forest, Granby

Enders State Forest is a 2,100-acre forest that the Enders family gave to the state of Connecticut in memory of their parents. The state forest is perfect for families with leashed dogs to spend a relaxing day in nature, with hiking, birding, and picnicking opportunities. There are several trails rated as easy and moderate, including the Enders Brook Falls Trail—a one-mile out-and-back easy route, and the Fox Road Trail—a moderate 4.5-mile trail. The forest is full of wetlands, but the multiple cascading waterfalls are the star of the hike, from gentle flowing rapids to flumes of white water. Beautiful Medieval-type stone steps in the forest along the banks of the Enders Brook give waterfall chasers several different vantage points from which to view the falls. "Enders," as locals know it, is about 30 minutes from Hartford.

New England Air Museum, Windsor Locks

Minutes from the Bradley International Airport, the New England Air Museum is the largest aerospace museum in New England, with over 80 aircraft and aircraft artifacts in outdoor displays and hangars. Aviation enthusiasts, or anyone interested in the history of aviation, will enjoy spending the day on a self-guided tour of the museum or downloading a smartphone tour.

Permanent exhibits at the museum include "New England Women in Aviation," "Silent Wings," an exhibit dedicated to the glider pilots of World War II who flew some of the most dangerous missions of the war, and a new exhibit on Igor Sikorsky, a Ukraine engineer who developed the first successful helicopter in the US. Planespotters won’t want to miss the aircraft on display. A few visitor favorites include the Boeing B-29A Superfortress, Douglas DC-3, and the one-of-a-kind VS-44A Excambian Flying Boat, built by Sikorsky.

Connecticut offers an array of amazing day trips, ideal for families, nature lovers, and history enthusiasts. Outdoor spots include Sleeping Giant State Park, with its unique "sleeping giant" mountain formation, and Pachaug State Forest, Connecticut’s largest, ideal for hiking and picnics. History buffs can visit Hartford’s Wadsworth Atheneum, the oldest public art museum in the US, or the Mark Twain House. For a mix of history and nature, Gillette Castle State Park offers scenic trails and a quirky castle. Families will enjoy hands-on exhibits at the Connecticut Science Center, the dinosaur-filled Yale Peabody Museum, and Mystic Aquarium, home to New England’s only beluga whales. Each day trip is less than two hours from Hartford.