6 Most Scenic Drives in Connecticut
Are you also a fan of the open road? Instead of focusing on a single stop, is the journey not greater than the destination? States like Connecticut are very road trip friendly, with much to explore along the way! With warm summers and occasional snowfall in winter, Connecticut—its name derived from the Mohegan-Pequot word meaning “long tidal river”—has been home to civilizations dating back as far as 10,000 years. Today, people from all over the country flock to explore Mystic Seaport Museum, enjoy outdoor adventures in Litchfield Hills, and relax at Hammonasset Beach State Park. Some of the most scenic drives in The Constitution State await you!
Route 169: Canterbury to Woodstock
You never know what you might come across on these road trips, but if you pass by Creamery Brook Bison in Brooklyn, you can bet you will encounter bison herds. You can also check out some historic homes, including the Prudence Crandall Museum in Canterbury, built in the early 1800s. There are 32 miles of state-designated scenic roads here, and it is lovely during the fall,l with the sugar maples and birches lining the way. Once you do get to Woodstock, though, you can learn about Woodstock Academy, which was built in 1801 and is still running as one of the best private schools in the region!
Route 154: Essex to Old Saybrook
There are several ways to take this drive, but the one with all the good stuff starts in the small town of Essex. There, you can ride the Essex Steam Train, which follows part of the route parallel to the drive, and the Connecticut River can be seen throughout most of the trip, including marshlands where bald eagles and ospreys nest. Essex is also home to the Griswold Inn, one of the oldest inns in the U.S.—still running since 1776! You might consider stopping at Ferry Landing State Park in Old Lyme if you wish to see the Connecticut River's estuary. Old Saybrook has its own merits, like the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, named for the famed actress who lived there.
Merritt Parkway: Trumbull to Weston
Trumbull is a great starting point in its own right. Home to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, this small town is an excellent place to fill up on gas while you drain your stress at Island Brook Park. You can also visit the Pequonnock River Valley State Park before you make it to Weston. Also, you can take a detour at Merritt Parkway to see iconic Art Deco overpasses, part of the National Register of Historic Places thanks to their incredible design and landscaping. The small town is where you will find “Ridge Rd/Cavalry Rd 'Connecter' Trail” and a good bit of natural scenery—a must-try!
Route 7: New Milford to Kent
The Housatonic River runs parallel to this drive, so kayaking rentals are conveniently found at almost every point. Along the way, you can cross Bull’s Bridge, a historic wooden covered bridge that dates back to 1842! You can take a detour to Sharon instead of heading directly to Kent, where Ellsworth Hill Orchard is an ideal place for apple picking and homemade cider. Once in Kent, seeing the Morrison Gallery and all its contemporary art might add a bit of flavor to the road trip experience. This drive is especially beneficial in late October, when the oaks and maples dominate the landscape.
Route 146: Branford to Guilford
You are in for a treat if you are a bird lover. The salt marshes along the road are critical habitats for herons and migratory birds. The starting point of this drive has its own highlights as well, mostly around Branford's Thimble Islands—a series of small islands with Victorian homes, which you can check out with a short ferry ride. While you are on the road, you can pass Guilford and head to a stopover for a detour that is well worth the trip. Lobster Landing in Clinton is where you can enjoy freshly caught lobster rolls, a favorite for travelers. When you do get to Guilford, the Guilford Art Center is a nice spot that promotes traditional crafts like pottery and weaving; either that or you can visit Guilford Town Green to look at some 17th and 18th-century homes, such as the Henry Whitfield State Museum.
Route 44: Norfolk to Pomfret
Haystack Mountain Tower, accessible from 43 North St. in Norfolk. By Ieateggseverymorning, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
There is much to do, even if you head directly from Norfolk to Pomfret. It is almost a two-hour drive, so that is encouraged. The Infinity Music Hall in Norfolk hosts regional and national acts in its incredible Victorian opera house, which was built in 1883. Check out the Haystack Mountain Tower before you head east for a panoramic view of the Berkshires! Dense forests stand between you and Pomfret, and that includes some beautiful patches of white pine and hemlock! There are a couple of things you can do in Pomfret, especially for history buffs. Pomfret School was founded in 1894 and holds historical significance, but the real treat is at Sharpe Hill Vineyard, which specializes in wine tasting and excellent views of the nearby hills.
Capturing Connecticut’s Scenic Beauty by Road
Some people like short trips, while others enjoy the long ride. A scenic drive is indeed its own reward, and states like Connecticut really highlight the joy of embarking on a journey, even when the destination is nothing to be sniffed at. The Nutmeg State has countless gems to be uncovered along the way, and that is the whole point of treading the path less traveled; all the so-called gems in all the commercial spots have already been documented, visited, and explored time and again, but not here. It is in these small towns, down these long roads, that one might find something truly worth a drive.
