'''Connecticut''' [http://www.tourism.state.ct.us/] is a small New England state, full of charm, rural beauty and several major cities. The State's top tourist attractions include Yale University, which maintains numerous world-class museums, Mystic Seaport, the restaurant and nightlife scene in downtown New Haven, The Maritime Aquarium, and two major Native American casinos.

Regions

Cities

<!--List is limited to NINE top tourism cities per policy. If you think others are more worthy, please discuss on talk page.-->

  • Hartford - The state capital.
  • Bridgeport- The most populated city in the state.
  • Danbury - Also known as Hat City, Danbury is home to Western Connecticut State University, Candlewood Lake, and many good restaurants.
  • Greenwich - Ranked the 12th greatest place to live, Greenwich is a quaint town with a great view of Long Island.
  • Mystic - This is one of the most common places to visit, due to the historic seaport and aquarium.
  • New Haven - the state's "creative capital" and home to the greatest amount of pedestrian life, top-rated restaurants and tourist attractions
  • New London - Home to the coast guard acadamy, New London has a historic view of Long Island Sound.
  • Norwalk - home to trendy SoNo with an active night life and The Maritime Aquarium
  • Waterbury - This is a small urban community with lots to do. Look for the Union Station Clocktower that overlooks the city.
  • Other destinations

    Connecticut is rich with history, nature, art and beauty. Truly something for everyone. While many people are drawn each year to Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Casinos, there is much more in this state. There are a number of beaches at the shore, state parks and forests throughout the state, and many smaller parks as well. Gillette Castle State Park in East Haddam is an excellent family destination. So is the Essex Steam Train and River Boat Ride in Essex.

    Beaches

    See "Do"

    Understand

    '''Geography'''

    Connecticut is split by the Connecticut River, the largest river in New England. The state has 8 counties, and 167 towns and cities. The largest lake, Candlewood lake, is located near the New York border.

    '''Weather'''

    Like most of New England, the weather in Connecticut is varied with the seasons. It can be highly unpredictable in the spring and fall months. The weather in Connecticut is generally stable compared to many other parts of the country. Dangers that plague many regions of the country (e.g., tornadoes, mudslides, earthquakes, etc.,) are not a danger here.

    It is recommended to bring clothes for a variety of temperatures when visiting, and to check the weather report closely. Although there are periods of little or no rain, a raincoat or umbrella are good items to pack. Warm clothes in the winter and light clothes in the summer are also important, although it is recommended to pack a light jacket, even in the summer months.

    Talk

    New Britain, Connecticut is well known for its large Polish community. Large cities in Connecticut, such as Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven and Waterbury have significant Hispanic populations. Bridgeport also has a small Brazilian area. New Haven's Chinatown caters to Mandarin speakers, and Wooster St serves as the city's "Little Italy."

    Many people in Fairfield County have a New York accent with the county's proximity to New York City, while some people in Northern Connecticut have a Boston accent.

    Get in

    By plane

    In state

  • '''Bradley International Airport'''(BDL) [http://www.bradleyairport.com/] in Windsor Locks is the state's largest airport. Nearby to Hartford and Springfield (Massachusetts), it has increased its volume at a rapid pace. Southwest Air [http://www.southwest.com/], one of the discount airlines serves Bradley.
  • '''Tweed New Haven Regional Airport''', 155 Burr Street, New Haven, ''+1 203'' 466-8833, [http://www.flytweed.com]. A smaller airport with flights to Philadelphia.
  • '''Waterbury-Oxford Airport''', popular with private aviation. [http://www.keyair.com] [http://www.keystoneav.com/]
  • '''Sikorsky Mem'l Airport''' [http://www.privatair.com] in Stratford is a private aircraft charter service based there.
  • '''Meriden Airport''' [http://www.meridenaviation.com/] in Meriden, CT provides private air charter.
  • '''Danbury Municipal Airport''' in Danbury is mainly used for general aviation.
  • Out of state

  • '''Laguardia''', '''JFK''', and '''Newark''' in the New York City area are all a common choice for travelers in the western part of the state. These are all larger airports then in-state airports, and have more flight opportunities.
  • '''Logan International Airport''' in Boston can be a good choice for travelers going to the northeast corner of the state, but is far away from any of the major cities, such as Hartford and New Haven.
  • By ferry

  • The Bridgeport-Port Jefferson Ferry crosses Long Island Sound daily between Port Jefferson, Long Island and Bridgeport, CT. It carries cars and passengers. Cross Sound Ferry connects New London, CT and Orient Point, NY (the easternmost tip of Long Island's North Fork.) It also carries cars and passengers.
  • By train

    Amtrak [http://www.amtrak.com/] provides frequent service to Connecticut destinations on trains between '''Penn Station''' in New York City and '''South Station''' in Boston. MetroNorth [http://www.mta.info/] provides requent weekday commuter service from '''Grand Central Station''' Manhattan and several cities and towns in southwestern Connecticut's Fairfield and New Haven counties.

    By bus

    As with trains, there are frequent intercity buses between '''South Station''' Boston and '''Port Authority Bus Terminal''' in Manhattan with stops in Connecticut. Major bus lines serving Connecticut include Peter Pan [http://peterpanbus.com/] and Greyhound [http://www.greyhound.com/].

    By car

    Those entering Connecticut by car from the west can choose from three major routes. '''Interstate 84''' enters Danbury, Connecticut from Pennsylvania and the lower Hudson Valley of New York and continues to Waterbury, Hartford and Worcester. The '''Merrit Parkway''', closed to trucks and buses, enters the state from New York's Westchester County, and is considered one of America's most scenic highways because of how its design matches the bucolic leafiness of the suburbs that surround it. An extension of the Parkway tunnels under a hill north of New Haven and continues to Meriden where it merges with Interstate 91 going north towards Hartford and beyond. '''Interstate 95''' traverses the east coast of the United States from Maine to Florida, and runs along Connecticut's coast from east to west. The visitor should be aware I-95 North according to federal road signs is actually going East in Connecticut, and I-95 South is going West in Connecticut. Between New York and New Haven I-95 goes through densely populated suburbs and is heavily congested. East (North according to directional signs on the road) of New Haven I-95 goes through more rural coastal towns and is not so congested.

    Entering the state from Boston involves taking the '''Massachusetts Turnpike''' also known as '''Interstate 90''' west to '''I-84''', or '''Route 6''', a two-lane road, or '''Interstate 95''' from Rhode Island.

    Get around

    By Car

    Car is the easiest way to travel through the state, and the best if you are planning on sightseeing.Several major highways, including I95 and I84, run through the state.

    By bus

  • '''Connecticut Transit (CTTRANSIT)''', 100 Leibert Road, Hartford, Phone: ''+1 860'' 522-8101, Fax: ''+1 860'' 247-1810, [http://www.cttransit.com/].
  • Bridgeport is served by its own service.
  • New Haven is also served by a free electric trolley system that runs the downtown area.
  • By Thumb

    Hitchhiking along the I-95 corridor is not difficult, as the highway is serviced by a very nice series of rest stops. Walk on, stick out your thumb, and you should have no trouble getting a ride. In addition, the Fairfield service plaza (exit 21) is a frequent stop for buses between New York and Boston, and if there are any empty seats, it is possible to get on, often for free or reduced price if you're a good negotiator.

    See

    Botanical Gardens

  • '''Barlett Arboretum and Gardens''' is located in Stamford.
  • '''Connecticut College Arboretum''' is located in New London.
  • '''Dinosaur State Park and Arboretum''' is located in Rocky Hill, south of Hartford.
  • '''Harkness Memorial State Park''' is located in Waterford, west of New London.
  • '''Highstead Arboretum''' is located in Redding, near Danbury
  • '''Marsh Botanical Garden''' is located on the Yale Campus in New Haven
  • '''New Caanan Nature Center''' is located in New Canaan, near Stamford and Norwalk
  • Colleges

  • '''Yale University''' is the 3rd oldest university in the country, and is one of the country's 8 Ivy League Schools. This school has been home to many famous people, including presidents, authors, judges, and senators. Yale is located in the downtown area of New Haven, overlooking the green.
  • '''University of Connecticut''', more commenly known as UConn, is a good college with a famous basketball team. It is located in Storrs, near Hartford
  • '''The United States Coast Guard Academy''' and Coast Guard training tallship ''USCGC Eagle'' in New London.
  • Forts

  • '''Fort Griswold''' is in Groton.
  • '''Fort Nathan Hale''' is in New Haven.
  • '''Fort Trumbull''' is in New London (Connecticut)
  • Lighthouses

  • '''Avery Point Light''' is located in Groton, near New London
  • '''Black Rock Harbor Light''' is located in Bridgeport
  • '''Bridgeport Harbor Light''' is located in Bridgeport.
  • '''Great Captain Island Light''' is located in Greenwich.
  • '''Green's Ledge Light''' is located in Norwalk.
  • '''Falkner Island Light''' is located on the small island of Falkner Island, off the coast of Groton.
  • '''Five Mile Point Light''' is located in New Haven.
  • '''Lynde Point Light''' is located in Old Saybrook, near New London.
  • '''Morgan Point Light''' is located in Noak, a small village in Groton.
  • '''Mystic Seaport Light''' is located in Mystic.
  • '''New London Harbor Light''' is located in New London.
  • '''Pecks Ledge Light''' is located in Norwalk.
  • '''Saybrook Breakwater Light''' is located in Old Saybrook.
  • '''Sheffield Island Light''' is located on Sheffield Island, off the coast of Norwalk.
  • '''Southwest Ledge Light''' is located in New Haven.
  • '''Stratford Point Light''' is located in Stratford.
  • '''Tongue Point Light''' is located in Bridgeport.
  • Sports

    '''Minor League Baseball'''

  • '''Brideport Bluefish''' in Bridgeport
  • '''Connecticut Defenders''' in Norwich
  • '''New Britain Rock Cats''' in New Britain
  • '''Hockey'''

  • '''Bridgeport Sound Tigers''' in Bridgeport
  • '''Danbury Mad Hatters''' in Danbury
  • '''Hartford Wolf Pack''' in Hartford
  • '''Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)'''

  • '''Connecticut Sun''' in Uncasville
  • '''Schools'''

    Colleges such as '''Yale''' and '''UConn''' have many sports games open to the public.

    Zoos

  • '''Beardsly Zoo''' is located in Bridgeport.
  • Do

    Amusement Parks

  • '''Lake Compounce''' is the oldest amusement park in the United States. Located in Bristol, this park has dozens of rides for all ages, and good food.
  • '''Quassy''' is an old amusement park in Middlebury. This park is more suited for younger children.
  • Aquariums/Seaports

  • '''Maritime Aquarium''' in Norwalk
  • '''Mystic Aquarium''' and '''Mystic Seaport''' in Mystic
  • Beaches

  • '''Calf Pasture Beach''' is a historical beach in Norwalk
  • '''Cove Island Park''' is a beach/park in Stamford
  • '''Cummings Park''' is a beach/park in Stamford
  • '''Pleasure Beach''' is a great family beach/park in Bridgeport
  • '''Rocky Neck State Park''' in East Lyme
  • '''Sherwood Island State Park''' in Westport
  • '''Silver Sands State Park''' in Milford
  • Casinos

  • '''Mohegan Sun''' is the largest casino in the country, and the second largest in the world. It is located in Uncasville
  • '''Foxwoods''' is the second largest casino in the country, and the third largest in the world. It is located in Ledyard
  • Eat

    Connecticut has an incredible amount of restaurants everywhere you go. There are thousands of restaurants state wide. Downtown New Haven is widely considered the restaurant capital of the state, with more top Zagat-rated restaurants than any other community in Connecticut by a wide margin. Interesting ethnic restaurants, including Eritrean, Malaysian, Turkish, Spanish, French, Mexican, Cuban, Jamaican, Ethiopian, Lebanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Southern and Northern Indian, Nepalese, Cantonese and Italian restaurants can be found throughout the city. Also, the state's large casinos have plenty of dining opportunities.

    Drink

    Be warned that there are only 78 hours of the week in which alcohol can be purchased, which is 8am-9pm Monday-Saturday and none on Sunday. If you go to any supermarket on Sunday, you will see that the beer is gated off.

    Stay safe

    '''Crime'''

    Although Connecticut is well known for its affluence, and is the third wealthiest state in America, there are sections in the state's largest cities (especially Hartford, Bridgeport, and New Haven) that have dangerous potential, especially at night. Common sense will more than likely keep you far from any signs of trouble in Connecticut, as the state is widely considered to be one of the safest in the country.

    '''Ticks'''

    Connecticut is the infamous birthplace of Lyme Disease. Make sure you know what to do if you are bitten. Tick season is usually from the spring to the fall.

    Get out

  • '''New York''' - Surrounding Connecticut to the south and west, New York is home to America's largest city as well as amazing natural beauty in the less urban areas.
  • '''Massachusetts''' - The cities of Boston and Springfield are within reasonable driving distance of Connecticut's northern border.
  • '''Rhode Island''' - The capital city of Providence is a short journey to the east of Connecticut.