This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Conn Coll chapter.
As the summer weather comes to an end and the days of being inside dorm rooms and classrooms seem inevitable, spend as much of the fall semester as you can outdoors! Not only do we have plenty of beautiful spots here on campus, but also there are plenty of destinations off-campus where you can go as well.
- We have a 770 acre gorgeous Arboretum right in our backyard. Here, you can go for a walk through the trails or sit on benches near the picturesque pond. A little further east, this school has the wonderful Mamacoke Island which is home to some very unique plant and wildlife.
- Venturing off-campus, New London sits on the Long Island Sound. A quick cab ride down to the train station offers some great off campus activities! Across from the train station is a ferry that travels to Block Island. This small island off the coast of Rhode Island presents several great day trip opportunities. A trip over on the ferry costs $25. If you really want to take a new and exciting trip, Block Island is a great discovery close to Conn.
- If you don’t feel like a boat ride, the small town of Mystic is only a 10-minute drive away. There are many tourist-y things to do in Mystic. Right out of Mystic, harbor tours and sea adventures on older ships are conducted.
- Also, check out the Mystic Aquarium. The Aquarium is right off the highway and houses some amazing sea life such as a Beluga whale and sea lions. Tickets are $35 and are well worth the expense!
- The New London/Waterford area is home to some wonderful beaches. Ocean Beach and Harkness State Park are only 10-minute drives away. These are great places to spend an afternoon or a lazy Saturday.
- Another great area to visit and walk around in New London is Bank Street. This street runs parallel to the train station and has some great little shops to explore. There are small bistros, cafes, and ice cream parlors. Bank Street is also home to the Hygienic Art Gallery which is a non-profit art organization that houses some really unique artwork from local artists. There is also an old record store that is right around the corner. Bank Street is easily accessible by the Camel Van. There are many things to do off- and on-campus, and now is the time to take advantage of many great opportunities.