Oh, Connecticut, a mostly forgotten state that often gets foreshadowed by its bigger New England counterparts. Because of this, when most people think of a New England summer, most think of Cape Cod, Nantucket, or Martha’s Vineyard. What people don’t know is how many hidden gems there are in Connecticut to go to in the summer. I’m going to show you the best spots in Connecticut to visit over the summer!
Mystic
Obviously, I had to start with probably the most popular summer spot in Connecticut. Right on the shoreline, about 15 minutes away from the border of Rhode Island, lies Mystic, Connecticut. The town has gained more and more popularity each year and has become a tourist attraction because of its small-town aesthetic and cute shops/ restaurants. I would best describe the town as something that looks like it would be in a Hallmark movie. It works because they actually made a Hallmark movie based on the town called Mystic Christmas. While Christmastime is also a popular time for the town, in my opinion, the summer is when it’s at its peak. It’s so nice walking down the drawbridge overlooking the water, and its rustic shops are beautiful. Not only is there Downtown Mystic, but also Olde Mystic Village. Olde Mystic Village is about 1.5 miles away from downtown and offers many quaint, small-town shops and restaurants. All of the shops are locally owned businesses and have a variety of different things. My personal favorite is the general store that always has free fudge samples (who wouldn’t want that?). Mystic is really the true embodiment of a New England coastal town and is a great place for a summer day trip with friends or family.
westport/sherwood island
Westport, a shoreline town in Fairfield County, is known for its beaches and downtown shops along the river. A more affluent town, the downtown has many shops to prove it such as Lululemon, Brandy Melville, Athleta, Vineyard Vines, and more. If you’re willing to spend some money, then this is the place for you. With the downtown being along the Saugatuck River, you have scenic views mixed with luxury shopping, perfect for a summer day. Since the shops are a bit expensive, especially if you’re a college student reading this, then I have a cheaper option for you. About three miles away from downtown Westport, there’s Sherwood Island State Park. The state park offers two beaches East and West as well as a nature center, a snack shack, and volleyball nets around the beach. The best thing is, since it’s a state park, entry and parking is free for all Connecticut residents. If you want to do some shopping and then head over to the beach, then Westport is the place for you.
Milford
While I may be a little biased because it’s where I’m from, Milford is really the embodiment of a coastal summer city. Located on the shoreline in New Haven County, Milford has tons of beaches, shops, and restaurants to go to. There are 15 public beaches to visit in the town, and only two of them require out-of-town residents to pay for parking. On any side of town, you’ll find a beach or body of water to go to. The Milford Green, only about five minutes from the beach, has so many restaurants and cute shops to visit. One of my personal favorites to visit in the summer is the Walnut Beach Creamery. Right near the beach, the creamery makes its own ice cream, and it’s a fan favorite every year. I mean, who doesn’t love a good ice cream and beach walk! Another one of my favorites is Scoopy Doo’s, located on the marina. First off, the name itself is so clever, and being able to eat ice cream and watch the boats is so pretty. There are also so many cafes and coffee shops to visit, such as Walnut Beach Coffee House, Scratch Baking, and Cafe Atlantique. Milford also holds an annual oyster festival every August, where they sell oysters, have different food trucks and beers, carnival rides, and concerts. It’s definitely a fun event and adds to why Milford is a great summer town.
Lake Compounce
If you’re looking for something less beach-related and want to have some fun on rides, then Lake Compounce is where to go! Located in Bristol, Lake Compounce is known as the first amusement park in the United States. It has over 45 rides, including a famous wooden rollercoaster called the Boulder Dash. The park also has the state’s largest waterpark, called Crocodile Cove. They also have camping grounds able to fit tents and RVs if camping is your thing. The park operates seasonally, with its opening this year on May 9 and closing in October. Admission is $34.99 for single tickets and $29.99 for groups of 10 or more. This is a great place to bring kids, or if your friend group wants to get away from the beach and go on some rides.
Foxwoods/Mohegan Sun Casinos
You may be thinking, it’s the summer, why would you want to be cooped up inside a casino? I decided to add the casinos because Connecticut in the summer can get really hot, and some people may not want to spend all day outside. The casinos are a perfect place to go in that scenario. Mohegan Sun, located in Uncasville, has so many things to offer, such as restaurants, shops, and shows. It’s home to the Mohegan Sun Arena, where there is always a concert, comedy show, or even a basketball game going on (the casino is home to the WNBA team Connecticut Sun). If you’re over 21, then of course you can gamble and try to make some money. Some restaurants Mohegan has are Summer Shack, Frank Pepe’s Pizza, Michael Jordan’ Steakhouse, and more. They also have a huge hotel if you want a weekend trip, or to just get away for a bit and have fun. About 15 minutes away is Foxwoods, located in Ledyard, Connecticut. It’s the same concept as Mohegan, but they do have some different amenities, such as the Tanger Outlets inside the casino. If you don’t want to be hot outside shopping, then this is the perfect place to go. Foxwoods also has a ton of restaurants, such as the Sugar Factory, the Scorpion Bar, Whahlburgers, and more. If you don’t want to be stuck outside on a really hot day, then these are great places to go. They’re not far from each other, and they each offer different and fun amenities.
That’s all! I hope these can give you some new ideas about where to go in the summer, inside or outside! I hope this shows that Connecticut has so many cool places that it doesn’t really get credit for.