Introduction
Although often overlooked by visitors to the States, Connecticut is well worth visiting for its scenic shores, rural beauty and a plethora of interesting historic sites. Scattered about are plenty of charming towns and small cities to stop by with the small state also boasting numerous world-class museums and several stupendous state parks.
One of the original Thirteen Colonies, it lies nestled away in New England bordered by New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. While much of its territory consists of rolling hills and rural areas, the rushing Connecticut River divides the state in two. In addition, some lovely beaches, bays and cliffs can be found along the scenic Long Island Sound which lies just inland from the Atlantic.
Aside from its sizeable capital Hartford, which is set in the center of the state, most of its main cities and towns are located along its long and indented coastline. Particularly popular places to check out are Mystic and New London for their historic old seaports and picture-perfect natural harbors. The larger cities of Bridgeport, Stamford and Norwalk also attract lots of people.
While the latter three all boast fantastic dining scenes and lively nightlife spots, New Haven appeals for an entirely different reason. Home to Yale, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world, its gorgeous green campus is dotted with excellent museums and fabulous art collections. While the nearby state parks of West Rock and Sleeping Giant offer all kinds of outdoor activities.
Aside from exploring its seaside cities and stopping by the dozens of colleges and universities that dot the Knowledge Corridor, visitors can hike and bike about its charming countryside, or swim and sunbathe at state parks like Silver Sands and Hammonasset Beach. On top of this, Gillette Castle is well worth visiting for its amazing architecture, interesting oddities and elegant gardens.