On Your Visit to Connecticut

The Best of Connecticut can only be found by leaving the interstate and exploring the winding country roads.A few tips:

  • Got a GPS? Good. It makes life that much sweeter.
  • Stay in a small town, an hour from the coast, minumum. Nothing is too far to drive to, especially the beaches. The more you avoid I-95, the better you will feel about Connecticut
  • Stay in an old bed and breakfast, something the low ceilings, drafty floorboards and fireplaces in every room.
  • Don’t overpack. This is civilization after all. You can get anything you need here.
  • Don’t expect air conditioning. This is cool, coastal New England.
  • Plan on walking… Connecticut has miles of hiking trails, including part of the Appalachian trail. Bring a good backpack, boots (or snowshoes) and hoof it!
  • Choose your beach wisely… and find out the parking situation before you go. Nutmeggers are unreasonably greedy about their shoreline: most beaches are private, resident or city beaches with parking for residents only (or very limited parking for guests).
  • Everything has its season… be sure you don’t miss the best of all the festivals, fairs and events that go on almost all year long.
  • Don’t believe what they tell you: CT=Bedroom state. Connecticut is not an extension of New York City. Less and less people are commuting 1-2 hours into the city and more companies are making their home in Stamford, Hartford and other smaller towns.
  • Flying here directly and skipping a trip into the Big Apple? Consider “HPN” in your search. The Westchester commuter airport has equally cheap fares and car rental right in the tiny hub. Plus side: it shaves heaps o’ time and traffic off your drive into Fairfield or New Haven Counties and it can be as cheap as an NYC flight. Con: Don’t bother looking for public transport or reasonable taxis in this posh neck of the upstate NY. This is car in/car out only!

Summer in Connecticut

Here’s some links for the best

Elizabeth Howard

Elizabeth writes literary non-fiction, haiku, cultural rants, and Demand Poetry in order to forward the cause of beautiful writing. She calls London, Kansas City, and Iowa home.