Visit Connecticut
The Ultimate Connecticut Road Trip from NY
3 Day Guide
Day 1: Hiking, Strawberry Picking & Comedy at the vineyard
The PERFECT combination of outdoor fun and relaxation.
We started the morning with a short hike at Naugatuck State Forest! We were in search of the waterfalls but unfortunately took the wrong trail. Needless to say, the trail we chose took us straight to the top of the mountain with some gorgeous views. I suggest doing some research before you head out on your hike here. The view from the top is beautiful and totally worth the climb though.
After some calorie burning, we headed over to The Loaded Goat Coffee Company for some iced Nutella lattes! This is the perfect stop for a post-hike pick-me-up!
Next up, we started traveling east to find a local farm for some fresh strawberries. We stopped at Lyman Orchards for U-pick berries and a little farm market shopping. Make sure you get your free ice cream cone at the market after picking! Fun Fact about Lyman Orchards: They are the ONLY commercial grower of jostaberries in the Northeast! A jostaberry is a mix between a gooseberry and a black currant.
Last stop for the evening was Priam Vineyard. Priam is the first Vegan Certified Winery in Connecticut. They host many events including dinners on the patio, concerts, tasting seminars and even comedy shows! We had a blast laughing on the lawn all night. Check out their calendar here to find the next show!
Day 2: Shopping & Foodie Spots in Mystic, CT
DONUT be jealous!
If you’ve read my previous posts you know my obsession with donuts. I couldn’t possibly go on a road trip without finding a unique donut shop.
Deviant Donuts is a small-batch gourmet shop selling these delicious masterpieces right out of Vault Coffee Roasters. We were lucky enough to stop in during “Ice Cream Truck Week” to try the chocolate taco donut and WOW was it delicious! Be sure to check out their website for the weekly themed donuts. This week it’s all about “Alice in Wonderland.”
DONUT Worry, there’s much more to see in Olde Mistick Village!
Fun Fact: If you’ve read my post about Peddler’s Village in PA, this was actually inspired by that one!! Who knew I had a thing for adorable old villages!
You can just feel the sense of community engagement the second you step foot on the property. It’s quaint and charming and filled with small businesses looking for customers. I bought a beautiful handmade dream catcher at Dharma Jewel and some fun souvenirs at Sofia’s Mystical Christmas. A must-see shop was Sticky Situations; where you can taste all sorts of creative and unique, locally made honeys and syrups.
Day 3: Mystic Aquarium & Mystic Seaport
No fin is better than a trip to Connecticut’s Premier Aquarium!
Talk about close encounters; Mystic Aquarium is the perfect summer adventure! Be sure to order your tickets in advance and select your timeslot. In an effort to follow the safety guidelines right now, they are requiring tickets be purchased in advance. This was great because it wasn’t crowded and we were able to see everything without the stress of social distancing.
One unique feature about this aquarium was definitely the Beluga Whales! I could have watched them for hours. We learned all about Juno, the 17-year old playful creature. Check out the photos below for his photo-bombing skills. We also loved learning about the penguins and the sea lions who put on quite a show!
Last stop before heading home on the ferry: Mystic Seaport to see the famous drawbridge.
I couldn’t believe how much there was to do in Mystic, CT! We could have easily spent the entire weekend just exploring this town alone. Walking through town you’ll find waterfront dining, boat tours, ice cream shops, paddle boarding, museums and so much more!
Some great restaurants include Red 36, S&P Oyster and Engine Room.
