Cute towns to visit in Connecticut
Connecticut is known for its coastal towns and quaint Colonial-era villages. In the summer, winding woodsy back roads invite explorers to journey to these small towns and enjoy all they have to offer.
From tea shops and breweries, to art galleries and butterfly gardens, here are four cute towns to visit this summer in Connecticut.
Kent
Kent was founded in 1739, 37 years before the U.S. was officially established, and it has plenty of old-school charm mixed with modern comforts. There’s Kent Falls Brewing, a smallbatch brewery that makes beer from hops grown on the same farm where the brewery is located. House of Books is a bookstore with major “Harry Potter” vibes complete with red exterior and vintage wood sign.
There’s plenty to eat in Kent as well, with Fife ‘n Drum Restaurant — which specializes in using fresh, local ingredients when possible — and Kent Coffee and Chocolate Company (a favorite spot of Broadway’s Kathryn Gallagher) as well as 109 Cheese and Wine for your chocolate and cheese needs. You could even pick up some goodies and head to Kent State Park for a picnic by a waterfall.
Mystic
Mystic is a sleepy little town in the winter and a bustling vacation spot in the summer. It’s the home of Mystic Pizza, a beloved pizza shop immortalized in the 1988 Julia Roberts film of the same name, where visitors can still grab a slice today.
There’s also the Mystic Seaport Museum, which features a recreation of a New England fishing village from the 19th century (boats and all). At the Mystic Aquarium, you can see the only beluga whales in New England. Olde Mistick Village is an outdoor shopping mall next to the aquarium. You won’t find Auntie Anne’s and H&M here, but you will find stores that sell hand-made soaps, Christmas ornaments for any season and local honeys, mustards and spreads.
There’s even a little tea shop themed to “Alice and Wonderland” where Alice herself hangs halfway out of the ceiling. For those who like to be spooked, a ghost tour will show you around town, or opt for a boat tour and take in the scenery.
Litchfield
Litchfield is full of unique activities and attractions that set it apart. For one thing, there’s the 50-year-old Dutch Epicure Shop that specializes in fresh European breads and pastries and sells Dutch goods and groceries.
Get up close to nature at the Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy where you can see more than 60 species of waterfowl.
Grab a cone of ice cream or sorbet from Peaches ‘n Cream ice cream parlor and then go for a stroll across a covered bridge in nearby West Cornwall. In the summer, pay special attention to Topsmead State Forest; near the cottage on the property, there’s a butterfly garden that is in full bloom all season.
Old Saybrook
Old Saybrook is a bit of a hidden art gem. The town’s most well-known attraction is the Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, named in honor of the town’s former famous resident. Known locally as “The Kate,” this arts center features a myriad of performances throughout the year along with a small museum dedicated to Hepburn.
There’s also the Florence Griswold Museum, which features the Robert and Nancy Krieble Gallery, and the Lyme Art Association. Visitors can also take a trip out to the Lynde Point Lighthouse — but you can’t access the lighthouse directly, so the best way to see it is to rent a kayak or boat and take a scenic paddle toward this coastal landmark. There’s also Harvey’s Beach for a lovely sun and sand moment.