5 cute Connecticut towns to visit this spring

Guess what? Spring is here and it’s time to get out of the house and go exploring.

Connecticut is a smalltown haven full of cute shops, interesting museums and lush state parks, perfect for a spring day trip.

We already made one list of cute towns to visit this season, but with so many places to pick from, we went ahead and made another list.

Madison

Madison is a quaint New England Beach town, and is home to Hammonasset Beach State Park, the largest shoreline park in Connecticut. The town also has cute little shops and attractions, like R.J. Julia Booksellers, a bookstore so aesthetically pleasing, it was used as the set for a Hallmark Christmas movie. Then there’s Madison Cinemas which reopened in December after a total renovation and plays new Hollywood hits along with art films.

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 small-batch 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.

Greenwich

Greenwich is a great spring shopping destination, with stores off Greenwich Avenue, like Saks Fifth Avenue, Tiffany & Co. and J. Crew.

There are also independent boutiques like Black Petunia and Out of the Box, which sell trendy clothing and accessories for women. The town is also home to a myriad of museums like The Bruce, which features exhibits dedicated to natural history and art, including Impressionist works by artists who belonged to the Cos Cob Art Colony and an extensive sculpture collection.

Washington

The drive to Washington includes winding roads lined with towering trees and quaint farmhouses. The town is believed to be one of the places that inspired 2000s hit TV show “Gilmore Girls,” especially The Mayflower Inn, which is believed to be the foundation for the show’s “Independence Inn.”

Washington is also home to the Institute for American Indian Studies, a museum dedicated to Connecticut’s Indigenous history. The museum features a large collection of Indigenous artifacts and hosts regular events like film screenings and drum-making workshops. The museum also has its own wigwam-themed escape room that uses thematic puzzles to educate guests on how Native Americans lived thousands of years ago.

Colebrook

Colebrook is a peaceful little town full of historic charm and surrounded by woodlands. Head to Norbrook Farm Brewery for locally brewed beer, ales and IPAs.

For hiking and nature enthusiasts, there’s Algonquin State Forest, which covers more than 2,000 acres of land. Then visit the Colebrook Historical Society to learn about the history of this seemingly sleepy little town, which was once the site of some of the country’s first steel forges, according to the Historical Society.

Peter Marteka / Contributed photo The wooden tower at Norbrook Farm Brewery in Colebrook.

Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media The Bruce Park Playground in Greenwich on Nov. 3.

Hearst Connecticut Media file photo The Hauser Footbridge at Steep Rock Preserve in Washington Depot.

Manel Vinuesa/Getty Images/iStockphoto Bull’s Bridge crossing the Housatonic River in Kent.

Hearst Connecticut Media file photo Views at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison.