Top 5 New Haven Day Trips You Won’t Want To Miss

Alright, so you find yourself in New Haven, and you’re looking for something, just a little, you know, beyond the usual pizza pilgrimage. That’s completely okay! Very lucky for you, the area is absolutely packed with places that’d make cracking day trips. We’re talking charming towns, fascinating history, and nature that’ll knock your socks off. If you are wanting to go a little bit outside of the box and maybe avoid those typical things, then have a read through some, like your, top spots that make for memorable escapes from New Haven.

1. Mystic, CT: Seafaring Charm and Coastal Delights

Alright, first on our list, we are talking about Mystic. Yeah, you heard that right. It is basically calling all sea dogs and history buffs, Mystic is only, something like your, about an hour away, and it is just packed to the gills with New England charm. Of course, the centerpiece of any Mystic adventure needs to be the Mystic Seaport Museum. What happens there is that it brings maritime history to life through, you know, basically painstakingly restored ships and captivating exhibits, so there’s a lot of life put in the preservation, just like the real thing.

Very ready to get hands-on? Because you really get hands-on with demonstrations, tours, and, very, so much more, there’s so many things there that are interactive to keep you wanting more. So too, if you are watching, you know, demonstrations that, kind of, brings alive just how life at sea was for these ship goers. Not wanting boats for some reason? So, okay! A trip to the Mystic Aquarium is very worthwhile, there’s aquatic creatures from around this earth. What kind of ones are there, do you wonder? Expect, typically, see things from beluga whales to super fun penguins. And afterwards when the cravings get, well, you know, craving, so grab some fresh seafood in downtown Mystic, and make the moments complete. What a good time you’re going to have with good foods.

Just a great local thing to experience in Mystic, very similar to the Chowder Days that occur every labor day weekend!

Read our full review: Mystic, Connecticut Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Mystic Aquarium Tickets)

2. Guilford, CT: A Step Back in Time

Still with us here? Fantastic, because, usually, just a short hop east from New Haven, Guilford will call out to history buffs. Typically, you will find a classic New England green in this quintessential, lovely town. What happens around it is you’ll just be taken back as you roam its historic streets to eras of long ago. While we go back through time, the Hyland House is, actually, the real deal if we are going into that time of history; you’re going back all the way to the 17th century. A tour will, very obviously, tell you tales of colonial life, just the real details! The Dudley Farm Museum does the same exact thing, in that, you’ll get to take a real look into life on a working farm.

Anyway, don’t forget the Guilford Art Center either! Now that provides various exhibitions and art, typically, to display to all peoples to experience these great pieces, it will let you explore things of that nature. Hungry for food after an exciting day of history going on in town? So visit a great dining place located around the Green and, honestly, get yourself the New England, fine dinings you’ve always heard about. Very glad you have kept reading along with me!

Read our full review: Guilford, Connecticut Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Explore Guilford’s history)

3. Kent Falls State Park, CT: Nature’s Masterpiece

As I was saying, getting yourself from New Haven, Connecticut will mean, like, approximately, around an hour or so heading northwest, what happens here is you’ll find yourself surrounded in, almost, Kent Falls State Park. Here’s how things go down, in Kent Falls: there’s a bit of the stunning waterfalls you just get to stare up on, hiking trails just wiggling around a whole great view, like literally anywhere to stand is breathtaking. Whether or not you have your most favorite hiking boots and going through trails all day, and doing an active day amongst nature is what you always pursue; but that is also alongside if you find, like, even a spot to do picnics with the family, or friends.

Don’t forget the cameras. What would any vacationing do without pictures, just good photo moments here and there? Seriously, though, with places that really set it up, for amazing shots just everywhere around! Oh, or even when that doesn’t work out, literally, the real relaxing background atmosphere here! No matter where you look at, basically, you will capture that memorable frame, or be a part of one! But don’t always rely on screens and go on and remember that fresh, really revitalizing forest air. Oh! This trip really helps you with taking pictures but is really rewarding to visit, in that you’ll want to take a breather and unwind in nature’s lap.

Read our full review: Kent Falls State Park Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Visit Kent Falls State Park)

4. New London, CT: Maritime History and Modern Delights

In short, if you would really like, really, great maritime past and just some urban stuff here and there; New London will wait and will have your, like your, attention. Alright, anyway, it may seem a bit of a place with maritime activity just booming everywhere. As I was saying, we’re starting with a cool place with, often, fascinating maritime exhibits just from every kind of museum, even as it still is very relevant! Next thing you should know? New London maintains this port life for, truly, so many. If it, in a way, isn’t ships or maritime you prefer, then go on ahead and take some real, artsy walk down Bank Street! Then visit a, could be, handful, more or less, art galleries and, just maybe, spots with delicious cuisines everywhere!

Anyway, in other cases of places, so visit Ocean Beach Park. Honestly, it gives your regular vibes such as swimming and just basking right under the daylight and sun! As I was saying, some attractions would provide you fun activities to participate in. It, like your, truly brings out those good memories and good times to have. Don’t miss the lighthouses that New London’s harbors provide! New London is typically one trip you shouldn’t turn down!

Read our full review: New London, Connecticut Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Explore New London’s attractions)

5. West Hartford, CT: Shopping, Dining, and Culture

Right, okay. If, arguably, some real retail, foodie adventures or those local art hotspots are for you, so West Hartford should do a trick for, well you! Just 40 or so minutes northeast that you gotta have yourself through car or vehicle or so on; West Hartford delivers a lot of stores and experiences for your choosing.

So if you wanna hit up some high-class boutiques? Go shop to your heart’s content! Anyway if you are looking, still, some outdoor things, very similar to being in state parks and enjoying nature’s, beauty? There’s the Elizabeth Park Rose Garden to stare upon and, truly, you may never experience elsewhere. Right after a, kind of, pretty eventful activity spree and all, West Hartford center has a lot of diverse foods you’ll never get to experience anywhere else. You may wanna even think about coming again the following day just because there’s so much things offered!

Read our full review: West Hartford, Connecticut Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Plan your trip to West Hartford)