We’ve never been to Connecticut but I’ve friends here and they’re always encouraging me to get over and visit them.
Winter in New England can be unpredictable, but in Connecticut, there’s plenty to see and do all season long — regardless of the weather. From cross-country skiing and ice fishing, to renowned museums and seasonal events, Connecticut has something for all types of families, couples and friends to enjoy.
Now, detailed information about the state’s winter offerings, as well as travel deals and more than 15 winter getaway itineraries, can be found on the state’s tourism website, www.CTvisit.com.
Here are just a few of Connecticut’s top seasonal highlights:
New this winter:
- Stay the night at the all-new Earth Tower at Mohegan Sun, Hotel Zero Degrees in Danbury, or Spicer Mansion in historic downtown Mystic
- Explore the Connecticut Spirits Trail, the state’s newest specialty trail featuring craft distilleries and tasting rooms in every corner of the state
- Tour a never-before-seen exhibit featuring a range of beautiful and unique maritime artifacts in the brand-new Thompson Exhibition Building at Mystic Seaport, opening Dec. 10
Must-do experiences:
- Take a ride in a traditional horse-drawn sleigh at Allegra Farm in Colchester, or board the Essex Steam Train for a special holiday-themed adventure
- Get into the holiday spirit with a trip to see the neon-colored turkeys at Gozzi’s Turkey Farm in Guilford, or cut down your own Christmas tree at Oak Ridge Tree Farm in Middletown or Jones Family Farms in Shelton
- Embrace the cold with a trip to Wethersfield Cove or Coventry Lake for ice fishing, or try ice climbing at Ascent Climbing in East Haven
Cabin fever relievers:
- Hit the slopes at any one of Connecticut’s ski, snowboard or tubing destinations, including Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort in Middlefield, now featuring snowbiking; Mohawk Mountain in Cornwall; Ski Sundown in New Hartford; Woodbury Ski Area and Mount Southington
- Explore hundreds of miles of trails, including White Memorial Conservation Center in Litchfield and Winding Trails in Farmington, with a pair of cross-country skis, snowshoes or hiking boots
- Glide across the ice at Bushnell Park’s skating rink in Hartford, or at Foxwoods Resort Casino’s rink surrounded by more than 100,000 shimmering lights
Oak Ridge Tree Farm, Middletown, Conn.
Indoor escapes:
- Exercise the body and mind at indoor attractions, including the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford; IT Adventure Indoor Ropes Course in New Haven; Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk; New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks; and NASKART in Montville, the world’s largest multi-level go-karting track and trampoline park, opening December 2016
- Browse the collections at renowned museums, including the Yale University Art Gallery in New Haven; Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford; and New Britain Museum of Art
- Tour a historic home, like the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion in Norwalk or the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, which gives visitors a historically accurate peek into Christmas in 1910
Romantic outings:
- Stroll through charming towns seemingly made for winter (and shopping!), including Greenwich, New Canaan, Mystic and Kent
- Enjoy a meal by the fire at pubs and restaurants across the state, such as Tavern on Main in Westport or Fireside Tavern at Sharpe Hill Vineyard in Pomfret
- Stay the night at one of Connecticut’s cozy B&Bs or inns, like Rock Hall in Colebrook, which boasts wood-burning fireplaces in four of its five guest rooms, or Scranton Seahorse Inn in Madison
Information about upcoming events, including holiday festivals and New Year’s Eve celebrations, as well as the Made in Connecticut Gift Guide, are also available on www.CTvisit.com.
“Connecticut has all of the things that make winter in New England unforgettable, from outdoor adventures to indoor hideaways,” says Randy Fiveash, director of the Connecticut Office of Tourism. “We invite everyone to discover why Connecticut does winter better.”
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