6 Days, 6 States – Connecticut

Travel New England This Summer with Our Unique Guide: If you’re still trying to make summer vacation plans, or just want to visit someplace new, we’ve got great getaway ideas for families and couples in all six New England states.

The Place   Guilford, Conn.
The Place makes your meal feel like a party. Pull a tree-stump stool up to one of the wood fires and enjoy your clams and lobsters outdoors, where everything is cooked right in front of you. On cooler nights, the fires keep guests warm, and for warm summer days, remember, it’s BYOB.
ThePlaceGuilford.com
(203) 453-9276

Ocean Beach Park   New London, Conn. 
There are reasons this beach was rated one of the best by National Geographic. It’s got fine sugar sand, nice and soft for lying on and playing in, and a boardwalk for entertainment. You’ll also find kiddie rides, mini golf, a swimming pool and waterslide, a sprinkler park, and an arcade. At night, there are movies on the beach, meaning you never really have to leave. (Top photo: Ocean Beach Park – Photo courtesy Connecticut Office of Tourism).
Ocean-Beach-Park.com
(860) 447-3031

Roaring Brook Nature Center   Canton, Conn.
Walking trails, gardens, a beaver wetland exhibit, a replica of an Eastern Woodland Native American longhouse, and a wildlife attraction area — what else could you ask for on a day outdoors? Roaring Brook also has live animal demonstrations and offers guided hikes throughout the summer.
RoaringBrook.org
(860) 693-0263

Connecticut Beer Trail
These personalized brew tours are catered to meet your needs — they’ll even pick you up at your house or hotel. Discover fresh, handcrafted and locally brewed beers, take a brewery tour and chat with the good folks who work behind the scenes.
CTBeerTrail.net 

Glastonbury Riverfront Music Series   Glastonbury, Conn.
It’s not England’s Glastonbury Festival, but it is a fun outdoor music series packed with great artists. For four Wednesday nights from July 6 through July 27, you can head down to the public lawn near the Connecticut River for free outdoor music. Pack a picnic and enjoy.
CRVChamber.org/Riverfront-Music-Series
(860) 659-3587

Action Wildlife   Goshen, Conn.
This zoo, located in scenic northwest Connecticut, has more than 350 exotic animals on 116 acres. There’s a petting zoo where guests can meet and feed the animals — you can even bottle-feed babies if you time your visit right. A drive-through safari lets you take your car through 50 acres of fenced-in wildlife habitat.
ActionWildLife.org
(860) 491-9191

For our complete Summer Travel Guide, pick up the July/Aug issue of Merrimack Valley Magazine on newsstands now.