Away from the Crowds in Connecticut

The Abbey of Regina Laudis in Bethlehem is known for its artisanal cheese-making tradition. Benedictine nuns have been making cheese here for decades. Mother Noella, a microbiologist and nun, has meticulously preserved the abbey’s cheese-making methods, producing award-winning cheeses. The abbey remains a testament to how time-honored techniques can create exceptional culinary products.

The Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library is located in New Haven. It has an amazing collection of rare books and manuscripts. You can see the Gutenberg Bible, one of only 21 complete copies in existence. The Voynich Manuscript, with its undeciphered script, intrigues scholars and enthusiasts alike. Other treasures include medieval manuscripts, ancient papyri, and modern literary archives.

Bigelow Hollow State Park is located in the northeast corner in the Nipmuck State Forest. Visitors enjoy hiking, boating, and fishing. Breakneck Pond is a secluded lake only accessible by foot.  It is part of one of the largest unbroken forest tracts in Connecticut.

Visit the Old World town of Essex, which is rich in history and well-preserved colonial structures. The Pratt House is one of the oldest homes in the town and a notable landmark. The residence beautifully showcases vintage heirlooms and antiques, including old kitchen utensils and furniture.

Check out the Griswold Inn, established in 1776. (pictured above) It is one of the longest-running inns in the country. There are 34 guest rooms along with a restaurant and wine bar.

Take the Essex Steam Train and enjoy your ride through towns like Deep River and Chester and nature reserves like Pratt Cove. Visitors enjoy taking the Dinner Train.

Take the Adventure Charter and cruise on the Connecticut River.

Fort Griswold is located in Groton. In 1781 Benedict Arnold, an American general, switched from the American to the British side. He led a raid on New London and Groton, which caused the massacre of over 80 troops at Fort Griswold across the Thames River. The Thames River is a short river and tidal estuary in the state of Connecticut. Visitors can see a memorial to the fallen soldiers and explore the remains of the fort. On the grounds is the Ebenezer Avery House, where the wounded were taken after battle. This site is part of the Thames River Heritage Park connecting the fort with the city pier in New London, and the fort can be reached by water ferry.

Holy Land in Waterbury is a religious theme park featuring an iconic Hollywood-style sign and a large steel cross. Visitors can explore the replicas of Biblical scenes and structures.

Delight is twenty-one little doors hidden in plain sight in Putnam. There are intricate gateways to the “fairy world.”

As you walk about, look for the Putnam fairy doors; they are a delight.

Old Saybrook was founded in 1635 and is one of the oldest towns in Connecticut.

General William Hart House is one of the first dwellings in Old Saybrook and is now a museum. They exhibit old-time artifacts such as vintage clothing, lighting sources, furniture, portraits, and family heirlooms.

Fort Saybrook Monument Park is an open space with panels depicting the fort’s rich heritage.

There are great views of the Connecticut River and a place for birdwatchers.

Old Saybrook is a waterfront town with lovely natural landscapes and is popular for boating and fishing.

Enjoy Harvey’s Beach, a white sand beach with lifeguards, washrooms, a playground, accessible grounds, and a snack stall.

Roxbury is surrounded by lush countryside where you can walk miles of trails through nature preserves, farmland, and a mine hill. You can join mindful walks such as Riverfest.

Toplands Farm specializes in hormone-free and pasture-raised beef. It is also home to Double D Living History Farm.

Maple Bank Farm offers blueberry picking in the summertime. You can purchase all kinds of fresh farm produce.

Riverbank Farm grows a wide variety of products, including heirloom tomatoes, sugar snap peas, watermelon, sweet potatoes, strawberries, and hot peppers.

Shade Swamp Sanctuary in Farmington is known for its Depression-era zoo remnants. The sanctuary has structures from the 1930s mixing nature with history. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Thimble Islands are a cluster of small islands in the Branford area off the Long Island Sound. The largest island is Horse Island and is owned by Yale University for ecological studies. Governor Island is home to 14 houses, and Money Island has a village of 32 houses and a library. Frisbie Island is a bird sanctuary and open to the public only one week every summer. During the summer boat tours are available.