The Constitution State, Connecticut is comfortably wedged between New York City and Boston. Although it’s one of the smallest states in the union, it still delivers on variety with a great choice of inns, restaurants, museums, galleries, shopping and spas.
As a result of its close proximity to New York City, Connecticut assumes some of the ‘Big Apple’ cosmopolitan chic while being able to still retain its distinctive New England character. The seashore is a delight – dotted with colonial villages set amidst beautiful beaches and coves; while inland, the countryside is easy on the eye with a landscape that is almost like England in places.
There are vibrant cities and major attractions for couples as well as families throughout the state. Explore Mystic, rich in culture and history and just along the coast to the west is New London, the home of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy where you can explore America’s tall ship and the Coast Guard Museum.
Connecticut is divided into five distinct regions, all boasting a variety of activities and highlights to explore.
Family fun in the Fairfield Region
Beardsley Zoo, Discovery Museum and the Barnum Museum, all in Bridgeport; the Maritime Aquarium and the Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk, and the Stamford Museum & Nature Center in Stamford all offer great family days out.
New Haven Region for food lovers
The Italians may have invented pizza but the New Haven region reinvented it and claims to be the birth place of the American pizza. Downtown New Haven offers cosmopolitan dining and cultural activities, as well as great street food from a variety of food trucks.
Maritime Adventures in the Mystic Region
The historic shipbuilding museum, Mystic Seaport and Mystic Aquarium make for great days out with kids and the city of New London offers fantastic coastal activities at the Ocean Beach Park. A region of contrasts, you’ll also find the two largest casinos in America in Mystic, with matching reputations, Foxwoods Resort & Casino and the Mohegan Sun.
Arts and Culture in the Hartford Region
The state capital of Hartford is well known for its history museums and fine art galleries, including the Mark Twain House & Museum. The Wadsworth Atheneum’s hosts renowned collections, including Old Master paintings, Hudson River School landscapes, Impressionist paintings, modernist masterpieces and decorative arts.
Explore the great outdoors in the Litchfield Region
Hosting many beautiful rivers, Litchfield is a rural paradise, home to quaint villages, working farms, vineyards and wineries. Spend your days fishing and rafting along the Housatonic River or enjoy the quaint shopping opportunities at the many antique stores and shops in town.
| Superior Deluxe | Among the finest the world has to offer, hotels in this category are exclusive, lavish and indulgent. Needless to say, you will enjoy the highest service levels, superb accommodation and outstanding facilities and public areas. |
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| Deluxe | This will be an outstanding hotel, offering many of the features of Superior Deluxe, though on a scale which will be a little less grand. |
| Moderate Deluxe | This will be a Deluxe standard property, although some of the accommodation and public areas may offer a less pronounced degree of luxury. In other instances, the hotel may be a famous name with a well-established reputation. |
| Superior First Class | More often than not, this will be a superior modern hotel or an older property which is exceptionally well maintained. All offer very comfortable and well-furnished accommodation and public areas. |
| First Class | A dependable and comfortable hotel with standardised rooms. These are the ideal choice for travellers who don not require deluxe facilities or special services. |
| Moderate First Class | Essentially a First Class hotel with comfortable but sometimes simple accommodations. Public areas may be limited but generally provides all the essentials a guest requires. |
| Superior Tourist Class | |
| Tourist Class | |
| Dude Ranch | |
| Resort Ranch | |
| Working Ranch |
