 Connecticut |
Connecticut Travel Guide
Despite its proximity to New York - commuting distance across the Long Island Sound - Connecticut retains an aura that is essentially New England. Due partly to its location and partly to the success of its industry Connecticut, though small is densely populated. Yet, it does still have wide-open spaces to enjoy.
Native Americans were the first settlers of the land around the river Quinnehtukqut that gives the state its name. Adrian Block, a Dutchman was the first European to chart its shores in 1614. The first full settlement was of English Puritans in 1634 and despite major problems with the disgruntled natives (how unreasonable) they produced the embryo nations first constitution in 1639.
Connecticut was one of the original 13 colonies, a co-signatory to the declaration of independence and the fifth state of the union.
The state has it all; the industrial revolution was aided by water power, tobacco grew in abundance, agriculture had a ready market in New York and the sea was full of things just waiting to be caught and either eaten or rendered.
Industry still prospers, rolling green farmland backs the coastal strip and fish are still being caught but the state has also added a burgeoning tourist trade. Away from the main centres of population and commerce are many small towns, in peaceful settings just waiting to be gently explored.
When to Go
The weather is never extreme in Connecticut, never too hot or too cold. The higher ground inland sees snow in winter and Hartford sees temperatures in the 80's in high summer. Any time is a good time to go but as with the rest of New England fall is spectacular.
Things to do Places to See
Mystic Seaport Museum
Billed as the most popular attraction in the state and the largest maritime museum in the world this fascinating glimpse of the past does not disappoint. The museum is a full sized 'replica' of a 19th century whaling port. Supporting this there are 40 buildings including chandlers, taverns and churches of the period. The main exhibits are the ships, these include the Charles W Morgan, the last wooden whaling vessel in the world, and the Amistad, a replica of the former slave ship at the centre of the Steven Spielberg movie. Spielberg used the Mystic seaport as a backdrop for some of the movie scenes.
Mystic also boasts a decent aquarium but the regions other main attraction is the Foxwoods Resort Casino. Owned and run by Native Americans on former reservations this has grown to become a Mecca for gamblers and includes the worlds largest casino (Vegas eat your heart out).
Hartford
This is an insurance town, capital of the nations insurance industry and if that isn't damning with faint praise then I don't know what is. Hartford is typically described as grey, nondescript and businesslike but this does it a disservice. Hartford is an old town and the state capital and has a modest number of interesting sites worthy of at least a brief visit.
Fans of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer may be surprised to discover that they weren't penned in a smoky riverboat saloon or a vast southern mansion but in Hartford.
Mark Twains house is a fascinating, 19 room Picturesque-Gothic place designed by the former riverboat pilot himself. He wrote six of his best known works here including the two mentioned above and the fantasy 'A Connecticut Yankee at the Court of King Arthur'.
The other literary surprise is that Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Toms Cabin, lived here. Her house, next door to Mark Twains, is open to the public and is preserved much as it was when she lived there in the late 1900's.
Elsewhere in Hartford, there is the Old State House, the countries oldest capitol building and the Wadsworth Athenaeum, a vast collection of pieces housed in the oldest continuously open art museum in the States.
Hartford: Eating, drinking and sleeping.
Due the strength of the business dollar, hotels in the centre are costly during the week but cheap at the weekends whilst accommodation on the outskirts goes up at weekends.
The range of food is typical in price, choice and quality. There are plenty of bars but don't forget this is a town where most of those who throng there during the day live outside the city at night.
Litchfield Hills
For a taste of the great outdoors in Connecticut, take a trip into the Litchfield Hills. These are really the foothills of the Berkshires and cover roughly 25% of the state. The countryside is gorgeous and affords many opportunities for outdoor pursuits, kayaking, hiking, fishing and white water rafting. The towns that dot the region are picturesque in their own right but do not offer much by way of major attractions. The towns are quiet places with numerous galleries and antique shops. An area to go to for those wishing to unwind a little.
New Haven
Although a successful business centre and lively coastal town it is for the university that New Haven is best known.
Yale is one of the world's great seats of learning, ranking alongside Oxford, Cambridge and Harvard. Founded in 1701 Yale is especially prominent in the fields of law and medicine. The medical and scientific aspects of the college have aided New Haven in becoming something of an R & D town. Within the campus itself is the renowned Peabody Museum of Natural History, famed particularly for its dinosaur exhibits. There is also the University Art gallery, the Centre for British Art, the Sterling Memorial Library and the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library. The centrepiece of the latter is one of the few remaining Gutenberg Bibles.
Elsewhere in New Haven, take a trip out to Lighthouse Point Park, the Eli Whitney Museum and the Audubon Coastal Centre, a bird and wildlife sanctuary.
Now New Haven may sound like a lovely place and mostly it is but in recent years it has not been immune to the strife that afflicts many towns. Be careful at night, avoid run down, ill-lit areas and do not leave possessions on show in your car.
New Haven: Eating, drinking, sleeping
New Haven is a happening lively place; students and the diverse ethnic background of the residents ensure this. There are many places to eat, most are reasonably priced; the food fashion of the moment is Tomato Pie, that's Pizza to you and me.
The theatre scene is alive and well and there are some excellent bars and clubs around the college.
Accommodation is varied but not numerous; there is a little of everything to suit all budgets. Try and book in advance if you are planning on being in town during highlights of the college year especially graduation in May.
Dinosaur Park
In a state of gentle scenery, historic places and busy commerce, this exhibition of dinosaur footprints seems a little incongruous. There are 500 preserved sets of footprints from the Lower Jurassic period that were uncovered by road builders. Now safe beneath a geodesic dome the footprints form part of a dinosaur exhibit that will delight all.
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