What to Do in Connecticut – Your Guide to Leisure in the Constitution State

Moving to Connecticut is an excellent option for both US citizens and foreign immigrants. Living in Connecticut, New England, offers plenty of exciting outdoor opportunities, museums of art and history, and some delicious food. When adjusting to a new country, going out and exploring these fun activities will enable you to meet people and fit in naturally. If you’re moving internationally by sea here, what to do next depends mostly on your preferences. Check out some of the state’s top leisure activities in the text below.

What Is There to Do in CT Today?

If you’re moving overseas from, for example, one of the best European countries to live in, you’re probably wondering, What do Connecticut people do for fun? It turns out there’s a variety of fun things you can do in CT. Many of these options are scattered throughout the state, so unless you plan on using public transportation, hire international car shipping service. From weekend getaways to gambling, here are some fun things you can do in CT.

Ride the Antique Carousel in Lighthouse Point Park

Built in 1916, the Lighthouse Point Park antique carousel is one of a hundred of its kind remaining, still operating to this day, from Memorial Day to Labor Day. This New Haven park provides some incredible views of the Long Island Sound and the New Haven Harbor.

Satisfy Your Gambling Itch in Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun

Those looking to try their luck should check out Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket. If you need your gambling itch sated or prefer some other entertainment options, Foxwood also hosts some pretty big names in comedy. Even if you lose some money, you’ll still have more than a few laughs by the end of the night. Mohegan Sun in Uncasville in west CT provides you with live music while you’re placing your bets, and its arena can house about 10,000 people. Many famous musicians, such as U2, perform here, with their local show being priced significantly lower than their NYC counterparts.

There are Plenty of Fun Outdoor Activities to Be Found in Club Getaway

Yearning for a great summer campground weekend as an adult? Club Getaway in Kent will have you swimming, running, and playing like you do not have a care in the world. The standout activities include the color wars battle royale, capture the keg tournament and Slip ‘N Slide kickball. Pick your drinks from an open, all-inclusive bar, and enjoy themed parties all night long.

Explore USS Nautilus, the First Nuclear Submarine

Located on the Thames River in Groton, the US Navy submarine museum houses and displays submarine exhibits, artifacts, and photographs. The opportunity to board and explore a submarine is not something you should pass up. Being the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine, USS Nautilus is the highlight for most visitors. It also gives a sense of what it’s like to work in a submarine, while other exhibits in the museum explain the development of underwater travel.

Travel with Style on Essex Steam Train and Visit the Gillette Castle State Park

Everyone aboard the Essex Steam Train can choose from various activities coinciding with their journey through Connecticut’s River Valley. You can go on a riverboat cruise, get some dinner train service, or go on a trip to Gillette Castle State Park. While this is not a castle, the stone structure makes it look like a formidable medieval fortress.

Explore the Mystic Aquarium and Some Green Areas

Nature enthusiasts have several spots to explore in CT. For example, Mystic Aquarium is a great place for marine life lovers. Where else are you able to enjoy a drink and some treats while a penguin keeps you company? Learn all about these creatures from trainers while snacking on pancakes and pizza. For those who want to get in the water, the Whale Encounter program will enable you to meet a beluga whale.

Check Out Elizabeth Park Rose Garden in Hartford

In case you’re moving across the world to CT in June, make sure you roam the Rose Garden. It’s the first municipal garden of its kind in the US and currently the third-largest in the country. Located in one of the best places to live in Connecticut, this Hartford garden is open to the public for free year-round, with six others also blooming from May to October. Picnicking is allowed even though there’s a cafe on-site, so if you’re moving with dogs, take them out for a walk here.

To See Some Cool Performances Drop by the Shakespeare on the Sound Festival

Each summer, over two weeks, the Shakespeare on the Sound presents sixteen performances based on any of the William Shakespeare plays. This Rowayton event is held in Pinkney Park, with the aim of making the production accessible. This is certainly one way of breaking the language barrier for people immigrating from some friendliest countries in the world. Each performance is open to both adults and children of all ages, and they often don’t set the ticket prices. Patrons are encouraged to give donations instead, but this isn’t required.

Don’t Know What to Do in Connecticut? Visit a Museum

While it might be a small state, its impact on the country’s history, politics, arts, and culture, is undeniable. In case you’re wondering, What is Connecticut known for? Primarily known as the Constitution or Nutmeg State, it influenced the development of the US federal government. It’s also one of the 13 original colonies that first rejected the British rule. If you’re an immigrant living overseas, its proximity to the East Coast’s urban centers makes it one of the best places to live abroad with family. It’s an excellent place for a staycation, with an abundance of museums to explore in the area. Stop by these next few spots.

The Glass House Used to Be a Private Residence

Phillip Johnson built his weekend home in his quirky design aesthetic, made entirely out of glass. Now called The Glass House, this incredible example of modern architecture can only be accessed through booking a tour, as free-roaming isn’t allowed. Luckily, due to the very small tour groups, you’ll be able to spend more time looking at all the sculptures and artwork.

Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum Is Dedicated to Contemporary Art

Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield, CT, is the only local institution dedicated solely to contemporary art. There are no permanent exhibits, which allow some genuinely fantastic art pieces to pass through at any time. Some of these exhibits include Xu Bing’s Tobacco Project, and Martin Creed: Half the Air in a Given Space, for which the gallery was filled with hundreds of gold balloons.

Stop by the Mark Twain House

The National Geographic named Mark Twain House “one of the ten best historic homes in the world“. By the time the 20th century rolled in, famous writer Samuel Clemens with his pen name Mark Twain called Hartford home for several years. With his gothic-styled home being turned into a museum, it enables some promising writers to work in Twain’s library. The museum’s schedule is regularly full of writing workshops, tours, and author talks.

Yale Is One of the Oldest Universities in the US

Even if you didn’t get a perfect score on your SATs, you could still explore Yale University, even if only for a day. Go on a free daily tour of one of the US’s oldest universities and learn all about this landmark and its 300-year long history. You have a chance to see inside the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library and Sterling Memorial Library, the largest one on the campus. Though not a museum, Yale has become a popular spot since its gothic style is reminiscent of Harry Potter’s fictional school Hogwarts.

Look for the Top Local Food and Drinks and Try Something New

When moving to another country for love, you want to know where you can take out your significant other. Luckily Connecticut’s restaurants provide plenty of incredible options, and there are numerous wineries in the area. With the corona outbreak affecting many businesses, check if the location you picked is open or if they’ve changed their working hours. Without further ado, here are a few things to check out here.

Go on a Connecticut Wine Trail or Taste Some Beer From Two Roads Brewing

There are 35 wineries throughout the state’s area. Visiting every single one would be impossible to do even in a week. Luckily there are special passports that will help you keep track of all the wineries you’ve visited on the Connecticut Wine Trail. These also keep a log if you have any favorites at each trail.

If you’re looking to sip some beer, Two Roads Brewing is one of the best breweries in Stratford and the state overall. Founded by four friends in 2012, its award-winning brews alone make stopping by worth it. There are also numerous events throughout the year, including outdoor movie watching and Oktoberfest.

Since many of these places are scattered throughout the state, shipping a car overseas might be a good choice. So contact an overseas moving company for the service, and make sure to have a good rest between drinking and driving.

If You Are New in the State, Try Some Mystic Pizza

Serving slices in the same manner as in 1973, Mystic Pizza became famous through the eponymous movie. Its pies are made with a bit of “secret recipe” sauce. There’s a second location in North Stonington, but it’s best to visit the original restaurant in the seaside Mystic if you want a more authentic experience.

Louis’ Lunch Is the Birthplace of the Hamburger

Louis’ Lunch is a restaurant in New Haven, which claims to have invented and served the first-ever hamburgers. It opened in 1895 as a small lunch wagon and was one of the first to serve steak sandwiches in the US. According to the restaurant, the hamburger was created by accident, responding to a hurrying customer. To this day, the food is being prepared in the same few original iron cast vertical gas broilers. It’s been recognized by the Library of Congress as the origin of the hamburger, though that claim has been disputed many times.

Check out the video below to learn more about the hamburger’s origin and how the food is prepared in the restaurant.

Is There Anything Fun in Connecticut?

There are more than enough things to keep you entertained, from various museums, parks, and food opportunities to fun and exciting outdoor options and gambling. Now that you’re aware of some of Connecticut’s activities, all that’s left is to make some final preparations for moving overseas. Suppose you want to determine whether you’ll be able to afford a decent life here. In that case, it’s crucial to check the cost of living in Connecticut. Look for a professional international moving company to help you with vehicle shipping overseas. Connecticut international movers also provide professional packing services, and you may even place some of your belongings in storage for later use. If you’re moving internationally here, make sure you have a list of relocation questions to ask an employer if they are the ones securing your visa, while you check out your itinerary for many weekends ahead in Connecticut.