10 Things I Wish People Knew About Connecticut

Connecticut is one of those states that people love to hate on. I’ve lived here my whole life, and honestly, I really like it here. Is it perfect? No, but nowhere is. I’m tired of people being so mean to Connecticut. So, here are some things that I wish people knew about my home state.

There Are A Lot Of Places To Hike

Did you know that there are over 100 state parks in Connecticut? In addition to state parks, most towns have their own preserves that offer great hiking as well. It’s no wonder Connecticut has been ranked as the best state for hiking in the U.S. There are so many different trails to explore for all skill levels.
Discover places to hike in CT: 20 Connecticut Hikes With Great Views

There’s A Ton Of History

Connecticut was one of the first colonies, so it should not come as a shock that there’s tons of history in the state. A lot of this history has been preserved. You can learn about the history in various museums around the state, but my favorite is the Connecticut Museum of Culture & History. You can also visit sites of historical significance that are actually on the National Register of Historic Places.
Discover historic house museums in CT: 13 Historic Houses You Can Tour In Connecticut

There Are Some Great Breweries

Connecticut’s craft beer scene is booming, with breweries offering everything from hoppy IPAs to smooth stouts. Whether you’re a seasoned beer lover or just looking for a laid-back spot to unwind, there’s a taproom here for you. Be sure to explore the Connecticut Beer Trail to discover some of the best breweries!
Discover CT breweries: 15 Connecticut Breweries That Are Totally Worth The Hype

Connecticut Has A Lot Of Lighthouses

Connecticut is home to some pretty awesome lighthouses. We have New London Harbor Lighthouse in New London, which is the oldest and tallest lighthouse on Long Island Sound. This lighthouse was established in 1760, which was 16 years before the United States was established. You can visit this lighthouse and many others along the Connecticut shoreline.
Discover more CT lighthouses: 10 Connecticut Lighthouses You Don’t Want To Miss

There Are Other Towns Worth Visiting Besides Mystic

Mystic is considered Connecticut’s top tourist town, but honestly, I think there is much more to see in Connecticut besides Mystic. Mystic definitely has plenty to do like the Mystic Seaport Museum, Olde Mistick Village, the Mystic Aquarium, and tons of dining options. But, it’s worth venturing to other parts of the state to explore some other towns.
Discover other charming, historic towns in CT: Walkable Historic Towns In Connecticut

We Have A Lot Of Waterfalls

Not many people know this, but Connecticut is a great spot to check out waterfalls. We have a handful of large waterfalls that are pretty easily accessible without a crazy hike, like Kent Falls. However, there are also many smaller, lesser-known waterfalls that are just as pretty.
Discover waterfalls for your next CT adventure: Don’t Miss These Stunning Waterfalls In Connecticut

There’s Actually A Ton To Do

I always hear people saying there’s nothing to do in Connecticut. The worst part is, it’s not just out-of-staters that say it, but also Connecticut residents. I have lived here my entire life, and I am always finding something new to do. Whether you’re interested in museums, historic towns, cafes, or nature, there’s something to do.
Discover things to do in CT: Unique Things To Do In Connecticut

There’s Significant Air & Space History In The State

Major aerospace companies were founded in Connecticut like Pratt & Whitney in 1925 and Sikorsky Aircraft in 1923. You can explore this interesting history at the Connecticut Air & Space Center in Stratford and at the New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks. During my visit to the New England Air Museum, I got to meet Dr. Flush, an engineer at Hamilton Standard who worked on the life support systems and zero-gravity toilets for the Apollo program.

There Are Places With No Traffic

I know so many people think that Connecticut is just traffic, but that’s probably because they’ve only driven through (or they live in Fairfield County). If you just get off of the highways like I-95 and I-84, you’ll discover that we have charming backroads to explore. Do yourself a favor and go explore the Litchfield Hills or the Quiet Corner of Connecticut.

Connecticut Is A True New England State

So many people like to pretend that Connecticut is not a true part of New England, which is insane considering the state was literally founded by settlers from Massachusetts and England. We have a ton of colonial history here. While Fairfield County might be considered a New York suburb by many, that is just a small section of the state. I grew up in southeastern Connecticut and I don’t relate to the NYC suburb nonsense at all. I grew up closer to Rhode Island than New York City.