From families and couples to spring and fall getaways –
2015 Sample Story Ideas

Connecticut is a year-round travel destination filled with experiences that appeal to travelers of all interests. From visiting world-class art and cultural exhibitions and enjoying a variety of outdoor festivals to exhilarating roller coaster rides, charming B&Bs and sumptuous wine tasting at beautiful vineyards, sample story ideas include:

A Slice of Life in New England – New England's charm, beauty, rich history and world-class culture is well known to people across the world and Connecticut is no exception. No matter what season, visitors can enjoy a distinctly New England vacation in Connecticut; warm summers along the coast, fantastic fall foliage drives, outdoor winter activities followed by cozy winter nights at B&Bs and tranquil spring days filled with antiques shopping, museum hopping and pristine garden tours.

Just Around the Corner – Connecticut is easily accessible from the East Coast, whether it is a short flight, train ride or a road trip. A Connecticut holiday is a great value for couples, families and friends. The state's official tourism web site, CTvisit.com provides 52 getaways to inspire your trip planning.

Challenge Yourself to an Outdoor Adventure – Connecticut has a ton of outdoor activities for all skill and enthusiasm levels. For example, go river camping along the Connecticut River. Stop for the night at Gillette Castle State Park in East Haddam and climb to the top to the castle for some impressive views. On the coast, paddle out to see the shoreline with Black Hall Outfitters in Old Lyme. They're located directly on the Connecticut River Estuary where you can take advantage of their Canoe and Kayak trail, check out Griswold Point, shoreline beaches or tidal flats - all within a close proximity.

Or, enjoy active adventures at Brownstone Exploration & Discovery Park in Portland or Power Ridge Mountain Park & Resort in Middlefield. Brownstone Exploration and Discovery Park is Connecticut's first outdoor adventure park. Guests can experience activities from rock climbing, wakeboarding, cliff jumping and ziplining to scuba diving, snorkeling and more. Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort in Middlefield is a year-round mountain adventure sports park that has the only full-size half pipe in the state and offers activities for the extreme adventurer to the casual observer, including mountain biking.

For Kids ages 1-99 – Try out the family raft adventure at Mammoth Falls at Lake Compounce Theme Park or stick with the thrilling wooden roller coaster, Boulder Dash, the only coaster of its kind to be built into the side of a mountain. Lake Compounce offers a family camping experience at Bear Creek Campgrounds, where park-goers can stay in a cabin, pitch a tent or hook up an RV – close enough to the park that you won't miss an hour of fun. Grab a beach bag, flip flops, sunglasses and suntan lotion and spend a day at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison and enjoy the nature center, picnic areas, snack bar and boardwalk.

Wine Your Way through the Connecticut Wine Council Trail – From the magnificent Litchfield Hills to the “Last Green Valley” to vineyards washed by salt breezes of the ocean, Connecticut's wineries are among New England's most charming and beautiful places. The Connecticut Wine Trail showcases some of the most interesting wines in the country and many of the vineyards have won high-profile awards for their specialty blends. Each winery has its own story, yet all share one thing in common: an appreciation for harvesting fine wine. With 25 wineries offering a variety of fruit and oak blends, tasting a great wine does not have to mean a trip to Napa.

Food to Tempt Your Taste Buds: A Mix of Old and New – One of Connecticut's great contributions to delicious food is the hot lobster roll. Made with warm lobster and melted into a roll with butter, the Connecticut lobster roll differs from the traditional cold lobster salad found throughout New England. Visit Lenny & Joe's Fish Tale in Madison and Westbrook, Abbott's Lobster in the Rough in Noank and Knapp's Landing Restaurant in Stratford. Four classic inns in Connecticut combine rich, quintessential New England charm with modern culinary appeal. The Copper Beech Inn in Ivoryton, The Griswold Inn in Essex and The Old Lyme Inn and The Bee & Thistle Inn, both located in Old Lyme, are clustered together near the Connecticut River, drawing visitors with notable gastronomic experiences, including French cuisine, fresh local seafood and modern American dishes. A visit to any one of the inns is sure to provide a refreshing glimpse into the past with a modern twist on current trends.

The state also boasts some of the best, first and most original culinary destinations in the country. First, try The Daily Meal's number one pizza in America at Frank Pepe's Pizzeria Napoletana in New Haven. The Pizzeria is one of the oldest and best-known pizza joints in the country and is lauded for their White Clam Pizza made with fresh New England clams. While you're in New Haven, you can also check out Louis' Lunch, the birthplace of the hamburger or enjoy a culinary walking tour of the city while attending Taste of New Haven. And, of course, the wave of farm-to-table has swept Connecticut and its many farmers. In the summer, you can visit a number of farmer's markets statewide including the popular Coventry Farmers' Market or participate in a dinner series that celebrates farm to chef creations.

Happening Hotels – A new generation of boutique hotels has sprung up across the state to offer discerning travelers clean, bold design and big-city service. In the decade since the Delamar Greenwich Harbor debuted at the foot of Greenwich Avenue, one of Connecticut's most fashionable shopping expanses, you'll be able to find contemporary digs to suit your personality in several charming Connecticut towns. For example, the minimalist J House Greenwich has iPad-controlled rooms and a modern poolside lounge, Hotel Zero Degrees in Stamford has an urban vibe and playful décor, EVEN Hotel Norwalk which boasts ample green space and sustainable design elements to help guests maintain balance and the Study at Yale in New Haven is the place to encounter celebrities: both household names and giants of academia.

Travel Back in Time – Connecticut's revolutionary nature isn't simply tied to its 18th- century roots – the state has been part of many revolutions since its founding to the present day. A number of attractions highlight Connecticut's role in the development of the nation including the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center, which earns the title of the world's largest Native American museum. Tribally owned and operated, the museum contains a wealth of information on the histories and cultures of Native Americans in the northeast. There are a number of local gems that had a role during the American Revolution and have survived to tell the tale. A collection of three homes – including the 1752 Joseph Webb House that briefly served as George Washington's headquarters during the latter years of the Revolutionary War – the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum continues to play a key role in the Wethersfield community.

Fall Foliage Means Much More Than Colors – When it comes to autumn, Connecticut is much more than the limitless shades of reds, oranges and yellows waving in the trees. From September to November, scenic Connecticut drives are complemented by unanticipated vacation gems along the way. Take Route 9 through central Connecticut's River Valley region and climb aboard the RiverQuest for a narrated cruise of the lower Connecticut River and spectacular foliage views. Or travel through idyllic Litchfield Hills on Route 7, to the charming village of Kent, named the number one fall foliage town in New England by Yankee Magazine, for a day of antiquing and fine dining with a quintessential fall foliage backdrop.

Fall Festivals to Explore – Autumn is one of Connecticut's most beautiful seasons. Connecticut's lively fall festivals provide the perfect excuse for an extended stay in New England. A sampling of activities includes: the annual Durham Fair (in September; the largest agricultural fair in Connecticut), Oyster Festival (September in Norwalk), Chowder Days (October in Mystic) and Apple Harvest (October in Southington).

Let Them Eat Cake! – The sweet side of Connecticut starts in Orange, the home of Pez Candy where visitors can enjoy a tour of the factory. Other famous sugary stops include Bridgewater Chocolate in Brookfield, always drawing in crowds whether it's winter or summer; Chocopologie by Knipschildt Chocolatier in Norwalk, where visitors can watch the chocolate being made up close; Fascia's Chocolates in Waterbury, where visitors can take a tour and get a behind the scenes look at the factory and the chance to make-your-own chocolate bar; Tschudin Chocolates & Confections in Middletown, that offers great group tours and has a special "kids entrance," that leads to the back of the production area; Thorn Crest Farm & Milk House Chocolates in Goshen, which makes their treats in small batches, one at a time with the farm's fresh milk, butter and cream; and Sweet Maria's in Waterbury, whose cookies and wedding cakes have been voted best in the state for many years by Connecticut Magazine.

Flavors from Around the World – Did you know that you can find international culinary treasures all over Connecticut? From bountiful bakeries to delectable dining, it's a real treat to discover these global gastronomies. Isabelle et Vincent in Fairfield is a recreation of a patisserie in Strasbourg, France and offers fine hand-made chocolates, pastries and baked goods for delighted locals and visitors. And, for more sweet indulgences, try Dagmar's Desserts in Old Saybrook for Bavarian/Austrian pastries, cakes and strudels. Celebrate Italian culture, food and wine with friends – old and new – at Skappo Italian Wine Bar in New Haven. You can even take Italian language lessons on Monday nights!

For an authentic experience of traditional and contemporary Cuban cuisine, specialty drinks and music, spend an evening at Soul de Cuba in New Haven. “Willkommen” to East Side Restaurant in New Britain for hearty German fare and music for a fun dining experience for the entire family. Bufalina in Guilford makes chewy yet crunchy wood fired brick oven pizza – Neapolitan style. The signature pizza features water buffalo mozzarella, bringing the flavors of Italy to Connecticut!

Sweet Tooth – If you've come to Connecticut with a sweet tooth, you've come to the right place! Connecticut has an official Chocolate Trail so you can discover specialty chocolates and confections throughout the state. If you can't decide, take a decadent tour and try them all!  Highlights include Bridgewater Chocolate Factory and Factory Store in Brookfield and West Hartford for hand-made chocolates such as turtles, caramels and peanut butter patties; Fascia's Chocolates in Waterbury, offering a unique Chocolate Experience and Tour; and Munson's Chocolates in Bolton (main store and factory), Connecticut's largest chocolate manufacturer!

And for ice cream lovers, Connecticut is home to many dairy farms and shops proudly specializing in homemade ice cream. Enjoy rich, creamy, all natural hand-packed ice cream at Arethusa Farm & Dairy in Bantam, featuring flavors such as butter pecan, rum raisin and coconut chip. At Arethusa, there's a continuously rotating menu of new and unique ice cream flavors. Main Street Creamery in Wethersfield, offering ice cream, frozen yogurt, soft serve and ice cream pies, was voted “One of Connecticut's Top Ice Cream Shops” by Hartford Magazine, July 2012 – stop by and see why! Sample “Husky Tracks” ice cream at the award winning UCONN Dairy Bar in Storrs, along with popular seasonal specials. While there, take the University of Connecticut Animal Barns Tour to see dairy and beef cows, sheep and horses, cared for on the university's campus.

Burgers & Beer – While touring and exploring, there are so many great spots in Connecticut to wet your whistle and whet your appetite – discover craft beer destinations along the Connecticut Beer Trail, featuring breweries and brew pubs throughout the state. There's Two Roads Brewing Company in Stratford, winner of seven medals at the 2014 Great International Beer Festival, Firefly Brewing Company in Bristol, where fresh baked pretzels are served daily along with a creative selection of beer, and Willimantic Brewing Co. in Willimantic, brewing more than a dozen hand-crafted styles of beer monthly, just to name a few! For a satisfying bite, traditional and specialty burgers are all around in Connecticut! For “gourmet(ish)” burgers made fresh daily, try Goldburgers in Newington. You can get sweet potato fries with your burger at Jack Rabbitt's in Old Saybrook; and crispy cheese on the popular “Bernice Original” signature cheeseburger at two Shady Glen locations in Manchester, an old-fashioned, diner-style restaurant. Other great options are K. LaMay's Steamed Cheeseburgers, “home of the overstuffed cheeseburger,” in Meriden and the classic Louis' Lunch in New Haven – “the birthplace of the hamburger sandwich.”

A See-Through House! – After more than 50 years, architect Philip Johnson's Glass House in New Canaan is available for public tours. The Glass House is one of the most significant structures of the 20th century and is now owned by The National Trust for Historic Preservation. An object of fascination for decades, the rectangular house was built in 1949 out of quarter-inch-thick glass and without interior walls. Absent of curtains or blinds, the property's 47 acres of trees and landscaping are the house's only source of privacy.

Science and Technology of Yesterday and Today – Connecticut has been the birthplace of significant scientific ingenuity and today the state's attractions reflect both past contributions and current dedication to technology of different kinds. The New England Air Museum, located at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, is one of the nation's most outstanding aviation museums. Three huge exhibit hangars contain more than 80 aircraft from all periods of history, including the beautifully restored B-29 Superfortress. In Hartford, the Connecticut Science Center boasts educational exhibits that let kids of all ages expand their imaginations. The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk recently introduced a unique hybrid-powered research vessel, R/V Spirit of the Sound™. The new research vessel is bigger, quieter and greener than the Aquarium's other 34-year-old trawler and is powered by a unique hybrid electric propulsion system, reducing fuel consumption by an estimated 75 percent. The new boat also features a climate-controlled indoor classroom and an outdoor research space with total capacity of 65, more than twice that of the Aquarium's current 40-foot boat.

The Art of Travel – On virtually every level of experience, art and life are inseparable. The Connecticut Art Trail recognizes this vital and inspiring connection by offering its 18 fascinating museums and historic sites not only as isolated collections of important art, but as the centerpiece of exciting holiday experiences. By teaming up with the state's natural attractions, entertainment venues, restaurants and lodgings, the Art Trail has become a “one-stop” guide to planning the perfect art-filled getaway with several special seasonal exhibitions on display at member museums.

Live Like A Local – The charm of Connecticut can be found in its small towns and main streets. Explore unique shops and galleries, get immersed in the café culture and soak in the authentic life. Guilford, a quintessential New England town nestled along the shoreline, branches off from the largest town green in the state and is home to five museums set up shop inside historic homes—including the Henry Whitfield State Museum, which is the oldest stone house in New England. Finally, our 2014 Fan-Favorite voted town of Westport generates the feeling of a New England town with a modern twist. Located on the Long Island Sound, the town offers a wide range of leisure activities, recreational venues and three beaches along the coast.

Maritime Trail – It's been said that lighthouses are to New England as castles are to Europe. The Connecticut shoreline is filled with places to explore including the Thimble Islands, an archipelago of small islands in the Long Island Sound, many of which have beautiful and diverse houses situated creatively on top of them. You can kayak through or take a lively cruise. The Connecticut River Heritage Trail points out not-to-be-missed seaside destinations like the Saybrook Point and Lynde Point lighthouses, the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme and the Connecticut River Museum in Essex.

In Stonington, don't miss the Old Lighthouse Museum, which is more than 170 years old and still stands as the only Connecticut beacon facing the Atlantic Ocean. The Stonington Historical Society bought the lighthouse to exhibit artifacts it had acquired since its founding in 1895. This collection, augmented over the years, reflects Stonington's maritime and agricultural history — sailors, farmers, sea captains, explorers and entrepreneurs. Many artifacts predating the lighthouse document the defense of Stonington when the British attacked in 1814. While visiting, climb the steps to reach the top of the tower, which looks out over three states. Or visit the Sheffield Island Lighthouse off the coast of Norwalk which is accessible by ferry.  The lighthouse was built in 1868 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the island and lighthouse are conserved as a nature preserve with a Nature Trail through the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, which, from a view platform, one can observe nesting herons and other birds.

About The Connecticut Office of Tourism
Connecticut's Office of Tourism (COT), a division of the Department of Economic and Community Development, created the award-winning still revolutionary strategic marketing initiative to build pride among residents and bolster the state's reputation as a business and tourism destination. The brand, still revolutionary, communicates and proudly celebrates Connecticut's spirit of independence and innovation that motivates people to experience new things, defy convention and blaze their own trails. Located in New England, the Northeast part of the United States, and easily accessible from both New York and Boston, Connecticut is home to fine dining and entertainment, serene beaches and hiking trails, historic treasures and world class lodging and museums. To obtain more information about Connecticut tourism or plan your next getaway, visit www.CTvisit.com, or call 1-888-CTvisit. Join other passionate residents and visitors by becoming part of the state's social community, on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and now, Instagram.

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