Visiting Connecticut

From Connecticut’s Mystic Country, home of Storrs Mansfield, Uncasville and Groton, through the Connecticut River Valley to Greater New Haven and Fairfield County in the south, enjoy spring and summer in classic New England towns. Enjoy a family day at the New England Farm Yard at Bridgeport’s Beardsley Zoo; take in world-class arts and culture in New Haven, home of Yale University; and remember summer is the time to visit the beaches of Hammonasset State Park. Drive north over the Connecticut River as it cuts through the center of the state, and enjoy fun from casino gaming action to quaint lighthouses.

Storrs Mansfield, home of University of Connecticut’s main campus, is about 25 miles east of Hartford. Visit summer 2012 for the opening of Storrs Center, a mixed-use development creating a spectacular town center. Located directly across from the University of Connecticut, Storrs Center features shopping, dining and plenty of green spaces – relax and enjoy the brand new Storrs Center.

Shopping for treasure? Check out the Mansfield Drive-in Marketplace on Stafford Road. The Flea Market is open Sundays for the treasure hunter in the family. The Mansfield Drive-in Theatre is also open for an old-time family outing to a drive-in movie.

Sixty miles south of Mansfield and the village of Storrs, New Haven is America’s first planned city and the New Haven Green, the original central square, remians as it was today. Visit historic downtown New Haven and the green for entertaining summer events. June brings the 2012 International Festival of Arts & Ideas, featuring world-class performances and dialogue. New Haven Green hosts concerts welcoming headliners Angelique Kidjo, Dianne Reeves and Liz Wright on June 16th, for opening night. The Mark Morris Dance Group performs June 21st and 22nd at the Shubert Theater and the Yale International Choral Festival welcomes choirs from around the globe June 19th through the 23rd, with performances at Morse Recital Hall in Sprague Hall.

Summer is the ideal season to hike or bike along New Haven’s Shoreline Greenway Trail. Head east across New Haven Harbor, the trail begins just past Lighthouse Point Park. Enjoy summer events in New Haven including July’s Fiestas de Loiza celebrating Connecticut’s Puerto Rican community and the New Haven Jazz Festival in late August hosted by Jazz Haven. Before you leave New Haven, don’t forget to stop by Louis Lunch for an original hamburger – Louis’ is where hamburgers were first cooked.

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo celebrates its 90th Birthday in 2012 – join the festivities in Bridgeport May 19th. The city of Bridgeport and Mayor Bill Finch host Bridgeport Day at the Zoo the 20th, offering residents discounted admission. From Memorial Day through Labor Day 2012 Beardsley Zoo offers 90 Days of Summer promotions for zoo guests. Each day of the week is a different promotion including free admission if you visit on your birthday.

Connecticut Hotel Map