Best Summer Day Trips from Connecticut - Litchfield Area 

1. Thomaston Railroad Museum of New England 

Ride in a restored vintage 1920s train coach while taking a scenic 20-mile round trip ride on the Naugatuck Railroad from Thomaston Railroad Museum of New England.

 
Water slides always make for the best summer day trips. Photo courtesy of Quassy Amusement Park

2. Quassy Amusement Park 

Soak in the fun at Quassy Amusement Park with old-fashioned rides, a small water park, and a lake with a beach.

3. Action Wildlife 

Go on a drive-through safari and see exotic wildlife at Action Wildlife.  

4. Clarke Outdoor River Guides

Spend the day rafting down the scenic Housatonic River with Clarke Outdoor River Guides.

5. Lee’s Riding Stables

Go on a horseback trail ride or pony ride at Lee’s Riding Stables.

6. R&B Sportsworld

Race go-karts and play phazerball at the family entertainment center R&B Sportsworld in Winsted.

7. Mount Tom State Park 

Hike up to the Lookout Tower and enjoy the view at Mount Tom State Park and then jump in for a swim at the sandy beach on Lake Tom.

8. Pleasant Valley Drive-In

Enjoy a movie from the comfort of your own car at the Pleasant Valley Drive-In in Barkhamstead. 

Pick your own berries for a great summer activity. Photo courtesy of March Farm, Facebook

9. March Farms 

Pick your favorite fruits all summer long at March Farms. They have farm fresh cherries, blueberries, and peaches. 

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Best Summer Day Trips from Connecticut - Hartford Area 

Be an astronaut for the day at The New England Air Museum. Photo Credit: coachdenis via Instagram

15. New England Carousel Museum 

Admire restored carousel horses at the The New England Carousel Museum.

16. New England Air Museum 

Sit in the cockpit of a fighter jet at the New England Air Museum.

17. Connecticut Trolley Museum 

Enjoy unlimited rides on vintage vehicles at the Connecticut Trolley Museum.

18. Connecticut Science Center 

Spend the day exploring water forces, bubbles, robots, galaxies, and more scientific wonders at the Connecticut Science Center.

19. Dinosaur State Park 

Get hands-on with prehistoric history at Dinosaur State Park. 

20. Lake Compounce 

Take a ride on a vintage 1927 wooden roller coaster at Lake Compounce, the nation’s oldest, continuously operating amusement park.

Take a ride on a classic wooden coaster. Photo courtesy of Lake Compounce Amusement Park

21. Brownstone Exploration and Discovery Park 

Spend the day ziplining, wake boarding, and cliff jumping at Brownstone Exploration & Discovery Park in Portland.

22. Dunkin Donuts Stadium

Cheer for the home team and watch a Yard Goats game in downtown Hartford. 

Best Summer Day Trips from Connecticut - New Haven and Mystic Area

23. UCONN 

Pack a picnic basket and blanket and head for the beautiful hills of Storrs/Mansfield at the University of CT. Park your family under a tree at Horsebarn Hill, then enjoy an ice cream cone at the renowned UConn Dairy Bar, run by the School of Agriculture. 

24. The Dinosaur Place 

Walk amongst the prehistoric giants and run through the state’s largest splash pad  at The Dinosaur Place.

 
Mystic Seaport takes the family baack to a simpler time. Photo by Ally Noel

25. Mystic

Visit Mystic for the aquarium, seaport, and, of course, pizza.  

26. Ocean Beach Park 

Visit Ocean Beach Park for swimming and old fashioned boardwalk fun.

27. Lavender Pond Farm 

Take a deep breath and inhale the fragrant smell of lavender as you stroll around Lavender Pond Farm.

 
Connecticut pizza is worth the day trip. Photo courtesy of Modern Apizza, Facebook

28. New Haven Pizza 

Take a pizza tour through New Haven and see if you can pick a favorite pizza. 

29. USS Nautilus Submarine Force Museum 

Tour a submarine and learn about the amazing history behind the use of submarines in the military at the USS Nautilus Submarine Force Museum.

30. Groton Long Point 

Visit the little beachside community of Groton Long Point and wander over to their "casino" (a penny candy store).  

 
Throwback fun awaits at the roller rink! Photo courtesy of Roller Magic.

31. Go Rollerskating

Take a trip back to the 90s with a skate around the rink at Roller Magic.  

Best Summer Day Trips from Connecticut - Fairfield County

Berry picking at Connecticut farms is delicious and fun. Photo by Ally Noel

32. Jones Family Farm 

Go berry picking at Jones Family Farm or one of the many others statewide.  

33. Stamford Museum and Nature Center

Explore 80 miles of trails, Nature's Playground, Otter Pond, Bendel Pond Picnic Area, and the Animal Embassy at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center.

 
Get up close with marine life at Pinniped Cove. Photo courtesy of Maritime Aquarium

36. Adventure Park 

Pack your sense of adventure and swing through the trees at Adventure Park. 

37. Polo 

Take in a polo match at the Greenwich Polo Club.

38. Earthplace

Sign up for a Canoe Paddle, or just drop by for a Birds of Prey feeding at Earthplace in Westport. 

 
Sherwood Island is just one of Connecticut's beaches worthy of a day trip. Photo by Ally Noel.

39. Sherwood Island

Spend the day at one of Connecticut’s affordable beaches (state beaches are free for residents!) on the Sound.

40. Go Kayaking

Rent a kayak and take a trip down the Saugatuck at the Sea Kayak CT