Connecticut Vacations

Overview

To begin with, Connecticut started out as three separate colonies, inhabited by men from Massachusetts who wanted to practice freedom of religion. It was in the year 1662 that these three colonies unified together under the name Connecticut. The settlers who came to the area brought along with them the malign of small pox that killed most of the indigenous tribes who lived in the area. Later, when the tribes rose up against the devastation, the new settlers drove them out of their land. The name Connecticut comes from a Mohegan word that means "beside the long, tidal river." Connecticut became a state in 1788.

Activities & Attractions

For those who enjoy gaming and entertainment, the biggest attractions in Connecticut is the Mohegan Sun. It is located in Uncasville and is one of the largest casinos in the world. It includes entertainment venues, a large luxury hotel as well as shopping avenues. The Farmington Valley in Connecticut is often referred to as a "Hidden Gem." This wonderland is just a short drive from Boston or New York.

For a family entertainment while in Uncasville, Wells Dinosaur Haven is an attraction that features dinosaurs built in one man's forested backyard since 1981. There are many fine museums in Connecticut like the Museum of the Natural in Hartford, the Timexpo Museum and Easter Island Statue in Waterbury, the American Clock and Watch Museum in Bristol, and the Barker Character, Comic and Cartoon Museum in Cheshire. The award-winning Krieble Gallery is a must-see and showcases interesting exhibits of American Art. The Museum of America and the Sea, the Mystic Seaport is a chief maritime museum renowned throughout the nation.

The Mystic Aquarium is fun for those interested in marine life. The aquarium offers an innovative method of encountering the ocean fauna. The adjoining Institute of Exploration chronicles the history of the distinguished Titanic, complete with an 18-foot scale model of the ship. You can also eat at Mystic Pizza, the restaurant that inspired the movie of the same name starring a young Julia Roberts.

In the winter, the heavy snows in the upper regions of Connecticut offer great skiing and skating opportunities. Sports like hiking, fishing, and biking are available year-round.

And for those out on a shopping spree, the Olde Mistick Village is a hub of 60 shops and offers a unique mall experience, quite different from the ordinary ones. The venue also plays host to many entertaining events.

Lodging

Connecticut offers every type of accommodation you can imagine, from bed and breakfast inns to luxury hotels. Regular hotel and motel chains are available too. The rates start at $85 per night. Quaint inns and spa hotels cost more but offer more luxurious amenities. Student and youth hostels throughout the state, offering a dormitory style of sleeping, range from around $20 a night upwards.

Transportation

The Bradley International Airport and the Hartford Airport are the two popular air hubs in the state. Most airports have shuttle services and rental cars are available on the premises. The rates for taxis and limousine vary by location. Interstate highways which run along the coast from southwest to northeast are the chief modes of public transportation.

Bridgeport, Chester, and Hartford have ferries and the Long Island Ferry even serves as part of Connecticut's coast. Bus transits are available within the city. Some areas are accessible by rail also. The Connecticut Rail Commuter Council handles statewide rail services as well as travel to and from New York.