Connecticut, U.S. state in New England, United States
Connecticut is a northeastern state in the United States with a coastline along Long Island Sound and forested hills in the northwest. The Connecticut River runs through the center, dividing the territory into two distinct geographic halves.
English settlers established the first permanent colonies in the 1630s and adopted the first written constitution in North America during 1639. This early document on self-government later influenced the design of the U.S. Constitution.
Yale University in New Haven shapes daily life with public art museums and concerts open to visitors year-round. In smaller coastal towns, locals gather at diners and buy fresh seafood directly from docks, maintaining a rhythm that travelers can easily observe.
Interstate 95 connects coastal cities from Greenwich to New Haven, while Interstate 91 links New Haven through Hartford to Massachusetts. Regional trains and buses serve larger towns, but a car makes it easier to reach smaller inland villages.
The Connecticut River Valley produces cigar wrapper tobacco under special cloth tents that regulate sunlight and create a finer texture. This traditional farming method gives the landscape a distinctive look in summer, with white canopies stretching across the fields.
Location: United States
Inception: January 9, 1788
Capital city: Hartford
Elevation above the sea: 152 m
Part of: contiguous United States, New England
Shares border with: Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Long Island
Website: https://portal.ct.gov
GPS coordinates: 41.60000,-72.70000
Latest update: December 2, 2025 20:50
Connecticut combines different landscapes from the coast to the mountains with a range of historic sites. The region includes state parks with waterfalls like Kent Falls and Wadsworth Falls, extensive forested areas, and conservation lands. Visitors can hike through White Memorial Conservation Centre, climb the tower at Haystack Mountain, or explore the Thimble Islands off the coast of Branford. Historic sites include Gillette Castle in East Haddam, which sits above the Connecticut River, and the Glass House in New Canaan, a significant example of modern architecture. Weir Farm in Wilton documents the life of American artists, while Fort Trumbull in New London preserves the region's military history. Saville Dam in Barkhamsted shows early engineering achievements in water management. Coastal areas provide access to beaches like Walnut Beach in Milford and Greenwich Point Park. Inland lie several state parks with trails and lakes, including Burr Pond, Candlewood Lake, and Black Rock State Park. Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill preserves tracks from prehistoric times, while Bartlett Arboretum in Stamford presents plant collections.
USS Nautilus
56.2 km
Mohegan Sun
52.1 km
Six Flags New England
49.2 km
Glass House
86 km
Federal Correctional Institution, Danbury
66.6 km
Rye House
50.1 km
Lake Compounce
19.2 km
Titan Towers
90.6 km
Yale Bowl
38.6 km
Gillette Castle State Park
29.8 km
Merritt Parkway
77 km
Holy Land USA
28.1 km
High Street Historic District
18.7 km
Camp Hero State Park
91.5 km
Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library
37.3 km
Pratt & Whitney Stadium
19 km
Total Mortgage Arena
62.5 km
Mark Twain House
18.6 km
Lime Rock Park
67.5 km
Wonder Lake State Park
79.9 km
Yale University Art Gallery
37.8 km
Mystic Seaport
66.7 km
Charter Oak
17.9 km
Sleeping Giant
24.7 km
Charles W. Morgan
66.7 km
Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art
18.4 km
Connecticut State Capitol
18.3 km
Yale Center for British Art
37.8 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Fairfield County
Hartford County
Litchfield County
Middlesex County
New Haven County
New London County
Tolland County
Windham County
Capitol Planning Region
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region
Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region
Naugatuck Valley Planning Region
Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region
Northwest Hills Planning Region
South Central Connecticut Planning Region
Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region
Western Connecticut Planning Region
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes