Places To Visit in Connecticut That Won’t Break the Bank

Southern Connecticut is readily accessible and jam-packed with coastal attractions, making it perfect for stuffing a lot of seafaring sights into a short amount of time. Let’s be real, though — planning an itinerary that’s worth your weekend but still sympathetic to your savings can be quite the struggle. Use our guide to enjoy the best of coastal Connecticut while keeping your bank account intact.

Places To Visit in Connecticut That Won’t Break The Bank

Mystic Seaport (Mystic, Conn.)

Nestled away in southeastern Connecticut, Mystic is a major New England tourist destination — and rightfully so, considering there’s a new photo-op every five steps. If you want a real bang for your buck (and who doesn’t?), dedicate your visit to Mystic Seaport, the nation’s largest maritime museum. This authentic Connecticut attraction even holds a recreation of a 19th century coastal village, complete with a number of historical vessels fully ready for you to climb aboard. After a bite of seafood and beach fries at the seaport’s seaside shack, you’ll be set to leave the village feeling like you got the full coastal Connecticut experience in just one day.

Gungywamp (Groton, Conn.)

You’ve never seen a name like it, and chances are, you’ve never come across terrain like it either. Gungywamp is a 100-acre wide archeological site in Groton, right next door to Mystic. It contains a number of quirky structures and artifacts dating back to 2000-770 B.C, including a stone circle, ancient beehive chambers, prehistoric petroglyphs, and the remains of Native American and colonial caves. Tours of Gungywamp are well worth their cheap ticket cost. Make an appointment with the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center (the official caretakers of the historical site) to feast your eyes on this truly one-of-a-kind Connecticut attraction.

Gillette Castle State Park (Lyme, Conn.)

Standing high above the southern end of the Connecticut River, Gillette Castle is a magnificent medieval fortress filled with intricate wood carvings, furnishings reminiscent of the early 1900s, and balconies that boast some A+ water views. It was once the home of William Gillette, the actor most commonly known for portraying Sherlock Holmes on the stage — and with over 40 unique doors and door locks, its creatively-crafted corridors are a thrill to explore. Before you go, be sure to grab lunch to-go from the Hadlyme Country Market & Store, as the park also features picnic areas and scenic riverside hiking trails.

The Glass House (New Canaan, Conn.)

Jumping from the eastern shore to the west, New Canaan is home to another structural standout: the Glass House. The name says it all — it’s a surreal structure of glass walls, built by Philip Johnson, one of the 20th century’s most influential architects. Group tours are just $10 a person, and you’ll also be right near Norwalk's proud beaches, boardwalk, and seafaring eateries. You don’t need a yacht to sail into a Connecticut adventure, and the number of Nutmeg State attractions is hardly finished at four. Be sure to make a reservation at one of our Connecticut inns or hotels — not only will we serve as your home base, we’ll point you in the direction of the best bank account-friendly activities in the area.