Connecticut Lodging

When it comes to a weekend getaway in Connecticut, you can’t go wrong. If you’re looking to explore historic seaports and stroll along a charming harbor filled with boutiques and restaurants, Mystic should be your go-to. It’s also a great place for a romantic weekend getaway with your partner. While you’re there, stay at The Whaler’s Inn. 

Or, head to the Litchfield Hills to experience rolling countryside, scenic drives, cozy inns, and local wineries. Stay at Mayflower Inn & Spa, Lost Fox Inn, or The Abner while you’re in the Litchfield Hills area.

The Connecticut shoreline is also a local favorite as it offers a relaxing and memorable mix of New England charm and natural beauty. Think coastal towns, sandy beaches, and fresh seafood. Top recommendations around where to stay include Saybrook Point Resort & Marina, Water’s Edge Resort & Spa, Madison Beach Hotel, and Westbrook Inn Bed and Breakfast along the Connecticut shoreline.

The most scenic routes in Connecticut include Route 169, which winds through historic villages, farms, and forests in the Quiet Corner, as well as Route 7 through the Litchfield Hills where you’ll find rolling countryside, covered bridges, and charming towns like Kent and Cornwall. The Connecticut River Valley via Route 154 offers lovely river views and colonial charm. If you’re in search of seaside towns, beaches, and seafood spots, hit the Connecticut shoreline on Route 1.
 

From seasonal offers and adventure-based savings to wellness retreat deals, family offerings, and ski packages, there are so many Connecticut vacation packages you can take advantage of during your getaway.

Yes, several waterfront resorts in Connecticut include on-site dining and/or spas. 

• Saybrook Point Resort & Marina has both a full menu restaurant and lounge as well as a spa that offers rejuvenating treatments including massages, facials, and body scrubs.
• At Water’s Edge Resort & Spa, you’ll find multiple restaurants (casual bistro, Italian fine-dining, bar & grill) and a full-service spa.
• Madison Beach Hotel has a gourmet restaurant and bar complete with a porch and elegant main dining room. This beachfront hotel also has a relaxing on-site spa that offers massages as well as a variety of other treatments.
• Interlaken Inn’s restaurant features a farm-to-table menu and their on-premise spa offers therapeutic massages, facials, and advanced skin-care treatments.

The best time to visit Connecticut depends on what you’d like to experience. September and October are ideal months for brilliant foliage, harvest festivals, and scenic drives through the mountains. The high summer months of June, July, and August offer warm weather for beaches, boating, and outdoor dining along the water. Be sure to grab a lobster roll while they’re in peak season. Springtime falls around April and May, bringing blooming gardens and pleasant hiking conditions for those interested in getting outdoors and into the woods. December, January, and February are the coziest months, with skiing in the Litchfield Hills and festive holiday celebrations throughout the state. 

The top tourist attractions in Connecticut include something for everyone. In Mystic, explore the renowned Mystic Seaport Museum, a living maritime village showcasing historic ships and seafaring life, and the Mystic Aquarium, home to beluga whales and hands-on exhibits. Relax on Connecticut’s stunning shoreline beaches, from Hammonasset Beach State Park to the sandy shores of Old Saybrook. Don’t miss the Mohegan Sun Casino, where you’ll find cards, elevated dining, luxury shopping, and live shows.

Yes, there are many pet-friendly hotels in Connecticut that welcome both you and your furry best friend to come stay. Top recommendations include The Guesthouses at Saybrook Point, DELAMAR West Hartford, The Homestead Bed & Breakfast, Westbrook Inn Bed and Breakfast, The Abner, Saybrook Point Resort & Marina, Interlaken Inn, Stanton House Inn, The Goodwin, and Heritage Hotel, Golf, Spa & Conference Center.

Yes, there are several charming historic inns in Connecticut that offer story and style. The Griswold Inn in Essex dates back to around 1776 and is celebrated as one of the oldest continuously operating inns in the U.S. with period-furnishings, maritime art, and stories of British occupation during the War of 1812. The 1754 House has hosted travelers since 1754, in a building dating to 1736. Recognized by many as the oldest inn in Connecticut, it holds a place on the National Register of Historic Places and remains a treasured part of Woodbury for generations of guests who have celebrated, dined, and stayed there over the years. Stanton House Inn in Greenwich is a grand Greek Revival mansion from 1843 that’s packed with stories—like its ties to Stanford White and the American Women’s Suffrage Movement. It’s been everything from a private home to a veterans’ home, and since 1985, it’s been lovingly run by the Pearson family as a cozy bed-and-breakfast where history meets comfort. 

When it comes to a wellness retreat in Connecticut, Mayflower Inn & Spa is a holistic wellness destination featuring a 20,000-square-foot spa, outdoor barrel sauna, indoor pool, guided hikes, and wellness classes. Their dining highlights locally-sourced produce and elegant countryside fare making it ideal for those who want immersive health, relaxation, and upscale accommodations surrounded by nature.

Saybrook Point Resort & Marina offers facials, body treatments, indoor/outdoor salt-water pools, whirlpools, a sauna, and steam rooms. Spa-day packages include lunch at the resort’s acclaimed restaurant, making for a full rejuvenation experience. This resort is perfect if you want waterfront ambiance, relaxation, and a lighter-paced wellness day.

Definitely, Connecticut is full of unique secret spots. The Book Barn in Niantic is an impressive maze of used books across multiple buildings, complete with resident cats and goats. Hidden Valley Preserve in Washington Depot features a picturesque river and a magnificent footbridge, taking the cake as one of our favorite hidden gems in Connecticut. The Thimble Islands area off the coast of Branford is a great place to learn some history and take a scenic boat tour around the dozens of small, privately-owned islands. For those in search of a thrill, Gillette Castle State Park is a quirky, hilltop stone mansion with secret passageways just waiting to be explored.