Every time I visit New England, I leave wanting to plan my next trip! There is something so enchanting about this part of our country. If you love historic places, delicious local eats, and beautiful scenery, Connecticut has it all. From quaint coastal towns to the pretty Litchfield hills, there is so much to explore in this gorgeous state. My mom and I visited during spring break. The first two nights we stayed in Mystic, a quintessential New England coastal village. Then drove up to the northwest corner of the state to spend the last two nights in Salisbury. Along the way, we stopped in several postcard worthy small towns. This guide highlights our trip to Connecticut. Hope it inspires you to visit one day!

Mystic River

Where to Stay in Mystic

The Inn at Stonington – The Stonington Borough is just a few miles from downtown Mystic and rich in history. The Inn at Stonington sits along the harbor with stunning views of the coast. It’s in the heart of the Stonington Borough and the perfect location for a morning walk around the historic neighborhood. Every evening, the inn hosts a lovely wine and cheese happy hour. Such a charming place to stay!

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Things to Do While Visiting Mystic

• Walk around the historic homes neighborhood in Stonington Borough
• Grab breakfast + coffee at Sift Bakery in downtown Mystic, then walk around the shops on Main Street
• Take a stroll along the Mystic drawbridge over Mystic River
• Stop by Mystic Pizza – this restaurant was the inspiration behind the film Mystic Pizza starring Julia Roberts in 1988
• Take a drive to the historic town of Essex, have lunch at the Griswold Inn, and admire the historic homes – The Griswold Inn was established in 1776.
• Visit R.J. Julia Booksellers in Madison, CT – We drove through this small town on our way up to Salisbury and stopped in this local bookshop. If you love to read, add R.J. Julia Booksellers to your list of places to visit. They have a café to grab a bite to eat and cup of coffee too. 

Locals eats

• Bravo Bravo – a must visit Italian restaurant in downtown Mystic
• Shipwright’s Daughter – a great spot for brunch, dinner, or happy hour
• Sift Bakery – the sweetest bakery and coffee shop
• Mix Rooftop Bar – We didn’t get to visit Mix on this trip, but it’s on the list for next time. It’s a rooftop bar above Sift Bakery with views of Mystic River. They have a great happy hour with cocktails and small plates.

Historic Town of Essex

Where to Stay in Salisbury

The White Hart Inn – Located on the town green of Salisbury, The White Hart is a cozy, farmhouse style inn with an incredible restaurant. The historic inn was built in 1806 and started out as a tavern. John Harney, founder of Harney & Sons, started his tea company in the basement of the inn. The White Hart restaurant has a cozy Tap Room or a pretty Garden Room to dine in, and the menus feature locally sourced ingredients. The inn also has a café and general store called Provisions, which serves breakfast, lunch, and coffee. Complimentary breakfast is included for inn guests.

Things to Do While Visiting Salisbury

• Visit Salisbury General Store & Gifts
• Take a short, scenic drive to Millerton, New York and stop in the Harney & Sons Tea store, then continue on to Millbrook to pick up lunch at Canoe Hill market + grocery shop
• Plan for dinner & drinks at The White Hart Inn in Salisbury (reservations recommended)

On the List for Next Visit

• Visit B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill– I would love to go back to Connecticut in the fall! The locals say it’s a gorgeous time of the year. B.F. Clyde’s is a historic cider mill in Mystic- family owned and operated since 1881. It’s the oldest steam-powered cider mill in the U.S. and open seasonally in the fall. Sip on apple cider and take in the fall foliage at this national historic landmark!
• Mystic Seaport Museum & Village
• Mystic Aquarium

I am so looking forward to visiting Connecticut again. Until next time, New England!

Xoxo,

Juliana