Have a Fantastic Summer in Connecticut with These 9 Day Trip Ideas

Time seems to fly by when we’re busy with work, family and other life commitments, and at the end of the day, we’re often left wondering just how we’re going to get enough time to take a really good long break. Things were definitely easier as children when school holidays came automatically and the hardest thing to decide on was just how you were going to spend all those holiday weeks.

However, we’ll need to remember that our well-being is crucial to our overall health, and we can only feel alright if we spend enough quality time on ourselves. It’s understandable that you might only have a limited amount of break time on your hands, but the main thing to focus on is that you’re able to rest and relax. In fact, you needn’t worry that you can’t do anything in such a short amount of time because we’ve got some fantastic summer day trip suggestions just for you:

Go for an Overnight Camping Trip

To enjoy the summer outdoors in all its majesty, you might want to consider an overnight camping trip. It’s one of the easiest activities to plan, organize and prepare for, and it can be done on the day itself. About all you’ll need is a tent, a backpack, and a sleeping bag, and you’re good to go. For food supplies, you can always stop off somewhere along the route to your camping grounds.

Suggestion: Bear Creek Campground

Location: 185 Enterprise Dr, Bristol, CT 06010

Indulge in Art and Culture

There’s nothing wrong about spending the day indoors, especially when you’re visiting a museum with tons of interesting exhibits. Admission is usually free or kept to a minimum, so it isn’t hard to imagine spending an entire day just admiring and learning more about each fascinating display.

Suggestion: Florence Griswold Museum

Location: 96 Lyme St, Old Lyme, CT 06371

Opening Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Tues to Sun), Closed on Mondays

Website: https://florencegriswoldmuseum.org/

Plan a Hiking Trip with Your Friends

You don’t need to have years of experience to enjoy hiking. In fact, most avid hikers once started off on easier trails, and there are usually plenty of that to begin with. If you’re not entirely confident about how you’ll fare, invite someone more experienced to go with you. Also, do remember to wear a pair of sturdy shoes and bring along a water bottle as well as some light snacks to munch on.

Suggestion: Tunxis Trail @ Barkhamsted

Distance: 4.4 miles

Have Fun at a Water Park

Have some cool fun in the sun at your local water park. It’s one of summer’s most inexpensive activities, and it’s guaranteed to be a memorable experience for the entire family. Spend the day riding the various water slides and enjoying other available water amusements. Even if you’re not into getting wet, you can still spend a relaxing day lounging and soaking in the sun’s rays.

Suggestion: Splash Away Bay Waterpark

Location: Quassy Amusement Park, Lake Quassapaug, Rt. 64, (2132 Middlebury Road), Middlebury, CT 06762

Website: https://www.quassy.com/

Enjoy a Summer Outdoor Concert

With such beautiful weather arriving, it makes sense to spend most of your time outdoors. That’s probably the reason why summer outdoors concerts have always been popular. Most concerts are free, so if you’re looking to spend minimally, this is a great activity to consider. Just pack your own picnic basket, grab some friends and get ready to be entertained for the night.

Suggestion: Bristol Summer Concert Series @ Rockwell Park, Bristol

Location: 238 Jacobs St, Bristol, CT 06010

Website: http://www.bristolrec.com/info/default.aspx

Go to a Pick-Your-Own Farm

Buying your produce from the supermarket or farmer’s market is totally normal, especially when you’re busy and have little time on your hands to take care of a garden yourself. Since summer is just around the corner though, you might just want to take the opportunity to visit a pick-your-own farm. It’ll literally be a situation of you being able to enjoy the fruits of your own harvest, so doesn’t that sound wonderful?

Suggestion: Rogers Orchards

Location: 2876 Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike, Plantsville, CT 06479

Opening Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Fri to Sun)

Website: http://www.rogersorchards.com/default.aspx

Go at the Zoo

If you think there’s nothing to explore or be fascinated by at the zoo, you’ll be wrong. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about the animals we share our world with, and if you’ve got young kids in tow, you know who’ll be the most excited. Food prices will be a little steep, but the experience will definitely be worth it.

Suggestion: Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo

Location: 1875 Noble Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06610

Opening Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Daily)

Website: https://www.beardsleyzoo.org/

Explore the Local Library

There’s more to libraries than meets the eye, and if you haven’t stepped foot into one for quite a long time, you’ll be surprised at just how many multimedia resources are available these days. There are usually audiobooks, e-books and tons of DVDs you can enjoy, and spending an entire day in a cool and quiet atmosphere is a great way to just relax.

Suggestion: Connecticut State Library

Location: 231 Capitol Ave, Hartford, CT 06106

Opening Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Tues to Fri), 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Sat), Closed on Sundays and Mondays

Taste Some Great Wines

If you’ve been drinking indoors for a while now, summer’s the time to emerge and just bask in warmer temperatures. Just visit your local winery to sample their many wines. Some even offer free wine tasting sessions on certain days, so if this is something you know you’ll enjoy, just give them a call and start marking down important dates in your calendar.

Remember: wine tours are for drinking, not for driving. For you, wine enthusiasts, what about letting us transport you and your friends along the CT wine trail? Gateway is a founding member of the CT Wine Trail Passport Program Awards. Contact the specialists at our Connecticut car service and book your wine tasting experience.

For a totally relaxing and enjoyable summer, you can always rely on our Connecticut limo service. Our experienced chauffeurs are some of the best drivers on the road, and we’re available 24/7, 365 days a year. We’ll love to have you on board with us to enjoy a truly unforgettable ride, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us today.