Fall Road Trip: Discover Connecticut's Hidden Gems
This beautiful 2024 autumn, explore scenic backroads while marveling at the fall foliage with a weekend road trip through southeastern Connecticut. If coming from the New York City area, you can follow this road trip itinerary from the starting point to the end, while if you are coming from Boston, you could reverse the itinerary to take advantage of the beautiful fall season in Connecticut. With stops at popular eateries, beautiful scenic areas, hiking trails, and specialty seasonal spots, you are sure to have a memorable weekend.
Ashlawn Farms Coffee, Old Saybrook, CT
Traveling along Route 1, stop for your morning coffee or a pick-me-up with a snack at Ashlawn Farms Coffee. This local favorite spot is a family-run business that roasts coffee beans to produce delicious specialty coffees. Along with your coffee, enjoy delicious pastries and sandwiches to hold you over until lunchtime.
Rocky Neck State Park, East Lyme, CT
After crossing the bridge from Old Saybrook to Lyme, follow 156 along the scenic shoreline for views of the coast, quaint farms, and beautiful homes. Make your next stop at Rocky Neck State Park for a walk along the water and a stroll along the beautiful grounds. Peak into the windows of the historic Ellie Mitchell Pavilion, which is a large stone building that is often used for weddings and other special events. Walking trails throughout the park also lead visitors pass a salt marsh, cave, and shipyard.
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Gray Goose, Southport, CT
Do you have a taste for something yummy yet healthy? Then come down to the Gray Goose, where you can enjoy their homemade tomato soup with a half-cheddar grilled cheese. Explore new taste sensations with our eclectic and organic fare, featuring dishes like sesame-encrusted yellowfin and ahi tuna with wasabi-lemon yogurt sauce. They also serve classic favorites like hanger steak, parmesan shoestring fries, and an iceberg wedge topped with Maytag blue and smoked bacon crumbles.
Haley Farm, Groton, CT
To work off your dessert, head slightly off Route 1 to Haley Farm State Park. This scenic state park has colorful foliage come fall and a few great walking trails. The trails are well-maintained here and are suitable for walking, biking, jogging, and also offers wheelchair and stroller access.
B. F. Clyde’s Cider Mill, Mystic, CT
For a seasonal snack and historically interesting visit, don’t miss your chance to stop at B. F. Clyde’s Cider Mill, which is the oldest still functioning steam powered cider mill in the U.S. At Clyde’s, you’ll have the opportunity to watch the cider mill functioning to mash apples to produce fresh apple cider. Other apple products such as apple pie, apple cider doughnuts (these are amazing), apple cider, apple jack, apple crumble, and more are all available in country store on-site.
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The Shipwright's Daughter, Mystic, CT
The Shipwright's Daughter is a restaurant committed to supporting its community and the culinary industry with sustainability at its heart. Devoted to providing the freshest New England ingredients, their farm and sea-to-fork dishes are made with local growers, farmers, and fishermen in mind. Come and savor delicious sustenance from sea and land alike!
The Inn at Stonington, Stonington, CT
See if you can spot businesses and scenes from the famous movie Hope Springs (2012), in which the Inn at Stonington was featured. This lovely accommodation is one of the most highly rated in Connecticut and offers guests 18 unique rooms. Some rooms have balconies with views to Stonington, others offer a Jacuzzi, and some have a crackling fire lit in a glass fireplace.
Noah’s Restaurant, Stonington, CT
After a romantic evening spent at the Inn at Stonington, window shop along Main Street and stroll into Noah’s Restaurant for a hearty breakfast. Noah’s is a small, locally owned restaurant that serves excellent breakfast including challah French toast, blueberry pancakes, Portuguese baked eggs, omelets, and more.
Key Insights at a Glance
- Explore scenic backroads in southeastern Connecticut during the beautiful 2024 autumn season.
- Follow a road trip itinerary with stops at popular eateries, scenic areas, hiking trails, and specialty seasonal spots.
- Start with coffee at Ashlawn Farms Coffee in Old Saybrook.
- Visit Rocky Neck State Park in East Lyme for a walk along the water.
- Enjoy a healthy meal at Gray Goose in Southport - Walk off your meal at Haley Farm State Park in Groton.
- Stop at B. F. Clyde’s Cider Mill in Mystic for fresh apple cider and apple products.
- Dine at The Shipwright's Daughter in Mystic for farm and sea-to-fork dishes - Stay at the highly rated Inn at Stonington in Stonington - Have breakfast at Noah’s Restaurant in Stonington.
