Things to Do This Fall in Connecticut

As the leaves begin to change and the air becomes crisp with autumn, Connecticut becomes a scene of beauty tailored to getting on with autumn activities. No matter what you are interested in, be it nature, foodie explorations, or just enjoying the best that autumn has to give, Connecticut offers activities by catering to the nature of the season. There really is something for everyone, from scenic drives to pumpkin festivals.

1. Explore Beautiful Fall Foliage in Connecticut

Among the most beautiful activities in Connecticut during this season is exploring the great Connecticut fall foliage. Connecticut has been rank among New England’s best, with scenic tracks of the red, orange, and yellow autumn colors. Some of the finest routes include the Litchfield Hills, the Connecticut River Valley, and the Merritt Parkway.

The Litchfield Hills is specifically billed for its rolling hills and historic towns, making it an ideal background for a scenic drive or for one to enjoy a weekend. In Connecticut River Valley, wind and river views prevail on the winding roads. For those looking for a quick getaway, the Merritt Parkway is just a stone’s throw from New York City, and it’s quite popular for day trips.

2. Head to a Connecticut Apple Orchard

Another quintessentially autumnal activity is apple picking, and Connecticut hosts several country-atelike orchards for pick-your-own enjoyment. It’s one of those classic things to do this time of the year and is surely fitting for any family, just-married couple, or outdoorsmen. The most well-known apple orchards include Lyman Orchards in Middlefield, Beardsley’s Cider Mill & Orchard in Shelton, and Silverman’s Farm in Easton.

There are also various local orchards where you can pick your own apples, sample fresh apple cider, and make apple cider doughnuts. Many of these orchards also offer hayrides, corn mazes, and pumpkin patches.

If the orchards aren’t enough to entertain you, Connecticut has hopped on the online gambling train. Residents and visitors can now get in on a little gaming action right from home. Visit online-gambling.com for a Connecticut gambling guide.

3. Experience Fall with a Connecticut Pumpkin Festival

Pumpkin festivals are one of those pursuits that mean autumn has really arrived in Connecticut. Pumpkin carving contests to pumpkin-flavored everything, these festivals just seem to have it all. Among the most popular pumpkin festivals is that hosted by the Shore Line Trolley Museum in East Haven. This one combines two unusually fun things—vintage trolleys and pumpkins—in a manner that gives the whole experience, for visitors of any age, this almost fun, nostalgic kind of twist.

Another must-visit will be the Pumpkintown USA in East Hampton. This is a fanciful village fill with over 70 life-size pumpkin-head figures. This event is family-friendly, offering hayrides, a pumpkin-themed village, and plenty of photo ops. It’s a magical way to get into the spirit of fall in Connecticut.

4. Explore Haunted Attractions in Connecticut

For those of you who love a good scare, Connecticut offers a few haunted attractions during Halloween. With an already perfect setting for ghost stories and haunted houses, the state is made more just by its rich history and old colonial towns.

However, one of the best places of interest is the Graveyard of Lake Compounce in Bristol, scores of haunted houses at this very dreadful walkthrough, never forget to follow, plus many jump-scares. Also very popular is the blood-curdling haunted trail of the Trail of Terror in Wallingford, leading one through a spooky forest filled with ghoulish, gruesome creatures and haunted scenes of horror.

If you don’t want, or can’t afford, a real scare, then why not try out the haunted hayrides through glorious farmland or a spooky ghost tour in some of the state’s old towns, such as New Haven and Mystic? The ghost tours mix just the right amount of history and hauntings to make an evening of fun, shiver-inducing adventure.

5. Go to a Harvest Festival

Fall Harvest Festivals in Connecticut: The perfect way to just take in and celebrate the magic of the season’s abundance. The festivals are busy with much activity in craft fairs and live music, farm-to-table food and drink.

The Berlin Fair is one of Connecticut’s oldest agricultural fairs; it offers a mix of traditional fair events combined with a touch of fall. Visitors can enjoy live music, agricultural exhibits, and so many sources of food. Another is the Durham Fair, featuring everything from livestock shows to craft vendors and carnival rides.

The Coventry Farmers’ Market at Hale Homestead is a special fall harvest market held in October. Brimming with local farmers and craftsmen, this market is filled with seasonal produce as well as not-so-seasonal produce that you can pick up while you groove to the live music.

6. Visit Connecticut Wineries and Breweries

Fall is the ideal time of the year for discovering Connecticut’s growing wine and craft beer scene. Several wineries and breweries call the state home and offer seasonal tastings, tours, and special events.

Other places associate with views by many visitors as they get a taste of the wines produce include Jones Family Farms Winery situate in Shelton, Hopkins Vineyard found in New Preston, and Gouveia Vineyards located in Wallingford. Also, most of these winery hosts special events in the fall which includes grape stomping and harvest festivals.

Modellers and beer enthusiasts can visit some of the state’s breweries, which usually have seasonal brews out during fall. Breweries like Stratford’s Two Roads Brewing Company and New England Brewing Co. in Woodbridge offer tastings and tours for a great chance to savor some of the state’s finest Connecticut craft beer.

7. Connecticut Fall Hiking Trails

Connecticut’s own state parks and nature preserves feature some top trails for experiencing the beauty of autumn. Whether you like to hike or are just looking for a casual stroll, the state parks and nature features have a trail that’s right for You.

Hiking trails at Sleeping Giant State Park pass through some of the most beautiful fall-colored leaves that one can ever see. There is also the Tower Trail, which has a moderate hike with a view coming from the top of Sleeping Giant Tower. For the more adventurous hiker, consider the trails at Talcott Mountain State Park, which provides panoramic views of the Connecticut River Valley.

A little closer to home, the boardwalk trails at the Connecticut Audubon Society in Milford meander through wetlands and woods, offering plenty of good birding and a dose of changing colors.

8. Game On in Connecticut

For those who want to combine entertainment with a touch of luck, the gaming scene in Connecticut comes with many options. The state houses multiple casinos, of these, the most important are Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino. The casinos include live entertainment, dining, and shopping.

Fall is a magical time in Connecticut with so many opportunities to experience the very best of the season. Whether driving along the scenic routes, picking apples, checking out haunt attractions, or frolicking in the pumpkin festivals, you are done. Come have a good time; whether you live in Connecticut or you are just passing through these are must-dos to make the most of fall in Connecticut.