well, I'd consider the Berkshires. Lenox or Great Barrington. Its not too far, there are lots of old houses and nice scenery, fun towns to walk around in. Great Barrington, in particular, has some funky shops and nice restaurants. Lots of cultural possibilities too, like Tanglewood, Jacobs Pillow, Shakespeare Company, theater at the Mount. Plenty of things to do, no matter your interests.

Litchfield is a lovely quaint town..
Have fun SF!

www.litchfieldct.com

Agree with the Berkshires. Or Mystic.

I also agree with the Berkshires in MA. My in-laws live in Litchfield County in CT, and the towns are cute but fairly tiny. Great if you like hiking as there are lots of hills and trails and state parks in that part of CT.

Don't forget to stop by the NE Carousel Museum on your way:
http://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/the-new-england-carousel-museum.cfm

I know you're not into museums, but have you been to the Mark Twain House in Hartford? It's high on my list of places to go... Also, while in Hartford, the Wadsworth Atheneum should be quite fantastic as well; and currently they have a Ballets Russes Special exhibition.

http://www.marktwainhouse.org/
http://www.wadsworthatheneum.org/index.php

I know you're not into museums, but have you been to the Mark Twain House in Hartford? It's high on my list of places to go... Also, while in Hartford, the Wadsworth Atheneum should be quite fantastic as well; and currently they have a Ballets Russes Special exhibition.

yk, actually, these are the kinds of museums we LOVE -- we just love artifacts and history more than paintings LOL!

I just realized the Ballets Russes exhibition ends in mid-July, so you'll miss it when you go in August. But I think the Wadsworth Atheneum is still supposed to be a great museum (I haven't been yet, but will go before the Ballets Russes show closes).

Of course, I just remember the Yale Art Museums. The building by Louis Kahn is quite famous.
http://artgallery.yale.edu/pages/collection/buildings/build_kahn.html

There is also the CT Art Trail (haven't been to any of those)
http://www.arttrail.org/index.htm

Newport, RI (www.gonewport.com)

Will vouch for the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford as being an excellent art museum of manageable size and well worth a visit. Elsewhere in the city, the Mark Twain House is well worth seeing as is the State Capitol Building, and the Old State House is a pleasant pop-in as well. This could all be done easily in a day.

Newport, Mystic, and Providence (the RISD Art Museum in this last is first-rate and not too large) seem like good choices as well.

Only problem with Hartford and Providence is that they're definitely not "quaint." Newport is a better fit here, and I understand Mystic also might be a good example.

Will you have a car? I totally agree with all the recommendations above, but if you're willing to travel a little father, you'd have time for a quick visit to Cape Cod. I'm guessing that it would take you a little less than three hours to get there from New Haven, since it takes us a little over four from Westchester County, New York. We have often visited Chatham for the weekend, and it has almost everything you're looking for- great town to poke around in, historic areas close or in town, wonderful beach both in town and in surrounding areas, etc.

You could also consider Boston which is about 2+ hours from New Haven on Amtrak; a little less by car ( depending on traffic, time of day). Plenty to do there to keep you occupied for five days, and you could hop on the ACELA ( faster train) back to NYC's Penn Station. The ride takes about 3+ hours on the ACELA.

Have a wonderful time, whatever you choose!

Thanks all. Weadles, we were in Boston very recently (although it wasn't really a sightseeing trip) and have been there before. Cape Cod is a great idea - never been there.

Time to start more in-depth research!

I would avoid Cape Cod on weekends in August... I think it'll be okay if you're going M->F. You don't want to sit in traffic forever (I frequently hear 6 to 8-mile back-up to Cape Cod on the traffic report on summer weekends.)

Yikes, we will definitely avoid the weekend. We have no particular plans yet so can really arrive and depart anytime.

sf7307 - wherever you decide on, do mid week. Summer weekends are a traffic nightmare. Will you have any time in NYC before catching your flight home (hint, hint!)?

Old Sturbridge Village? I haven't been there in years, but if you like restored villages http://www.osv.org
Also look at Deerfield, Massachusetts http://www.historic-deerfield.org

On a much smaller scale, and less of an "packaged" village field, I found the historic buildings of Wethersfield Connecticut charming http://www.wethhist.org.

Along the Connecticut coast, close to New Haven are Guilford and Madison,towns with some interesting buildings, shops and restaurants. Cool coffee shop just off the town green in Guilford that looks like an airplane hangar and has some original airline seats! http://www.cafegrounded.com
Take a boat ride of the Thimble Islands from Stony Creek http://www.thimbleislands.com

Lots of other little towns along the coast(along RT 1) or from New Haven an easy drive up RT 91 into northern CT and Massachusetts

I'm sure you have thought of this already... if you plan to head North towards RI or coastal MA, it's probably easier to fly home from BOS instead of returning to JKF.

I vote for Newport, RI.
(actually, after New Haven anywhere will look good)

yk has a good idea. You could do Newport and Providence and then Boston is one hour north.

The poster above is absolutely right. You don't want to drive to the Cape on an August weekend. YIKES. Even Thursday night can be bad. We have usually driven on a Mon-Wed, either during mid-morning hours, or right after dinner, and been fine. Unfortunately, the same potentially bad traffic pattern for summer weekends can apply to almost any major tourist area/city along 95- in either direction.

If you do head to the Cape or Newport, it would make more sense to fly home out of Boston.Are your tickets already booked?

If you like restorations, you'd probably enjoy Mystic Seaport. It features 19th century shops and ships, craft displays, etc. (Not to be confused with Old Mystic Village which is merely a shopping center!) Newport, as mentioned, is probably just what you're looking for, but it is very crowded and expensive at that time of year.

The most beautiful village in New England is within driving distance, but is still pretty much unknown, and this being a public forum, you won't get it from me!

If you love historic homes and museums, the Hillstead Museum in Farmington, CT, just west of Hartford is fantastic. The home of a wealthy family with Monets, Manets, Degas, Cassatts, etc., hung in the home. Fantastic. Also the Museum of American Art in New Britain is also a little gem. If you do go to the Mystic area, go to Stonington Burrough, just down the road.

Well, if you head up Rte. 67 north out of New Haven you get into real nice country like Southbury, Bridgewater, New MIlford, north on 202 to the beautiful little towns of Washington, Litchfield over the hill down to Kent up Rte 7 into the Berkshires, Lenox etc to Williamstown and into Southertn VT. That will give you a nice start.

No offense intended Fra Diavolo, but I think Mystic is just OK, kind of overrated. Now you'll never tell me what village is "the most beautiful in New England", huh? I'm curious since I'm a native New Englander. Can I guess that its in Rhode Island???

Lenox,MA or Newport,RI. We loved the Berskshires and you will have Tanglewood as a music destination. If you consider Lenox, check out the Birchwood Inn. It's more like staying at someone's house. It is not precious at all and the host is lovely. There are any number of historic homes including Edth Wharton's to visit.

Newport is a whole other thing and not what I would call quaint but those summer "cottages" of those rich folks are somethin' else.

I also like Connecticut along the LI Sound. There aare places like Ivoryton(check out the Copper Beech Inn) and Essex.

you will have more time to tour if you do an open jaw as suggested. you have alot of possibiities in the east that sometimes can be cheaper than larger airports.

No offense taken, Weadles, everyone has an opinion.

Many people here aren't wild about Mystic -- just as number dismiss Stonehenge (!) and Eilean Donan castle. On the other hand, they praise Williamsburg to the skies -- I found it disappointing -- all reconstructions. Personally, I don't really like the "historic village" type of theme park. What I like about Mystic is that hidden behind the historic village is the foremost maritime museum in the country -- but I admit that is an esoteric interest. The OP mentioned that they liked restored village attractions, so I thought Mystic might suit.

I live in New England myself. My new "crown jewel" of NE villages has to remain under the radar for the present. And anyway, it's just one opinion.

This has got to be the longest thread ever on Connecticut sub-forum!

I was just thinking the same thing. most posts on CT are 3 or 4 replies long...

And rental cars-we picked ours up at the New Haven rail station and returned it at the airport. It may be possible for you to return yours at the rail station and then take the train back into NYC(to Grand Central). You really must see Grand Central Station(check out the ceilings) and the train ride back into the city is stress free. Is it possible to have one night in NYC before you head home? It could be fun.


I still recommend Lenox,MA given your descriptions of what you like. There are many old homes you can explore, the village itself is quaint and the food can be pretty good. We especially liked the Old Tavern outside of Great Barrington. I have to double check the name and website and get back to you. There are also some great antique places to poke about and wish for in the area.

The place I recommend to dine is in New Marlborough check out www.old inn.com

forget the antiques~I just re-read your OP.

PamSF - sf7307 is originally from the NY area. She fled from the snow!

cpg, I was going to write what you wrote about me!! (PamSF, as you know, I now (for 36 years, actually) live in the Bay Area -- where I froze my butt off last weekend.

I would suggest Guilford, Madison, Essex and Chester for walking around, and Old Lyme and East Haddam (more of a driving tour of old homes). There are lots of small museums/sights. Florence Griswold Museum, CT River Museum, Pratt House, Gilette's Castle, Nathan Hale House, etc.

Actually, we have very good friends who live in Madison. I've never really checked out the town, though.

Great suggestions here. My vote is for Providence/Newport or the Berkshires. Imo, there's more to do and see than Old Lyme, etc.
Brown has two libraries that frequently have small historic exhibits from their archives. The area surrounding RISD and Brown is old and beautiful (Benefit Street). I think the city offers walking tours. To tour a mansion or two in Newport is amazing. The Cliff Walk there is also nice. You won't freeze in August; I can promise you that.

The RISD Museum of Art is an interesting museum - sort of a potpourri from Ancient Egyptian mummies to French Impressionist paintings to 19th-c American domestic interiors to contemporary art shows. Unfortunately, due to budget cuts, the museum will be closed for the entire month of August (while you'll be here).
http://www.risdmuseum.org/visit.aspx?id=15224

The Rhode Island Historical Society offers walks in Providence:
http://www.rihs.org/

P.S. There's also the WaterFire show in Providence. Check the website for dates and times (I haven't been, but I think it's quite enjoyable based on what I've read.)
http://www.waterfire.org/

sf~if you haven't seen the redo of Grand Central Station, you should. It's stunning. We stayed in Essex last May for Wesleyan graduation. It's small, quaint and generally quiet. If you do stay at the Griswold, I recommend staying in the rooms across from the main hotel. It can get pretty boisterous when folks combine cocktails and music in that tavern.

Pam, I have and it is. I get to NY usually once a year at least. I expect to be there more often over the next three years, as my son and his girlfriend will be in law school in New Haven.

Congratulations on law school and New Haven!

<< I now (for 36 years, actually) live in the Bay Area >>

And I've heard that you were a tot when you moved away or rather were kidnapped. Yes, it was in the news. I remember it well.

Thank you PamSF, and thank you cpg (when people act astonished when I tell them how long I've been married, I just say I got married at the age of 12!)

If you go to the Berkshires: Edith Wharton's The Mount and Melville's Arrowhead (Pittsfield) are interesting historic homes to visit. Hancock Shaker Village is a fascinating museum in a beautiful setting.

If you head up Rte 91 toward Hartford and on to Old Deerfield, the Emily Dickinson Museum in Amherst and/or the William Cullen Bryant homestead in Cummington are other possible stops

Someone has already mentioned the Gillette Castle (built by the actor who played Sherlock Holmes) which is in Haddam, Ct. along the Ct river a scenic area. This could easily be combined with Mystic and other coastal sites. I am one of those who thinks Mystic Seaport ("the museum of America and the Sea") is very interesting. The historic section of New Bedford and the whaling museum there are also well worth seeing if you get that far north along the coast.

In New Haven, you should take a tour of the Yale campus if you have not done this--lots of interesting history.