What's your favorite area of Conneticut?
 

I would like to spend a weekend in Conneticut in early to mid April. Mostly I am interested in just relaxing since I will be 5 1/2 months pregnant by then. I would also like to do some shopping and eat at nice restaraunts. So what do you suggest is the best area of Conneticut for these activities? And any suggestions on B&B's or inns would be appreciated. <BR>Thanks in advance.

I can't give you any specific places, but I would strongly recommend Litchfield County area in NW Connecticut the adjacent Berkshires in Massachusetts. <BR>Beautiful area. Hopefully, others can fill in the specifics you asked for.

Hello, <BR>We spent a few days at The Simsbury Inn in Simsbury, CT about 3 years back and had an enjoyable stay. <BR> <BR>Nice place, good restaurant and surroundings. <BR> <BR>It's N/W about 30-45 mins from Hartford. It would be a nice start/finish to a "leaf turning" tour of New England. <BR> <BR>I think the web is still www.simsburyinn.com <BR>Kal

I'd vote for Fairfield County, Westport, Greenwich, Southport..not only are these beautiful communties with excellent restaurants and good shopping, but if you get bored with the the small town atmosphere of it all you can hop the train to NYC. <BR> <BR>Michele , former resident of the above county

Anywhere in the Litchfield Hills in northwest Connecticut would be wonderful at that time of year. Scenic roads to drive, quaint towns to shop in and wonderful dining. I don't have a specific B&B to recommend since I live in CT, but I read rave reviews about several places.

Not sure what you like to do - but here are some recommendations: <BR>a. Litchfield county - anywhere around there is nice <BR>b. Essex - there are a bunch of B&B around there - Griswold Inn, Inn at Chester <BR>c. Lyme, CT - Old Lyme Inn <BR>d. Old Saybrook - actually anything along the coast is pretty neat. <BR>I personnally wouldn't stay in Fairfield - or down near NYC if what I wanted to do was relax and do some quaint shopping. (That being said, NYC is one of my favorite cities and I go there as often as I can - but it's not a relaxing place....)

Hi Donna: <BR>There is lovely town outside of Mystic called North Stonington. Quaint and lovely. <BR>The John York House is very nice. <BR> 1-860-599-3075 for reservations. <BR>The Skipper's Dock is place I try not to miss while I am there. Have a great time 1-860-535-0111

As a former long-time resident of southern New England, I get a kick out of people describing anywhere in that area "beautiful" or "scenic" in early April. Spring is probably my least favorite time of year up there- no fall colors, winter vistas, or summer greens- just drab leafless trees, raw temperatures, and rain. But since Donna wants to go, I second the vote for Mystic. Seaport, Aquarium, and Foxwoods casino nearby.

Donna, <BR>Larry is right about the weather. I ALMOST forgot about that lovely aspect of New England ( not named that for nothing).Yes, I recall "white Easters". <BR> <BR>Stonington is very pretty as our most of the shore towns. Bring an umbrella. <BR>Check Karen Brown's B&Bs of New England, too. She's reliable. <BR> <BR> <BR>Michele

1. Litchfield- many B&Bs, lots of New Yorkers and wealthy visitors, good, quaint New England looking center of town with upscale shops. West Street grill as good as many NYC bistros <BR>2. Essex- home of LI sound yachting community. The Griswold Inn is great, the pub is excellent, and there is a nice town center to explore, and a romantic steam train ride. The boating should just be getting started in mid-april (not the tourists, but the boatyards, etc.) <BR>3. New Haven- it's like a mini-Boston, less crowded and just as cultural. Yale, top-notch museums, great selection of ethnic restaurants (Thai, Italian, German) all in walking distance. I'd suggest upper State Street. <BR> <BR>As for weather, it could be 75 or it could be 35, and probably will be both if you stay a week.

A CT native and resident, I like eastern Connecticut, around Brooklyn for its winding country roads, stone walls, and farms, plus herb gardens, antique shops and small towns. One route (I've forgotten which) has been designated one of the most beautiful in the US. There are many B&Bs in the area. Restaurants to recommend: Randall's Ordinary (17th century, with food cooked over a hearth) is not far and the Golden Lamb Buttery in Brooklyn is first-rate, but make reservations months in advance. That area is near Mystic and Stonington, which other posters have noted.