36 Things to Do in Connecticut This January

1. Try snowshoeing. Rent snowshoes from Housatonic River Outfitters and hit the Appalachian Trail and Mohawk State Forest. At Winding Trails in Farmington, you can rent snowshoes, skate skis, and cross-country skis.

2. Take a hike. Don’t let the cold keep you from getting your steps in. Warm up your muscles on any one of Connecticut’s hiking trails. 

3. Make a skate date. Bundle up and reserve a time at the International Skating Center of Connecticut in Simsbury for a day of skating the ice.

4. Take in downhill thrills. Pack up your skis, snowboards, and tubes for some downhill fun at Mohawk Mountain Ski Area in Cornwall, Mount Southington Ski Area in Southington, Ski Sundown in New Hartford, or Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort in Middlefield.

5. Stride cross-country. Swap the downhill runs for a peaceful glide through nature when cross-country skiing at Hop River State Park in Manchester and White Memorial Conservation Center Museum in Litchfield. 

6. Break the ice. Visit a local bait shop before cutting the ice to fish for bass, pike, and perch at Bantam Lake or Lake Waramaug. You might even stop by Cabela's for some extra gear.

7. Hit the bullseye. If you want to try something new this year or just unleash some built-up stress, try your hand at axe throwing at Blue Ox Axe Throwing in Wallingford or Montana Nights in Newington, Putnam, or Southington.

8. Appreciate the arts. Spend some time indoors admiring works of art in Connecticut. Check out art exhibitions at Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, The Florence Griswold Museum, Lyme Art Association, or even view art outside by exploring the Scultpure Trail at Lyman Allyn Art Museum in New London or visiting these photo-worthy outdoor murals.

9. Go concert-going. From rock and indie to country, classical and beyond, listen to sweet, sweet sounds at these great live music venues.

10. Visit famous homes. Uncover the historic worlds of Mark Twain, Harriet Beecher Stowe and more when you tour these famous house museums.

11. Follow the footsteps of the Gilmore Girls. If you're a fan of Rory, Lorelai and Luke, check out the real inspiration for the fictitious town here in Connecticut. 

12. See trains and trolleys. Take a ride through history at Connecticut's train and trolley museums.

13. Drink when you're not drinking. Resolving to drink less, or perhaps committing to a Dry January? Try these fun non-alcoholic drinks of every flavor.

14. Go on a foodie tour. Indulge in Connecticut's authentic and tasty pizza, chocolate, or chowder trails.

15. Picture the perfect plate. As they say, your phone eats first! Snap that perfect shot for Instagram before you dig in at these bakeries, pizza, pho places. 

16. Hop on the healthy trend. If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to eat better, Connecticut has a handful of fresh and local dining spots that will help you meet your goals. Or try delicious vegan flavors at these plant-based restaurants, cafes, and eateries.

17. Dine fireside. Toast the cold days and nights hearthside. From pubs and shoreline inns to fine dining, warm up to these destinations. 

18. Take a bite of history. Experience fine dining in unique repurposed spaces like a gas station, an engine room, a courtroom, or many other reimagined spaces throughout the state. 

19. Sample some chocolate. Valentine’s Day will be here before we know it, and what better way to tell people you love them than with some chocolate? Take a trip down the Chocolate Trail to find the best goodies (and treat yourself while you’re at it!). 

20. Sip brews. Connecticut’s craft beer scene is growing. Visit these destination breweries. Many even offer curbside pickup or delivery!

21. Hang at an igloo park. Enjoy brews and bites inside themed igloos at Dockside Brewery's photo-worthy igloo park.

22. Solve a murder mystery. Become a suppertime sleuth when you dine with the Dinner Detective in New Haven. 

23. Find thrills indoors. Test your skills and your nerve indoors at the Thrillz High Flying Adventure Park in Danbury, or find other high-energy family fun at these great locations.

24. Go snow tubing. Take the family sliding down the slopes — on tubes. Find downhill thrills and more at Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort.

25. Visit world-class aquariums. Find sharks in the big tanks, enormously endearing African penguins, beluga whales, and more at Mystic Aquarium. And at the Maritime Aquarium in South Norwalk, get up close with other marine life friends.  

26. Make discoveries. Learn something new together when you explore these interactive kids' museums across the state.

27. See Disney on Ice. Join Frozen's Anna and other popular characters at Disney On Ice's Into the Magic, an adventure filled with world-class skating and unexpected stunts!

28. Test you mind. Challenge yourself when you work together to solve puzzles at escape rooms like Mind Factory Escape Games, Spellbound Escape Room, Escape New Haven, or Pursue the Clues.

29. See a show. Be amazed by the Broadway smash hit, Six at the Bushnell, in which the six wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak.

30. (Re)treat yourself. Find some inner peace and get lost in sound healing at The Sound Retreat or try these other self-care travel ideas.

31. Find some small-town charm. Discover Connecticut’s winter wonders when you stroll, shop, dine or stay in one of its picturesque towns. Capture the beauty on your camera when you stop by some winter gems. 

32. Take a mindfulness course. Start the year with inner peace. Join an online meditation session or take an in-person mindfulness course for healing and stress reduction at Copper Beech Institute.

33. Unwind at the spa. Whether you go solo, plan a romantic outing, or grab the girlfriends for an afternoon, treat yourself to a lovely massage, facial, and more at one of Connecticut's relaxing spa destinations.

34. Take a winter retreat. Essex, Madison, and Greenwich are just a few of Connecticut’s historic and charming towns that offer the perfect winter getaway for you and that special someone. 

35. Sip mimosas. Two for brunch? Enjoy delicious brunch menus with your special someone at spots like Fresh Salt in Old Saybrook, Abigail's Grille & Wine Bar in Simsbury,  Blackstones Grille in Southport, or Oak & Almond in Norwalk, which is known for bottomless mimosas.

36. Find a new date spot. Ready to impress your date? Plan a date to unique destinations like On Track Karting in Wallingford or Muse Paintbar in West Hartford or Milford. Find more ideas here.