Things to Do in Connecticut this Fall

1. Take a scenic hike. Catch fall foliage during its peak timeframes on one of Connecticut’s many hiking trails.

2. Camp with your pet. Enjoy the beauty of nature with your four-legged friend by your side at a pet-friendly campground, such as Strawberry Park Resort or Wolf's Den Family Campground. And find cute spots for fall fun with your pup here.

3. Soar through the trees. Get a birds-eye view of the leaves in full foliage form during zipline tours at the Adventure Park in Storrs, at The Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum in Bridgeport, or HighFlyer Zipline at Foxwoods in Mashantucket.

4. Pedal around. Grab a bike and get out on any of Connecticut’s biking trails to take in the foliage or plan your own scenic biking trip to see a few of the state’s covered bridges.

5. Chase some waterfalls. Eat from a picnic basket as you take in the sights and sounds of Connecticut waterfalls, such as the ones at Burr Falls in Torrington or Mount Carmel Spring Falls in Hamden.

6. Walk with llamas. Make a new friend while staying active by going on a llama walk at Country Quilt Llama Farm in Cornwall or Rowanwood Farm in Newtown. You're sure to see some great foliage along the way!

7. Get adventurous. Seek a little thrill and find ways to view foliage from above. And find more adrenaline pumping activities here.

8. Embark on a drive. Take in stunning foliage at its peak when you go on a scenic drive through the state in all of its fall glory. Or follow this guide for the ultimate foliage road trip.

9. Paddle around. On-the-water adventure isn't just for summer! Grab a rental at Collinsville Canoe & Kayak or Black Hall Outfitters in Old Lyme and Westbrook for a day of active exploration.

10. Bike at any speed. Whether you're mountain biking with an edge or simply going for a leisurely spin, try these trails for an autumn biking trip.

11. Hit the bullseye. Ever try axe throwing? Give it a shot at Blue Ox Axe Throwing in Wallingford, Montana Nights in Newington, or Odin's Keep Axe House in Enfield.

12. Celebrate Literature. Did you know Connecticut is home to literary landmarks? Visit the Mark Twain House & Museum in Hartford, the Noah Webster House in West Hartford, or follow the Wallace Stevens Walk. Or plan an entire book-themed getaway with this literature lovers' guide.

13. Travel the Barns Trail. Explore the agricultural roots of Connecticut history and road trip through the Barns Trail. You may even see some great foliage on your journey!

14. Visit scarecrows. Check out the beautiful little meadow at the Tapping Reeve House and Litchfield Law School, the nation’s first law school, which comes alive with a display of scarecrows. Stroll through Old Wethersfield and admire the scarecrow creations at the annual Scarecrows Along Main Street event. Or, stroll the Annual Scarecrows on the Green in Branford.

15. See the screen — from your car. Enjoy an old-fashioned movie night and view films of all types at drive-in theaters like the Southington Drive-In or the Mansfield Drive-in in Mansfield, where you'll also find a flea market that features various vendors and even a snack bar.

16. Explore history. No matter the season, Connecticut offers ample opportunities to experience the state's rich history up close. Spend a day touring the Keeler Tavern Museum in Ridgefield, the Roseland Cottage Museum in Woodstock, or any of the many museums throughout Connecticut.

17. Go house hunting. With so much history in Connecticut, you'll find stunning landscapes, architecture, and centuries of beauty to explore. Take a road trip and discover these historic homes and gardens throughout the state.

18. Embrace art. Enjoy the crisp air and pair it with a little art! Explore outdoor art exhibits like the New London Mural Walk or these sculpture gardens.

19. Snap mural photos. Go on the hunt for your next Instagram post with these very photo-worthy outdoor murals found all over the state!

20. See historic towns. Connecticut is filled with a rich history — and much of it you can explore for yourself! Step back in time with a trip to these historic towns.

21. Devour comfort foods. Nothing pairs better with chilly fall weather than indulgent comfort foods! Enjoy all your favorites from mac 'n cheese, chicken wings, shepherd's pie, and even diner-style pancakes.

22. Go on a coffee tour. When the fall menus are out, there's no better time to hit the coffee shops. Grab a pumpkin spice latte or maple cappuccino and cozy up at these top coffee destinations across the state.

23. Follow the wine trail. If you haven’t already, grab your passport to Connecticut Farm Wineries and take in the scenic views at any of these Instagrammable vineyards and wineries.

24. Treat your sweet tooth. In fall, there's nothing better than farm fresh pies, apple cider doughnuts, and other tasty treats! Find these goodies at places like Lyman Orchards in Middlefield, Rogers Orchards Shuttle Meadow Farm in Southington, Belltown Hill Orchards in South Glastonbury, and Beardsley's Cider Mill & Orchard in Shelton.

25. Celebrate Oktoberfest. Everyone's talking about craft beer these days and the cool places you can find it! Sip and celebrate brews at Oktoberfest events (and all fall long) at destination breweries in Connecticut. 

26. Make Thanksgiving traditions. Making the Thanksgiving meal for two or twenty?  Start with local ingredients from one of these great Connecticut farms for holiday treats.

27. Sample seasonal hard cider. Fall's the season for fresh-pressed cider, so plan a visit to one of Connecticut’s hard cider destinations like Hogan's Cider Mill in Burlington, Yankee Cider Barn at Staehly Farms in East Haddam, and Bishop's Orchards Farm Market & Winery in Guilford.

28. Chow down on chowder. As the weather gets colder, it's a great time for a hot cup of savory soup! Sample Connecticut's best at these chowder houses.

29. Seek out speakeasies. Try these Prohibition-era inspired bars for unique, underground vibes and great cocktails.

30. Put your pinkies up at tea. Rid yourself of the fall cold with a hot cup of tea at Alice in the Village in Mystic or these photo-worthy spots.

31. Go pumpkin picking. Stop by any one of Connecticut’s farms and find yourself a perfect pumpkin to display or eat! Or snap the perfect pumpkin picture at these Insta-worthy pumpkin patches.

32. Get lost in a corn maze. Test your skills at one of the fun and challenging corn mazes around the state.

33. Challenge your mind. Test your problem-solving skills at fun escape rooms like Mission Escape Games in West Hartford, Mind Factory Escape Games in Bridgeport, Escape New Haven, or Mystified Escape Rooms in Mystic.

34. Get into the Halloween spirit. Find some spooks in these festive Halloween towns or go ghost hunting at these truly terrifying haunted attractions.

35. Enjoy not-so-scary Halloween fun. Have little ones who aren't quite ready for big frights? Take 'em to these kid-friendly Halloween events filled with festive fun.

36. Take a walk on the wild side. Come face-to-face with sloths, ocelots, tigers and more at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport. If you want to meet some barnyard animals, visit the lovable sheep, pigs, goats, horses and more at Flamig Farm in West Simsbury.

37. Get creative. Let the kiddos unleash their artsy side with these creative kids' activities from music classes to pottery painting and more.

38. Make it a day at the museum. Take a tour of kid-friendly museums like EverWonder Children's Museum in Newtown, The Shoreline Trolley Museum in East Haven, KidsPlay Children's Museum in Torrington, PEZ Visitor Center in Orange, or the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford. And find more here.

39. Stay indoors. Challenge yourself at the IT Adventure Ropes Course in New Haven, or try these other high-energy indoor activities for nonstop kids.

40. Love apples. Bring the kids to apple orchards, cider mills, and farm stands to enjoy sweet fall treats.

41. Take a self-care retreat. Plan a whole weekend getaway practicing mindfulness, trying float therapy and more.

42. Treat yourself to the spa. Visit any of Connecticut’s spas for a fall treatment to help ease your way into the new season.

43. Find some small-town charm. Stroll, shop, or dine in one of the state’s picturesque towns.

44. Go for a scenic train ride. Take in Connecticut’s beautiful scenery by train aboard the Essex Steam Train.

45. Visit the beach. It doesn’t have to be warm and sunny for you to put your feet in the sand! Soak in the calming sound of the crashing waves on one of Connecticut’s beaches.

46. Do some yoga. Realign your mind, body and spirit at the Salt Cave of Darien or Charym Yoga Studio. Or even try aerial yoga at Aerial Arts Fitness.

47. Go antique shopping. Look for hidden treasures at great spots like Antiques Marketplace in Putnam, Old Saybrook Antiques Center, Antique & Artisan Gallery in Stamford, and Edwin C. Ahlberg Antiques in Guilford.

48. Visit a nature center. Stroll beautiful trails, view galleries, learn about the environment and see some animals when you visit the Stamford Museum & Nature Center, Roaring Brook Nature Center in Canton or the Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Pomfret.

49. Snap some fall photos. Take a romantic road trip to these stunning fall photo locations and capture a few shots of you and your significant other beneath the foliage!

50. Stay in a B&B. Hopkins Inn,  and the Inn at Woodstock Hill are all charming inns that give you a breathtaking view of the season’s foliage at its peak.

51. Gaze at the stars. Cozy up with your special someone and spend a night under the stars (literally!) at these star-gazing observatories.

52. Go on an ultimate foliage tour. Set aside a weekend for exploring Connecticut in its autumn glory. Follow these foliage drives or visit these knockout views and make some spontaneous pit stops (and romantic memories) along the way!

53. Spend a day or weekend in Washington and enjoy wine flights, cheese spreads, and beautiful views of Lake Waramaug at Hopkins Vineyard. Or, at Spring Hill Vineyards, experience a private tasting, tours of the refurbished vintage Airstream, and a picnic on the beautiful property.

54. Find a new date spot. Whether you’re going on a first date or celebrating a special occasion, some of the best date spots in Connecticut are right around the corner.   

55. Cozy up by the fire. Indulge in a fireside meal and the warm atmospheres of Connecticut’s many restaurants with fireside dining.