SUMMER BUCKET LIST

DON’T MISS THE QUINTESSENTIAL SUMMER ACTIVITIES

The season of outdoor dining, day trips and festivals is upon us. There are some quintessential Connecticut summer activities to do every year. Whether it’s hitting up the Norwalk Oyster Festival or visiting one of the state’s more than 40 music venues — like the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater in Bridgeport — or other venues hosting performances, there’s no shortage of ways to spend a summer day in Connecticut.

Even when the weather isn’t all sunshine and blue skies, there’s one summer tradition that can be completed no matter the weather, date or time: stopping by one of the state’s many lobster haunts for a New England lobster roll.

Summer only lasts for so long, so start checking these Connecticut summer activities off the bucket list now.

Get a seafood meal

Pics or it didn’t happen. Post a photo of your take-out steamed lobster meal, lobster roll, oysters on the half shell or any seafood from one of Connecticut’s seaside shacks.

Whether you prefer a traditional Connecticut-style lobster roll with warm butter or are craving some fried clams, choices for a seafood meal abound on the Connecticut’s coastline, there are a host of seaside stops to pick up your favorite.

Plan a day trip to the shoreline

One of the perks of being in Connecticut is proximity to the water. Head down to the shoreline to one of Connecticut’s many beaches. While some of the state’s beaches are reserved for town residents only, many are open to the general public. But all state park beaches, such as Hammonasset Beach State park in Madison or Sherwood Island State Park in Westport, are open for free to all Connecticut residents.

Set sail on the Sound

Lounging on the beach isn’t the only activity you can do on the Sound. There are a few locations throughout the state where guests can either take a sunset sail or learn how to sail themselves.

Visit a friend with a pool

Call up a friend with a pool, visit a public pool or hang out at your own backyard swimming spot to bask in the sun away from the beach crowds.

Lounge (or party) on Candlewood Lake

Summertime on Candlewood Lake can mean partying on the water, or it can mean soaking up the sun from the deck of a boat. If Candlewood’s waters get a little too crowded this summer, there are a host of other lakes in the state at which to find peace (or a party) all season long.

Pick a day to paddle board (or kayak)

If you’re looking for a peaceful way to pass a summer day, pick a place to paddle board or kayak your way on Connecticut’s waters. If you don’t own a kayak or board, there are several places throughout the state where you can rent everything you need.

Beat the heat at a swimming hole

On sweltering days, nothing beats the clear waters of a swimming hole hidden in the woods. And for those who don’t mind hiking before taking a plunge, Connecticut’s scenic trails are worth the rewards.

Plan a day trip to eastern CT

Drive to New London County’s shoreline towns to stroll, eat seafood and feel super New England-y. Mystic offers those quintessential small-town New England views (not to mention some ice cream from the Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream shop) while Stonington Point provides the one of the best views of Little Narragansett Bay.

Ditch the desk to work outside

Make yourself an outdoor WFH space and get out from behind a desk to enjoy the sun while you take your next video call.

Sip drinks on a rooftop bar

Grab a drink al fresco on one of the state’s many trendy rooftop bars. Whether you stop at Mix at Sift Bake Shop in Mystic for a cocktail and some traditional New England views, or head to the High George at the Blake Hotel in New Haven for a cityscape while you sip your beverage, Connecticut has many rooftop locales to hit up this summer.

Attend a polo match

Don your most subtle hat and stomp the divots at the Greenwich Polo Club.

Select a scoop of your favorite ice cream

No summer is complete without ice cream, and in Connecticut, there are a bunch of local places to try. Whether you want a scoop or two in one of Milkcraft’s bubble cones or prefer a cup of something simple from Ashley’s Ice Cream, there are a number of local creameries that make ice cream, frozen yogurt and sorbets right in our backyard.

Dine al fresco at a seasonal restaurant

Get a to-go meal or sit on the patio of one of your favorite seasonal eateries in Connecticut. Whether it’s an ice cream shop, a seafood joint or a hot dog stand, summer means these stops are open for the season.

Grab a pint at a beer festival

Attend at least one outdoor beer festival. Starting this spring and continuing all summer, there are beer festivals lined up around the state at which to sample a beer.

Visit our East Coast neighbors

Want to get out of town? Spend long weekends partying or boating (or some might say “summering”) in the Hamptons or on the Cape. Or if the mountains are more your speed, the Catskills, Adirondacks and Berkshires are just a day trip away.

Attend an oyster festival

SUMMER ONLY LASTS FOR SO LONG, SO START CHECKING THESE CONNECTICUT SUMMER ACTIVITIES OFF THE BUCKET LIST NOW.

The Milford Oyster Festival is scheduled for Aug. 20 and the Norwalk one will be held on Sept. 9-11. Oyster fans don’t have to wait for a festival to enjoy the seafood — oysters are available in Connecticut all summer long.

See a summer concert

Summer is concert season, and this summer, stages across the state are coming to life with daylong festivals and night-time concerts alike.

Try hiking a new (or favorite) trail

Take a hike, really. Here are 15 hikes around Connecticut to try out.

Interested in something a little more off-the-beaten-path? Here are 25 “secret” hikes to check out. Or if you’ve exhausted all the instate trails, head over the border to Massachusetts or New York.

Grab some food at a local rest stop

Enjoy guilt-free dining at one of the rest stops along I-95 or the Mass Pike — fast food calories don’t count on a road trip.