Activities
DAY TRIPS & ACTIVITIES
For outdoor enthusiasts, there are 5 State Forests and 9 State Parks with excellent hiking, trails, lakes and rivers to explore.
Along with one of the largest State Forests in New England, there is Swimming, Fishing and Boating, Antiquing and Flea Marketing, Iconic New England Scenery, Mystic Seaport, Local Events, Fall Festivals and so much more.
Buttonwood Farms
Buttonwood Farms produces over 70 flavors of premium, farm-fresh ice cream. Our waffle cones and whipped cream are made fresh daily. Buttonwood Farms also raises pasture-raised beef + pork. Our scenic farm is home to a summer sunflower festival as well as a corn maze and other family fun activities in the fall.
Each year Buttonwood Farm plant over 14 acres of sunflowers and harvest approximately 300,000 blooms for your viewing pleasure and to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut, a non-profit organization dedicated to granting wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions.
100% of proceeds of our sunflower sales are given directly to Make-A-Wish, as well as proceeds from our t-shirt sales, which feature a unique sunflower design each season. Over the past 14 seasons growing sunflowers we have been able to donate over one million dollars to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, thanks to the generosity of our visitors.
Visit Buttonwoodfarm.com
Connecticut Wine Trail
The Connecticut Wine Trail is one of the most exciting and fastest growing wine regions in the United States. A tremendous variety of wine styles and stunning scenery are to be enjoyed as you meander throughout our beautiful state.
There’s nothing better than sitting with friends, overlooking the countryside or the coast, sipping a glass of one of Connecticut’s fine local wines. The Connecticut Wine Trail is made up of a unique collection of over 40 vineyards and wineries statewide, all with tasting rooms where visitors can sample their portfolio of wines. Many of the vineyards offer tours, tastings and fresh from the farm products. Visitors should call each winery for their schedule and reservation policy. And don’t forget to pick up your free Connecticut Wine Passport at any winery. Collect stamps to win prizes too!
Visit CTWine.com
Mystic
Mystic has many treasures and site-seeing opportunities. Eat at the famous Mystic Pizza, take a boat ride in the Long Island Sound, or attend the Mystic Art Festival packed with artists near and far.
They have summer concert series, an antique and classic boat parade and lots of great restaurants.
Mystic Seaport is the perfect place for families if you love boats and ships. Enjoy a day learning about Ships History, Candle making, boat building and blacksmithing.
located in Mystic Village, Mystic Aquarium is the 6th largest aquarium in the US. Visit with the whales, penguins, seals and sea lions, and interact with sharks and rays.
Visit ThisIsMystic.com
Pachaug State Forest
Pachaug State Forest was established with a 1,011 acre land purchase from the Briggs Manufacturing Co. in Voluntown in 1928. In 1933, the first year the Civilian Conservation Corps began, Camp Lonergan was established in the Forest. As funding became available, the forest quickly grew, totaling 12,000 acres by 1937. The actions of the Resettlement Administration, in 1937, acquired an additional 9,000 acres and leased the land to the state for forest production. Eventually, this land was deeded to the state.
At present, Pachaug covers 26,477 acres in six towns, and is the largest state forest in Connecticut. The word "Pachaug" is derived from the Native American term meaning bend or turn in the river. Pachaug River, in the nine miles from its source at Beach Pond to its junction with the Quinebaug River, traverses approximately twice that distance in the course of its various windings and turns.
Pachaug-Great Meadow Swamp was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1973 and is considered one of the finest and most extensive Atlantic white cedar swamps in Connecticut.