Traveling isn’t just limited to the warm weather months! Sure, the Nutmeg State is beautiful when everything is a verdant green and the sun is shining down on the wildflowers, but winter in Connecticut is also a gorgeous time of year. There are so many great winter day trips in Connecticut that are just perfect for enjoying the cold weather and fallen snow. Grab your go-to winter travel essentials and check out these fun destinations:
- Stamford Museum and Nature Center: 39 Scofieldtown Rd, Stamford, CT 06903
Stamford Museum & Nature Center/Facebook The Stamford Museum and Nature Center is a place that truly does it all. Not only is this a history and art museum, it’s also got a park and nature center. The indoor areas have plenty of exhibits to keep you occupied if you need to warm up, but you’ll also find plenty of trails to stretch your legs on. Stamford Museum & Nature Center, 39 Scofieldtown Rd, Stamford, CT 06903, USA
- Earthplace: 10 Woodside Ln, Westport, CT 06880
Earthplace/Facebook Earthplace is a 74-acre outdoor nature center with miles of hiking trails. This is one of the most peaceful places in Connecticut. With its many colorful flowers, it’s no surprise that it’s a popular place to visit in spring, but you don’t want to miss out on a winter visit! It’s a great place to snowshoe when the conditions are right, and there are plenty of short trails that are great options for kids. Earthplace, 10 Woodside Ln, Westport, CT 06880, USA
- Winding Trails: 50 Winding Trails, Farmington, CT 06032
Winding Trails, Inc./Facebook Winding Trails is a year-round destination offering up plenty of fun no matter the season. There are various programs for adults and kids alike, plus a great summer camp for the little ones. In the winter, you’ll find great opportunities for cross-country skiing, snow tubing, sledding, ice skating, and snowshoeing! Equipment is available for rent on site, and you can even opt for a seasonal pass if you’d like to visit multiple times. Note that skiing is dependent on weather conditions, so if there hasn’t been much snow, the ski area may not be open. Winding Trails, 50 Winding Trails, Farmington, CT 06032, USA
- Mohawk Mountain Ski Area: 46 Great Hollow Rd, Cornwall, CT 06753
Mohawk Mtn Ski Area/Facebook Mohawk Mountain is synonymous with skiing in Connecticut. This 112-acre spot is paradise for skiers and snowboarders alike. Since the vast majority of the snow here is artificial, you won’t have to worry about weather-related closures. Mohawk Mountain Ski Area, 46 Great Hollow Rd, Cornwall, CT 06753, USA
- Hammonasset Beach: Madison, CT 06443
Eugene Peretz/Flickr Hear us out: Connecticut beaches are even better in the off season. Sure, you may not get the warm weather and opportunity to splash in the surf, but you also don’t get noisy crowds or exorbitant parking costs. A visit to the longest beach in the state is such a peaceful experience in the winter. Hammonasset Beach, Madison, CT 06443, USA
- White Memorial Conservation Center: 80 Whitehall Rd, Litchfield, CT 06759
The White Memorial Conservation Center/Facebook The 4,000-acre White Memorial Conservation Center is amazing at any time of year. There are plenty of trails to explore, and the calendar has events throughout the year, even in the winter. This place is home to a variety of species - keep your eyes peeled for deer, rabbits, and other critters! White Memorial Conservation Center, 80 Whitehall Rd, Litchfield, CT 06759, USA
- Powder Ridge Park: 99 Powder Hill Rd, Middlefield, CT 06455
Powder Ridge Park/Facebook Powder Ridge Park is a winter wonderland the entire family can enjoy. It’s the state’s largest snow tubing park. You’ll have a blast tubing down the 550-foot hill, and unlike skiing or snowboarding, tubing doesn’t take a whole lot of skill or practice. Powder Ridge Park, 99 Powder Hill Rd, Middlefield, CT 06455, USA
Did we miss your favorite winter day trip in Connecticut? Share your suggestions in the comments!
Stamford Museum & Nature Center/Facebook
The Stamford Museum and Nature Center is a place that truly does it all. Not only is this a history and art museum, it’s also got a park and nature center. The indoor areas have plenty of exhibits to keep you occupied if you need to warm up, but you’ll also find plenty of trails to stretch your legs on.
Stamford Museum & Nature Center, 39 Scofieldtown Rd, Stamford, CT 06903, USA
Earthplace/Facebook
Earthplace is a 74-acre outdoor nature center with miles of hiking trails. This is one of the most peaceful places in Connecticut. With its many colorful flowers, it’s no surprise that it’s a popular place to visit in spring, but you don’t want to miss out on a winter visit! It’s a great place to snowshoe when the conditions are right, and there are plenty of short trails that are great options for kids.
Earthplace, 10 Woodside Ln, Westport, CT 06880, USA
Winding Trails, Inc./Facebook
Winding Trails is a year-round destination offering up plenty of fun no matter the season. There are various programs for adults and kids alike, plus a great summer camp for the little ones. In the winter, you’ll find great opportunities for cross-country skiing, snow tubing, sledding, ice skating, and snowshoeing! Equipment is available for rent on site, and you can even opt for a seasonal pass if you’d like to visit multiple times. Note that skiing is dependent on weather conditions, so if there hasn’t been much snow, the ski area may not be open.
Winding Trails, 50 Winding Trails, Farmington, CT 06032, USA
Mohawk Mtn Ski Area/Facebook
Mohawk Mountain is synonymous with skiing in Connecticut. This 112-acre spot is paradise for skiers and snowboarders alike. Since the vast majority of the snow here is artificial, you won’t have to worry about weather-related closures.
Mohawk Mountain Ski Area, 46 Great Hollow Rd, Cornwall, CT 06753, USA
Eugene Peretz/Flickr
Hear us out: Connecticut beaches are even better in the off season. Sure, you may not get the warm weather and opportunity to splash in the surf, but you also don’t get noisy crowds or exorbitant parking costs. A visit to the longest beach in the state is such a peaceful experience in the winter.
Hammonasset Beach, Madison, CT 06443, USA
The White Memorial Conservation Center/Facebook
The 4,000-acre White Memorial Conservation Center is amazing at any time of year. There are plenty of trails to explore, and the calendar has events throughout the year, even in the winter. This place is home to a variety of species - keep your eyes peeled for deer, rabbits, and other critters!
White Memorial Conservation Center, 80 Whitehall Rd, Litchfield, CT 06759, USA
Powder Ridge Park/Facebook
Powder Ridge Park is a winter wonderland the entire family can enjoy. It’s the state’s largest snow tubing park. You’ll have a blast tubing down the 550-foot hill, and unlike skiing or snowboarding, tubing doesn’t take a whole lot of skill or practice.
Powder Ridge Park, 99 Powder Hill Rd, Middlefield, CT 06455, USA
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