Get ready to uncover the perfect spots for swimming, sunbathing, fishing, or watersports in the photogenic towns along the edge of Long Island Sound. Call into the quaint hamlet of Chester to enjoy a hearty brunch among preserved buildings and artisan studios. Then take the ferry to the 184-acre country estate surrounding the fairytale Gillette Castle, where corridors filled with treasures, passageways, and surprising locks.

Step aboard the 19th-century Essex Steam Train and Becky Thatcher Riverboat in the Connecticut River Valley, and watch as bald eagles circle above. Climb the easy slopes of Mount Carmel in Hamden’s Sleeping Giant Park to the stone observation town and enjoy spectacular views across the countryside. Take in a concert at Hamden Town Park, or ride the rollercoasters at Lake Compounce. Hike the trails at Kent Falls to discover cascading waterfalls, and search out the West Cornwall Covered Bridge – one of the iconic bridges in the state.

During your Connecticut holiday, it’s worth spending some time in the state capital. You can visit the birthplace of Tom Sawyer, and wander the Victorian Gothic mansion built by Mark Twain and his wife Olivia. Take a tour through Italian Baroque, Surrealism, Impressionism, and more at Wadsworth Atheneum. Or get hands-on with innovation, engineering and nature at the Connecticut Science Centre.

Hartford might not be New England’s most famous city, but the streets surrounding its High Victorian Gothic State Capitol are a great place to start your Connecticut trip. The Elizabeth Rose Garden, Bushnell, Colt, and the riverside’s green spaces are just some of the beautiful parks that bring colour to this historic town. You can enjoy a river cruise, call in for a show at Hartford Stage, or pay a visit to the home of Harriet Beecher Stowe – the influential author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin. These sleepy streets are filled with histories that shaped not only the state, but America itself.

Cruise the coast from Mystic in the east to Greenwich in the west, as you discover some of the most beautiful beach towns and fishing villages of Long Island Sound. Take some time to explore Mystic Seaport Museum, where historic wooden ships sit alongside a working shipyard. After a morning of exploring, grab some delicious samples from the outdoor stalls of Olde Mistick Village.

Walk the two-mile sandy stretch of Hammonasset Beach and swim, kayak, sail, or dive off the Madison shore by Meigs Point Nature Centre. Drift around more than 100 Thimble Islands, topped with cottages and mansions off the coast of Branford. Tick off the breath-taking museums and galleries of historic Yale University, before perusing the lanes of Westport Farmers Market near the beaches of Penfield and Compo. And you can pick up luxury souvenirs and tasty bites in picturesque Greenwich, right on the doorstep of New York State.

June, July, and August are the hottest and most popular months for visiting Connecticut, with many days reaching 25°C or more at the peak of summer. But the weather stays mild until October, giving you plenty of time to see this New England hotspot at its most colourful. Autumn floods the countryside state of Connecticut with vibrant oranges, browns, and yellows which lift its already picturesque forests, parks and hamlets to new levels of beauty.

The region is known for pleasant temperatures throughout much of the year, with snow only arriving in the winter months between December and February. Meanwhile, spring brings bright blooms and, by late April or early May, you can expect daytime temperatures to exceed 15°C.