I thought I’d share some of my favorite places in Connecticut that I consider micro adventures. Things to do in the state that only need a half day. Of course, sometimes the drive there and back might take some time. Depends on where you are coming from. These activities can be done in a 1/2 day, an afternoon or an evening. Here are my favorite Connecticut micro adventures.

Outdoor in Warmer Months

I like pretending to be a tourist in my own state, especially in warmer months. My favorite micro adventures for the warmer months are Quassy Amusement Park, Beardsley Zoo and the Thimble Islands.

Quassy is one of those parks that is great for kids of all ages. It’s nostalgic, it’s not too big and it is a perfect micro adventure for a hot summer day. My teens had a ball going down the water slides this summer. I reminisced days of going when I was a child. We all loved it.

Beardsley Zoo is a nice micro adventure because, like Quassy, it’s not too big. You can walk around the entire zoo in two hours. In that time, your soul will fill refreshed from the laughter and cuteness of all the creatures who call the place home. I’ve been taking my kids here for years and we continue to have a great time year after year.

Taking a ferry ride to the Thimble Islands was a first for us this summer! It’s been on my Connecticut bucket list for a long time. We reserved our ferry tickets ahead of time and took a Saturday morning 10 am. ride with Thimble Island Cruise. The narrated tour was 45 minutes, perfect timing for a morning.

Outdoor During Cooler Months

Now for some Connecticut micro adventures when it snows, or is generally cold. Snowshoeing can be done at so many places and makes for an excellent micro adventure. My favorite local spot is on the Housatonic Rail Trail that runs though multiple towns. I’ve also gone snowshoeing at Lourdes of Litchfield and enjoyed the challenge of some uphills.

Another fun winter micro adventure is ice skating in Westport. Last winter we went ice skating in Westport for the first time and it was amazing. The Westport PAL Rink at Longshore Golf Course is where we skated and I highly recommend going for a nice micro adventure. There are skate rentals, restrooms and drinks/snacks available.

My family and I love going to Yale during December. The Yale Art Gallery is free to wander through, the shops make for great holiday shopping and the ice sculptures are fun. A family bonding micro adventure!

Indoors

Now some of my favorite indoor micro adventures! There are way too many in Connecticut, think museums, seeing plays, touring breweries and going to the casinos. I’ve heard the new Great Wolf Lodge at the casinos is fun. My highlights include things unique to Connecticut, touring the Mark Twain House and Gillette Castle.

Both those tours don’t require a full day and make for an interesting outing. Both locations need a purchased tour with a guide and is well worth it. Here is information on visiting the Mark Twain House in West Hartford. Here is information on Gillette Castle. Great for days when you’d prefer to be inside! The history and architecture are awe inspiring.

Do you have any Connecticut micro adventures you’d like to share?