Connecticut native here: nothing is better than a weekend drive through the back roads of north west CT, getting into the Berkshires. Absolutely breathtaking in the autumn.
I’ve lived in CT for my entire life and I just tried nutmeg for the first time… Btw, if you ever find yourself in Litchfield county, the town of Kent, Kent Falls, and Litchfield distillery are must sees!
Truth. museum staff keep saying that and it ends up being listed online but people in ct don't want to be called "nutmeggar", we don't use it, some of us don't even know the name.
Tips from a nutmegger: -Come anywhere from May to October -Get a lobster roll -Visit a town along the golden coast, it’s quintessential New England -Visit Devil’s Den nature preserve in Weston, best hiking in CT -If you come in winter, I guarantee it will be 40 degrees with rain or an overcast -Be aware of bad road quality
Southport is not really a town; it's part of Fairfield, but it's beautiful. Another park to consider is Sleeping Giant State Park in Hamden, which has some 30 miles of trails packed into a small space. You'll find everything from moderate walking to scrambling (i.e. using both hands and feet). In the northwest corner, there's a 50-miles section of the Appalachian Trail as well.
I live in Mystic CT and I agree with your recommendations. I have a few more - the cemeteries are fascinating. I mean they are old and filled with really unique tombstones . Not many places in the USA where you can find tombstones dating back to the 1600’s. Many of these stones have written stories of the persons life and/or death. If you like antiques you’ll love the number of antique stores here and there. And despite CT being costly you’ll find some very reasonable prices in those stores. Then there’s the Peabody Museum, affiliated with Yale University, which has some of the finest collections of dinosaurs in the world. As for lodging accommodations check out some of the Airbnb’s. There’s more still but I’ve said enough. Come and visit, you’ll be happy you did…
I live maybe 20min north of mystic and I can confirm that there are random VERY old cemeteries on the side of the road everywhere. One near me has revolutionary war vets that people still bring flags to.
Connecticut is beautiful! I've spent some time in Mystic too, it's gorgeous. Lots of cool things to see & the seafood is delicious! Thanks for sharing, Mark!
I’ve lived in Groton my whole life (less then 20 min from the seaport) and I thought it was the coolest thing in middle school I was in the Amistad Friendship Society and 1 weekend we had a field trip to go sleep on the Amistad when it was at the Seaport. I’m 36 now so this was obviously a long long time ago, but it’s still one of my favorite school memories. It was such an amazing experience. I also worked at a campground/ rev resort a few miles from the Seaport as my first job and then later when I was in my 20s I worked there again as a manager for a few years even living on property. I met SO many amazing campers who traveled just to visit the Seaport. Living here my whole life I never realized just how special it was, it’s always been a place we went to for field trips or drove by often so it didn’t seem so neat, but as an adult it truly is a gem and I’m lucky to have it so close. **Edited to add, you’re right about locals visiting the Pequot Museum at Foxwoods too! A lot of us love it and think it’s the neatest place. We even had our senior prom there when I was in highschool. You’re also right about us being big on mom and pop businesses instead of chains. And we small seafood shacks have some of the beast food around haha Sea Swirl is a mandatory stop every summer, heck, multiple times a summer if we can get out there haha. This was one of the best videos I’ve seen talk about our little area. You did a great job! Only thing I’d say, I don’t think pizza is that big a deal haha maybe new haven they’re more about it but my area we don’t really mind. I can’t think of any thin crust places around here either.
Best Pizza in our area is Vittorias in Westerly, La Stella’s in Norwich and NY pizza in the Groton Stop and Shop Plaza! Best Greek style is Pizza Palace in Groton
Lived here all my life and never heard pizza called pizza pie. That's a NY thing...and we love pizza and are opinionated like anyone else but nobody freaks out if someone criticizes pizza from a particular restaurant. Dunkin Donuts isn't "who we are", the company just happened to saturate the state with stores galore.
I've lived here in CT my whole life too, maybe it depends where in CT you live, but I've heard the word pie in regards to pizza 🍕 my whole life. Ive worked in pizza places and restaurants my entire adult life as well... We definitely DO use the term pie as well as pizza interchangably. I'm 41 myself, and maybe that has something to do with it as well. I've lived in southeastern CT my whole life less one year in Maine. I live in North Stonington now but I've lived in Ledyard, Groton, New London, East Lyme, and Bozrah... Ive worked ALL over southeastern CT also.
I highly recommend the beardsly zoo and other animal habitat centers. A majority of them are non profit, rehabilitation places and are really great for the community. They deserve our support and I always enjoy going as someone in my twenties.
Thanks for the video! My wife is a CT native, and we visit at least twice a year. One thing I would add in regards to beaches. There are some good beaches; however, many of the beaches are private in inaccessible to the public (this was a big change for me, since private beaches are not a thing in California where I am from).
We are Nutmeggers because when nutmeg was all the rage in the 18th and 19th century, Connecticut traders were the leaders in getting it from the Caribbean. Real nutmeg. Sometimes not-so-real nutmeg.
You hit the nail on the head! Pizza & Dunkin 😄 Seriously though.... Connecticut is amazing and so underestimated. Thank you for giving me a laugh. You were so right on with all of it! 👍
The nutmeg state... thanks to our harbors we were for a while, the locus for the north American nutmeg trade. For sandy beaches, check out Crescent Beach in Bridgeport. When did you drive through Connecticut that you saw 'hardly anyone' on the back roads? From the NYS line to New Haven and all the way up to Kent the roads are notoriously clogged with traffic! (And don't forget to tour the State House in Hartford.)
@@Ripleyripper It is Seaside, you are correct. I guess being away this many years... but it's still a really sweet and under-appreciated spot on LI Sound.
I was watching your video three years ago too it's the don'ts of visiting christmas , before Christmas days too. But in this video or Christmas, there is an incredible difference in your age.
Or the northwest hills. We have People's state forest with the Farmington river running through it. My personal favorite, but there is so much more, like Kent Falls, the covered bridge in Cornwall, and so much more.
I always used the Chester ferry with my cars over the river to Gillette Castle. Mystic Seaport is interesting for those who love history, the Mystic Aquarium was riveting, watching sea life.
Plenty of fishing and hiking. Green Falls ( a hidden gem), Lantern Hill,Barn Island Reserve. There is Eugene O'Neill Theater, for something on the artist side Hygienic Cafe (an art gallery in New London), Uconn Avery Point Marine Science Campus. Bark Hempstead State Park . Stonington Borough, The Velvet Mill of Stonington
The Mystic Seaport Museum is amazing! There's even a little children's museum and playground right on the grounds. It's so cool to go inside all of the old ships.
As a CT native I agree with the comment about Dunkin but I would say that is for drive through/take away. If you want to eat out breakfast like a native, you can’t beat the local diner. You must try a CT lobster roll which is hot lobster in butter not cold lobster salad prevalent in other nearby states. And besides learning that we were the Nutmeg state in our grade school history class, I can tell you that noooobody says Nutmegger.
I LOVE mystic Connecticut, especially Mystic Seaport. My childhood was basically sailing school in mystic seaport, and I am EXTREMELY grateful for it, as it’s fairly expensive and most people don’t have the time or means to travel. But the Joseph Conrad camp was and is amazing, but my favorite experience HAS to be sailing abroad on Brilliant, a beautiful historic schooner who is still about today. She was truly an experience for me- also for what it’s worth, Captain Armour is the BEST captain EVER!
Agree! Frank Pepe's, have to try the white clam pie with bacon. Or the fresh tomato pie during the summer is my favorite. There is Sally's and a few other New Haven style apizza as well.
@@beachmom2001I've only had Sally's and Frank Pepe's. I like they're Tomato Pie (with Pecorino Romano) and Margherita the best. Sally's I like the Mootz. Check my channel for how a Tomato Pie looks.
Pizza is absolutely HUGE! Yeah try Pepe’s and Sally’s. But absolutely go to BAR on crown street in New Haven and try the mashed potato pie! Sounds weird I know but it’s the best pie in the city!
And the Merritt is just as bad as 95, there's just no rigs allowed on it. But there's no shoulder for most of it so when (not if, WHEN) there's an accident, you're literally trapped. The trees are so close to the road, or the embankments are too steep, so you can't even off-road to get around. I've been stuck for 2 hours on the Merritt before. I DREAD driving on that road..... And the deer here are suicidal. They TRY to get hit. They even jump onto moving cars. Both my mom and my sister have had deer jump through their windshields! My mom nearly took a hoof to the face when one jumped on her windshield!
We’re called the Nutmeg state because back in the day, when nutmeg was a rare spice, some people started taking pieces of wood and sanding them down to create a convincing forgery. So, basically, we suck lol
CPTV has a documentary on “Pizza, A Love Story,” about pizza in New Haven. When I was a kid it was pronounced “Abeets,” a consonant shift from “A Pizza.”
Having lived in Connecticut for 50+ years and having lived on Long Island Sound for much of that time. I can say with confidence that sandy beaches are not a problem to find.
RIGHT!!! Just don't expect crystal blue water like some tropical island on our beaches lol I had a house on the beach in cornfield point, old saybrook for 25 years and no complaints about the beaches.
@@smazz1106 - the question I was responding to had zero to do with private or public beaches. It was all about finding sandy beaches. Ever hear of Hammonaset in Madison? Or maybe Rocky Neck in East Lyme? Or perhaps you want to go to those in Milford, or elsewhere. Town beaches are available but you have to pay for them (possibly more) than a state beach but they are ALWAYS AN OPTION. They have SANDY BEACHES at both town and state facilities. My own personal evidence that town beaches are available. I have been to town beaches with friends having not been a resident of that specific town on a number of occasions. I have NEVER, NOT ONCE had anyone told me to leave, or park elsewhere. So there you go!
@@smazz1106 - You just aren't creative enough or crafty in manipulating the system. I have never been caught and have been doing it for over 30 years now. If you are a guest you absolutely can go to a town beach, anyway.
The whole "nutmegger" thing is because Connecticut used to be famous for dealing in nutmeg... and like anywhere else, there were those who were less reputable and would replace actual nutmeg with sawdust.
From DaBronx. Been in Norwalk for 10 yrs. A suburb of nyc , I'm only an hour from Grand Central. A little love to Fairfield County , man. Nice video, Conneticut is nice state, but has its share of urban blight. Stay outta the cities, the back roads & out of the way spots are the way to go⚡
Peabody natural museum and art museums in new haven! Yale university tour is excellent too. Done miss arethusa ice cream if in new haven or Litchfield! We love our state.
Could never figure why our gas prices are way higher than Vermont, which is 4 hours from us to transport the product, while the tankers literally come into our ports two miles from the gas stations.
One reason is we used to have toll highways, there was a really bad crash at a toll booth so they removed all of them and added to the fuel tax instead.
Fairfield County is the bankroll for the rest of the state and receives very little in return. They are practically self sufficient. Hartford would crumbled with their tax dollars.
@@unclemayhem6696 - One day a friend saw my lunch time sandwich of peanut butter and jelly and told me, those are better with marshmallow fluff. My family never had bought marshmallow fluff but they got some and yes, I liked it. I wasn't aware they had any specific name. I'm not sure where I heard the word "fluffernutter". Unless it was when I moved to CT, but I was grown up by then and didn't eat peanut butter any more. Now that's a good question, who made up the name? lol
Idk what he’s talking about with the beaches. My town has at least six miles of sandy beaches alone. Most of it with public access. Boston, and New York are great day trips. Even if you’re not a gambler, the entertainment offered from some of the worlds largest casinos is second to none. New Haven “apizza” is something of its own. Hit one of the big four; Sally’s, Modern, Pepe’s, or Bar. Also experience a real Grinder (different from a sub, or hoagie) if you are in the New London area. Giulianos Italian bakery, or Hartford Giant Grinder in Niantic, Hamilton market in New London, even Franklin Giant Grinder in Hartford.
A do would drive route 8 In the fall. I love it. I live up in little town called broad brook. But I would say west haven has a beach that’s amazing. I don’t remember it’s name or exact location but I use to deliver wine to a package store down by the shore and it was amazing. I would make that stop my last one so I could enjoy it
Clam shacks are the best. Great review. Wow, do I miss great pizza. Lots of real Italian pizza and not just New Haven. Many towns have great pizza. Don't pass up great local ice cream as well.
Lived in Southeastern Connecticut since 1973. 95 is nothing but a demolition derby. If you've got little kids mystic seaport is boring as hell for them. I spent a few years doing boat carpentry way back when there were still wooden boats and I found it boring. On the other hand kids will love the aquarium.
The nutmeg thing was referring to the salesmen in Ct being good enough to sell someone a wooden nutmeg. It's similar to a wooden nickel or a ketchup popsicle. (a scam) that's why no one in Ct ever refers to us that way. We're the constitution state
What exit off of I-95 has a really tall hill off of the exit? Like this road is off of I-95 but I have no idea where. I just know the road was a really tall hill when I saw it. I've been trying to find this road for over 10 Years but have never been able to find it. Seems like it was somewhere near Rhode Island but all I remember is seeing it somewhere on a backroad off of I-95.
The term "nutmegger" comes from allegations that NY merchants would rip off southerners by selling them wooden bits they called nutmeg. Some suspect that this is because the southerners didn't know what nutmegged look like before it was ground into powder. Why this connects to CT is anyone's guess.
Here's some don'ts about visiting my home state, Michigan: 1. DON'T assume every Michigander likes U of M. Some of us like MSU. 2. DON'T miss out on local pops like Faygo or Vernors. 3. DON'T assume all of Michigan is like Detroit or Grand Rapids. 4. DON'T miss out on Grand Traverse Cherry Pie. 5. DON'T miss out on Detroit Pizza (Especially Buddy's). 6. DON'T talk about politics. (Because Michigan is a VERY politically divided state.) 7. DON'T miss out on the many Cider Mills, especially Franklin. 8. DON'T miss out on Frankenmuth. (Zehnder's and Bavarian Inn have AMAZING chicken.) 9. DON'T forget to tip. 10. DON'T miss out on the many historical sites all across the state.
Besides the casinos and Mystic. CT is boring, expensive and miserable. Avoid Hartford, Waterbury, Bridgeport, Norwich, Meriden, New Haven, etc if you value your life. Lots of rough neighborhoods. Even the beautiful woods here are filled with deers with lots of Lyme Disease.
Since becoming a corporate chain, Pepe's is now the weakest of the big 3 in New Haven. The crust has been super inconsistent the last few years. Walk a few doors down and do Sally's instead.
For a great beach go to Sherwood Island State Park, it's exit 17 going north on 95. Plenty of room to spread out, everybody's friendly, there's a large changing area and showers plus a food stand for a burger. Everything is clean. The park is well maintained. Stay away from Compo beach bc they have a fee to get in, and obviously they intend to keep the rif-raff out bc that fee, last time I heard, was $50 for the day !! If you do go to Compo you'll be disappointed bc it's crowded, there's only a small smidgeon of sand and the people there (from Westport) really think they're "all that". I think they're all "that" too. Hahahhaa.
If you're looking for pizza in ct don't waste your time with Pepes. It's great pizza don't get me wrong but there are a ton of better spots . Especially in New Haven and Waterbury
Don't dismiss the UConn Womens Basketball Team...even though they haven't won anything since 2016. Don't bother the peacocks at the Bearsley Zoo. Just because they are free to roam the park doesn't mean you can annoy them. Don't forget that CT has a bunch of exits on the left side of the road. Also CT people can be called Connecticut Yankees...not sure why though.
Bring a suitcase full of money with you because you’re gonna need itConnecticut is very expensive I don’t know how people even live there as much as it cost been there and seen it for myself years ago and it was expensive then back in the 60s toll roads everywhere you went
Don't forget the orchards in picking seasons - if you go through the backroads you'll find one in every town with apple or peach or berry picking and the best pies you can buy. I recommend Lyman orchards, they are one of the well-known ones and have a great corn maze come fall. Glad he mentioned the Pequot museum, it really is incredible. I'd definitely recommend the smaller coffee shops instead of Dunkin though, they are really cute. If you're outdoorsy, look for kayaking, the waterways are gorgeous, and if you have kids - the Hartford children's science museum is my favorite thing!
I have lived in RI most of my life and CT for 8 years and I will happily dis Dunkin everyday...we have some of the best little coffee chops around here in coastal CT from Muddy Waters in New London to Ashlawn Farm in Old Saybrook. I am happy to hear Sift mentioned as omg Michael Young is a great guy and created a treasure of a bakery!
Hey man as a Connecticut native, I can confirm all of this. I was thinking to myself, please mention pizza. Then you did and it made my day. Glad you enjoyed it.
Don't expect the Merritt to be modern highway, it's the oldest roadway of it's type. You have short on and off ramps, and low bridges, which you will hit if your vehicle is over the height restrictions, and no one will feel sorry for you if you get stuck.
Connecticut native here: nothing is better than a weekend drive through the back roads of north west CT, getting into the Berkshires. Absolutely breathtaking in the autumn.
The eastern part preston, stonington has some righteous back roads. Although certainly not like they used to be.
No, dont come to northwest Connecticut, the roads are narrow and badly maintained and we dont want you.
No one in CT calls anyone a “nutmegger”
I dated a girl from Connecticut once that resembled that name behind closed doors
I’ve lived in CT for my entire life and I just tried nutmeg for the first time… Btw, if you ever find yourself in Litchfield county, the town of Kent, Kent Falls, and Litchfield distillery are must sees!
Fact
@@randolpha6172 OMG the LItchfield Distillery is AMAZING...and such nice people!
Truth. museum staff keep saying that and it ends up being listed online but people in ct don't want to be called "nutmeggar", we don't use it, some of us don't even know the name.
Tips from a nutmegger:
-Come anywhere from May to October
-Get a lobster roll
-Visit a town along the golden coast, it’s quintessential New England
-Visit Devil’s Den nature preserve in Weston, best hiking in CT
-If you come in winter, I guarantee it will be 40 degrees with rain or an overcast
-Be aware of bad road quality
@Alex Medeiros. And mandates for healthcare workers!!
A hot lobster roll at Captain Parker's Pub in Milford is a hidden gem.
Ooh have not heard of Devil's Den! Thanks for the suggestion!
Southport is not really a town; it's part of Fairfield, but it's beautiful. Another park to consider is Sleeping Giant State Park in Hamden, which has some 30 miles of trails packed into a small space. You'll find everything from moderate walking to scrambling (i.e. using both hands and feet). In the northwest corner, there's a 50-miles section of the Appalachian Trail as well.
Connecticut resident here....very glad he mentioned the driving. SO CORRECT. Dangerous even for us who live here.
I also recommend the U.S. Submarine museum in New London. It’s free!
That truly is a must see.
It is great!!! And you can board the sub too! Loved it!
Groton* Across the Thames River, next to the Sub Base
Thanks for mentioning Litchfield county man. A lot of people from the state dont know much about us so thanks for the shoutout
Gorgeous area❤
I live in Mystic CT and I agree with your recommendations. I have a few more - the cemeteries are fascinating. I mean they are old and filled with really unique tombstones . Not many places in the USA where you can find tombstones dating back to the 1600’s. Many of these stones have written stories of the persons life and/or death. If you like antiques you’ll love the number of antique stores here and there. And despite CT being costly you’ll find some very reasonable prices in those stores. Then there’s the Peabody Museum, affiliated with Yale University, which has some of the finest collections of dinosaurs in the world. As for lodging accommodations check out some of the Airbnb’s. There’s more still but I’ve said enough. Come and visit, you’ll be happy you did…
I live maybe 20min north of mystic and I can confirm that there are random VERY old cemeteries on the side of the road everywhere. One near me has revolutionary war vets that people still bring flags to.
Connecticut is beautiful! I've spent some time in Mystic too, it's gorgeous. Lots of cool things to see & the seafood is delicious! Thanks for sharing, Mark!
I’ve lived in Groton my whole life (less then 20 min from the seaport) and I thought it was the coolest thing in middle school I was in the Amistad Friendship Society and 1 weekend we had a field trip to go sleep on the Amistad when it was at the Seaport. I’m 36 now so this was obviously a long long time ago, but it’s still one of my favorite school memories. It was such an amazing experience. I also worked at a campground/ rev resort a few miles from the Seaport as my first job and then later when I was in my 20s I worked there again as a manager for a few years even living on property. I met SO many amazing campers who traveled just to visit the Seaport. Living here my whole life I never realized just how special it was, it’s always been a place we went to for field trips or drove by often so it didn’t seem so neat, but as an adult it truly is a gem and I’m lucky to have it so close. **Edited to add, you’re right about locals visiting the Pequot Museum at Foxwoods too! A lot of us love it and think it’s the neatest place. We even had our senior prom there when I was in highschool. You’re also right about us being big on mom and pop businesses instead of chains. And we small seafood shacks have some of the beast food around haha Sea Swirl is a mandatory stop every summer, heck, multiple times a summer if we can get out there haha. This was one of the best videos I’ve seen talk about our little area. You did a great job! Only thing I’d say, I don’t think pizza is that big a deal haha maybe new haven they’re more about it but my area we don’t really mind. I can’t think of any thin crust places around here either.
Best Pizza in our area is Vittorias in Westerly, La Stella’s in Norwich and NY pizza in the Groton Stop and Shop Plaza! Best Greek style is Pizza Palace in Groton
I live in Mystic the Groton side, originally from Pawcatuck and have been to Mystic Seaport many times as a child and as an adult love this place 👍👍❤️
I love my Connecticut 💞
Lived here all my life and never heard pizza called pizza pie. That's a NY thing...and we love pizza and are opinionated like anyone else but nobody freaks out if someone criticizes pizza from a particular restaurant. Dunkin Donuts isn't "who we are", the company just happened to saturate the state with stores galore.
I've lived here in CT my whole life too, maybe it depends where in CT you live, but I've heard the word pie in regards to pizza 🍕 my whole life. Ive worked in pizza places and restaurants my entire adult life as well... We definitely DO use the term pie as well as pizza interchangably. I'm 41 myself, and maybe that has something to do with it as well. I've lived in southeastern CT my whole life less one year in Maine. I live in North Stonington now but I've lived in Ledyard, Groton, New London, East Lyme, and Bozrah... Ive worked ALL over southeastern CT also.
I'm from CT and didn't realize other regions DON'T call it a pie of pizza lol
My parents called it pizza pie 🥧
Wooster St. New Haven. Apizza, supposedly a local thing. 🤷♂️
@@tjroicub6079 no it's an Italian thing, that's what pizza is called in Italy
I definitely love and miss living in Connecticut. I always loved New England and New York. Connecticut will always be my home forever.
I highly recommend the beardsly zoo and other animal habitat centers. A majority of them are non profit, rehabilitation places and are really great for the community. They deserve our support and I always enjoy going as someone in my twenties.
I absolutely loved this I live in Middletown Connecticut I have lived in Connecticut since I was 8 and wouldn't live anywhere else!
Same.
I second Chris C’s comment. CT native and still live here. You did a great job Wolter. Maybe a little coastline centric, but overall Very well done
There is def a lot to do upper north of the state.
Thanks for the video! My wife is a CT native, and we visit at least twice a year. One thing I would add in regards to beaches. There are some good beaches; however, many of the beaches are private in inaccessible to the public (this was a big change for me, since private beaches are not a thing in California where I am from).
We are Nutmeggers because when nutmeg was all the rage in the 18th and 19th century, Connecticut traders were the leaders in getting it from the Caribbean. Real nutmeg. Sometimes not-so-real nutmeg.
You hit the nail on the head! Pizza & Dunkin 😄 Seriously though.... Connecticut is amazing and so underestimated. Thank you for giving me a laugh. You were so right on with all of it! 👍
The nutmeg state... thanks to our harbors we were for a while, the locus for the north American nutmeg trade.
For sandy beaches, check out Crescent Beach in Bridgeport.
When did you drive through Connecticut that you saw 'hardly anyone' on the back roads? From the NYS line to New Haven and all the way up to Kent the roads are notoriously clogged with traffic!
(And don't forget to tour the State House in Hartford.)
No such thing as Crescent Beach in Bpt. There's Pleasure Beach and Seaside Park (which is somewhat crescent-shaped).
@@Ripleyripper It is Seaside, you are correct. I guess being away this many years... but it's still a really sweet and under-appreciated spot on LI Sound.
Meigs Point and Hammonassett have Sandy beaches.
@@marianneodell7637 Rocky Neck in spite of the name also has a decent sized sandy beach.
I was watching your video three years ago too it's the don'ts of visiting christmas , before Christmas days too. But in this video or Christmas, there is an incredible difference in your age.
I’m from Ct, and there are plenty of beaches there that are not rocky and quite enjoyable.
Here's one: don't forget that central Connecticut exists. 😭
i know not of what you speak off.... ;)
Or the northwest hills. We have People's state forest with the Farmington river running through it. My personal favorite, but there is so much more, like Kent Falls, the covered bridge in Cornwall, and so much more.
@@cindycindy2894 Kent Falls is beautiful!
I always used the Chester ferry with my cars over the river to Gillette Castle. Mystic Seaport is interesting for those who love history, the Mystic Aquarium was riveting, watching sea life.
The vast majority of coastline is private property and thus inaccessible. And I was expecting you to talk about grinders!!
the grinders should be in the eats of connectiut video in the end screen
Plenty of fishing and hiking. Green Falls ( a hidden gem), Lantern Hill,Barn Island Reserve. There is Eugene O'Neill Theater, for something on the artist side Hygienic Cafe (an art gallery in New London), Uconn Avery Point Marine Science Campus. Bark Hempstead State Park . Stonington Borough, The Velvet Mill of Stonington
The Mystic Seaport Museum is amazing! There's even a little children's museum and playground right on the grounds. It's so cool to go inside all of the old ships.
As a CT native I agree with the comment about Dunkin but I would say that is for drive through/take away. If you want to eat out breakfast like a native, you can’t beat the local diner. You must try a CT lobster roll which is hot lobster in butter not cold lobster salad prevalent in other nearby states.
And besides learning that we were the Nutmeg state in our grade school history class, I can tell you that noooobody says Nutmegger.
I LOVE mystic Connecticut, especially Mystic Seaport. My childhood was basically sailing school in mystic seaport, and I am EXTREMELY grateful for it, as it’s fairly expensive and most people don’t have the time or means to travel. But the Joseph Conrad camp was and is amazing, but my favorite experience HAS to be sailing abroad on Brilliant, a beautiful historic schooner who is still about today. She was truly an experience for me- also for what it’s worth, Captain Armour is the BEST captain EVER!
Our oldest son did joespeh Conrad camp 3 times
Definitely don't forget to try whole belly clams!!
Soooooo good!
I have family in Connecticut and this video is making me want to go just for the seafood alone
West Haven has a decent beach. It used to be home of Savin Rock amusement park. Very nice boardwalk.
Bridgeport!!!! We need some love too
@@BarbaraBurghart love seaside
@8:00 #1 Rule of Connecticut Pizza:
A well-done pie has char on it, don't say it's "burnt". And they call it apizza (Ah-beetz).
cheers! just saw a magnet on my neighbors fridge for apizza in CT :)
Agree! Frank Pepe's, have to try the white clam pie with bacon. Or the fresh tomato pie during the summer is my favorite. There is Sally's and a few other New Haven style apizza as well.
@@beachmom2001I've only had Sally's and Frank Pepe's. I like they're Tomato Pie (with Pecorino Romano) and Margherita the best. Sally's I like the Mootz.
Check my channel for how a Tomato Pie looks.
@@cjaquilino I will take a look. What is your channel's name?
Yeah there's a very large Italian presence in the state of connecticut. And they like to remind you of it all the time. I call it pizza..
Great video my friend. Thanks for sharing. Happy holidays!
Merry christmas*
Johnny's Pizza in Brooklyn CT. BEST Pizza in CT!!!!
Candlewood Lake (largest lake in CT) is beautiful and certainly worth a visit!
very few public access areas tho
Love any state in New England. 💗
Me too
So funny how this guy gets so passionate when talking about food. But then again, that belly was the clear sign!
Pizza is absolutely HUGE! Yeah try Pepe’s and Sally’s. But absolutely go to BAR on crown street in New Haven and try the mashed potato pie! Sounds weird I know but it’s the best pie in the city!
Thumbs up.on your way to (1)million subscribers
And the Merritt is just as bad as 95, there's just no rigs allowed on it. But there's no shoulder for most of it so when (not if, WHEN) there's an accident, you're literally trapped.
The trees are so close to the road, or the embankments are too steep, so you can't even off-road to get around. I've been stuck for 2 hours on the Merritt before. I DREAD driving on that road.....
And the deer here are suicidal. They TRY to get hit. They even jump onto moving cars. Both my mom and my sister have had deer jump through their windshields! My mom nearly took a hoof to the face when one jumped on her windshield!
And lastly if you are here , come let’s have fun !
East Haddam native here...miss home!
We’re called the Nutmeg state because back in the day, when nutmeg was a rare spice, some people started taking pieces of wood and sanding them down to create a convincing forgery. So, basically, we suck lol
CPTV has a documentary on “Pizza, A Love Story,” about pizza in New Haven. When I was a kid it was pronounced “Abeets,” a consonant shift from “A Pizza.”
Having lived in Connecticut for 50+ years and having lived on Long Island Sound for much of that time. I can say with confidence that sandy beaches are not a problem to find.
RIGHT!!! Just don't expect crystal blue water like some tropical island on our beaches lol I had a house on the beach in cornfield point, old saybrook for 25 years and no complaints about the beaches.
@@mwolfie4909 As you know, its not the ocean but the sound, there for no crystal clear water but a great day trip me he the less.
Private beaches, if you aren’t a resident of that town, you are not welcome.
@@smazz1106 - the question I was responding to had zero to do with private or public beaches. It was all about finding sandy beaches. Ever hear of Hammonaset in Madison? Or maybe Rocky Neck in East Lyme? Or perhaps you want to go to those in Milford, or elsewhere. Town beaches are available but you have to pay for them (possibly more) than a state beach but they are ALWAYS AN OPTION. They have SANDY BEACHES at both town and state facilities.
My own personal evidence that town beaches are available. I have been to town beaches with friends having not been a resident of that specific town on a number of occasions. I have NEVER, NOT ONCE had anyone told me to leave, or park elsewhere. So there you go!
@@smazz1106 - You just aren't creative enough or crafty in manipulating the system. I have never been caught and have been doing it for over 30 years now. If you are a guest you absolutely can go to a town beach, anyway.
Now the name of that movie makes sense. Anyway CT is yet another state I want to visit
Fairfield county is the best part
Very nice place to visit with. Thank you for this very nice tour in that place. New friend join you my friend.
The whole "nutmegger" thing is because Connecticut used to be famous for dealing in nutmeg... and like anywhere else, there were those who were less reputable and would replace actual nutmeg with sawdust.
From DaBronx.
Been in Norwalk for 10 yrs. A suburb of nyc , I'm only an hour from Grand Central.
A little love to Fairfield County , man.
Nice video, Conneticut is nice state, but has its share of urban blight.
Stay outta the cities, the
back roads & out of the way spots are the way to go⚡
Peabody natural museum and art museums in new haven! Yale university tour is excellent too. Done miss arethusa ice cream if in new haven or Litchfield! We love our state.
860 represent.
Could never figure why our gas prices are way higher than Vermont, which is 4 hours from us to transport the product, while the tankers literally come into our ports two miles from the gas stations.
Couldn’t be as bad as Pennsylvania
One reason is we used to have toll highways, there was a really bad crash at a toll booth so they removed all of them and added to the fuel tax instead.
Fairfield County might as well be a different state than the rest of CT.
Fairfield County is the bankroll for the rest of the state and receives very little in return. They are practically self sufficient. Hartford would crumbled with their tax dollars.
I live and grew up on the west coast and only learned about a week ago what a fluffernutter is. Now I keep hearing about them. Lol.
bingo :) they are following you
@@woltersworld 😂
We ate them back in the 40's in Maine. Marshmallow fluff and peanut butter. But we never called them fluffernutters.
@@grandmajane2593 what did you call them?
@@unclemayhem6696 - One day a friend saw my lunch time sandwich of peanut butter and jelly and told me, those are better with marshmallow fluff. My family never had bought marshmallow fluff but they got some and yes, I liked it. I wasn't aware they had any specific name. I'm not sure where I heard the word "fluffernutter". Unless it was when I moved to CT, but I was grown up by then and didn't eat peanut butter any more. Now that's a good question, who made up the name? lol
Idk what he’s talking about with the beaches. My town has at least six miles of sandy beaches alone. Most of it with public access. Boston, and New York are great day trips. Even if you’re not a gambler, the entertainment offered from some of the worlds largest casinos is second to none. New Haven “apizza” is something of its own. Hit one of the big four; Sally’s, Modern, Pepe’s, or Bar. Also experience a real Grinder (different from a sub, or hoagie) if you are in the New London area. Giulianos Italian bakery, or Hartford Giant Grinder in Niantic, Hamilton market in New London, even Franklin Giant Grinder in Hartford.
We also have a bunch of other museums, 2 amusement parks (more family oriented), and you CAN find excellent pizza throughout the state.
A do would drive route 8 In the fall. I love it. I live up in little town called broad brook. But I would say west haven has a beach that’s amazing. I don’t remember it’s name or exact location but I use to deliver wine to a package store down by the shore and it was amazing. I would make that stop my last one so I could enjoy it
I’ve heard Silver Sands in Milford is nice too.
Bro just go to hammonaset beach it’s literally all sand
I own a small business in Stonington Borough, right up the road from Mystic!
Clam shacks are the best. Great review. Wow, do I miss great pizza. Lots of real Italian pizza and not just New Haven. Many towns have great pizza. Don't pass up great local ice cream as well.
Enfiled suffelid the best town to chill
I love how this video is for people visiting but the comment are only filled of people who live here
Thanks for doing my state proud!
I’m Slovak, but i happen to have a part of my family in Avon and also in Hartford (and these guys were actually American)
I drive through Connecticut when I travel
Great to see you Professor 😊
It's called the nutmeg state cause of all of the nutmeg trees.
Lived in Southeastern Connecticut since 1973. 95 is nothing but a demolition derby. If you've got little kids mystic seaport is boring as hell for them. I spent a few years doing boat carpentry way back when there were still wooden boats and I found it boring. On the other hand kids will love the aquarium.
New England Air Museum, East Granby.
Hi Mark wow super 👌🏻👍
thanks Ad L
Ken Kaniff from Connecticut can you accept?
6:55 I agreed it is expensive here especially the mystic shops it’s over priced
Christys pancakes are very good too in Old say-brook great breakfast
The nutmeg thing was referring to the salesmen in Ct being good enough to sell someone a wooden nutmeg. It's similar to a wooden nickel or a ketchup popsicle. (a scam) that's why no one in Ct ever refers to us that way.
We're the constitution state
Im from Connecticut and I didn’t know half of these stuff!
Hay Walter have you ever been to the race tracks in Connecticut like Waterford just outside Mystic great place to spend the night if you like sports
What exit off of I-95 has a really tall hill off of the exit? Like this road is off of I-95 but I have no idea where. I just know the road was a really tall hill when I saw it. I've been trying to find this road for over 10 Years but have never been able to find it. Seems like it was somewhere near Rhode Island but all I remember is seeing it somewhere on a backroad off of I-95.
There’s a slight crime problem known as “Waterbury, New Haven, Bridgeport, and Hartford.”
psssst hey buddy its everywhere in CT i know im from the bob crane state plbbbbt!
Grew up in Shelton, CT and I do miss it. Tho the politics, really clicky people, and really bad weather are what drove me away to another state
I work in Shelton and can't wait to move to another state. Ct is horrible.
#1 rule of driving in Connecticut is if it’s a NY or MA plate, give them twice as much room because you never know what they’re going to do
there are great donut shops other than just Dunkin'.. Dixie Donuts in Norwich; Young Buns, or Deviant in Mystic. All definitely great donuts
Neils in Wallingford.
The term "nutmegger" comes from allegations that NY merchants would rip off southerners by selling them wooden bits they called nutmeg. Some suspect that this is because the southerners didn't know what nutmegged look like before it was ground into powder. Why this connects to CT is anyone's guess.
Don't go into the north end of Harford at night...lol
Here's some don'ts about visiting my home state, Michigan:
1. DON'T assume every Michigander likes U of M. Some of us like MSU.
2. DON'T miss out on local pops like Faygo or Vernors.
3. DON'T assume all of Michigan is like Detroit or Grand Rapids.
4. DON'T miss out on Grand Traverse Cherry Pie.
5. DON'T miss out on Detroit Pizza (Especially Buddy's).
6. DON'T talk about politics. (Because Michigan is a VERY politically divided state.)
7. DON'T miss out on the many Cider Mills, especially Franklin.
8. DON'T miss out on Frankenmuth. (Zehnder's and Bavarian Inn have AMAZING chicken.)
9. DON'T forget to tip.
10. DON'T miss out on the many historical sites all across the state.
u need to do part of Manchester too
ManchVegas?
Awesome video
Thanks Tobi!
Hey Dr Wolter, do you edit your own videos?
Depends on the video
Hammonasset in Madison has your sandy beach. Niantic Bay Beach.....
Westbrook Beach, Clinton Beach, Guilford...pretty much every shoreline town has a beach.
NOT sandy. Some are just less rocky than others.
Besides the casinos and Mystic. CT is boring, expensive and miserable. Avoid Hartford, Waterbury, Bridgeport, Norwich, Meriden, New Haven, etc if you value your life. Lots of rough neighborhoods. Even the beautiful woods here are filled with deers with lots of Lyme Disease.
Since becoming a corporate chain, Pepe's is now the weakest of the big 3 in New Haven. The crust has been super inconsistent the last few years. Walk a few doors down and do Sally's instead.
For a great beach go to Sherwood Island State Park, it's exit 17 going north on 95. Plenty of room to spread out, everybody's friendly, there's a large changing area and showers plus a food stand for a burger. Everything is clean. The park is well maintained. Stay away from Compo beach bc they have a fee to get in, and obviously they intend to keep the rif-raff out bc that fee, last time I heard, was $50 for the day !! If you do go to Compo you'll be disappointed bc it's crowded, there's only a small smidgeon of sand and the people there (from Westport) really think they're "all that". I think they're all "that" too. Hahahhaa.
Hey man am trying to apply for financial aid or scholarship in Connecticut
Can you please help me
If you're looking for pizza in ct don't waste your time with Pepes. It's great pizza don't get me wrong but there are a ton of better spots . Especially in New Haven and Waterbury
i feel i live there now. horrifying.
The biggest don’t I’ve learned is don’t insult their pizza. Like don’t even say “eh it’s ok”. They will snap at you….
yeah we will.
Don't dismiss the UConn Womens Basketball Team...even though they haven't won anything since 2016.
Don't bother the peacocks at the Bearsley Zoo. Just because they are free to roam the park doesn't mean you can annoy them.
Don't forget that CT has a bunch of exits on the left side of the road.
Also CT people can be called Connecticut Yankees...not sure why though.
Bring a suitcase full of money with you because you’re gonna need itConnecticut is very expensive I don’t know how people even live there as much as it cost been there and seen it for myself years ago and it was expensive then back in the 60s toll roads everywhere you went
$20 for a cheeseburger. I just wrote a song about CT. Check it out on my channel
Don't forget the orchards in picking seasons - if you go through the backroads you'll find one in every town with apple or peach or berry picking and the best pies you can buy. I recommend Lyman orchards, they are one of the well-known ones and have a great corn maze come fall. Glad he mentioned the Pequot museum, it really is incredible. I'd definitely recommend the smaller coffee shops instead of Dunkin though, they are really cute. If you're outdoorsy, look for kayaking, the waterways are gorgeous, and if you have kids - the Hartford children's science museum is my favorite thing!
I have lived in RI most of my life and CT for 8 years and I will happily dis Dunkin everyday...we have some of the best little coffee chops around here in coastal CT from Muddy Waters in New London to Ashlawn Farm in Old Saybrook. I am happy to hear Sift mentioned as omg Michael Young is a great guy and created a treasure of a bakery!
Hey man as a Connecticut native, I can confirm all of this. I was thinking to myself, please mention pizza. Then you did and it made my day. Glad you enjoyed it.
Connecticut pizza is ridiculously overrated, mostly by overweight people from Connecticut who think Olive Garden is haute cuisine, etc.
@@meself349 Dude, really? That's like saying "All Trump voters are rednecks", or "All Biden voters are smart." The opposite is true.
@@meself349 not true
Agree. We have the BEST pizza in America in Connecticut.
@@MrLulzim47it's Apizza ⚡🍺
Don't expect the Merritt to be modern highway, it's the oldest roadway of it's type. You have short on and off ramps, and low bridges, which you will hit if your vehicle is over the height restrictions, and no one will feel sorry for you if you get stuck.
Yes exactly I drive that road everyday
Your right no one will LMAO! I love in Middletown
The Heroes Tunnel on the Merritt is pretty cool for travelers, and it goes right under part of West Rock park
Haha! I actually feel sorry for people when they get stuck.
Some of us feel bad lol. But nobody’s gonna help 😂