If you’ve ever lived in Connecticut, you know that it’s not just one of the most charming states in the New England area. Its small community minded towns and rich colonial history make it one of the most charming places in the whole United States! People may be drawn here by the picturesque roads winding through the trees, but they stay for these great reasons. Read on to see if you agree!

  1. The people are down to Earth.

m01229/Flickr They love to explore their state and they cherish their natural surroundings. But the best part is that they tell it like it is! No state is perfect, and Nutmeggers will be the first to point out the flaws of their home. Nothing wrong with looking out for your neighbors!

  1. The waterfront views are not only gorgeous, but easy to find!

slack12/Flickr You can be close to any body of water you want, whether it’s ocean, river, or lake. Hike trails that include lovely historic bridges or visit maritime villages. There’s no shortage of waterfront activities!

  1. We have waterfalls.

John Virgolino/Flickr People are always surprised by this fact, but the truth is, we have lots! Urban falls and natural wonders exist here, the best being our collection of falls sitting back in the woods. They make hiking totally worth it!

  1. The farm life is alive and well in Connecticut!

Donna Winton/Flickr Do you know what that means? Plenty of orchards and opportunities to pet animals. Not to mention the best ice cream in the world! You could make a whole summer out of visiting farms.

  1. The best pizza ever.

David, Bergin, Emmett and Elliott/Flickr Seriously. You can grab a good slice just about anywhere, but you can only get the crispy apizza style in New Haven. So whether you’re searching for a thin crust or stuffed crust, you can’t go wrong in Connecticut.

  1. It’s a real bonafide winter wonderland.

slack12/Flickr Even if you can’t stand the cold weather, or the thought of icy roads and snow piles makes you shudder, you can’t deny the beauty of scenes like this. So grab a blanket and a mug of something hot, because this place is perfect for wintertime lounging by the window.

  1. Speaking of seasons, this state takes the cake in the fall.

slack12/Flickr Folks come from all over to visit the top foliage locations, and photographers come out in droves to capture a piece of the magic. With an autumn like this, you don’t even mind when summer ends.

  1. Our colleges are pretty prestigious.

J.B. Hill/Flickr With its gothic architecture and Ivy League status, Yale gets a lot of attention. But it’s not the only high ranking college in town! Connecticut College, UConn, and Wesleyan are all great schools just around the corner. And their campuses are great!

  1. There are awesome state parks.

CJ Oliver/Flickr Whether you’re looking to discover a hundred-year-old tower or take a a boardwalk through the marshlands, our state parks have a little bit of everything.

  1. Connecticut has found the perfect balance between rural and urban life.

Alex Drainville/Flickr Whether it’s a town green, a hidden beach, or a small park, you are never too far from a natural escape. So you don’t have to worry about missing out on nature’s beauty, even when you’re in the city.

  1. It’s one of the oldest states in the country!

Doug Kerr/Flickr It’s hard to grow up here and not develop a love of history. The century-old homes and landmarks are just the tip of the iceberg. There’s also plenty of folklore and hauntings you can explore as well.

  1. There’s a bustling nightlife.

Paul Hindemith & Fred Olson/Flickr There’s nothing better than being able to live in a small town without having to sacrifice the city life. A drive or train ride will take you to late night hubs where you can enjoy dancing and fine dining. The best part is that if you’re not interested in that sort of thing, you can leave it all behind and opt for the small town options instead!

  1. Seafood is practically an art.

Victor Solanoy/Flickr Have you ever tried a warm lobster roll? How about flame grilled shrimp? I bet they didn’t taste anything like they would in Connecticut. These fresh caught meals will really wow you!

  1. Weekend getaways at the vineyards.

David Brooks/Flickr Taking the wine trail could be your best decision this fall. Try local wine, taste cheeses and set up a picnic overlooking rolling hills.

  1. You are super close to major destinations.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York/Flickr It’s impossible to run out of things to do in Connecticut. But if you do, you’re just a train ride away from major cities like New York and Boston. So Connecticut is basically a hidden gem. Travelers get distracted by the nearby tourist traps, but Nutmeggers know that Connecticut is the real treasure.

Watch this incredibly gorgeous drone footage over Hartford for a taste of the state through the eyes of its capital. This captivating short film shows you just how awe inspiring Connecticut can be!

This list is just the beginning! Make the most of your time in Connecticut by checking out these beachfront restaurants. The delectable seafood and jaw-dropping views are a staple of the Connecticut life!

m01229/Flickr

They love to explore their state and they cherish their natural surroundings. But the best part is that they tell it like it is! No state is perfect, and Nutmeggers will be the first to point out the flaws of their home. Nothing wrong with looking out for your neighbors!

slack12/Flickr

You can be close to any body of water you want, whether it’s ocean, river, or lake. Hike trails that include lovely historic bridges or visit maritime villages. There’s no shortage of waterfront activities!

John Virgolino/Flickr

People are always surprised by this fact, but the truth is, we have lots! Urban falls and natural wonders exist here, the best being our collection of falls sitting back in the woods. They make hiking totally worth it!

Donna Winton/Flickr

Do you know what that means? Plenty of orchards and opportunities to pet animals. Not to mention the best ice cream in the world! You could make a whole summer out of visiting farms.

David, Bergin, Emmett and Elliott/Flickr

Seriously. You can grab a good slice just about anywhere, but you can only get the crispy apizza style in New Haven. So whether you’re searching for a thin crust or stuffed crust, you can’t go wrong in Connecticut.

Even if you can’t stand the cold weather, or the thought of icy roads and snow piles makes you shudder, you can’t deny the beauty of scenes like this. So grab a blanket and a mug of something hot, because this place is perfect for wintertime lounging by the window.

Folks come from all over to visit the top foliage locations, and photographers come out in droves to capture a piece of the magic. With an autumn like this, you don’t even mind when summer ends.

J.B. Hill/Flickr

With its gothic architecture and Ivy League status, Yale gets a lot of attention. But it’s not the only high ranking college in town! Connecticut College, UConn, and Wesleyan are all great schools just around the corner. And their campuses are great!

CJ Oliver/Flickr

Whether you’re looking to discover a hundred-year-old tower or take a a boardwalk through the marshlands, our state parks have a little bit of everything.

Alex Drainville/Flickr

Whether it’s a town green, a hidden beach, or a small park, you are never too far from a natural escape. So you don’t have to worry about missing out on nature’s beauty, even when you’re in the city.

Doug Kerr/Flickr

It’s hard to grow up here and not develop a love of history. The century-old homes and landmarks are just the tip of the iceberg. There’s also plenty of folklore and hauntings you can explore as well.

Paul Hindemith & Fred Olson/Flickr

There’s nothing better than being able to live in a small town without having to sacrifice the city life. A drive or train ride will take you to late night hubs where you can enjoy dancing and fine dining. The best part is that if you’re not interested in that sort of thing, you can leave it all behind and opt for the small town options instead!

Victor Solanoy/Flickr

Have you ever tried a warm lobster roll? How about flame grilled shrimp? I bet they didn’t taste anything like they would in Connecticut. These fresh caught meals will really wow you!

David Brooks/Flickr

Taking the wine trail could be your best decision this fall. Try local wine, taste cheeses and set up a picnic overlooking rolling hills.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York/Flickr

It’s impossible to run out of things to do in Connecticut. But if you do, you’re just a train ride away from major cities like New York and Boston. So Connecticut is basically a hidden gem. Travelers get distracted by the nearby tourist traps, but Nutmeggers know that Connecticut is the real treasure.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.