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Coastal Connecticut is filled with quaint little fishing villages that once served as ship building towns back in the boom days of the area. The whole area is one gigantic photo op, with stunningly beautiful scenery around every turn. The Long Island Sound is the backdrop and funnels out into the Atlantic Ocean. This makes the region a haven for outdoors enthusiasts, sea farers, and anyone wishing to commune with Mother Nature. A day in coastal Connecticut can include fishing, swimming, sailing, beach combing, sight-seeing, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and almost anything one can imagine for outdoor fun.

Coastal Connecticut has plenty of sand, surf, and sunshine for beach vacationers. One of the best beaches in the area is located in Madison at the Hammonasset Beach State Park. This is the largest beach in Connecticut, and it brings out sun worshippers in droves. The two-mile, white sandy beach is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and surf fishing. Harvey's Beach in Old Saybrook is a smallish, well insulated beach with fewer visitors. Great for an afternoon picnic or nap, Harvey's is the perfect place to escape the crowds. Rocky Neck State Park, near Niantic, has an excellent beach as well as a vast salt marsh that shelters a variety of bird life, which can be viewed from different points along the trails that meander through the park. Ocean Beach in New London has a beautiful crescent shaped beach and offers some of the best swimming in the region. The beach is flanked by a boardwalk, which offers excellent jogging or strolling opportunities.

More outdoor fun can be had in the state parks of the region. One of the most popular is Gillette Castle State Park in East Haddam. The centerpiece of the park is a mansion that was built for William Gillette, an actor famous for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes. The park is set on the Connecticut River and features canoeing, fishing areas, short hiking trails, and picnic spots. Chatfield Hollow State Park, near Killingworth, is a 375-acre wooded hollow that is perfect for hiking and exploring since it contains interesting caves and rocky ledges.

Picturesque towns and villages dot the landscape that makes up the Connecticut coastline. One of the most visited is the Mystic Seaport in Mystic. The town is similar to a living museum since the streets are lined with 19th century buildings and the harbors are filled with clipper ships that seem frozen in time. For something completely different, visit the New England Carousel Museum, which displays antique carousel art and miniature carousels. Another can't-miss spot is the Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration. This research, recreational, and educational center has exhibits ranging from the discovery of Roman shipwrecks to seal rehabilitation.

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