The Ultimate Connecticut Summer Bucket List: 50 Ways to Embrace the Shoreline Season

From sandy toes and lobster rolls to river cruises and antique fairs, we’ve rounded up 50 unforgettable ways to savor summer along the Connecticut Shoreline.
Whether you’re a weekend traveler or a lifelong local, this is your ultimate seasonal to-do list.

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Welcome to Your Best Connecticut Summer Yet

There’s something about a Connecticut summer that feels straight out of a novel—crisp linen shirts drying in the sun, the hum of cicadas in the trees, and small towns coming alive with farmers’ markets, festivals, and fireflies. From Branford to Stonington, we’ve scouted the experiences that define the season. Whether you’re chasing a quiet moment on a secluded beach or the cheer of a clam shack lunch, this list is your invitation to live summer to the fullest.

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On the Water

1. Watch the sun set over Long Island Sound from West Wharf Beach in Madison. Best Beaches on the CT Shoreline

2. Book a river cruise on the Connecticut River from Essex.

3. Try paddleboarding at Rocky Neck State Park. 6 State Parks on the CT Shoreline

4. Kayak through the salt marshes at the Stewart B. McKinney Wildlife Refuge.

5. Take the ferry to Fishers Island from New London.

6. Spend a full day at Hammonasset Beach State Park. 6 State Parks on the Connecticut Shoreline

7. Catch blue crabs in the tidal creeks of Old Saybrook.

8. Swim at dusk at Jacobs Beach in Guilford. Best Beaches on the CT Shoreline

9. Sail from Mystic Harbor at golden hour.

10. Rent a pontoon boat for a day on Pattagansett Lake.

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Food and Drink

1. Order a hot lobster roll at Lobster Landing in Clinton. Best Lobster Rolls on the Connecticut Shoreline

2. Visit B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill for hard cider and fresh doughnuts (open August). B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill

3. Pack a picnic with local cheeses from Fromage in Old Saybrook.

4. Sip rosé at Paradise Hills Vineyard. Shoreline Wine Trail

5. Cool off with soft serve from Ashley’s Ice Cream in Guilford. Best Ice Cream Spots on the Connecticut Shoreline

6. Enjoy oysters at the waterside bar at Breakwater in Stonington. The Best Places to Eat Oysters on the Connecticut Shoreline

7. Have lunch by the marina at The Wharf in Madison. Top Waterfront Dining Spots

8. Try lavender lemonade from a local farmers market. Farmers’ Markets on the Shoreline

9. Plan a clambake on the beach (get a permit!).

10. Make blueberry pancakes with fruit from Bishop’s Orchards in Guilford. Pick Your Own Blueberries

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Local Events and Festivals

1. Attend the Guilford Craft Expo in July. Events Calendar

2. Watch fireworks over the Sound on the Fourth of July.

3. Spend an evening at the Sound on the Sound Music Festival.

4. Visit the Niantic Boardwalk during Celebrate East Lyme Day.

5. Take in a summer concert on the Branford Green.

6. Dance at the Mystic Outdoor Art Festival.

7. Peruse vintage finds at the Madison Historical Society Antiques Fair.

8. Go strawberry picking at Scott’s Yankee Farmer. Pick Your Own Strawberries

9. Celebrate Sailfest in New London with tall ships and parades.

10. Attend a full moon paddle or yoga session.

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Family Fun

1. Tour Gillette Castle 6 Outdoor Spots on the Connecticut Shoreline

2. Ride the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat.

3. Watch sharks feed at the Mystic Aquarium. Explore the Mystic Aquarium

4. Explore hands-on exhibits at the CT River Museum. Art Galleries and Museums on the Connecticut Shoreline

5. Hunt for hermit crabs at Meigs Point tide pools.

6. Create shell art at home from beachcombing treasures.

7. Roast marshmallows at a backyard bonfire. Hawaiian Smores from SMORSTIX

8. Bike the Shoreline Greenway Trail. Madison Bike Tour

9. Play mini-golf at Saybrook Point.

10. Take an old-fashioned carousel ride in New London.

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Iconic Summer Moments

1. Catch fireflies after dark in your backyard.

2. Wear your swimsuit all day long.

3. Read a novel in a hammock under a maple tree.

4. Hang a line-dried American flag from your front porch.

5. Snap a photo in a sunflower field in August.

6. Paint your toenails sea-glass blue.

7. Host an outdoor movie night with popcorn and bug spray.

8. Listen to a summer thunderstorm roll in from the porch.

9. Fill your market tote with heirloom tomatoes and fresh corn. Your Guide to Shoreline Farms

10. Toast to summer with a gin & tonic as the sun slips behind the trees.

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Share the Summer

Use this list as a guide, or as inspiration. Check them off one by one, or let the season carry you. There’s no wrong way to do summer on the Connecticut Shoreline—only the chance to soak up the charm, flavor, and simple pleasures of this beautiful slice of New England.

📸 Tag your moments with #ShorelineCTBucketList

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