connecticut
Find your perfect property in Connecticut

Connecticut offers a blend of historic charm and modern luxury, featuring upscale resorts, fine dining, and scenic coastal views.

Connecticut's Litchfield Hills: A Refined Retreat

Start planning your trip

Popular lakes

Popular cities

Travel Tips

Embrace the Local Culture

Experience the state's rich maritime heritage at Mystic Seaport Museum's recreated 19th-century seafaring village.

Respect Nature

Explore the 950-acre Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge's diverse habitats and abundant bird species.

Be Flexible

Stamford's urban allure is complemented by nearby West Rock Ridge State Park's 7-mile trails and Judges' Cave, just a 30-minute drive away. Hartford's proximity to Talcott Mountain State Park's Heublein Tower and Sleeping Giant State Park's Sleeping Giant Trail offers hikers diverse experiences within an hour's drive.

Support Local Businesses

Experience exquisite dining at Morgan's in Lakeville, offering farm-to-table cuisine in a refined setting. Explore the Thimble Islands with Stony Creek's boat tours, providing scenic views and rich history.

Lakeside Elegance Meets New England Charm

Connecticut’s pristine lakes sparkle like scattered diamonds across rolling Litchfield Hills, where Candlewood Lake’s 5,420 acres create the state’s largest playground for nautical adventures. Waterfront estates along the 60-mile shoreline feature private docks where families launch sunset sails toward Squantz Pond State Park’s secluded beaches, while the Greater Danbury Irish Festival each September fills lakeside pavilions with Celtic melodies drifting across morning-calm waters. Lake Waramaug’s eight-mile circumference embraces colonial-era inns converted to vacation rentals, where couples sip Connecticut wines from Hopkins Vineyard while watching herons fish beneath autumn’s blazing maples.

Mountain Lakes Where Artists Find Inspiration

Bantam Lake stretches across 947 acres beneath the Berkshire foothills, its shores dotted with renovated boathouses where easels capture dawn light dancing on Connecticut’s largest natural lake. The White Memorial Conservation Center’s 4,000 acres encompass 35 miles of pet-friendly trails connecting to lakefront cottages equipped with mudrooms for post-adventure paw cleaning. Lake McDonough’s 380 acres offer beachfront bungalows where children build sandcastles while parents cast lines for bass and perch, with Barkhamsted Reservoir’s protected watershed creating a pristine backdrop for July’s Hot Air Balloon Festival painting skies in rainbow hues.

Curated Escapes for Discerning Lake Lovers

Highland Lake’s intimate coves shelter floating glamping platforms where groups gather for moonlit paddleboard yoga sessions, while converted mill houses along the Farmington River accommodate fly-fishing enthusiasts pursuing native brook trout. Crystal Lake in Ellington welcomes extended families to sprawling compounds featuring outdoor pizza ovens and bocce courts, where three generations create memories against Sandy Beach’s vintage diving platform backdrop, preserved since 1928’s original summer colony days.

connecticut

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to see what Connecticut has to offer? Let’s tackle some of the burning questions you might have as you plan your visit!

  • Connecticut’s premier lakefront destinations for friend groups include Candlewood Lake, the state’s largest lake, offering spacious waterfront homes with private docks, outdoor entertaining areas, and room for 8-12 guests near Danbury and New Milford. Lake Waramaug in the Litchfield Hills provides upscale rentals with gorgeous mountain backdrops, perfect for wine-tasting weekends at nearby Hopkins Vineyard combined with paddleboarding or swimming. Bantam Lake attracts groups seeking a quieter experience with affordable multi-bedroom cottages featuring fire pits, game rooms, and easy access to charming Litchfield’s restaurants and shops. Crystal Lake in Ellington offers sandy beaches and shallow swimming areas ideal for mixed swimming abilities, while nearby rentals include converted farmhouses accommodating large groups. For coastal alternatives, consider properties near Lake Quonnipaug in Guilford, combining freshwater swimming with proximity to Long Island Sound beaches and New Haven’s nightlife, all within a 90-minute drive from New York City or Boston.

  • Connecticut warmly welcomes pets at many state park adjacent rentals and beach communities, though policies vary by location and season. Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison allows leashed dogs year-round on the two-mile beach with nearby pet-friendly cottage rentals featuring fenced yards and outdoor showers for sandy paws. Macedonia Brook State Park near Kent offers hiking trails where dogs can explore, with surrounding vacation homes specifically marketed to pet owners including amenities like dog beds and feeding stations. Rocky Neck State Park prohibits pets on the beach from April through September but allows them on trails, making nearby East Lyme rentals ideal for fall and winter visits. Lake Waramaug State Park maintains a dedicated dog swimming area with adjacent vacation properties charging typical pet fees of $50-150 per stay. Connecticut’s Quiet Corner region around Pachaug State Forest provides the most pet-friendly options with rural properties on large lots where dogs can roam freely, plus endless hiking opportunities on the state’s largest trail network.

  • Connecticut’s most romantic waterfront towns blend historic charm with intimate rental options perfect for couples seeking New England ambiance. Chester’s riverside cottages along the Connecticut River feature private decks overlooking the water, walking distance to acclaimed restaurants like River Tavern, and sunset cruise departures from the nearby dock. Kent in the Litchfield Hills offers secluded creekside cabins surrounded by covered bridges, waterfalls at Kent Falls State Park, and autumn foliage that creates picture-perfect proposal settings. Essex provides maritime romance with historic inn suites and private cottages near the Connecticut River Museum, steam train rides, and elegant dining at the Griswold Inn operating since 1776. Stonington Borough enchants couples with waterfront apartments in converted sea captain homes, vineyard tours at nearby Stonington Vineyards, and quiet beaches perfect for morning walks. Old Saybrook combines Long Island Sound views with cozy beach cottages featuring fireplaces and hot tubs, plus the historic Saybrook Point Inn’s spa services just minutes away.

  • Connecticut’s multi-generational rental market thrives around major lakes and coastal areas with properties designed for extended family gatherings. Candlewood Lake’s eastern shore features 6-10 bedroom estates with multiple living areas, commercial kitchens, and gradual-entry swimming areas safe for both toddlers and elderly guests. The Connecticut River Valley near East Haddam offers historic farmhouses sleeping 15-20 people with modern updates, large dining tables for group meals, and proximity to Gillette Castle’s family-friendly tours. Coventry Lake provides affordable options with adjoining cottages on single properties allowing privacy within togetherness, plus calm waters ideal for teaching multiple generations to kayak. Madison and Guilford’s shoreline communities offer beachfront compounds with separate guest houses, outdoor kitchens for group barbecues, and private beach access avoiding crowded public areas. Properties specifically designed for reunions often include accessibility features like first-floor bedrooms, ramp access, and walk-in showers accommodating elderly relatives’ needs while maintaining luxury amenities for all ages.

  • Connecticut’s diverse waterways provide abundant opportunities for active vacations with rentals strategically located near recreational hotspots. The Farmington River Valley offers premier locations for water enthusiasts, with rentals in Canton and Barkhamsted providing direct access to tubing, fly fishing, and the scenic Farmington River Trail for biking or hiking. Lake McDonough in Barkhamsted features rentals with included kayaks and canoes, plus the adjacent Peoples State Forest offering 30 miles of blue-blazed hiking trails. Housatonic River properties near Kent combine world-class fly fishing with challenging hikes on the Appalachian Trail, while calmer sections near Lake Lillinonah suit families preferring gentle paddling. Coastal rentals in Groton and Mystic provide dual access to protected Long Island Sound kayaking and Bluff Point State Park’s hiking trails with panoramic water views. Devil’s Hopyard State Park area rentals near East Haddam offer unique combinations of waterfall hikes, Chapman Falls swimming holes, and Eight Mile River paddling adventures.

  • Mystic leads Connecticut’s historic waterfront destinations with abundant vacation rentals ranging from downtown lofts overlooking the Mystic River drawbridge to secluded cottages near Mystic Seaport Museum. Properties within walking distance of Mystic Aquarium and Olde Mistick Village command premium rates but eliminate parking hassles during peak summer season. Stonington Borough offers a quieter historic alternative with beautifully preserved colonial homes converted to rentals, featuring water views and proximity to Connecticut’s last commercial fishing fleet. Essex provides Connecticut River frontage with rentals near the historic Griswold Inn, Connecticut River Museum, and departure points for scenic river cruises. Old Lyme combines artistic heritage from its American Impressionist art colony with beachfront rentals near the Florence Griswold Museum and Sound View Beach. Guilford’s historic green surrounded by 17th-century homes offers nearby coastal rentals with easy access to Hammonasset Beach State Park and the scenic Shoreline Greenway Trail connecting historic towns.

  • Connecticut’s fall foliage season from late September through October demands booking vacation rentals 3-4 months in advance, particularly around Columbus Day weekend when leaf colors typically peak. The Litchfield Hills region including Lake Waramaug and Bantam Lake offers premier foliage viewing with comfortable temperatures between 55-70°F perfect for hiking and outdoor dining. Summer lake escapes are best enjoyed from June through August when water temperatures reach comfortable swimming levels of 70-75°F, though July-August rentals require booking by March for prime properties. September provides an ideal compromise with warm water temperatures, fewer crowds, and early color changes beginning in northern Connecticut. Spring months from April-May offer excellent value with rates 40% lower than peak season, wildflowers blooming along hiking trails, and excellent fishing as lakes come alive. Winter shouldn’t be overlooked for cozy romantic getaways, with many lakefront properties offering fireplaces, hot tubs, and peaceful settings at significant discounts, though confirm heating adequacy in older cottages.