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Are you looking for fun winter in CT things to do? The Nutmeg State has a ton of awesome options for winter fun, including cross country skiing, downhill skiing, ice skating, and so much more.
Whether you’re a fan of playing in the snow or you’d rather cozy up indoors, there are so many fun things to do winter in Connecticut!
Connecticut Winter: What to Expect
So, how bad is winter in Connecticut?
Expect cold! Connecticut’s wintertime temperatures have an average high of only 36° from December to February, with an average of about 26 inches of precipitation. If you like snowy holidays, you might just find them in the Nutmeg State!
The gold standard for how to dress for Connecticut winter weather is in layers. You can always take off a layer or two if you don’t need it, but no one wants to freeze their butts off while waiting in line on a cold Connecticut winter day.
If you’re worried about winter road conditions, check the CT Roads site for up to date info on what to expect. Be cautious and give yourself plenty of time to get where you’re going. You will want to be sure the vehicle you’re driving has proper tread on the tires – it is important, safety first!
All in all, there are worst places for weather than Connecticut in the winter! Just do a little prepping and planning and you’ll be fine.
Winter in Connecticut Attractions & Things to Do
1. Attend Connecticut Winter Festivals
Winter in Connecticut offers a lot of fun annual events across the state:
First Night Celebration, Hartford CT
Welcome in the New Year with Hartford’s First Night Celebration, beginning on the afternoon of December 31 and continuing through midnight with live entertainment, art exhibits, tasty treats, and more, with a final culmination of fireworks at Bushnell Park at midnight.
Hartford is full of cool things to do (and awesome breweries) so choosing to ring in the New Year in Connecticut’s capital city is a pretty safe bet when you’re looking for great CT winter fun!
2023 First Night Hartford
December 31, 2023
6 pm for the younger crowd, and midnight for the rest
Winter Spectacular at Cava, Southington CT
Plan to have a dinner at Cava Restaurant in Southington to ooh and ahh at their impressive holiday decorations. They go all in every year for their mesmerizing and remarkable Winter Spectacular, featuring new and unique themes each year that utilize over 150,000 lights!
They are currently in their 16th year, and it’s become quite the sensation! It’s truly something that has to be seen to be believed, so plan a winter Connecticut dinner date before March to see it for yourself.
2023/2024 Winter Spectacular at Cava Info
Decor goes up the day after Thanksgiving and will stay up until March 31, 2024.
Cava is open Monday through Thursday, 11:30 am – 9 pm, Friday, 11:30 am – 10 pm, Saturday, noon – 10 pm, and Sunday, noon – 9 pm
Call 860-628-2282 or visit their website to book your reservation!
Sun, Wine, and Food Fest, Uncasville CT
Celebrating 20 years in 2024, the Sun, Wine, and Food Fest at Mohegan Sun has become quite the Connecticut winter event! You’ll get to sample the finest flavors over the course of the long weekend, with notable events including the Sun Patio Ice Bar Experience, a Celebrity Chef Dine Around, and so much more.
2024 Sun, Wine & Food Fest Info
This winter festival goes from Thursday, January 25 – Sunday, January 28, with events happening at varying times throughout the day. Tickets are limited, so get yours now!
2. Hit the Slopes
Connecticut does get snow during the winter, especially in the Northwest corner of the state. In addition to the snow that falls naturally from the skies, Connecticut’s most popular ski areas all feature great snowmaking potential, so there’s plenty to play in!
There are multiple ski areas and resorts to choose from, with Ski Sundown being a strong favorite with a variety of trails and terrain parks on 70 skiable acres with excellent grooming and snowmaking capabilities. Plus, its close proximity to Hartford makes Ski Sundown an even more attractive option!
Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort, Middlefield CT
3. Take a Romantic Winter Connecticut Getaway
If it’s a romantic getaway you have in mind, you’re in luck because Connecticut in winter is the perfect setting for romance!
All across the state are dreamy bed and breakfasts that offer sweetness, charm, and of course, fantastic breakfasts.
Take, for example, Manor House Inn in Norfolk. Not only is this incredible property a throwback to Gilded Age grandeur, but it also delivers big on warmth and charm, with 5-acres of beautifully manicured grounds to enjoy, and a fantastic location in charming Litchfield Hills, where you can take in a show at the historic Infinity Music Hall in Norfolk.
Click Here to Check Prices & Book Manor House Inn!
If you’d like a romantic getaway with a view, look no further than Saybrook Point Resort and Marina. Spectacular views of the Long Island Sound can be easily arranged in this gorgeous hotel, and the onsite restaurant and spectacular spa services only serve to add to the sheer perfection of this sweet romantic getaway spot!
They also host an incredible New Years Eve party, if you and yours are looking to ring in the new year together on your romantic CT vacation. The charming town of Old Saybrook has plenty to keep you busy, too!
Click Here to Check Prices & Book Saybrook Point Resort!
4. Enjoy Ice Skating in Connecticut
One of the loveliest things to do in winter in Connecticut, ice skating never goes out of style! Whether you’re looking for indoor or outdoor ice skating in CT, you can find it here:
- Danbury Arena, Danbury CT
- Wonderland of Ice, Bridgeport CT
- International Skating Center of Connecticut, Simbury CT
- Terry Conners Rink, Stamford CT
5. Book a Rejuvenating Spa Getaway in CT
Are you looking for a relaxing winter in Connecticut? There are several places that fit the bill. One of the best bets for tranquility is to look for areas that are favorite warm-weather destinations and take advantage of “off-season” prices of a hotel in a town on the coast, like Gold Coast’s Greenwich.
There are lots of great things to do in Greenwich, but during the winter season, Greenwich Point Park’s beachfront goes from a crowded, fight-for-your-space spot to a tranquil place to enjoy the sounds of the winter waves. Tod’s Point is considered one of the most beautiful spots in the state.
Plus, rooms at the luxurious Delamar Hotel are a little easier on the pocketbook in the winter months, too! The onsite restaurants, entertainment, and top-notch spa make the Delamar a one-stop-shop vacation destination.
Click Here to Check Prices & Book the Delamar
Water’s Edge Resort & Spa, Westbrook CT
6. Go Snow Tubing or Sledding
Winter activities in Connecticut don’t have to involve the kind of steep learning curve that downhill skiing often does!
You’ll also find snow tubing and sledding options around the state that are perfect for family fun in the snow! One of the most popular places to go sledding in Connecticut is the Ansonia Winter Playground at Linnet Park. Open 7 days a week with a firepit blazing on select days, this is the perfect spot for family winter fun.
7. Enjoy Connecticut Christmas Charm
If your winter in Connecticut vacation ends up overlapping with the holiday season, you’re in luck because Christmas in Connecticut is full of fantastic things to do and see!
Here are some can’t miss holiday events in Connecticut:
A Charles Dickens’ Christmas at Lyman Orchards – light displays, concessions, Dickens’ characters, and specialty choral performances and horse drawn hayrides on specific days.
Open Thursday – Sunday, 5 pm – 8:30 pm, select weekends 11 am – 2:30 pm until December 23rd
Lantern Light Village, Mystic CT – live music, light displays, horse and carriage rides, concessions, and an interactive walk through holiday traditions past!
Open December 8, 9, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, from 5 pm – 8 pm at the Mystic Seaport Museum
Psst! Hallmark has filmed a couple of their Christmas movies in Mystic, so watch “Holiday for Heroes” and “A Very Nutty Christmas” to see if you recognize anything during your Mystic CT winter getaway; it is a quintessential Hallmark Christmas movie town!
Christmas Village, Torrington CT – Visit Santa, Mrs. Claus, reindeer and the elves at the Torrington, Connecticut Christmas Village! Every child who comes to visit receives a small gift, and there’s even a hot cocoa booth to help warm you up.
December 10th – December 23rd, 1 pm – 8:30 pm, December 24th, 9 am – noon
15th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival – meet and greet Santa and his reindeer at one of the best family-friendly Connecticut winter festivals! In fact, this is also a great option for those who want their fur babies to get a pic with Santa, as they offer a doggy gift bag for those who come Monday – Friday when it’s a little less busy.
There are also raffles, a letters to Santa station, and more, so if you’re looking for holiday events for kids in Connecticut, this is one of the best things you can do!
November 24 – December 23, 2023, Photos with Santa: Monday – Friday, 12pm – 6pm, Saturday, 9am – 6pm. Closed Sundays.
8. Cozy Up in a Charming CT Winter Cabin
Connecticut is full of neat vacation rentals, including charming cabins that are perfect for a winter vacation. Book a place where you can roast marshmallows in the fire pit outside before heading to the outdoor hot tub to warm up a bit and you’ll really be set!
9. Go Ice Climbing
If you’re looking for even more Connecticut winter fun, you can also check out the ice climbing opportunities with Ascent Climbing.
No experience is necessary as they will provide the technical equipment required and a guide that will lead you on your very own CT ice climbing journey! This is perfect for those looking for adventurous CT winter activities.
10. Enjoy the Museums
I consider this one of the most ultimate winter indoor activities in Connecticut and pretty much anywhere, really. If the weather outside is frightful, head to your nearest museum!
Luckily, Connecticut museums are top-tier. Here are some of the most popular museums in the Nutmeg State:
- Florence Griswold Museum, Old Lyme CT
- New Britain Museum of American Art, New Britain CT
- Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Hartford CT
- Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven CT
- The Bruce Museum, Greenwich CT
- Connecticut Science Center, Hartford CT
- Connecticut Air & Space Center, Stratford CT
Final Thoughts: Connecticut Winter 2023/2024
There are so many great ways to enjoy your next winter in Connecticut. Wherever you end up in the Nutmeg State, enjoy your winter getaway!
PS if you’re looking for current happenings like things to do in Connecticut this weekend or what to do in Connecticut today, be sure to check out this Connecticut events calendar to see what’s happening during your visit!
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