3 CT Towns On 'America's Favorite Small Towns To Visit' List

CONNECTICUT — Three Connecticut communities have made the list of America's favorite small towns to visit. FamilyDestinationsGuide.com surveyed 3,000 families to pinpoint the top 150 towns across the country where they'd like to vacation this year.

No. 1 happens to be the tiny village of Holualoa in Hawaii while No. 2 is Ely, Nevada. Rounding the top 5 towns are No. 3 Anna Maria Island, Florida; No. 4 Old Koloa Town, Hawaii; and No. 5 West Yellowstone, Montana.

Connecticut towns don't make an appearance on the list until No. 74, Chester. The FamilyDestinationsGuide.com editors loved how visitors can "enjoy a peaceful stroll through the historic downtown area, explore the nearby hiking trails, and visit the nearby museums and galleries." Chester's attractions straddle the whole cultural spectrum, from thousands of acres of state forest to the world renowned Goodspeed Opera House’s local Norma Terris Theatre. There's even a small public use airport located about three miles southwest of the town's central business district. The ferry leading from Chester to Hadlyme is one of the last remaining such rides in Connecticut, and provides the most thematically on-point way to get to the positively medieval Gillette's Castle in East Haddam. Gushing over the town's "picturesque scenery, friendly locals, and plenty of things to do," FamilyDestinationsGuide.com called Chester in Middlesex County "the perfect place for a family getaway."

At No. 100, Cornwall, the "Greenest Town in Connecticut" is also one of the smallest towns in Connecticut, with a population of just 1,567 reported in the 2020 census. This rural gem sits atop the Housatonic River in Litchfield County and in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains, and boasts a portion of Mohawk State Forest. Cornwall has also been called the 'Home of the Covered Bridge," a reference to the 1864 West Cornwall Covered Bridge that is still in service today, and a popular tourist destination. The travel website called out Cornwall's hiking, fishing, biking, as well as the town's historic sites, shops, and restaurants.

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No. 115 on the list of best American small towns to visit is Chaplin, in Windham County. You can add whitewater boating to the list of family activities here, as the Natchaug River winds through a huge network of trails and fishing spots and swimming holes. The state calls Diana's Pool, a state-designated water access and fishing area along the river in Chaplin, "a romantic mix of local legends and clear waters with short trails and a splash of old mill ruins." Back in civilization, the Chaplin Historic District is soaking in early 19th Century architectural jewels inspired by the Federal or Greek Revival styles.

See the full 150 Best Small Towns in America in 2023 list.