Connecticut
6 Most Scenic Small Towns in Connecticut
Connecticut may be a small state, but there is a ton of stunning natural scenery. From rivers and lakes to mountains and stretches of forests, Connecticut is brimming with natural beauty. One of the best places to enjoy the serenity that nature in Connecticut offers is in the state’s small towns. In small towns such as Kent, you can enjoy rugged, beautiful landscapes with waterfalls while immersed in local history. In Essex, you can see a town so charming it inspired the hometown in the television show Gilmore Girls. From historic buildings to a walk on the riverside, the small towns in Connecticut are undeniably scenic destinations. Here, we will explore the top six scenic small towns in the Green State.
Kent
Kent is a quiet town with a population of under 3,000. However, despite its small size, Kent is a scenic place. Being near two state parks, the town is full of ruggedly beautiful scenery. Some of the state’s best waterfalls are at Kent Falls State Park. Here, you can see waterfalls and covered bridges and explore miles of trails. Kent is also near Macedonia Brook State Park and the East Kent Hamlet Land Trust. These are both great places to enjoy a stroll through amazing natural scenery. Besides the natural scenery, Kent has some interesting history to explore. Visit the Kent Historical Society to learn more about the town’s history. Eric Sloane Museum is another historic site where visitors can see the artist’s work. The historic site contains his collection of early American tools, his artworks, his pioneer cabin, and the remains of the Kent Iron Furnace. This is significant since they are some of the first ironworks in the state.
Chester
Another scenic Connecticut town that attracted artists is Chester. Built in the hills on the side of the Connecticut River, Chester is a mix of forests, rivers, and historic sites. Near the town, there are wonderful natural sites to enjoy, including Cockaponset State Forest and the Selden Neck State Park. Both spots are great places to enjoy hiking, cycling, or camping. One of the must-visit attractions in town is Gillette Castle State Park. The medieval-style castle in the park is a stunning architectural attraction. There are trails to enjoy and amazing picnic spots to enjoy some lunch. For a unique experience, take the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry to reach the castle. Here, you will get a stunning view of the castle from the water. Another historic building to enjoy in Chester is the Goodspeed Opera House. The venue dates back to 1877 and is a great place to enjoy a local show today.
Essex
Just ten minutes outside Chester is another scenic Connecticut town, Essex. The cute town is recognizable as the location that may have inspired the famous Stars Hollow town in Gilmore Girls. Stepping into Essex is like stepping into the past. The town has an enduring historic charm, with old farmhouses from the Revolutionary War and other historic buildings. The First Baptist Church of Essex is a popular spot to visit. It is one of three Egyptian Revival churches built in the entire United States. Those looking for an old-timey feel should pay a visit to the Essex Steam Train. The original 19th-century railway locomotive gives a nostalgic tour of the area. Learn more about the history of the area by visiting the Connecticut River Museum. Here, enjoy the lovely view of the water and learn about Native American history, the river, and the local ecosystem. You can also appreciate the riverfront views in Essex by walking on the harbor. There are some nice photo opportunities at the harbor next to the cute little Essex Reef Lighthouse.
Chaplin
Chaplin is a quaint town with a population of under 2,500 residents. The town is a close-knit community with lovely historic buildings and natural places. Two notable places to visit in town are the Chaplin Historic District and Witter House. The Georgian architecture in these spots is from the 19th century and is something to admire. These are also great spots to learn more about the town’s history. One of the most scenic aspects of Chaplin is the rural nature of the town. There are many forested areas to explore. Some of the most popular include Diana’s Pool and James L. Goodwin Forest.
Cornwall
Those going to Connecticut for the mountains should pay a visit to Cornwall. The town has a hidden gem, one of the last covered bridges in the state. The West Cornwall Covered Bridge is 172 feet long and 15 feet wide and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Beyond the bridge, people come to Cornwall to experience the area’s green scenery. Full of mountains and forests, Cornwall is a hiker’s haven. A popular hike to do in town is the Pine Knob Loop Trail. Located in Housatonic Meadows State Park and Housatonic State Forest, the short hike is challenging, with rewarding mountain views. The Housatonic River has a section that runs through Cornwall. Paddling, fishing, and hiking are popular activities around the river.
Madison
Another town with stunning outdoor scenery in Connecticut is Madison. Madison is a beachside town near Long Island Sound. There is plenty to do in town to enjoy the scenery, including fishing, surfing, hiking, and picnicking. The Shoreline Greenway Trail is a popular place to enjoy a walk with shoreside views. Madison is near plenty of beaches, including Hammonasset Beach State Park, Surf Club Beach, East Wharf, and West Wharf. To explore and learn about nature in town, check out Meigs Point Nature Center. Those who are more interested in staying inside can still enjoy the town. The downtown has several cute shops to explore, including boutiques, bookshops, and restaurants. Movie lovers should check out the Madison Art Cinema. The local theater dates back to 1912 and is independently run. The interior of the theater is uniquely designed with a stunning color scheme of aquamarine, antique gold, and a tone of red.
Ultimately, these six small towns are some of the most scenic in Connecticut. Many of the towns have a mix of stunning natural scenery and unique historic architecture to admire. While all these towns have beautiful natural scenery, they are all quite different. Some of the towns, such as Cornwall, showcase the mighty Connecticut mountains. Others, such as Madison, show the relaxed, beachy environment the state can have. Chester, on the other hand, is a balance of natural beauty and architectural marvel. Overall, these towns all offer a unique experience of the state.
BURLINGTON, Conn. (WTNH) — A woman is dead after police said she was involved in a head-on collision with a tractor-trailer on Friday in Burlington.
According to Connecticut State Police, a Toyota RAV4 and Peterbuilt 386 tractor-trailer collided head-on on Route 4 near Punch Brook Road at around 4:49 p.m. on Friday.
The driver of the Toyota, identified as 64-year-old Mary Christine Ferland of Burlington, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured, according to state police. No one else was in either vehicle at the time of the crash.
The crash is still under investigation by state police, anyone with information is asked to call Trooper Brew at 860-626-7900.
U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said Thursday she is working to “shut down the bureaucracy of education,” telling an audience in New Haven that she wants to diminish federal involvement in schools and give more discretion to states.
Speaking at an event on the campus of Yale University, McMahon defended moves by President Donald Trump’s administration to radically reshape the Department of Education since his return to office.
McMahon said the federal government will continue providing education funding in the future, but direct more of it through block grant programs that empower states to spend the money where it’s most needed.
The approach will help school leaders identify promising programs that can be replicated across the country, McMahon said.
“I want to leave behind, if you will, a toolkit of best practices that you can deliver to states to say, ‘Look, this is what’s working. You might want to give this a try,’” McMahon said.
Her remarks come amid controversial policy shifts in higher education by the Trump administration, including moves to freeze billions in research funding and grants to universities and pressure schools to address antisemitism, crack down on campus protest and eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs, among other changes.
McMahon, a Greenwich resident and former CEO of Stamford-based World Wrestling Entertainment, stood by the administration’s tactics, saying the threat of withholding funds is a tool it can use to ensure universities spend money wisely and for the intended purpose.
“The goal is really to make sure that universities are giving equal opportunity across their campuses,” she said.
McMahon’s visit was part of a speaker series organized by the Buckley Institute, which describes itself as an independent nonprofit working to promote intellectual diversity and freedom of speech at Yale.
McMahon served as administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration during Trump’s first term. She later helped establish Trump’s second administration as co-chair of his transition team, and was confirmed as education secretary last year.
During an appearance that lasted about 45 minutes, McMahon did not address many of the divisive policy changes enacted under her leadership. She said promoting literacy is her top priority, and touted the importance of school choice programs and career and technical education.
McMahon said she visited a community college in Connecticut earlier in the day, and met with the president of Yale during her stop at the school’s campus, which included a visit to Science Hill, the site of a major redevelopment project to support cutting-edge research into physical sciences and engineering.
Responding to a question from the moderator, McMahon also said she discussed so-called grade inflation with Yale’s president.
“One of the things that the university is looking at is to make sure that professors are grading accordingly in their classes, and that there’s not this grade inflation,” she said.
McMahon also briefly addressed recent controversy around a planned visit to an elementary school in Fairfield. Just hours after the event was announced, Fairfield Public Schools told families it was canceled due to community backlash.
McMahon said the event was planned as part of her nationwide “History Rocks!” tour, which celebrates the country’s 250th anniversary. Events typically include trivia games focused on history and civics that don’t have a partisan slant, she said.
“These are really feel-good programs of assembly,” she said, “and when you get that pushback from parents who are saying no this is going to be partisan … it’s really a minority of a few loud voices that are just calling … to maybe just make a statement of their own.”
McMahon has run unsuccessfully as a Republican for U.S. Senate in Connecticut. In 2009, she served for one year on the Connecticut Board of Education, appointed by then-Gov. Jodi Rell, a Republican. She has also served on the board of trustees of Sacred Heart University in Fairfield.
Responding to another question, McMahon reflected on how her time as a wrestling industry executive prepared her for her current role. She joked that she can “give you a mean body slam,” then said on a more serious note she benefitted throughout her life by always being open to new opportunities.
She stressed the importance of having university programs that teach older workers new skills.
“How great is it that we have these opportunities to go in a different direction?” McMahon said. “Just be wide open. Don’t think that you’re limited in your opportunity to do things. Be willing to take it on.”
This story was first published April 16, 2026 by Connecticut Public.
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