David L From United Kingdom, joined May 1999, 9216 posts, RR: 42 Posted (10 years 2 weeks 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 1055 times:
I've got 4 days in New York City in July and I thought I might nip over there for a day trip. On my first visit to the States I visited 8 states plus DC and ever since I've been going to the same states so it's time for a change.
I was thinking of Bridgeport, New Haven or Hartford but I'll listen to other suggestions. Which, if any, are worth a day trip for a tourist? I'm not looking for culture, just interesting things to photograph, such as things historic, picturesque or interesting. I'd prefer Bridgeport then New Haven then Hartford, in that order, because of the distances involved.
727LOVER From United States of America, joined Oct 2001, 5722 posts, RR: 20 Reply 1, posted (10 years 2 weeks 5 days 12 hours ago) and read 1026 times:
I lived in West Haven, Ct.(suburb of New Haven) from 1992-1995. I LOVED IT!! I once heard a joke on our local radio station "NEW HAVEN-THE SAFEST CITY IN AMERICA!!!!--if it's just us & Bridgeport! I think New Haven IS WAY better! Hartford is nice too. I miss it up there! I hate Florida!!!
Turtle From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 206 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (10 years 2 weeks 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 1016 times:
Connecticut cities in general are not that exciting. But, if you must visit them I do suggest to stay away from Bridgeport. It's a very high crime city with a lot of drug and gang activity. I did a project for the police department there and, man, that is one scary place. NYC is a BIG place. If this is your first time in NYC, I'd use the 4 days and spend it there. Don't forget to go to the observation deck of the Empire State Building ~ breath taking.
Lindy field From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 3072 posts, RR: 15 Reply 4, posted (10 years 2 weeks 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 1004 times:
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David L.,
As far as I know, New Haven is far more "historic" than the so-called Bridgepit. The University buildings at Yale are a mixture of the interesting, impressive, and downright silly with a mix of colonial, imitation gothic, and American Stalinist architecture. The libraries at Yale are particularly interesting; Sterling Library is designed to look like a cathedral both inside and out; Beinike Library, housing the Rare Books Collection, has walls made of extremely thin marble slabs which are brilliantly illuminated on sunny days. The hockey rink, designed by Aero Sarinnen (architect of the old TWA terminal at JFK) looks like a whale. The museums affiliated with Yale have surprisingly impressive collections as well, though I realize you are not looking for culture. It's an easy trip up to New Haven from the city. Let me know what else you might be interested in doing or seeing and I'll try to think up whatever might appeal to you.
David L From United Kingdom, joined May 1999, 9216 posts, RR: 42 Reply 5, posted (10 years 2 weeks 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 994 times:
Lindy Field: Yale sounds interesting - to tell the truth, I didn't realise it was there. I'm really just looking for somewhere to spend a leisurely day and get a few photos. I assume there's no problem finding somewhere half-decent for a snack lunch. I guess the rail trip along the coast would be quite nice too.
Turtle: I've been to NYC every trip so missing one day would be OK!
Jcs17 From United States of America, joined Jun 2001, 8065 posts, RR: 43 Reply 6, posted (10 years 2 weeks 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 993 times:
Bridgeport or New Haven arent the nicest places. Both of them are fairly industrial and are pretty ugly, with the exception of Yale. Bridgeport is supposedly getting nicer though. I lived up in Fairfield Cty. for several years as a young lad, and I still have relatives that live there. You tend to get raped in terms of cost-of-living anywhere in Connecticut.
David L From United Kingdom, joined May 1999, 9216 posts, RR: 42 Reply 7, posted (10 years 2 weeks 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 986 times:
Well, my three suggestions seem a bit "iffy". Any other suggestions for Connecticut? It doesn't have to be anywhere big. Any nice little coastal towns or villages?
SuperG From United States of America, joined Dec 1999, 58 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (10 years 2 weeks 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 983 times:
David,
I lived in Connecticut for 6 years back in the 1980's. When friends/relatives would come to visit me, I would usually take them sightseeing to places such as Old Saybrook, Mystic Seaport, or the submarine base at Groton.
Boeing757/767 From United States of America, joined Jun 1999, 2264 posts, RR: 2 Reply 9, posted (10 years 2 weeks 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 978 times:
I've lived here in Conn. for nearly 20 years. Here's what I recommend:
Forget the cities -- it's the countryside and towns that are refreshing. Check out this web site: http://www.tourism.state.ct.us/ for a list of proposed itineraries.
My personal favorite Conn. attraction is the Mark Twain House in Hartford, where he wrote all the classics. His typewriter and pool table are still there!
David L From United Kingdom, joined May 1999, 9216 posts, RR: 42 Reply 10, posted (10 years 2 weeks 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 982 times:
I have to say the tourist information on the web is next to useless. All I've managed to find are names of hotels, museums and theatres and links that lead you round in circles. All I want is a nice place to take photos, a river, for example, and have lunch! Do Old Saybrook and New Haven fit the bill? The maritime museums might be of interest another time.
Boeingnut From United States of America, joined Oct 2001, 402 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (10 years 2 weeks 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 972 times:
If you want nice scenery, Id recommend that you go up to Hartford, then head west to Simsbury and go to Talcott Mt. State Park. Go climb the mountain (not much of one, though, its only about a 20-30 minute hike to the top, and thats it you take your time) and then go up Hublein tower at the top. Great views of the Connecticut River Valley. And if conditions are right, the a/c on approach to BDL go quite close to the tower.
Speaking of BDL, go to the New England Air Museum. Lots of nice a/c on display. Im not sure if the b-29 is display ready or not yet, but you might be able to catch a glimpse of it even if its not.
If you want any more ideas, just ask and Ill post some more for you.
Excuse me, but what does God need with a starship?
David L From United Kingdom, joined May 1999, 9216 posts, RR: 42 Reply 12, posted (10 years 2 weeks 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 961 times:
Sounds like a great idea, Boeingnut, but I'd prefer to just step off the train, walk around a bit and grab some lunch this time. Having looked at the map, Old Saybrook looks ideal. It looks as if there's plenty of harbour to see without doing the whole museum thing. I take it it's not too bad a place to walk around and there'd be somewhere decent to eat or get a sandwich.
Redngold From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 6907 posts, RR: 51 Reply 13, posted (10 years 2 weeks 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 961 times:
Try a day at the Mianus Creek nature preserve.
If you can go to Old Saybrook, then also you might be interested in visiting New London (U.S. Coast Guard Academy) or Mystic Seaport.
David L From United Kingdom, joined May 1999, 9216 posts, RR: 42 Reply 14, posted (10 years 2 weeks 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 956 times:
Is New Haven that bad? I found a detailed map and it looks like another contender - big enough for a decent walk around and a good waterfront. If it's even a bit dodgy I'd give it a miss but I just want somewhere different (but reasonably safe!) to go for a change. It's also a shorter trip for a smoker than Old Saybrook!
Boeing757/767: Sorry, I must have been typing my comments about websites as you were posting your information - I wasn't having a go at your suggestion! If I had more time I'd like to see Mark Twain's house.
JFKTOWERFAN From United States of America, joined Sep 2001, 1100 posts, RR: 17 Reply 15, posted (10 years 2 weeks 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 951 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW DATABASE EDITOR
David I live in Connecticut, I would suggest that if you want to go by train, go to New Haven as with any city it has bad parts, however within the downtown area it is very nice, the Yale campus is beautiful(right in downtown) and stop by one of the famous New Haven pizza joints for lunch, also you can go down to the water and see the Amistad which is on display there along with another old ship.
Sxmarbury33 From United States of America, joined Oct 2000, 445 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (10 years 2 weeks 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 948 times:
I live in fairfield county so i dont know much about up north in terms of vacation stuff, however there is one museum that was pretty good last time i went which is the aldrich museum. Thats about all i know. This part isnt really a vacation, attraction area. Yale would be fun also.
David L From United Kingdom, joined May 1999, 9216 posts, RR: 42 Reply 17, posted (10 years 2 weeks 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 944 times:
I think I'm going with New Haven. I was reminded yesterday that the Carpenters originally came from there (showing my age). Thanks for all the other suggestions. As I said, they're all things I'd like to see but aren't really practical on this trip.
Now all I have to do is try to book the rail tickets online from the UK. Could be interesting.
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I once heard a joke on our local radio station "NEW HAVEN-THE SAFEST CITY IN AMERICA!!!!--if it's just us & Bridgeport! I think New Haven IS WAY better! Hartford is nice too. I miss it up there! I hate Florida!!!
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