7 Most Eccentric Towns in Connecticut

The small state of Connecticut is home to prestigious universities, classic literature authors, and quiet New England settings. It is also known for its distinctive local food traditions. Visitors can engage with the history, customs, and coastal lifestyle of this seaside state. Well-known attractions sit beside smaller sites that hold their own interest. Learn about the region’s connection to PEZ candy, or its role as the first state in the U.S. to introduce a public library. These details, along with varied cultural and historic stops, appear throughout the seven towns highlighted here.

Mystic

A spot so popular in Mystic that the owners opened a second location is a pizza restaurant known as Mystic Pizza. The attention grew after the movie of the same name was released, and other filming locations can still be found around town. Mystic Pizza remains the most recognized site, and visitors often pick up a pie or a “Slice of Heaven” souvenir before stepping into the dining room used in the film. For more culinary stops, visit B.F. Clyde's Cider Mill. Family-owned since 1881, it is the last remaining steam-powered cider mill in the U.S. and has been designated a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark. The mill continues to use its original method to produce sweet cider, hard cider, wine, cider donuts, and other local goods.

For a shift toward maritime history, visit the Charles W. Morgan, the oldest commercial ship in the U.S. still afloat. The vessel completed 37 voyages that lasted three or more years and is now stationed at the Mystic Seaport Museum, where visitors can walk its deck and learn about maritime heritage.

Southington

Another town known for its cinematic reference is Southington. The Snedeker House is the former home of the Snedeker family, and their experience inspired the horror movie The Haunting in Connecticut. It is a private residence that is closed to the public. For a visitable stop, the Witchdoctor Brewing Company uses a theme built around the idea that early craft beer resembled a mysterious potion, and the creator carried this concept into the brewery’s identity. The taproom serves beer, hosts food vendors, and features live entertainment.

To shift away from supernatural themes, spend time outdoors at Crescent Lake. Over six miles of trails run throughout the park, allowing visitors to spend time in nature. The park also includes areas for boating, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hiking, and related activities.

Monroe

One of the most noted couples associated with Monroe is Ed and Lorraine Warren. While they did not make significant changes to daily life in the town, they introduced a wide audience to accounts of the supernatural. Currently under new ownership with plans to reopen, the Warren Occult Museum was once operated by the Warrens and set up in the basement of their home. Their collection of oddities inspired the horror franchise The Conjuring. Interest in the museum continued to grow and led to its purchase in August of 2025, with plans to remodel the space and add a hotel, which has its first 100 nights already booked. Visitors can view items such as the doll linked to the Annabelle movie, though the case should not be touched. Although the Warrens have passed away, those who follow their work can visit the Grave of Ed and Lorraine Warren in Stepney Cemetery, which has its own haunted reputation.

For visitors who prefer outdoor activities, Webb Mountain Park includes hiking trails, rock climbing areas, camping sites, and access to the Paugussett Trail.

Plainville

Continue with the theme of monsters, ghosts, and creatures by visiting the Witch’s Dungeon. This classic movie museum displays figures and props from the golden age of horror and sci-fi cinema. The life-sized figures are known for their accuracy, and the exhibit, which opened in 1966, is the longest-running of its kind in the U.S.

For time outdoors, explore the landscape around Sunset Rock State Park. The trail leads to cliff views and Crescent Lake, where visitors can fish and use small boats. Another outdoor option is Tomasso Nature Park. This 11-acre area contains four wetlands and serves as a habitat for turtles, fish, frogs, birds, deer, muskrat, and other wildlife.

Waterford

Take a quiet walk in Waterford through the grounds of Seaside Sanatorium and observe the ruins of this historic medical facility and its Tudor Revival architecture. Set along the Long Island Sound, the site allows visitors to move through the property and learn about its history as a monument to early medical efforts. Another former estate now open to the public is Harkness Memorial State Park. Once a family home, it was given to the State of Connecticut after the final occupant’s death. Visitors can view the early twentieth-century buildings and the surrounding landscape. The formal gardens are often considered the most notable part of the estate.

For a calmer setting, visit Waterford Beach Park. The quarter-mile shoreline offers views of the Long Island Sound and the surrounding tidal marsh. The sandy stretch contains a complete dune system that is considered rare for the state. Visitors spend time fishing, swimming, picnicking, or resting along the beach.

Rocky Hill

From ghosts to monsters to dinosaurs, visitors can shift to the Mesozoic era by walking along a 200-million-year-old fossil path. At Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill, the trails, arboretum, and exhibits highlight over 750 early Jurassic dinosaur footprints. The site is one of the largest collections of dinosaur tracks in North America and includes displays about dinosaurs, fossils, Connecticut geology, and related subjects.

More outdoor areas are also available. Dividend Pond Trails and Archaeological District include waterfalls, ruins, and marked paths. Three miles of trails run through the 68 acres and contain 10 water-powered archaeological sites dating as far back as 1667. Visitors can follow the paths at their own pace and view the historic remains along the way.

Orange

In Orange, confectionery fans can visit one of the town’s busiest destinations, the Pez Visitor Center. Established in 1927, the brand is represented through the largest collection of PEZ memorabilia on public display. Visitors can see the largest PEZ dispenser, play the game of the month and trivia, and collect a souvenir PEZ lanyard.

For a meal, stop at Hook & Reel. Inspired by Southern seafood boil traditions, the restaurant presents a Cajun-style approach and emphasizes relaxed, communal dining. Guests can order backyard boils with added seasoning and choose from a range of sides.

As a final stop, spend time at the grounds of Treat Farm. Started by the Treat and Wilson families in the 1970s, the farm has long been involved in dairy production and delivery to Orange and nearby areas. Visitors can cut their own Christmas trees, walk through the five-acre corn maze, or relax during a tractor ride around this family-run farm.

Final Notes on Connecticut’s Eccentric Towns

From cinematic sites to reported paranormal landmarks and traces of the Mesozoic and Jurassic periods, Connecticut includes places that appeal to visitors interested in unusual history and distinctive stories. The towns described above represent only a portion of what is available for those who want to learn more about these themes. Travelers can eat a slice of pizza connected to a well-known film in Mystic, try a specialty cider in Southington, or walk along a fossil path in Rocky Hill. Each town presents its own set of notable locations that reflect the state’s varied past.