13 Things to Do Along I-95 in Connecticut

The stretch between New York and Rhode Island has a reputation for being a slow, stressful grind.

But the Connecticut shoreline hiding just off those exits is one of the best-kept secrets on the entire East Coast. We're talking world-class aquariums, legendary pizza, scenic beaches on Long Island Sound, free museums, living history villages, and charming fishing towns that look like postcards.

This guide covers 13 things to do along I-95 in Connecticut, organized from southwest to northeast so you can pick and choose based on where you are and what you're in the mood for. A few of these might even make you glad you hit traffic.

Key Takeaways

The best stops along I-95 in Connecticut range from aquariums and beaches to pizza trails, art museums, and historic seaports. Here are all 13, organized by exit number from the New York border to the Rhode Island border.

• Best for families: Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Beardsley Zoo, Mystic Aquarium, Hammonasset Beach

• Best for history and charm: Mystic Seaport, Florence Griswold Museum, Stonington Borough, Essex Steam Train

• Best budget-friendly (free or low cost): USS Nautilus, East Rock Park, Sherwood Island, Yale museums in New Haven

• Best food stop: New Haven Pizza Trail

• Most unique: Thimble Islands Cruise, Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

Planning a road trip along the coast? Wayback Tours makes it easy to save stops, build a bucket list, and keep your whole trip organized in one place.

What Makes Connecticut's I-95 Corridor So Special?

Most people think of Connecticut as the blur between New York and Boston. That's a shame, because the interstate 95 corridor here packs more variety into 111 miles than you'd expect.

The western end, around Norwalk and Fairfield County, has upscale coastal towns, buzzy restaurants, and family-friendly museums. The middle, anchored by New Haven, brings Ivy League culture, free world-class museums, and what many consider the best pizza in the country. And the eastern stretch — Groton, Mystic, Stonington — is where you'll find deep maritime history, tall ships, submarines, and fishing villages that haven't changed much in a century.

All of it sits right along the Long Island Sound shoreline, which means beaches, harbors, and water views are never far away. You could spend a week here and still miss things.

Tips for Driving I-95 Through Connecticut

Expect traffic. The Fairfield County stretch (Stamford through Bridgeport) is one of the busiest highway corridors in the country. Plan your stops during off-peak hours, or use them strategically to wait out rush hour.

Beaches are seasonal. Hammonasset, Sherwood Island, Silver Sands in Milford, and other state park beaches are best from late May through September. Parking fees apply in summer. Museums and aquariums work year-round.

Pair nearby stops. The Maritime Aquarium and Sherwood Island are just a few exits apart. Mystic Seaport, Mystic Aquarium, and Stonington Borough are all clustered near Exits 90–91. You can easily combine two or three in one day.

Service plazas are solid. Connecticut has modern service plazas along I-95 with brand-name restaurants, free WiFi, EV charging, and pet areas. They're a step above the average rest stop.

Fall is magic. The Essex Steam Train foliage tours and the changing colors along the shoreline make September and October some of the best months to do this drive.

13 Best Things to Do Along I-95 in Connecticut

Here they are — 13 stops worth pulling off the highway for, listed from the New York border to Rhode Island.

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk

Tucked inside a converted 1860s iron works factory in the SoNo (South Norwalk) neighborhood, the Maritime Aquarium is one of those places that surprises you. It's bigger than it looks, and the focus on Long Island Sound gives it a personality that other aquariums don't have.

Why this one stands out: This is the only aquarium on the East Coast built entirely around one body of water — Long Island Sound. You'll see harbor seals, sand tiger sharks, sea turtles, river otters, jellyfish, and even meerkats. There are four touch tanks where you can get your hands on cownose rays, sturgeon, and moon jellies. The 4D Theater is a fun add-on, especially for kids.

What you need to know before you go:

• Location: Exit 15 off I-95, South Norwalk

• Hours: Daily, 10 AM – 5 PM (check for holiday closures)

• Cost: Adults ~$34–$40, Kids (3–12) ~$25–$30

• Time needed: 2–3 hours

• Parking: Covered garage next door

Worth it or skip it? Absolutely worth it — especially for families or anyone who wants a break from the highway that actually feels like an experience.

⭐ What is a Bucket List? Save places you want to visit and come back to later. Your Wayback Tours bucket list keeps track of stops you don't want to forget — perfect for planning future trips.

Sherwood Island State Park

Right at Exit 18, Sherwood Island is Connecticut's first state park — and one of the easiest beach stops you'll find along I-95 anywhere. You're basically on the sand within five minutes of leaving the highway.

Don't skip this if you like… Quick, no-fuss beach access. There's a mile and a half of shoreline on Long Island Sound, walking paths, picnic areas, and solid birdwatching. It's not fancy. It's just a clean, scenic beach where you can stretch your legs, breathe some salt air, and reset before getting back on the road.

What you need to know before you go:

• Location: Exit 18 off I-95, Westport

• Hours: Dawn to dusk year-round

• Cost: Seasonal parking fee for non-residents (summer)

• Time needed: 30 minutes to half a day

Worth it or skip it? Worth it for a quick stop, especially in warm weather. If you just need to decompress from traffic, this is your spot.

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo

Bridgeport doesn't always make road trip lists, but the state's only zoo gives you a real reason to pull off at Exit 27A. It's compact enough to do in a couple of hours and varied enough to keep everyone interested.

The quick pitch: Amur tigers, bison, wolves, alligators, bears, monkeys, and a walk-through aviary. There's a New England farmyard for younger kids and a rainforest building that feels like a different world. It's small compared to big-city zoos, but that's part of the charm — you can actually see everything without exhausting yourself.

What you need to know before you go:

• Location: Exit 27A off I-95, Bridgeport (Beardsley Park)

• Hours: Daily 9 AM – 4 PM (varies seasonally)

• Cost: Moderate admission; check their website for current pricing

• Time needed: 1.5–2.5 hours

Worth it or skip it? Great for families with younger kids. If you've got restless children in the backseat, this is a lifesaver.

Fun Fact:

 Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is widely considered the only zoo in the state, making it a one-of-a-kind stop along the I-95 corridor.

East Rock Park

If you want one of the best views in Connecticut and you don't mind a short detour into New Haven, East Rock Park delivers. A dramatic basalt ridge rises about 365 feet above the city, and from the summit, you can see all the way across New Haven to Long Island Sound on a clear day.

What makes this stop different: It's completely free and surprisingly uncrowded. You can drive to the top or hike up the Summit Trail. Either way, the payoff is a panoramic view that puts the whole shoreline into perspective. There are additional walking trails through woods and along the Mill River if you want more time outdoors.

What you need to know before you go:

• Location: Via I-91 Exit 6 to Davis Street, New Haven

• Hours: Park open dawn to dusk; summit road open April–November (weather permitting)

• Cost: Free

• Time needed: 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on how much you explore

Worth it or skip it? If you're already stopping in New Haven for pizza or Yale, this is an easy add-on that most travelers miss. The views alone are worth the detour.

New Haven Pizza Trail

You can't write about things to do along I-95 in Connecticut without talking about New Haven pizza. This city has been in a heated (pun intended) argument with New York and Chicago for decades — and a lot of serious food people say New Haven wins. The local style is called "apizza" (pronounced ah-BEETZ), and it's coal-fired, thin-crusted, and unlike anything else.

Why it's worth stopping: Three legendary spots anchor the scene. Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana on Wooster Street has been open since 1925 and is known for its white clam pie. Sally's Apizza, also on Wooster, is the eternal rival. And Modern Apizza on State Street brings its own devoted following. There's also Bar on Crown Street, famous for its mashed potato pizza. Even if you're not a pizza obsessive, one stop on Wooster Street — New Haven's "Little Italy" — and you'll understand the hype.

For something completely different, Louis' Lunch on Crown Street is said to be the birthplace of the hamburger. The burgers are still cooked on the original upright broilers and served on toast.

What you need to know before you go:

• Location: Via I-91 from I-95, downtown New Haven (Wooster Street area)

• Hours: Vary by restaurant — Pepe's and Modern are open for lunch and dinner most days

• Cost: A large pie runs $15–$25 depending on toppings

• Time needed: 1–2 hours (factor in potential wait times, especially at Pepe's)

Worth it or skip it? This is a must. Even if you think you don't care about pizza, the experience of eating a Pepe's white clam pie is something you'll remember.

Fun Fact:

 New Haven's Wooster Street has been home to rival pizzerias for nearly a century, and locals are known to have strong — sometimes very strong — opinions about which one is best.

If you're collecting great stops from Maine to Florida, check out these best roadside attractions along I-95 for even more ideas.

Thimble Islands Cruise

Here's one most people driving through Connecticut have no idea about. Just off Exit 56 in Branford, at the tiny harbor of Stony Creek, you can hop on a narrated boat tour through the Thimble Islands — a cluster of small, rocky islands scattered across the water, each with its own quirky story.

Don't skip this if you like… Offbeat experiences. Some of these islands are barely big enough for a single cottage. The narration is full of local legends, and the boat ride itself is a relaxing change of pace from the highway. It's one of the most unique things you can do along this stretch of coast.

What you need to know before you go:

• Location: Exit 56 off I-95, then follow signs to Stony Creek dock, Branford

• Hours: Seasonal (roughly May–October); check schedules in advance

• Cost: Around $12–$15 per person

• Time needed: About 45 minutes for the cruise, plus travel time from I-95

• Note: Limited parking at the dock — arrive early on busy days

Worth it or skip it? If you've got a little extra time and want something genuinely different, this is one of the most memorable stops on the list.

Building a family-friendly road trip? Wayback Tours lets you save every stop and build your own bucket list so nothing falls through the cracks.

Hammonasset Beach State Park

If you're looking for a real beach day — not just a quick stop — Hammonasset is the one. It's Connecticut's largest shoreline park, with two miles of sandy beach on Long Island Sound, a boardwalk, nature trails, a nature center, and hundreds of campsites if you want to stay overnight.

Why it's worth stopping: This is the kind of place where you can spend an hour or a full day. The beach is wide and clean. The boardwalk gives you good views without getting sand in your shoes. And the Meigs Point Nature Center has exhibits and programs for kids. It draws huge crowds in summer, so arriving early is key.

What you need to know before you go:

• Location: Exit 62 off I-95, Madison

• Hours: 8 AM to sunset year-round

• Cost: Seasonal parking fee (higher for out-of-state visitors in summer)

• Time needed: 1 hour to all day

• Note: No pets allowed

Worth it or skip it? A must for beach lovers and families. Even in the off-season, it's a beautiful walk. In summer, it's the best beach stop on this entire stretch of I-95.

Two miles of beach deserve a spot on your bucket list. → [Add to Bucket List]

Looking for places to spend the night along the way? These overnight stops on I-95 can help you plan where to rest.

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

There's something about riding a vintage coal-fired steam train through the Connecticut River Valley that makes you forget what century you are in. The Essex Steam Train has been running since 1971, and you can pair the train ride with a riverboat cruise for the full experience.

What makes this stop different: You'll roll through marshlands, past views of Gillette Castle, and along the Connecticut River. Keep an eye out for bald eagles — they nest along this stretch. The dinner train is a fun option for couples, and the fall foliage tours are some of the most popular events in the state. Afterward, the village of Essex itself is worth a walk — antique shops, the historic Griswold Inn, and the Connecticut River Museum are all on Main Street.

What you need to know before you go:

• Location: Short detour from I-95 via Route 9 to Essex

• Hours: Seasonal schedule — check essexsteamtrain.com for current dates and times

• Cost: Varies by experience (train only, train + riverboat, dinner train)

• Time needed: 2–4 hours depending on options

• Tip: Book ahead for dinner trains and fall foliage rides

Worth it or skip it? One of the most charming experiences in Connecticut. Best for couples, families with older kids, and anyone who loves trains or fall foliage.

Florence Griswold Museum

Old Lyme might not be on your radar, but it should be. The Florence Griswold Museum sits at the heart of where American Impressionism was born. Florence Griswold opened her boarding house to painters in the early 1900s, and the art colony that formed here changed the course of American art.

The quick pitch You can tour the original boarding house — where artists actually painted on the door panels — then explore the Krieble Gallery's rotating exhibits and walk the garden trails that inspired many of the paintings. The River Walk, Hedgerow Walk, and Woodland Walk are beautiful in any season. Kids can grab scavenger hunt cards at the front desk.

What you need to know before you go:

• Location: Exit 70 off I-95, Old Lyme

• Hours: Varies seasonally — check florencegriswoldmuseum.org

• Cost: Moderate admission; discounts for seniors and kids

• Time needed: 1–2 hours

Worth it or skip it? A hidden gem for art lovers, history fans, and anyone who appreciates a peaceful, beautiful setting. It's the kind of place that stays with you.

Fun Fact:

 The artists who stayed at Florence Griswold's boarding house are said to have painted directly on the dining room door panels — and you can still see the original artwork during house tours today.

USS Nautilus & Submarine Force Museum

Groton calls itself the "Submarine Capital of the World," and the Submarine Force Museum backs that up. This is where you can walk aboard the USS Nautilus — widely recognized as the world's first nuclear-powered submarine and the first vessel to complete a submerged transit beneath the North Pole.

Why it's worth stopping The self-guided audio tour through the Nautilus takes about 30 minutes and gives you a real sense of what life was like aboard a submarine. The museum itself covers submarine history going all the way back to the 1700s, with working periscopes, mini-sub exhibits, and a theater. And the best part — it's completely free.

What you need to know before you go:

• Location: Exit 86 off I-95, Groton

• Hours: Wednesday–Monday, 9 AM – 4 PM (5 PM in summer). Closed Tuesdays.

• Cost: Free

• Time needed: 1.5–2 hours

Worth it or skip it? A no-brainer. It's free, it's fascinating, and there's nothing else like it on the East Coast. Good for all ages, but especially great for history buffs and curious kids.

Got a growing list of places to visit? Save every stop and build your road trip bucket list with Wayback Tours — it's like a travel planner that actually remembers everything.

Mystic Seaport Museum

If you only make one stop in eastern Connecticut, a lot of people would tell you to make it Mystic Seaport. This is widely considered the largest maritime museum in the United States — a living history village that re-creates a 19th-century coastal seaport, complete with tall ships, working craftspeople, and dozens of historic buildings.

Why it's worth stopping: You can climb aboard the Charles W. Morgan — one of the last wooden whaleships still in existence — watch shipwrights at work, and walk through re-created shops like a chandler and barrel maker. There's also a planetarium, a children's museum, and seasonal events like a Sea Chantey Festival. Downtown Mystic is just a short drive away, with its iconic drawbridge, unique shops, and excellent seafood.

What you need to know before you go:

• Location: Exit 90 off I-95, Mystic

• Hours: Daily, hours vary seasonally — check mysticseaport.org

• Cost: Moderate to high; combo Mystic Pass (Seaport + Aquarium) available for savings

• Time needed: 3–5 hours (you could easily spend a full day)

Worth it or skip it? One of the top attractions in all of New England. If you have any interest in history, the sea, or beautiful old ships, this is the stop.

Mystic Aquarium

Just down the road from the Seaport, Mystic Aquarium is one of the most popular family attractions in the state. It's home to beluga whales, African penguins, sea lions, sharks, sea turtles, and thousands of other marine animals — plus a dinosaur exhibit that kids go wild for.

Don't skip this if you like… Animal encounters. You can touch sharks and cownose rays in the interactive tanks, watch California sea lion shows, and even book behind-the-scenes experiences with penguins or belugas. The "Jurassic Giants" dinosaur exhibit adds a completely different dimension, with animatronic dinosaurs throughout an indoor trail.

What you need to know before you go:

• Location: Exit 90 off I-95, Mystic (55 Coogan Blvd)

• Hours: Daily, hours vary seasonally (typically 9 or 10 AM – 4 or 6 PM)

• Cost: Adults ~$36–$38, Kids ~$27–$28; under 2 free

• Time needed: 2–4 hours

• Tip: The Mystic Pass combo ticket (Aquarium + Seaport) saves money if you're doing both

Worth it or skip it? A top-tier family stop. If you're traveling with kids, this and the Seaport together make Mystic one of the best reasons to pull off I-95 in the entire Northeast.

Belugas and penguins — save this one for sure. → [Add to Bucket List]

Traveling with little ones? Here are more kid-friendly stops along I-95 to round out your trip.

Stonington Borough

After the energy of Mystic, Stonington Borough is the perfect cool-down. This narrow peninsula of a village, just one exit past Mystic, feels like stepping into a quieter, more authentic version of coastal New England.

What makes this stop different: Colonial-era homes with flowering window boxes line the streets. A small fishing fleet still works the harbor. You can browse the shops on Water and Main streets, stroll the waterfront, and just breathe. There are no big attractions here — and that's the whole point. It's also near a couple of local wineries if you want to add a tasting to your day.

What you need to know before you go:

• Location: Exit 91 off I-95, Stonington

• Hours: Shops and restaurants keep their own hours; the village is walkable anytime

• Cost: Free to explore

• Time needed: 1–2 hours

Worth it or skip it? A wonderful final stop if you want to end your Connecticut drive on a peaceful note. Best for couples, solo travelers, and anyone who values charm over crowds.

Ready to turn this into an actual trip? Save every stop, build your custom bucket list, and plan your I-95 Connecticut road trip with Wayback Tours.

Conclusion

Connecticut's stretch of I-95 might have a reputation for traffic, but the 13 things to do along I-95 in Connecticut on this list prove there's a lot more going on between those exits than brake lights. You've got world-class aquariums, legendary pizza, free submarine tours, living history villages, and quiet fishing towns — all within a few minutes of the highway.

The best road trips aren't about getting from A to B as fast as possible. They're about the stops you didn't plan on making and the places you almost drove right past.

Save these stops, build your own road trip bucket list, and keep track of every place you want to visit — all in one place with Wayback Tours.

FAQs

How long does it take to drive I-95 through Connecticut without stopping?

Without traffic, the drive takes about two hours from the New York border to Rhode Island. With typical congestion — especially around Fairfield County — it can stretch to three hours or more.

What is the best time of year to visit Connecticut's I-95 attractions?

Summer is ideal for beaches and outdoor parks, but fall brings stunning foliage and smaller crowds at museums. Most indoor attractions like aquariums and museums are open year-round.

Are there good places to eat right off I-95 in Connecticut?

Yes. New Haven is famous for its pizza, the SoNo neighborhood in Norwalk has a great restaurant scene, and the Mystic area is known for fresh seafood. Connecticut also has modern service plazas along I-95 with brand-name dining options.

Can you visit Mystic Seaport and Mystic Aquarium in the same day?

You can, and many visitors do. They're a short drive apart near Exit 90. A combo Mystic Pass ticket is available and saves money on admission to both. Plan for a full day if you want to do them justice.

Is the USS Nautilus museum really free?

Yes. The Submarine Force Museum and the self-guided tour aboard the USS Nautilus in Groton are free to visit. It's closed on Tuesdays and hours vary seasonally, so check ahead.