Things to Do in CT in January: Top 15 Most Unique Spots

Nothing helps you recover from the frantic pace of the holidays better than a quiet getaway far from the bustle of the city.

January is the perfect time of year to visit Connecticut, where there’s always something to do. Whether you love plenty of activity or simply want to hone your skills in the art of doing nothing at all, Connecticut is an easy drive or train ride from NYC.

Are you looking for things to do in Connecticut in January?

Then here you’ll find the most exclusive hidden gems in Connecticut sure to provide an authentic New England experience.

Ready to discover the best things to do in CT in January? Let’s get into it:

The Best Things to do in CT in January

From the heart-pumping to the relaxed, outdoorsy or culturally focused, there’s something for everyone in January in Connecticut.

Read on for our highlights of the best things to do in CT in January: 

Special Events and Festivals in Connecticut This January

January in Connecticut is anything but boring. Whether you’re a foodie, nature lover, or just trying to survive winter with a little fun, the state’s packed with events to keep you busy. Here’s where to go:

Mohegan Sun WineFest

• When: January (dates vary)
• Where: Mohegan Sun, Uncasville
• What to Expect: Think wine, food, and a whole lot of flavor. Taste wines, watch top chefs do their thing, grab a cookbook and get it signed, or just snack your way through the day. It’s like a dream for wine lovers and snack enthusiasts.

Winterfest at Ski Sundown

• When: January 25, 2025
• Where: Ski Sundown, New Hartford
• What to Expect: A winter wonderland for the whole family! Watch ice sculptors carve magic out of blocks, get the kids’ faces painted, and let them go wild with a penguin coloring contest. Bonus: It’s free if you’ve got a lift ticket or pass.

Connecticut River Eagle Watch Festival

• When: late January – early March
• Where: Along the Connecticut River
• What to Expect: Eagles soaring above frozen waters—it’s majestic, really. Join a guided tour to spot bald eagles and learn a thing or two about their migration. It’s nature at its finest, and the views are Instagram-worthy.

Lyman Orchards Winter Lantern Festival

• When: December through early February
• Where: Lyman Orchards, Middlefield
• What to Expect: Over 1,000 handcrafted lanterns lighting up the orchard like something out of a fairy tale. Bundle up, stroll the glowing paths, and let the magic of the lanterns warm your heart.

Winter Outdoor Activities in Connecticut

If your idea of relaxing is finding a winter outdoor activity to get your heart pumping, Connecticut’s got you covered.

Powder Ridge offers snow tubing during the day and night for an adrenaline rush of old-fashioned tobogganing fun.

Looking for something out of the ordinary?

Try tubing at night, where music and neon lights make it even more exhilarating. If you prefer skiing, you can ski at Powder Ridge as well as other Connecticut ski resorts as:

• Mohawk Mountain, one of the best places for downhill skiing in the area
• Ski Sundown
• And Mount Southington in Southington, CT

All these destinations offer respectable winter sports like skiing and snow tubing in CT as well as a spot to enjoy après winter activity beverages. Take your pick: hot chocolate, wine or cocktails, all fireside.

Scenic Winter Hiking Trails in Connecticut

Public and state park hiking trails take you through a magical winter wonderland of:

• Glistening snow
• Rugged ice-kissed shorelines
• And pristine forests

When the sun is shining, everything sparkles as if encrusted with diamonds. And you can breathe in the crisp, clean winter fresh air while wandering in the beauty of it all.

• Devil’s Hopyard State Park (East Haddam): A quick 3-mile loop with a charming bridge and scenic red trail. Short, sweet, and perfect for stretching your legs.
• Steep Rock Preserve (Washington): The 1.6-mile Northern Loop hugs the Shepaug River. Easy enough for beginners but packed with quiet winter beauty.
• Bluff Point (Groton): A 4-mile round trip to the beach, because who says coastal hikes are just for summer? Bonus: fewer seagulls.
• Kent Falls State Park (Kent): This one’s a winter wonderland. You’ll cross creeks, climb a stone staircase, and get an up-close view of a stunning frozen waterfall.
• White Memorial Foundation (Litchfield): Short, easy trails (under 2 miles) for those days when you want the views but not the effort.
• Meshomasic State Forest (Portland): Forty miles of serene, blue-blazed trails. Great for finding peace—and maybe spotting a deer or two.
• Hidden Valley Preserve (Washington): Over 700 acres and 17 miles of trails. Try the Bee Brook Loop, a gentle 2-mile hike with picturesque bridges that’ll make you feel like you’re in a postcard.

Top Cross-Country Skiing Spots in Connecticut

The Nutmeg State hosts some hidden gems for cross-country skiing, including:

1. Winding Trails Cross Country Ski Center (Farmington, CT)

350 acres of peaceful forest, the crunch of snow under your skis, and 13 miles of groomed trails await you. Winding Trails is Connecticut’s only full-service cross-country ski center. Beginners will feel right at home with private or group lessons, but there’s plenty to keep experienced skiers entertained too.

2. James L. Goodwin State Forest (Hampton, CT)

This place is a year-round stunner, but come winter, it’s a skier’s paradise. The trails wind through beautiful natural scenery, with a mix of open spaces, forest, and even a peaceful lake.

3. Gay City State Park (Hebron, CT)

Gay City State Park boasts over 1,500 acres, with trails weaving through the ruins of an old mill town. It’s a little eerie, a little magical, and very unique. With 11 miles of multi-use trails, there’s plenty of room to explore while avoiding the crowds.

More Places to Enjoy Winter Sports

If you’re craving even more adventure, check out these honorable mentions, including local ski resorts:

• Wadsworth Falls State Park (Middletown) – Scenic and serene.
• Powder Ridge Mountain Park and Resort – Ski it all!
• Mohawk Mountain State Park – Winter vibes galore.
• Bluff Point State Park – Coastal charm meets snowy trails.
• Sleeping Giant State Park – Because who wouldn’t want to cross-country ski or hike a giant?

A Quick Safety Chat

Before you hit the trails, a heads-up: Most state park trails aren’t groomed or patrolled. That means you’ll need to channel your inner Eagle Scout. Always ski with a buddy, and let someone know where you’re headed. Mother Nature is beautiful, but she doesn’t mess around.

Indoor Winter Activities in Connecticut

If the weather is a bit of a bummer, don’t let that spoil your fun.

Even when it’s:

• Cold and damp
• Crazy with snow
• Or moaning with cheek-burning winds

Connecticut offers plenty of indoor activities, perfect for winter visits.

Active Indoor Fun

New Haven, Connecticut, just happens to be home to the largest indoor ropes course, not just in America but in the entire world. Located in the most unlikely spot imaginable, the course hangs above the Jordans Furniture showroom. As host to this state-of-the-art facility, the showroom offers an intricate course for all sorts of family fun. You can hook up your safety harness and enjoy an endless adventure through four levels of:

• Catwalks
• Angled rope ladders
• Zigzag swinging beams
• Cargo nets
• And bridges

The grand finale takes you across a dancing water feature and ends with a 56-foot drop back down to the ground.

You can do it!

After all, you’re tied to a harness, and the drop is very gentle.

A few more fun indoor winter activities:

• Trampoline Parks: Bounce off some energy at spots like Fun City (New Britain) or Extreme Air (Cheshire). Bonus: it’s fun for kids and kids-at-heart.
• Indoor Go-Karting: Speed around the track at On Track Karting (Wallingford) or Supercharged (Montville). Feel the need for speed without freezing.
• Rock Climbing Gyms: Test your strength at Central Rock Gym (Glastonbury) or Rock Spot Climbing (Wallingford). Great for climbers of all levels.

Fancy yourself a skater?

The Dorothy Hammill Skating Rink is the perfect spot to take a few laps around the rink, enjoying the nostalgic sound of blades on ice. Or hit-up one of the many ice skating rinks throughout the state.

Unique Experiences

• Axe Throwing: Take aim at Axe House (Bridgeport). It’s trendy, fun, and surprisingly satisfying.
• Indoor Mini Golf: Tee off at The Cave (Danbury) or Nomads Adventure Quest (East Hartford). Mini golf never goes out of style.
• Bowling and Billiards: Bowlero (Norwalk) has you covered with bowling, billiards, and even arcade games. It’s a triple threat of indoor fun.

Family-Friendly Spots

• Chelsea Piers (Stamford): From rock climbing to swimming, this place is a hub for kid-friendly sports and activities.
• The Fun Palace (Stamford): Perfect for younger kids, it’s open daily and offers play areas galore.
• Sky Zone Trampoline Park (Norwalk): If your kids have energy to burn, this is the ultimate indoor jungle gym.

Indulge Your Artsy Side at “The Wadsworth”

The Wadsworth Atheneum Art Museum sits in a prominent location in Hartford, Connecticut. It features a collection of over 50,000 works of art in its permanent collection and ongoing exhibits that change throughout the year. Noted artists at this top Connecticut museum include:

• Salvador Dalí
• Joan Miró
• Max Ernst
• René Magritte
• Claude Monet
• Pierre-Auguste Renoir
• William Holman Hunt
• And Joseph Wright

This is your chance to discover European artists as well as one of the largest collections of Hudson River School paintings by:

• Thomas Cole
• Frederic Edwin Church
• And Albert Bierstadt

Contemporary art, as well as costumes and textiles, are just a few examples of other collections you can explore.

Visit the Beluga Whales at Mystic Aquarium

Find out why beluga whales are one of the most delightful sea creatures on earth with a visit to the Mystic Aquarium. The Aquarium’s Arctic Coast provides underwater viewing. And there, these friendly whales are happy to visit with guests through the window. You can also watch them frolicking in the 750,000-gallon tank, where they enjoy life much like they would in their natural habitat. Researchers use this environment to learn more about them. All in the hopes of rallying their dwindling numbers in the Arctic Ocean and subarctic regions.

Tour the Mark Twain House in Hartford

Completed in 1874, New York architect Edward Tuckerman Potter designed the Mark Twain home for the Clemens. The three-story, 25-room house features a grand entrance hall. Louis C. Tiffany & Co designed the hand-carved ornamental details and stenciled wainscotting.

Other rooms of note include the drawing and dining rooms where the family entertained guests with grand dinner parties.

The library features a large oak mantelpiece imported from Ayton Castle in Scotland. Meanwhile, the conservatory is alive with lush plants and a bubbling indoor fountain. The school room that educated Twain’s daughters is also open for the tour. Perhaps the main attraction for Twain fans is the Billiard room. Here, Twain relaxed and entertained friends into the wee hours of the morning.  

Winter Wine Tasting in Connecticut

Take a winter wine tasting tour in Connecticut with a selection of wineries offering food, wine, and entertainment. Nestled in idyllic spots throughout some of Connecticut’s most beautiful countryside, you can:

• Discover historic wine tasting rooms
• Sample different vintages
• Sip mulled wine fireside
• And enjoy local fare at vineyard restaurants

Many offer small-batch, award-winning wines at their boutique wineries. Add lovely views and top-notch hosting where family-run businesses welcome you with open arms, and your day is set. Be sure to check vineyards before you go, as many smaller vineyards do not offer wine tasting during the winter months.

Maple Syrup at Brooksvale Park

Located in Hamden, CT, this is one of Connecticut’s best-kept winter secrets.

Brooksvale Park is where locals go to make the most of the colder months when hiking trails are not as busy. Whether you want to hike/cross-country ski, sled, or skate, there’s a little bit of everything at Brooksvale.

Later in the winter, they have Connecticut maple syrup at their sugar shack, so it’s worth a return visit just before winter comes to an end.

Consider taking a sleigh ride at Allegra Farms in East Hamden if there is a good layer of snow on the ground. Let the soothing jingle of sleigh bells take you back to simpler times as the sled whisks you across fresh fields of pure white, glistening snow.

The Festival of Silver Lights at Hubbard Park in Meriden

This Christmas lights festival usually winds down by early January, when you can catch the tail end of its enchanting display. The park puts Christmas trees to shame with:

• Over 150,000 twinkling white lights
• 200 figures
• And a selection of buildings aglow in the chill of the winter night

Although you can drive through the park, we recommend a walk. Just pack a thermos of hot chocolate to keep you warm as you stroll through the Christmas lights. This is one of the best things to do in Meriden, CT.

Explore the Connecticut River Valley

The lower Connecticut River Valley is a historic area of Colonial-era and 19th-century structures. And all nestled in strollable, shoppable and “dineable” villages that are even more charming in the winter.

The winter skies are alive with wisps of smoke rising from historic homes. And each of the little towns offer a variety of places to shop, dine or enjoy a cup of hot cocoa or glass of red wine. And every town seems to have their very own historic bed and breakfasts.

Each town has its own charming sites, from:

• The Colonial and Federal period homes in Connecticut’s oldest town, Wethersfield, CT
• To the Connecticut River Museum in Essex, CT
• And from the Lyme Art Colony masterpieces at Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, CT
• To shows at the “The Kate” theatre in Old Saybrook, CT

You’ll discover a true New England experience at every turn.

Charming Winter Getaways in Connecticut in January

Dreaming of a cozy winter escape? Connecticut’s got you covered with unique stays that’ll make you forget all about the cold outside. From historic inns to luxury retreats, there’s something here for everyone.

Historic Inns

• Stanton House Inn (Greenwich): This boutique inn combines timeless charm with modern comforts. Relax by a fireplace crackling in your room as you unwind from the day of exploring January in Greenwich, CT.
• Winvian Farm (Litchfield Hills): Ever wanted to sleep in a treehouse 35 feet up? Or maybe a cottage with a vintage helicopter inside? This 113-acre property makes quirky dreams come true.
• The Litchfield Inn (Litchfield): Elegantly designed rooms, fireplaces for those frosty nights, and a boutique feel that makes you want to stay just one more night.
• The Griswold Inn (Essex): Step back into the 18th century with this charming and historic inn. It’s cozy, warm, and full of character—perfect for a winter stay.
• Simsbury Inn (Simsbury): Colonial architecture, a heated indoor pool, and a Jacuzzi make this quintessential New England spot a winner.

Luxury Escapes

• Grace Mayflower Inn and Spa (Washington): A 58-acre paradise with snowshoes, cross-country skis, and a destination spa to pamper you silly.
• The J House Greenwich: This sleek, modern boutique hotel boasts high-tech rooms, award-winning dining, and a spa that’ll make you forget stress was ever a thing.

Discover even more things to do in CT in January

Need more to plan your visit?

And be sure to plan a stay at one of the many charming historical inns or B&Bs as a cozy end to your winter getaway. This is where history meets hospitality.