Hostels in Connecticut

Connecticut is a northeastern state in the United States of America. It is named after the Connecticut River which bisects it. The word "Connecticut" is an anglicized way of spelling the Algonquian words for "long tidal river." The state borders Rhode Island (to the east), Massachusetts (to the north), New York (to the west), and Long Island Sound (to the south). Measuring 5,543 square miles, it is the third smallest state of the country. Bear Mountain is its highest peak. While its capital is Hartford, the biggest and most populous city is Bridgeport.

This state has a very rich history dating back to the time of the first thirteen colonies of the nation. The Dutch were its first settlers. It was among the thirteen colonies who revolted against Britain during the American Revolution. Officially known as the "constitution state," Connecticut was the first colony to draw up a constitution. It was the fifth state admitted to the U.S. back in 1788. Due to the rivers and ports along the Long Island Sound, Connecticut also has a longstanding maritime tradition.

If you are traveling on a budget, the capital is the best place to find hostels in Connecticut. Although Connecticut hostels can be few and far between, not to mention pricey, there are many hostel-type options to take advantage of. Look for "Inns" to meet your budget for hostel-style lodgings. For $40-$55 per night for a double-occupancy room, you can comfortably rest your head in a 3-star accommodation. Once you have pinpointed your choice of hostel, get ready for a full itinerary in one of the oldest U.S. states.

For your first stop, take a look at the immense, gold-domed State Capitol Building. It has statues sprinkled all around it, including those of Colonel Thomas Knowlton and the Marquis de Lafayette Equestrian Statue. There is also a driveway lined with mortars commemorating the civil war. Close by is Bushnell Park where you will see additional statues, fountains, as well as an indoor carousel.

Other fun points of interest might be the Mark Twain House and Museum as well as the Wadsworth Atheneum. The former is the house once inhabited by Samuel Clements, otherwise known as Mark Twain, who wrote "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" there. The latter is the oldest public art museum in the entire nation. It contains over 50,000 pieces from all over the world. If your budget is low, come during the morning on the second Saturday of the month for free admission.

You may also want to see Yale University and its art gallery in New Haven. Admission to the art gallery is free and cameras are allowed for capturing all the beauty. It has many permanent exhibits as well as constant additions of temporary exhibitions such as that of Rhode Island furniture and Asian art. Don't miss the Babylonian tile lion. You may also enjoy the Louis Kahn exhibit. View his tetrahedral ceiling and special circular staircase with triangular stair pattern. There are many options of restaurants and cafes in the vicinity so that you can spend an entire day here.

For another budget-friendly activity, enjoy free admission to the Submarine Force Museum in Groton and get to see the world's first operational nuclear powered submarine.

Handwritten by local expert for Connecticut hostels Jakob Lombardi