I’m currently an au pair in the beautiful state of Connecticut on the East Coast. Today, I have the honor of telling you a little more about my second home. Even though Connecticut might seem rather low-key—and with around 3.6 million people, it’s the third smallest state in the US—it has so much to offer!

🗺️ General Facts

Connecticut is the southernmost state in New England and lies right on Long Island Sound, which connects to the Atlantic Ocean. On a clear day at the beach, you can even see Long Island! The water isn’t too cold either, so swimming in the ocean is definitely an option.

One of the best things about the state's small size is how easy it is to explore nearby places. New York City is just 1 to 1.5 hours away by train. You can also take day trips to Boston, MA or Philadelphia, PA—and even Washington, D.C., which is just 3 to 5 hours away by car or train!

📜 Fun Fact

Every US state has a nickname, and Connecticut has two! It’s known as the “Constitution State” because it adopted one of the first written constitutions in the Western world back in 1639. The other nickname is the “Nutmeg State,” based on the reputation of early residents for being so clever and inventive, they supposedly made and sold wooden nutmegs.

🏖️ Stamford and Surroundings

I live in Stamford, the third-largest city in Connecticut, located in Fairfield County. Only Bridgeport and New Haven are bigger. Stamford is known for being one of the safest cities in the US and offers a mix of cultures and nature.

There are two larger beaches on Long Island Sound—The Cove and West Beach—plus hiking trails and green spaces like the Nature Center, the Arboretum, and several nearby parks. Beach season runs from May to September, and most towns require a beach pass, so make sure you have one (your host family likely does—just make sure it’s clearly visible in the car, or it can get expensive).

List with suggestions of what to do around Connecticut
Tips for your time in Connecticut (c) AuPairCare

💡 Tips and Tricks

Where I live, the border with New York State is just five minutes away, and I can be in the heart of New York City in about an hour by train. I love the mix of options this gives me!

With my host family’s car, I often head to Stamford Beach with friends, or we drive to nearby towns like Darien or Greenwich for the beach or to enjoy the beautiful parks. Stamford also has a mall, a town center, and plenty of streets filled with restaurants and small shops. In Greenwich, there’s a popular shopping street for teens called Greenwich Avenue. New Canaan has a lovely park called Waveny Park where I go walking almost every day or meet friends for a picnic.

If you’re into fitness or swimming, check out the YMCA. It’s a big chain of sports centers, available in almost every city, and offers great value.

🚆 Bonus Tip: In Darien, parking at the train station is free on weekends. From there, you can travel to NYC and back for just $23 – crazy, right?

So if you’re matched with a host family from Connecticut and you click well with them, you’re in for a great time! There are so many fun day trips nearby—and honestly, who can resist the charm of the East Coast? 😉

Which state will you discover?

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