Tree Trails Adventures is such a magical spot! If you've never been before, this family-friendly place is one of our favorite things to do in Mystic, CT.

Each trail has a minimum age requirement based on difficulty, but there are activities at the park available for kids as young as 4.

The Haunted TreeTrails experience is offered throughout October for adults and kids ages 7 and up, and it's a particularly fun time.

There's spooky decor everywhere, plus lights and music that make it a great seasonal experience.

Nighttime climbs offer cooler temperatures, and you can enjoy five trails while decked out in festive glowing wearables.

The trails here are a blast no matter what time of year you visit, but this is certainly one way to kick start your autumn mood with an adrenaline rush.

Rise opened up in March 2022, right in a historic building in Wilton.

The restored building has several tables inside, though many opt to grab a dozen treats to go.

Don't be surprised if there's a line when you arrive. This place is already proving to be quite popular!

No matter what flavor you get, you're in for an amazing treat that's practically melt-in-your-mouth tasty.

There are typically just a small handful of flavors available here, though there are seasonal specials that vary throughout the year.

You won't find anything too wild here, like candy or cereal toppings. The donuts here are more classic in style, but that doesn't make them any less delicious.

Just one bite and you'll be in love! Make sure you arrive early if you want to have the best selection.

The Birdcraft Sanctuary was established back in 1914. More than 120 different species of birds have been spotted here, and it's a home for both migratory and resident birds.

It's no surprise, then, that it's a wonderful place for a stroll.

The preserve spans about 6.5 acres and has several unique structures, like an artificial chimney made as a nesting site for swifts.

The path here is just 0.2 miles, so it's more of a nature walk than an actual trail.

The loop takes you past the museum and through the property, giving you plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife.

While it's certainly no strenuous marathon, this is a wonderful and easy trail in Fairfield, CT that even the little ones can enjoy. If you're looking for a family-friendly hike with lots of wildlife, this is a great choice!

Jones Family Farm spans more than 400 acres and harvests a variety of seasonal crops, including Christmas trees, strawberries, blueberries, and, of course, pumpkins in the fall.

The winery is one of the most popular vineyards in Shelton, CT, and produces award-winning wines.

The farm is actually comprised of three different farm locations, and appropriately enough, the farm where pumpkins are grown is known as Pumpkinseed Hill Farm.

You'll find an array of pumpkins, gourds, and squash to choose from.

The pumpkin season officially opened here on September 23, 2023 and is already in full swing.

Half of the admission fee can be credited back towards the cost of a pumpkin, letting you save a little dough on your decorative pumpkins.

There are beautiful trails at the farm, plus a mini corn maze perfect for the little ones. Being outside in the crisp fall air is so refreshing.

This is a wonderful spot for an autumn adventure that's just perfect for a family day trip.

Old Lyme is such a charming town, and there's no better way to enjoy being here than by enjoying a mid-day sweet.

How delightful is this store? It looks like you are stepping into a colorful wonderland where there's candy as far as the eye can see.

The Chocolate Shell opened in 1980 and it's been one of the best chocolate shops in Connecticut ever since.

As you can imagine, the holidays (especially Christmas and Halloween) are a particularly special time here.

They've got plenty of assorted boxes if you're looking for a gift (or want to eat a gift box yourself, we won't judge).

There are even all kinds of chocolate-dipped items ripe for enjoyment. Oranges, gummy bears, Oreos, potato chips... yum!

The Chocolate Shell also carries nostalgic treats like licorice coins and candy necklaces. Walking through and browsing at the selections is like a stroll down memory lane.

These jars of jelly beans are pretty drool-worthy, we must say.

Go ahead and let yourself indulge. Honestly, there are few things in life that are better than a trip to a candy shop!

One of our favorite fall activities is getting out into nature.

This darling countryside home is in East Haddam, and it's got great forest views for admiring the leaves.

The five bedrooms can host up to nine guests, and you'll have plenty of room to spread out.

One of my favorite things about the home is the outdoor area - there's so much to enjoy here! There's a deck and outdoor seating area, plus a grill.

The house is within walking distance of Devil's Hopyard State Park.

Another amazing nearby attraction is Gillette Castle State Park.

East Haddam is such a wonderful weekend getaway, especially in autumn.

This beautiful 6.8-mile loop is within the state park that shares its name, in the little town of Kent.

This is an amazing place to visit at any time of year. Kent is one of our favorite small towns in Connecticut, and the views from this trail are pretty spectacular, with overlooks that will let you see for miles.

However, when the trees are all decked out in autumn splendor, it adds a special ambiance to the park that makes it even more magical.

The trail does have quite the elevation gain (1,735 feet), so it's worth noting that it's pretty hard if you're planning on enjoying the entire trek.

Even just hiking a portion of the trail is pretty beautiful, though!

Just remember: sadly, these hues will pop up quickly and be gone before you know it, so make sure to get out and enjoy the leaf-peeping while the colors are at their most vibrant.

The Braemore Preserve spans just under 100 acres and has a variety of ecosystems, such as swamps, meadows, and woods.

The network of trails here is vast and has plenty of room to explore.

The Coan and Myerhuber Pond Loop offers tons of offshoot trails, so you can get a completely different experience every time you visit.

This loop has somewhat of an elevation gain, but it's not too bad, and is just on the difficult side of easy despite the 7.2-mile length if you take the route we're featuring today.

Since the Braemore Preserve has such a wide variety of terrain, you'll get to see some interesting scenery on this trail.

The pond is lovely no matter the season, so this is a trail you can enjoy at any time of year.

The episode was entitled "Tasty Time Travel," quite fitting for this retro-themed joint.

Walking in here feels like a step back in time to simpler days.

If you haven't visited the area in a few years, you may remember the diner by its former name, City Limits.

The restaurant changed hands (and names) in 2017.

While the restaurant has a decidedly old-fashioned feel, there are some modern touches. You can enjoy cocktails in front of television screens at the bar.

The matzo ball soup is one of the most popular items on the menu.

You really can't go wrong with any of the desserts, either!

I don't know about you, but there's something special about a diner breakfast. It's the perfect amount of satisfying fullness, deliciousness, and comfort food all rolled into one.

The Spiderweed Preserve is a beautiful, little-known refuge that spans about 150 acres in Middletown.

The area has very little parking, so be prepared to pull off to the side of the road near the trailhead.

You'll see oak forests and stone outcroppings that make for lovely photos.

The real gem of Spiderweed Preserve, however, is the stone ruins.

This magnificent crumbling structure was once the summer home of Helen Lohman.

Very little is left of the estate, and it's eerily beautiful to walk through these walls and imagine what a grandiose home once stood here.

This is such a stunning hike! The Middlesex Land Trust is working to improve the trail here, so be aware that certainly sections may be poorly-marked at this time while improvements are being made.