The Most Charming College Town In Connecticut Is Home To Delicious Dining, Trails, And More
By Lisa Sammons|Published August 29, 2023
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Lisa Sammons
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Lisa loves animals and has dogs, rats, cats, guinea pigs, and snakes. She is passionate about animal rescue and live music - traveling across the country to see a favorite band is a pretty regular occurrence! Being out hiking in the woods enjoying the scenery with her beloved dogs is another favorite hobby, and also checking out the Pokemon Go scene in whatever city she happens to be in at any given time (coffee and dog leash in hand). You can reach Lisa at lsammons@onlyinyourstate.com
We have several colleges in the Nutmeg State, so, of course, that means there are several college towns in Connecticut. For those living outside of the state, New Haven is likely the most famous, thanks to Yale’s international prominence in the fields of science and research. We love the Elm City, and there are a ton of things to do in New Haven, but you’d be remiss to not check out the town of Storrs, home to the University of Connecticut. The lively town within the city of Mansfield is home to around 16,000 residents. It’s got a great small town vibe with all the attractions you’d expect a major college to have, with plenty to entertain visitors, students, and townies alike. Check it out:
Like many college towns, Storrs's identity ties closely into that of the university. The town was actually named for brothers Charles and Augustus Storrs who founded the school.
It's gained prominence both as a research school and on the basketball court. The men's and women's Huskies teams have collected nearly two dozen NCAA championships.
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The thriving downtown area is a bustling haven for businesses and attractions, and there's a lot to do.
Betsy Paterson Square, Storrs Road &, Dog Ln, Storrs, CT 06268, USA
One unique area in downtown Storrs is Betsy Paterson Square. The square serves as an old-fashioned New England town green, and it's a hubbub of activity. The square hosts various events and festivals throughout the year.
Another ultra-charming attraction in Storrs is the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry. This place has one of the largest puppet collections in the entire country, with more than 2,500 puppets from all over the globe.
Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry, 1 Royce Cir #101B, Storrs, CT 06268, USA
One spot that's sure to get your adrenaline pumping is The Adventure Park at Storrs. This playground-in-the-forest features treetop trails, canopy walks, platforms, and zip-lines.
Looking for something a little more relaxed? The Albert E. Moss Sanctuary is just the spot. This 135-acre preserve has loop trails, a forest, and a lovely pond.
This unassuming Mediterranean restaurant is tucked away in a shopping center, but don't let the location fool you. It serves up high-quality Middle Eastern food that's incredibly delicious.
This underrated college town in Connecticut is definitely worth a visit: as you can see, there are many things to do in Storrs, CT!
If you’re looking for a great place to stay near campus, check out Graduate Storrs on Booking.com. This four-star hotel has plenty of amenities and is just a 15-minute walk from UConn.
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