BEHIND-THE-SCENES FOOD

As delicious as well-crafted food and drink can be, somehow it’s even more satisfying when you understand where these things come from. There’s a special feeling in connecting with the makers, or seeing how things are harvested, or learning the history of a dish or a foodway. Luckily, there are many opportunities across New England to get this kind of “insider” look at local drinking and dining, ensuring that you capture the region’s true flavor on your travels.

CONNECTICUT may not be the first place that springs to mind when you think of vineyards, but insiders know that this small coastal state has a surprisingly robust wine scene. The Connecticut Wine Trail connects more than 20 local purveyors, making it easy to find tasting rooms and meet the makers. Many vineyards also have enticements to linger awhile: In Wallingford, for example, you can dine al fresco at Paradise Hills Vineyard, then head over to nearby Gouveia

CONNECTICUT: Sunset casts a golden glow over the Tuscanstyle tasting room at Paradise Hills Vineyard in Wallingford.

(1,115m²) Lyman Conservatory and its wild array of tropical, subtropical, and desert plants.

In RHODE ISLAND, a quirky man-made wonder can be found among the palatial Newport Mansions properties. Green Animals in Portsmouth is a topiary garden whose roots go back to the 1870s, and where humble shrubs have been transformed into a fantastical zoo of unicorns, camels, and elephants. Another Newport-area stunner is Blithewold, a historic 32-acre (13ha) estate overlooking Narragansett Bay in Bristol. Built as a summer home for a Pennsylvania coal baron, it has not only amazing ocean views but also more than 500 species of trees and shrubs; highlights include a weeping pagoda tree and a 100-foot (30.5m) giant sequoia that’s thought to be the largest on the East Coast.

➼ Read more: DISCOVERNEWENGLAND.ORG/SECRET-GARDENS

Vineyards for local live music as part of its Sunday concert series. For a biggerpicture view, the Coastal Wine Trail of Southeastern New England connects seaside wineries in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. And while the vibrancy of New England’s wine scene might be a revelation for some, few will be surprised by the popularity of its seafood, especially in MAINE . Take a deep dive on the Maine Oyster Trail, an interactive guide to the state’s oyster industry that encompasses tours of natural habitats and oyster farms as well as visits to raw bars and markets. The trail’s trip planner lets you customize an itinerary to your interests and location, from sea kayaking in Brunswick to oyster tastings in Damariscotta.

➼ Read more: DISCOVERNEWENGLAND .ORG/BEHIND-THE-SCENES-FOOD

There’s an energy here like nowhere else. There’s a radiance to the shoreline and a grandeur to the mountains. Rich flavors color a world-class culinary scene. Bold music, fashion, and film make a vibrant backdrop. From multicultural festivals to heritage destinations, diversity is in our DNA—and it’s celebrated. Feel the richness of culture and the spark of adrenaline. It’s all right in Connecticut.

CAPITAL: Hartford

Regional Tourism Councils

Fairfield County > ctvisit.com/fairfield

Greater New Haven > ctvisit.com/new_haven

Litchfield Hills > ctvisit.com/litchfield

Mystic Country > ctvisit.com/mystic

Greater Hartford > ctvisit.com/hartford