Connecticut is a beautiful state – in the fall, it’s alive with autumnal colours, while summer is a great time to tour the coastline which leads to New York City.

Hartford is the state’s epicentre, where business convention centres, literary museums and rose gardens sit side-by-side. The state capital is set by the winding Connecticut River and is dissected by Interstates 91 and 84. Freeway 91 stretches north towards Springfield and the wonderful New England coast. Interstate 84 is a useful thoroughfare between Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.

From Stamford to New London, Connecticut coastal route is alive with great destinations. Interstate 95 exits New York City north of the Bronx, where upscale towns like Greenwich pave the way towards Stamford – one of the gems of Long Island Sound. Here, you’ll find beaches, museums and charming New England mansions.

Continue to Norwalk to discover lush wetlands, aquariums and country clubs galore. The Connecticut Turnpike (I-95) heads right into the centre of New Haven – the state’s most important coastal city. World-famous as the home of prestigious Yale University, this destination is a great place take in rich culture.

Connecticut was the first American state to introduce motor vehicle speed laws in 1901, when the maximum limit was set at 12mph (19km/h). Things have moved on in the last century – today, the state-wide highway speed limit is 65mph (104km/h).

From zip lining through the treetops to spending romantic afternoons bobbing on sailboats by the coast, Connecticut is a state with lots to experience. That’s all before you explore the historical cities that grace New England’s southern corner.

Tour the shore

Connecticut’s seaside towns are quiet and peaceful even in the summer – an ideal place for a day trip after a busy weekend exploring cities like Hartford or New York City.

It is possible to cross the state in a little over two hours using the main highways, but the real magic can be found on back roads like Route 1. Stop off at the Gold Coast’s lush eastern beaches – Hammonasset Beach State Park is one of the best, featuring well-equipped campsites and sand stretching for two miles.

In the west, you’ll see the state’s opulent side, where a monied commuter belt brings the essence of New York City into Connecticut with metropolitan restaurants and boutiques set beside luxury yachts.

Connecticut car hire allows you to cruise into Ivy League New Haven in no time. This breezy city is known for the Yale University Art Gallery and Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library. As well as the largest collection of British art held outside the UK, New Haven is home to unusual treasures like the PEZ museum exploring the history of American candy.

See the state capital

Don’t forget to visit the landlocked cities too – metropolitan Hartford has a rich and varied history. It’s the birthplace of both insurance and the revolver and a major destination for lovers of American fiction.

Visit Mark Twain’s preserved 19th-century home, where he created well-known characters like Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. Inside the museum, you can join a writing programme or take a guided tour.

Alongside a collection of exciting art museums, the Harriet Beecher Stowe Centre is another great place to indulge your imagination.

Discover the great outdoors

Take a ride out from Connecticut sleepy cities and discover action-packed nature spots. Hop into your hire car and drive into the lush greenery – there are biking trails, spas and incredible waterfalls. The Great Falls at Canaan feature 60-foot cascades for kayaking or hiking.

A taste of New England heritage

Connecticut has many layers of history – great authors, important ports and artefacts from the Revolutionary War. The state is also home to America’s oldest theme park – Lake Compounce. Brimming with rides, retro wooden rollercoasters, wave pools and a host of family friendly activities, it’s well worth a trip.

Connecticut is also the home of farm-to-table dining, so don’t skip the chance to drop into a local tavern for locally-sourced white clam pizza or a slice of hearty pumpkin pie.

Whether you love beaches, city breaks or the wonders of nature, hire a car in Connecticut and don’t miss a thing on your next American holiday.