• The first circus in the United States was in Newport in 1774.
• Jerimoth Hill is the state’ s highest point at 812 feet above sea level.
• Block Island, an 11-square-mile seaside resort located 12 miles off the Rhode Island coast, was named one of the last 12 great places in the Western Hemisphere by the Nature Conservancy.
quet provides 55 campsites spread among two campgrounds. Plentiful history and natural exploration reveal interesting facts and lore of the region.
Another National Scenic Byway, this one in the southwestern section of Connecticut, titled the Merritt Parkway journeys through more natural beauty for 37 miles on Route 15. Near the eastern point of the byway in Greenwhich, is the Audubon Center. Hiking trails lead visitors through fields and forests filled with wildlife for watching, and also at the center’ s visitor facility. Nature’ s importance to the state is evident along the route, and the fall season’ s colors are in full view as well.
Call 888-288-4748 for Connecticut travel information.
Robert Loewendick is a freelance outdoor / travel writer from Ohio. Reach him at www. robertloewendick. com
• West Hartford is the birthplace of Noah Webster, the author of the first dictionary published in 1807.
• Connecticut comes from a Native American word,“ quonehtacut”, meaning long tidal river.
• The first automobile law was passed by the state of CT in 1901. The speed limit was set at 12 miles per hour
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