Summer is in full swing, and TCORS Capitol Group, LLC. (TCG) celebrates the season here in the state of Connecticut with our list of some of CT’s summer highlights.

Here is TCG’s guide to upcoming local festivities and seasonal activities taking place across the state.

Take in the sounds of summer with this list of upcoming outdoor concerts and music festivals from CT Magazine, including Pratt Street Sounds in Downtown Hartford, a free evening of local music every Thursday and Friday evening through the end of September.

For more outdoor entertainment, get into the action at Lime Rock Park, CT’s historic racetrack. Or check out CT Visit’s roster of Summer Festivals, with live music acts, arts, vendors, food trucks, and craft beer. Some highlights: the Mystic Outdoor Art Festival (August 12-13), the Hot Air Balloon Festival (August 25-26), and many food truck festivals throughout the season.

Connecticut Old State House Farmers Market

Shop the bounty of CT’s late-summer local farm stands or farmers markets, and gather ingredients for a great gazpacho, a classic, mayo-slathered tomato sandwich, or an herby, bright, and sweet corn salad.

Continuing with summer treats, the Hartford Courant recently named 5 CT scoop shops that make their own ice cream, from Frisbie’s Dairy Barn in New Britain, to Robb’s Farm Ice Cream Shop in South Glastonbury. Craving cotton candy, yearning to feast on fried dough, or looking to admire the local livestock? Find fair food, rides, and more, at CT’s Summer Carnivals. These lead up to New England’s largest festival, The Big E (September 15- October 1), the Eastern States Exposition: visit the Connecticut Pavilion for CT vendors, arts and crafts, and CT specialty fare.

Explore outdoor dining with restaurants that offer scenic CT views, like Simsbury’s Millwright’s and West Hartford’s Pond House Café, or enjoy fresh New England seafood on the tranquil CT coast at waterside spots, like Fresh Salt at the Inn at the Point in Old Saybrook. Speaking of beaches, U.S. News and World Report shares its list of where to enjoy the CT shores here. If you wish for more verdant views, take a hike to one of CT’s top 2023 trails, named here by Connecticut Public Radio. The Hartford Courant recently celebrated CT’s status as the top hiking state according to Why This Place, a travel website.

On those rainy days, enjoy a stroll around the Wadsworth Atheneum, the Mystic Aquarium, or the Mark Twain House. With CT’s Summer at the Museum program, children under 18 are admitted for free with an adult Connecticut resident until September 4th. Find a complete list of participating museums, galleries, historic homes, zoos, aquariums, and folk parks here.

TCORS Capitol Group LLC, (TCG), wishes you a relaxing and restorative rest of the summer season!