Connecticut’s Top Scenic Drive Named — And It’s a Classic

According to Country Adventures, every state has one scenic drive that’s worth rolling the windows down for, so of course I jumped straight to Connecticut’s entry to see how badly they bungled it. Shockingly, they nailed it: they chose The Merritt Parkway.

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On looks alone, the Merritt is unbeatable. It’s 37 miles of tree-covered roadway, gorgeous seasonal color, and those old 1930s and ’40s bridges that feel like they were designed by someone who refused to phone it in. The scenery is pure charm.

Driving it, however? Whole different story. Commuting on the Merritt is like entering the Thunderdome. People merge like they’re being chased, no one has ever seen a turn signal, and you’ll witness some of the worst — and most creative — driving of your life.

And here’s a fun bit of Connecticut history: the state once had to issue public service announcements telling residents not to hunt deer from the median. That’s the kind of energy we’re dealing with.

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Still, when you’re not white knuckling the wheel, the towns along the way make the whole route worth it. Greenwich offers its usual upscale everything, and New Canaan has the Philip Johnson Glass House if you want to feel fancy for an afternoon.

I would have chosen Route 7 heading up towards Kent but what the hell do I know? I just live here. The good news is, Connecticut may be tiny, but when it comes to scenic drives, we know how to deliver.

P.S.: one of my bucket-list goals is to drive the entire Pacific Coast Highway — which just so happens to be named California’s best scenic route. What can I say? My taste is flawless.