From vibrant fall foliage and fields of pristine snow to colorful spring wildflowers and soft summer breezes, experience the beauty that is Connecticut. Rivers and lakes glow in reflected color. A coastline curves in peaceful spectacle past the Long Island Sound. Connecticut's a place where you can choose an easy-going stroll or a formidable hike through paths of glory. In fact, Connecticut has more miles of hiking trails than states twice its size. You can picnic by the side of the road or in a pristine park. Pick a pumpkin or a peck of apples.

Visit Connecticut's vineyards and sample wines as delicate as the hillside's glow. Stroll town greens turned gold. Tailgate at a college football game and cheer for both sides. Or, just bicycle one of the scenic back roads. Spend the day, stay the night, then take it all in again. Connecticut's fall begins in September and doesn't fade until November. Connecticut's countryside, with its picturesque villages, farms, rivers and streams and the many parks and forests, covers almost 90 per cent of the state.

Historic Mystic
Connecticut's coastal location is perfect for maritime and marine life adventures. Go below the first nuclear-powered sub, the USS Nautilus, in Groton. In Mystic, find the Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration. The Penguin Pavilion is a crowd-pleaser as are the daily dolphin and whale demonstrations. Nearby, explore world-famous Mystic Seaport, where you can spend a day in the 19th century. Board a historic ship or visit the Amistad. Little ones can dress up in 19th-century garb at the Children's Museum; teens can hoist a sail on the Charles W. Morgan. While in Mystic, watch the famous drawbridge open up for the tall yachts, then grab a bite at the famous Mystic Pizza, where Julia Roberts got her start. Further south, see the watery world of The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, with amazing underwater creatures, touch tanks, and an IMAX movie theater. There's a maritime museum and boat-building demonstrations for a full day of fun.

Golf
If you're the kind who won't leave home without your golf clubs, head to Connecticut, where in every corner of the state, great games wait for you and your lucky nine-iron. Golfing Digest rated Richter Park in Danbury one of the top 50 public courses in the nation. At Lyman Orchards Golf Club in Middlefield you'll find a Robert Trent Jones-designed course, an 18-hole Gary Player Signature Course, and an automated reservation system to arrange tee times 24 hours a day.

Thirty-six challenging holes await at the Fairchild Wheeler Golf Course in Bridgeport, and, in Groton, the Shennecosset Golf Course will surely keep you on your toes. At Hunter Golf Club in Meriden it's you against the doglegs, the water hazards, and yards and yards of rolling greens. Most Connecticut courses have pro shops and snack bars or restaurants. Some offer lessons, too. In June, put down your putter for a week and watch the Greater Hartford Open, played by the best golfers in the world at the Tournament Players Club at River Highlands in Cromwell.

Barnum Museum
When passing through Bridgeport, stop by the Barnum Museum (exit 27), which depicts PT Barnum's extraordinary life as an entrepreneur, talent scout, politician, journalist, impresario, and founder of "The Greatest Show on Earth." Here, you'll marvel at the numerous exhibits devoted to Barnum's show business finds, such as General Tom Thumb and Jenny Lind. Located on the top floor of the museum is Barnum's own scale model of a "Three Ring Circus". You can also view state-of-the-art videos on Barnum's life and times-Barnum is the only museum that portrays this man's life and the enormous impact he had on 19th-century America. Colorful exhibits also relate to Victorian-era Bridgeport, including historic period rooms in an age of elegance.

Resorts
Are you looking for a place to concentrate on body and soul? In Connecticut, you can tune up, tone down, work out, wine and dine, get pampered, and get back in shape at a resort, campsite or spa that's just right for you. Choose a resort with a golf course, indoor and outdoor pools, beaches, entertainment, and fine cuisine. Or opt for a spot that's a little more rugged-a cabin in the woods, a lakeside retreat. But, if top-shelf amenities are more to your liking, Connecticut offers European-style luxury, with the linen sheets turned down. Pack designer luggage, or a canvas backpack. Then leave your cares and woes behind, and renew yourself in Connecticut.

Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding
Connecticut is the perfect lift-me-up for people who want to spend less time on the road and more time on the slopes. Five fabulous ski areas, all close to New York City, offer the beauty and charm of New England with perfect conditions and plenty of snow. State-of-the-art snow making (a Connecticut invention) and modern grooming technology combine with Mother Nature to create consistently delightful conditions for expert skiers and novices alike. From gentle rolling beginners' slopes to challenging black diamonds, Connecticut has the hills and thrills for all types of skiers. It's the perfect learn-to-ski location.

Ballooning
Connecticut's rolling hills and scenic vistas make it an ideal choice for hot-air ballooning. Litchfield Hills, the Farmington Valley, and the Connecticut River Valley are among the most popular routes.

Gambling
The world's largest casino isn't in Monaco, or Las Vegas; it's right here in New England, in Ledyard, Connecticut. The Mashantucket Pequot tribe's Foxwoods Resort Casino celebrates its eighth year in 2000, and it's more than just 5,500 slot machines, hundreds of table games, Keno, Bingo, poker and horseracing. The resort complex is home to three hotels, 30 dining options, the 1,450-seat Fox Theatre, the 360-degree Cinedrome movie theater, and the new Mashantucket Pequot Museum, which is a five-minute shuttle ride away. Plus, a Foxwoods getaway puts you in the heart of the Connecticut Woods, close to dozens of other nearby restaurants, attractions, and outdoor activities.

Mohegan Sun casino in Uncasville, Connecticut, may be dwarfed by its nearby neighbor, but if you ask Connecticut locals, they'll often tell you that they prefer the Mohegan Sun's more cozy, intimate environment to the "glitz" of its larger rival. Whether or not you're a serious gambler, Mohegan Sun is an entertainment extravaganza, and it too is more than just 3,000 slot machines, table games, Bingo, poker, and horseracing. The resort complex is home to great dining options including an irresistible buffet, the Wolf Den and other entertainment venues, shopping, and more.

Fishing
Bluefish, striped bass, flounder, cod, and even shark and tuna in deep water, are among the catches you'll find in Connecticut. Anglers can also catch trout, bass, pickerel, and shad in hundreds of freshwater lakes, ponds, and streams. Fishing Licenses are required for anyone 16 years of age or older to fish in the inland district. The Fisheries Division of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection publishes an annual Angler's Guide listing lakes and ponds, which notes the species of fish available at each fishing site. It also lists lakes with public boat ramps and a number of sites offering access for the handicapped. Charter fishing boats cater to private groups that book, or charter, the vessel exclusively for their own use. These vessels are allowed to carry up to six passengers and can range in length from 24 to 47 feet. Tackle is generally supplied; bait and/or chum may be extra. All charter boat captains listed are licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard and registered by the State of Connecticut.

Forests & Parks
Connecticut's state parks and forests are open to the public year-round from 8am to sunset. For site maps, regulations, etc., contact the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, State Parks Division, Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, 79 Elm St., Hartford, CT 06106-5127, (860) 424-3200. For public boat launch locations, write to Boating Division, P.O. Box 280, Old Lyme, CT 06371-0280, and request "Connecticut Boater's Guide". Seasonal passes are available for state residents. Senior citizens age 65 and over are eligible for Charter Oak passes, which include free admission and parking. For further information, contact the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation. Groups wishing to visit by bus must contact the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, by phone or by mail, at least 14 days prior to the visit to secure a bus permit.

Area: 5544 sq.mi, Land 4845 sq. mi., Water 698 sq.mi., Shoreline 618mi.

Population: 3,282,031; 29th, 12/99

State Capital: Hartford.

Border States: Massachusetts - New York - Rhode Island.

Agriculture: Nursery stock, eggs, dairy products, cattle.

Industry: Transportation equipment, machinery, electric equipment, fabricated metal products, chemical products, scientific instruments.

State Flag: On a field of azure blue is an ornamental white shield with three grapevines; each bearing three bunches of purple grapes. The states motto "He who transplanted sustains us" is displayed on a white ribbon. The vines stand for the first settlements of English people who began to move from Massachusetts in the 1630's. These settlements were thought of as grapevines that had been transplanted.

Largest Cities: Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, and Waterbury.

Geographical Center: Hartford, at East Berlin.

Highest Point: Mt. Frissell - 2380 feet, 36th.

Lowest Point: Long Island Sound - Sea level.

State Bird: Robin.

State Flower: Mountain laurel - Kalmia latifolia.

State Nickname: Constitution State.

State Song: Yankee Doodle.

State Tree: White Oak - Quercus alba.

State Motto: Qui transtulit sustinet: "He who transplanted still sustains".

Statehood: January 9, 1788.

Origin of state's name: Based on Mohican and Algonquin Indian words for a "place beside a long river".

Topography: Western upland, the Berkshires, in the Northwest; narrow central lowlands; hilly eastern upland.