One Man’s Adventures in Connecticut

One Man’s Adventures in Connecticut

By Joshua Lamb

Photography by Joshua Lamb Photography

Manchester:
Where Connecticut Started to Surprise Me

Long before I started throwing darts at a map to randomly choose my next destination, I spent weekends chasing photographs wherever curiosity led me. One autumn afternoon, that search brought me to Manchester, and I left with far more than a collection of photos.

Case Mountain was my first stop. Like many Connecticut residents, I had driven past Manchester countless times without even noticing something like this existed here. The trail starts with the sound of rushing water. There’s this beautiful little waterfall that not a lot of people know about at the beginning of the trail. 

Then the trail climbs steadily through the forest. I remember this being early fall because I wanted to come back when foliage was changing colors and it’s still something that’s on my bucket list. It was a fairly easy trail, and it led me to something incredible. At the top, it opens to wide views stretching toward Hartford. It was one of those moments that I had to pull my camera out to take a photo. Hartford looked distant in my photo, but this was one of those secret views that locals probably try keeping to themselves.

As I continued exploring, I remembered something else that has now become a frequent hobby of mine. It was the beginning of my geocaching adventure. Searching for a hidden container among the trees added an unexpected sense of adventure to an already memorable hike. It changed the way I looked at trails and from then on, every hike held the possibility of finding something hidden just beyond the next corner.

By the time we finished hiking, we had earned dinner. A short drive brought us to Mulberry Street Pizza, where I ordered the Italian Job — this pizza is a combination of lemon cream sauce, prosciutto, caramelized onions, fresh basil and Romano cheese that I still think about today…and have ordered it many times since. During our visit, the owner shared a simple tip that I’ve never forgotten: order a small pizza if you want the best char on the crust. It’s over a year later and I still do this. Mulberry Street was what actually started my adventure to try all the top New Haven style pizza spots among Connecticut. Since this stop, I have visited over 10 popular destinations, including my first stops at Sally’s, Frank Pepe’s and Modern Apizza — also known as the holy trinity of pizza. 

The warm welcome at Mulberry Street mattered just as much as the meal. Our kids were treated like regulars, and the relaxed atmosphere made it feel less like stopping at a restaurant and more like visiting friends after a day outdoors.

Looking back, Manchester became one of the first places where everything clicked. Hiking led to photography. Photography led to exploration. Exploration led to discovering great local food. I realized I had spent years overlooking places that were practically in my own backyard.

That realization eventually became the inspiration for The Dart Traveler. But before there was a series, there was simply a fall afternoon in Manchester that reminded me how rewarding it can be to explore somewhere you thought you already knew. 

Madison:

Connecticut’s Beach Town That Feels Different in Fall

Most people think of Madison as a summer destination. Beaches, ice cream and busy sidewalks define the shoreline for much of the season. Visit in the fall, however, and you’ll discover an entirely different town.

Before The Dart Traveler became a regular part of my life, I often spent weekends searching Connecticut for places to photograph. One autumn morning, that search led me to Madison, where I expected little more than coastal scenery. Instead, I found one of the most peaceful days I’ve spent along the Connecticut shoreline.

I started the day flying my drone at sunrise. As the morning light spread across the coastline, it revealed the marshes surrounding Madison. I remember thinking I had overlooked one of Connecticut’s most beautiful landscapes. That morning began a fascination with photographing Connecticut’s coastal marshes that continues today. 

My plan was to explore Hammonasset Beach State Park, but I quickly learned that visiting in the off-season requires a little more research. The main entrance was closed, yet several nearby trailheads remained open, allowing visitors to park and walk through the campground to the beach. Even the restrooms were open. It was a good reminder that a closed gate doesn’t always mean a destination is inaccessible. 

The walk itself was unforgettable. Moss-covered rocks lined the shoreline, gentle waves rolled onto the sand and there were very few people anywhere in sight. Without the summer crowds, the Connecticut shoreline felt completely different. Along the trail near one of the closed park buildings, we spotted a raccoon trapped inside a dumpster. After contacting state officials, they arrived to safely rescue it. It wasn’t something I expected to encounter that morning, but it’s one of those unexpected travel memories that has stayed with me. I still have video footage of it today. 

By the time we finished exploring, we were ready for breakfast. Christy’s Madison was busy despite it being fall; the pancakes lived up to their reputation. While we ate, our waitress shared a recommendation that never would have appeared on any travel itinerary: East Wharf Beach.

That local tip ended up becoming the highlight of the day.

Tucked away from Madison’s better-known shoreline, East Wharf Beach was quiet, peaceful and exactly the kind of place I love discovering. My kids immediately fell in love with fishing there while I wandered the shoreline with my camera. The calm water, the silence and the feeling of having the beach almost to ourselves made it hard to leave.

Looking back, Madison helped shape the way I travel today. It made me want to always get advice from the locals. It broke me out of my shell of avoiding people. Before I ever let a dart choose my next destination, I was already discovering that some of Connecticut’s best adventures happen in the places — and seasons — we’re most likely to overlook.

Joshua Lamb is the creator of The Dart Traveler, a Connecticut-based travel series where a dart decides the next destination. Through cinematic storytelling, photography and local history, he explores hidden gems, small towns, restaurants and unique experiences across New England, inspiring people to discover places they might otherwise overlook.