Connecticut i a little state with big heart.

There are many well-known wonders to be found here, but what about the less recognizable finds hiding in plain sight?

There's adventure around every corner if you're willing to find it.

Let's explore Connecticut's Hidden Gems.

This episode features one of Connecticut's greatest features the great outdoors.

From state parks to heights and flights the Nutmeg State's got it all.

Here we are at the Adventure Park at Storrs.

This is a zip line and treetop ropes course in Storr Connecticut With nine trails, 28 zip lines, 106 element challenges, and endless opportunities for fun.

Let's check it out.

The adventure starts by watching a safety video first, then the expert staff help you get harnessed up, make sure you're all tucked in safe and then you can hit the courses.

Climbers navigate from one tree platform to another, crossing challenge bridges of rope, cable wood, and zip lines.

The trails are color coded according to difficulty, rangin from beginner through advanced, so there's a challenge for everyone depending on your experience and abilities.

I feel like a bird.

Imagine, like trying to speed through this, do this, like, as fast as you can, I would lose.

Oh.

Woo!

This spot is so much fun.

An entire day could easily be spent here.

But if you're in central Connecticut, you need to check ou Hubbard Park, our next location.

While to some, Hubbard Park is more of an iconic local landmark than a hidden gem, it could still be considered one of Connecticut's most remarkable and underrated nature escapes, spending 1800 acre in the Hanging Hills of Meriden, it features a man made lake stunning views of the local area and so much more.

Let's explore Hubbard Park.

Hubbard Park is home to a host of woodlands, streams, play spaces, hiking trails and more.

When Walter Hubbard, one of the most generous of Meriden philanthropists, gifted the land to the cit in the late 1890s, he specified that everything connected to the park was to remain free of charge for all.

Today, the park serves as a beloved community hub, from outdoor adventures to community events.

And here at the top of East Peak is what many consider the finest aspect of Hubbard Park Castle Craig.

Castle Craig Tower, the stone observation tower atop East Peak, was officially dedicated to the people of Connecticut in 1900.

The plaque reads that this is the highest point within 25 miles of the coast from Maines of Florida.

About 1002ft above sea level, the top of the castle offers a spectacular view of central Connecticut.

The best part, however, might be that anyone can access the castle by car.

You can take a great hike to the top, or simply take a brief drive up the paved road for that great view.

Last but not least, what might be centra Connecticut's best kept secret.

Connecticut state parks offer exactly 21 places to go swimming across the state, from lakes and ponds to the fabulous shoreline.

But they're not all easy to find.

Wadsworth Falls State Park Beach is located a little distance away from the famous falls.

Here are both local and out-of-state visitors alike can find solace in the sandy shore and river pond swimming hole on hot summer days.

In the old days for state parks, you used to be able to go swimming pretty much anywhere.

They didn't really control where swimming happened.

If there was a natural body of water, if there were some falls you could just kind of jump in.

Now there are more rules.

Safety makes sense, but this is one of the few state parks where you can still kind of splash around.

And when people come, they usually come.

They look up Wadsworth Falls, they park, and they go and se the really famous scenic falls.

But they don't realize there's a secret beach back here.

Like, look at those ladies chilling with their chair in the water like they get it.

That's a beach day.

When you're in the area though, be sure to stop and check out the falls.

They're breathtaking.

Let us know which Connecticut hidden gems we should know about.

Stay curious.

And thanks for watching.