Looking for holiday cheer? Follow the romcoms on this new Connecticut road trip

Every year, the new crop of holiday movies invites grumbling from cynical viewers who are critical of their cookie cutter plots. But there’s no question that people love a cozy film to watch in the background while, well, baking cookies.

Now, you can step inside some of the magic yourself, on the nation’s first Christmas Movie Trail. The state of Connecticut has been a backdrop for at least 22 such movies made by Hallmark, Netflix, Lifetime, and beyond since 2014. The new trail maps out significant filming sites from each movie, and offers itineraries to visit bakeries, restaurants, hotels, and historic homes spotted on screen.

Curious what you’ll find? Here are a few of the films you’ll find scattered about the state on this self-guided tour.

‘My Adventures with Santa,’ Meriden

In this 2019 film starring Denise Richards, Patrick Muldoon, and Barbara Eden, the “Nolan” family is unexpectedly brought together for the holidays by nothing other than a magic snowglobe. Perhaps that’s why the star of I Dream of Jeannie plays Mrs. Claus? You likely won’t find the same portal to Santa’s workshop in real-world Meriden today, but you can copy-paste the Nolan family’s holiday traditions. Start with Kogut’s Hemlock Hill Tree Farm to get your own festive pine, then head to the 140-year-old Thompson Chocolate shop for sweets and treats. The Festival of Silver Lights at Hubbard Park runs through  Jan. 2.  

‘One Royal Holiday,’ Woodstock, Putnam, and Hartford

What’s more classic Christmas than an everyday American who stumbles upon royals in a small New England town—and then falls in love? In this 2020 film, a Boston nurse whose mother is a chef at a remote inn welcomes travelers stranded in a blizzard, without realizing that they’re the Royal Family of Galwick. You can follow their footsteps to the Inn at Woodstock Hill, the Mansion at Bald Hill, and the streets of downtown Putnam.

‘Soul Santa,’ Norwich and Mansfield

When a businessman gambles away money from the mob, he goes into hiding in plain sight—as a shopping mall Santa Claus. This 2021 film starring Tamela J. Mann and David Mann was filmed at the Eastbrook Mall and in downtown Norwich, where the Harp & Dragon Irish Pub also played a role in the film.

‘Wally Lamb’s Wishin’ and Hopin’,’ Norwich and Willimantic

There’s nothing worse than being just another kid in the family when your cousin happens to be a famous teen star and Mouseketeer (we assume). In this star-studded Christmas flick from 2014, a substitute teacher played by Molly Ringwald tries to make a memorable Christmas for poor Felix (Wyatt Ralff), a 10-year-old who’s just trying to get through fifth grade. The film was shot around Willimantic and Norwich and is based on the witty New York Times bestseller of the same name, narrated by Chevy Chase.

‘Broadcasting Christmas,’ Fairfield County

This 2014 film starring Melissa Joan Hart—she of Sabrina the Teenage Witch—is perhaps the most satisfying type of holiday romcom (or at least the most ubiquitous): Ex-lovers-turned-enemies get another shot at love. Being work rivals adds another layer to the mayhem, as the stars are two TV news reporters competing for an attractive anchor gig. Of course, the winning candidate will be crowned during what else but the Christmas Day Telethon. We won’t spoil the ending for you because we don’t know yet how it ends, but we do know that you can visit the Arcade Mall, Ganim Christmas Tree Farm, and Sacred Heart University to relive the on-air magic.

By creating the trail, Connecticut is capitalizing on “set-jetting” trends—or, in other words, film tourism. Many travelers now say that seeing a destination on screen is more influential than coming across it on social media, according to a report from Expedia last year, which predicted set-jetting would be a top trend for 2024. Their research found that more than half of travelers say that TV inspires their travel plans.

“Expedia noticed searches peaking for destinations featured on shows, even imaginary destinations like Schitt’s Creek,” Melanie Fish, chief trend tracker for Expedia Brands, said in the brand’s report. “We found it hard to believe people were actually booking trips to places they saw on a show. We commissioned research and sure enough, movies and streaming shows are now the top inspiration for travel.”

Each film corresponds with a number on the trail map, so you can also find a movie that’s geographically easier for you to visit. If you’d like to hit several in one go, the largest concentration of filming sites is along the Connecticut coast and into its southeast corner, bordering Rhode Island.

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