Connecticut Tourist Attractions  

"Must See Tourist Attractions in Connecticut."

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American history resonates throughout Connecticut. In the coastal area, unique towns are built upon layers of intriguing history. The bygone whaling era echoes in the streets of New London. New Haven is home to Yale University and is graced with its Gothic buildings and intellectual nuances. Here, art connoisseurs can enjoy museums that display paintings from masters such as Van Gogh, Manet and Picasso. The central part of the state includes the capital city of Hartford, home to famous American writers Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe and the 37-acre Bushnell Park. Founded in 1636, this metropolitan city is flavored by a rich heritage. The Connecticut River Valley is alluring with its enchanting towns and countryside. Here, the unusual Gillette Castle at Hadlyme stands guard. The forests and lakes of the Litchfield Hills region offer natural beauty and numerous recreational opportunities including the Topsmead State Forest.

ATTRACTIONS

Southwestern   South Central   Northwestern   Central   Eastern   National Parks

Southwestern

Bush-Holley Historic Site - 18th-century home later became a boarding house for Connecticut's first art colony. Features early American fine furniture and American Improessionist art.

Housatonic Museum of Art - The Museum has one of the most significant collections of any two-year college in the country and includes works by master artists such as Rodin, Picasso, Matisse, Miro and Chagall. Both art enthusiasts and casual observers have the rare opportunity to engage daily with original works of art and artifacts on continuous display throughout the College and campus grounds.

The Barnum Museum - Only museum dedicated to depicting the extraordinary life of P. T. Barnum and the enormous influence he had on 19th century America.

Weir Farm National Historic Site - American Impressionist painter, J. Alden Weir (1852-1919) summered at this country retreat for nearly 40 years. The 60 acre site includes Weir's home, studio, barns and outbuildings, a visitor center, and a second studio built by sculptor, Mahonri Young.

Bruce Museum - Over the past 90 years the Bruce Museum has developed a collection of approximately 15,000 objects, with holdings in fine and decorative arts, natural science and anthropology.

Bridgeport Discovery Museum - Keep small hands and young minds busy at the Discovery Museum. Hands-on exhibits, planetarium, and virtual basketball.

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum - One of the earliest and finest surviving Second Empire Style country houses ever built in the United States. Exhibits center on the material, artistic, and social aspects of the Victorian era.

The Maritime Aquarium - The Aquarium features more than 1,000 marine animals native to the Sound and its watershed. Tanks portray successive levels of life in the Sound, from shallow tidal areas filled with oysters, sea horses, lobsters and small fish to the 110,000-gallon Open Ocean tank with 9-foot sharks, bluefish, striped bass, rays and other creatures found in the Sound and the ocean beyond.

Beardsley Zoo - 52 acres dedicated to wild and wonderful animals of North and South America.

Stamford Museum & Nature Center - 118 acres; includes New England working farm, country store, woodland trails, picnic area. Nature’s playground, live pond life exhibit, boardwalk with seating niches along a stream. Seven galleries exhibit fine art, Americana and much more.

Sheffield Island Lighthouse and Nature Trail - Picturesque boat ride to the 3-acre park with picnic area and 1868 lighthouse. The ten room lighthouse showcases period furniture, and offers a chance to see what life was like for the families of 19th century light keepers. A viewing platform on the nature trail allows visitors to see a variety of wildlife including nesting herons and other birds.

South Central

Peabody Museum of Natural History - Step into the world’s cultures through outstanding exhibits on Ancient Egypt, and the peoples of Mesoamerica, the Andes, the Pacific, the Great Plains and the Northwest Coast.

The Eli Whitney Museum - One of America's premier inventors. The Museum has two permanent exhibits, Inventing Change and The Gilbert Gallery which are open year round. From November to January see the Annual Toy Train exhibition in which visitors may run as many as four separate train lines on a 30 x 15 foot layout. Also displays and activities on aeromodeling.

Connecticut Audubon Coastal Center - An 8.4 acre bird sanctuary and wildlife refuge on Long Island Sound located at the mouth of the Housatonic River. The Nature center offers educational exhibits, tide pool demonstration tank, nature store and more.

Freedom Schooner Amistad - Connecticut's Flagship and Tall Ship Ambassador. Amistad’s home port is Long Wharf Pier in New Haven. The Freedom Schooner visits ports nationally and internationally as an ambassador for friendship and goodwill. It serves as a floating classroom, icon and monument to the millions of souls that were broken or lost as a result of the insidious transatlantic slave trade.

Yale University Art Gallery - A tour of the Yale Art Gallery will take you through outstanding collections of Egyptian, Etruscan, and Greek art, early Italian panel paintings, European, Asian and African art from many cultures, impressionist, modernist, and contemporary paintings and sculpture as well as changing selections from over 30,000 master prints, drawings, and photographs.

Hammonasset Beach State Park - A visit to Hammonasset Beach State Park, is more than just another day at the beach. Connecticut's largest shoreline park offers over 2 miles of beach to enjoy swimming, strolling along the boardwalk, or just relaxing in the sun and surf.

Shubert Performing Arts Center - The Shubert presents a wide array of programs to a diverse community including the best of Broadway, dance, cabaret and family entertainment.

The Dudley Farm - The restored and furnished 1840 Farm House is the hub of the farm. Tours of the house introduce visitors to a typical kitchen, dining room, parlor and bedrooms, while sharing lifestyle information and stories from the house's previous inhabitants. The Farm is open to the public and invites visitors to experience life on a turn of the 20th century farm. Located on Rt 77 just north of Rt. 80.  (203) 457-0770.

Northwestern

The Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art - Quarterly exhibitions, outstanding sculpture garden. Works inlcude paintings, photography, sculpture, and mixed media.

Danbury Museum and Historical Society - Situated in downtown Danbury, the museum preserves the John and Mary Rider House (c. 1785), the Dodd Hat Shop (c. 1790), the Marian Anderson Studio, and the Charles Ives Birthplace. Huntington Hall, a modern exhibit building, contains the museum offices and a research library.

The New England Carousel Museum - One of the nation's largest collections of historic carousel art. A constantly changing panorama of priceless figurines and memorabilia create a fantasy world filled with spectacular images poised in flight, frozen in time. Hand carved by European and American craftsmen, many over a century ago, silent steeds offer an inspiring insight to the era and the artisans who created them.

Institute for American Indian Studies - Artifacts and art from 10,000 years ago to the present; indoor longhouse exhibit, changing exhibits, gift shop. Outdoor simulated archaeological site, native plant trails, replica of a 17th-century Algonkian village, garden and rock shelter.

Lake Compounce - Lake Compounce is the oldest amusement park in the United States, operating continuously since 1846.

The Brookfield Craft Center - National profile school for fine craftsmanship with gallery, gift and book store. Housed Colonial vintage restored mill overlooking the Still River at Halfway Falls.

Golden Age of Trucking Museum - Exhibition facility containing one of the rarest collections of antique trucks known to exist. Extensive toy collection, antique boats, fishing equipment, baseball memorabilia. Children's interactive area, indoor picnic area, gift shop.

Military Museum of Southern New England - Life-size interior dioramas with military vehicles and equipment. Large collection of models and dioramas depicting World War II scenes. Outdoor exhibits of tanks and heavy material.

Danbury Railway Museum - Vintage locomotives and other rolling stock in railroad yard. Restored 1903 Union Station with model railroads, displays, giftshop, and rides.

Glebe House & Gertrude Jekyll Garden - Experience the Glebe House Museum and The Gertrude Jekyll Garden -- birthplace of the Episcopal Church in the New World and graced by the only extant American garden planned by England's most venerated designer. Set in the picturesque Litchfield Hills in historic Woodbury's village center, the Glebe House Museum offers the visitor a glimpse of Revolutionary War era Connecticut.

The Mattatuck Museum - A treasure house of collections focusing on over three centuries of the heritage of the region and the master artists of Connecticut. The museum houses a 300 seat performing arts center, art studio classroom, and research library.

Flanders Nature Center - The mission of Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust is to promote the understanding and appreciation of nature, and supports the conservation, preservation, and management of the natural resources. The center offers hiking trails, seasonal farm and garden programs, Christmas tree farm and more.

Quassy Amusement Park - Quassy sits on the south shore of Lake Quassapaug. On its twenty plus acres, it boasts of twenty-five rides including The Frog Hopper, The Big Flush Water Coaster, a four abreast merry-go-round, thrill rides as well as rides for the very young. A sandy beach provides swimming in a clean, spring-fed lake.

Lime Rock Park - Professional and amateur road racing, car shows and auto festivals.

Railroad Museum of New England - The Railroad Museum of New England and the Naugatuck Railroad offers an entertaining, scenic train ride along the Naugatuck River from the historic Thomaston, Connecticut train station. The museum features an extensive collection of locomotives of all types, passenger cars, freight cars, and cabooses.

Central

Dinosaur State Park - One of the largest dinosaur track sites in North America. Beneath a geodesic dome, you will find an exceptional display of early Jurassic fossil tracks that were made 200 million years ago. Surrounding the Exhibit Center are more than two miles of nature trails and the Dinosaur State Park Arboretum.

Gillette Castle - Unique fieldstone castle was home to legendary stage actor, William Gillette. The 184 acre park is situated on a hill overlooking the Connecticut River. Gillette, best known for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes on stage, designed his house with intricately carved locks and elaborate wood doors. The grounds have extensive hiking trails and picnic spots.

New Britain Museum of American Art - Over 5,000 American works of art from 1740 to the present. Works include Benton, Cassatt, Church, Cole, LeWitt, Sargent, Stuart, Whistler, and Wyeth; changing exhibitions. Gift shop.

Hill-Stead Museum - This house museum contains some of the world's finest French Impressionist masterpieces which are still displayed amidst the furnishings of their original collector. The enchanting home is surrounded by extensive grounds and a sunken garden, open to the public daily for recreation and quiet contemplation.

New Britain Youth Museum - Farm and exotic animals, wildlife, trail system, pond, weather station, and gardens; changing exhibits on science, natural history, geology, and agriculture.

LUTZ Children's Museum - Explore and join in special activities. The museum also features hand-on exhibits, live animals, picnic area and more.

International Skating Center of Connecticut - The International Skating Center of Connecticut is a world-class, twin rink skating facility designed to meet the needs of first time competitors and Olympic Champions alike. Olympic Gold Medalists Ekaterina Gordeeva and Viktor Petrenko headline a growing list of international skating champions who train at ISCC. Visitors welcome to watch Olympic figure skaters' workout sessions.

The New England Air Museum - The New England Air Museum is the largest aviation museum in the Northeast, with more than 70 aircraft dating from 1909 to modern jets.

Connecticut River Museum - Today Steamboat Dock is home to the Connecticut River Museum where the Connecticut River Valley story is told through year round changing exhibitions, activities and programs. One of the most popular Museum exhibits is a full scale working reproduction of the first submarine, the American Turtle, invented by David Bushnell in 1776.

Amy's Udder Joy Exotic Animal Farm Park & Nature Center - Leisurely stroll through 50 or more indoor and outdoor exhibits of permanently injured, abused and unwanted exotic and wild animals and read the informational signs. Feed Llamas and Rare Sheep! Pet/hold animals such as, Baby Chicks, Giant Hissing Cockroaches, Land Hermit Crabs and Large Land Tortoises. 27 North Road, Cromwell.  (860) 635-3924.

Old State House - Oldest State House in the nation. Completed in 1796, Charles Bulfinch-designed National Historic Landmark. Tourists from around the world, school children, neighborhood and civic groups, corporations and public officials can enjoy the restored rooms, educational programs and special events at the Old State.

Harriet Beecher Stowe House - A tour of the Stowe House provides an intimate glimpse into the life of the author of Uncle Tom's Cabin. The Day House offers magnificent interiors with changing exhibits and a research library. Visitors will enjoy the Center's tranquil surroundings, accented with historical Victorian gardens.

Roaring Brook Nature Center - Replica of an Eastern Woodland Indian longhouse, dioramas, seasonal exhibits, live animals, and self-guiding nature trails.

Vintage Radio & Communications Museum - See displays of radio, television, motion picture and telephone equipment, as well as vintage advertising and memorabilia.

The Connecticut Audubon Center at Glastonbury - Offers a wide range of environmental programs and events throughout the year for all ages. The Center is adjacent to the 48 acre Earle Park with its forested trails, Tom's Pond, meadows, Holland Brook, and bluffs along the Connecticut River.

Science Center of Connecticut - Hands-on museum that explores science, nature, and technology. Planetarium, Turtle Town, Idea Zone, World Weather Window, live animals and more.

Antiquarian & Landmarks Society - Antiquarian & Landmarks Society (A & L), Connecticut's statewide heritage organization, promotes interest in historic properties by preserving and interpreting significant personal stories and collections.

The Mark Twain House - Step back to the Gilded Age during guided tours of the 19-room, Tiffany decorated mansion where Mark Twain wrote and raised his family from 1874 to 1891. During this productive period, Twain created such classics of American literature as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court.

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Ride - The steam train will take you through some of the most beautiful country in the state. You will find forests and streams, beautiful vistas and nostalgic towns, and some gorgeous views of the Connecticut River. The riverboat will take you for a relaxing and informative ride up the beautiful Connecticut River, from Deep River to East Haddam.

Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine - Abandoned tunnels of one of New England's first copper mines (1707) were used by Colony, later State of Connecticut as a prison between 1773-1827. Remains of prison, exhibits, mine tunnels, spectacular views, picnic area, hiking trails.

Goodspeed Opera House - Nationally acclaimed musicals performed in a historic Victorian theater overlooking the Connecticut River.

Eastern

Windham Textile & History Museum - Museum preserves the textile industry of southern New England . Exhibits include thread factory floor, rooms form a workers' rowhouse, and owner's mansion.

Children's Museum of Southeastern Connecticut - An interactive, hands-on, educational opportunity for the children. Don't miss Nursery Rhyme Land for toddlers and Kidsville, an entire kids-size town where young imaginations soar. The Discovery Room and outdoor Garden will delight scientists ages 6 and up. Would-be builders may create wonders in the CAN-STRUCT building exhibit.

The Submarine Force Museum - The Submarine Force Museum is home of Historic Ship NAUTILUS (SSN 571), the first nuclear-powered submarine and is also the United States Navy's official submarine museum.

Science EpiCenter - Over 100 activity stations. Science theater, early childhood center, puzzle parlor, science store, hiking trails, and picnic area.

Mystic Aquarium - Explore the new Mystic Aquarium and embark upon an exciting adventure that will take you from shallow sunlit seas to the dark reaches of the deep ocean. A journey that will forever change your view of our ocean planet.

Prudence Crandall House Museum - The site of New England's first academy for black girls established by Prudence Crandall, 1833-1834. The Museum, includes three period rooms, changing exhibits on a variety of themes, a small research library available by appointment for in-house study, and a museum gift shop.

Route 169 (National Scenic Byway) - Consider everything you know about New England -- spectacular autumn color, historic buildings, charming cities -- and you will have an idea of what you will find on Connecticut Route 169.

Florence Griswold Museum - Here is a collection of important American paintings on the walls of an house -- an architectural treasure itself -- where the artists lived and worked, in a setting much the same today as it was at the turn of the century. Here, too, is the repository of the area's history, collected in the archives and artifacts of the Lyme Historical Society.

Captain Bob's Thimble Island Tours - Tour this fables archipelage, where Captain Kidd hid from his British pursuers. On the boat ride you will hear many, many stories, legends and history on a lively, 45 minute narrated tour.

Mystic Seaport - Take part in all three Mystic Seaport adventures - the bustling 19th-century village of tall ships and historic buildings, exhibit galleries brimming with the culture of seafaring lives, and a unique shipyard where the nearly lost art of wooden shipbuilding endures - to find out how the sea has touched you, your family and our nation.

Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center - Multi-sensory dioramas and exhibits of eastern woodland and Mashantucket Pequot life. Films and videos, interactive programs, archival materials, ethnographic and archaeological collections, and commissioned works of art and traditional crafts by Native artisans are featured in the exhibits.

Nathan Hale Homestead - Here you will find information about Captain Nathan Hale, famous American Revolutionary War patriot and the official Connecticut State Hero. You will also learn about his family, their homestead, and the many education programs, tours, and resources that are available at Hale Homestead.

Roseland Cottage - Roseland Cottage depicts the summer life of a prosperous family in mid 19th-century America. Built in 1846 in the newly fashionable Gothic Revival style, the house provided a seasonal escape from a more formal city existence for Henry Chandler Bowen and his family.

National Parks

Appalachian National Scenic Trail - The Appalachian National Scenic Trail is a 2,167-mile (3,488 km) footpath along the ridge crests and across the major valleys of the Appalachian Mountains from Katahdin in Maine to Springer Mountain in north Georgia. The trail traverses Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia.

Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers - Valley National Heritage Corridor - The Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley in northeastern Connecticut has been called "the last green valley" in the Boston-to-Washington megalopolis. Close to Hartford, Providence, and Worcester but far enough away to avoid urban sprawl, this 850 square mile region remains predominately rural. Roadways winding through rolling hills link the region’s many small towns, villages, farmlands and forests. Old mills dot the lowlands along the Quinebaug and Shetucket rivers and their tributaries.

Weir Farm National Historic Site - American Impressionist painter, J. Alden Weir (1852-1919) summered at this country retreat for nearly 40 years. The 60 acre site includes Weir's home, studio, barns and outbuildings, a visitor center, and a second studio built by sculptor, Mahonri Young. Additionally, the landscape that served as subject matter for many of Weir's paintings and other works of art by Childe Hassam, Albert Pinkham Ryder and John Twachtman, remains largely intact. The Historic Painting Sites Trail allows visitors to actually stand where the artists did and compare paintings with the scene that inspired them. Ranger led tours of the studio buildings are also available to walk-in visitors.

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