Discover Connecticut Things to do
Connecticut is one of America’s oldest and smallest states. A Connecticut vacation is sure to be big on fun and full of exciting new adventures. Connecticut is home to a few of America’s landmark destinations. Like one of its most famous universities and the home of one of its most famous authors.
In Connecticut visitors can also enjoy a few blasts from the past like the oldest amusement park or a still operating steam train.
Mystic Seaport & Museum
Mystic Seaport Museum is an ideal destination, especially by boat. Located on the historic Mystic River, with docks north of both bridges and a short distance from Long Island Sound. Features a New England coastal village, a working shipyard, formal exhibit halls, and state-of-the-art artifact storage facilities.
Coastal village offers dozens of real New England buildings staffed with historians, musicians, storytellers, and craftspeople. Walk through the working waterfront, climb aboard historic vessels, and explore exhibit galleries.
The Museum is home to four National Historic Landmark vessels, most notably the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan, America’s oldest commercial ship still in existence.
Essex Steam Train, Railbike Adventure and River Boat Ride
Essex Steam Train & Riverboat’s 2 1/2-hour train and 1 hour train. Journeys begin at the historic 1892 Station for a 12-mile narrated round-trip into the heart of the unspoiled Connecticut River Valley. The steam locomotive pulls vintage coaches through the New England towns of Deep River and Chester.
At Deep River Landing, passengers are escorted onto the Becky Thatcher riverboat for a 1-1/4– hour cruise along the Connecticut River. The visual serenity of the river valley is on full display from Becky ‘s multiple decks. The Rail Bike Adventure Pedal a Railbike for an 8-mile round trip.
Mystic Aquarium
Mystic Aquarium is one of three facilities holding Steller sea lions and it has the only beluga whales in New England. Undersea Explorer features an incredible virtual reality ocean journey, bringing together thrilling and educational content with state-of-the-art technology to ignite visitor interest.
The indoor exhibit gallery is home to thousands of unique and colorful fish, from the central 35,000-gallon exhibit featuring eels, tangs and so many more.
Within the aquarium, encounter programs are offered to visitors. Who for an additional fee can get close to the African penguins and feed and touch sting rays in a special pool.
Mark Twain House and Museum
The Mark Twain House & Museum a National Historic Landmark in Hartford, Connecticut. The 25-room home features a dramatic grand hall, a lush glass conservatory. A Grand library and the handsome billiard room where Twain wrote his famous books.
Start your visit at our Museum Center, featuring a permanent exhibition on the life of Mark Twain and a video introduction on Twain. The best part of the Mark Twain House & Museum tour is the writer’s top-floor sanctuary where he pondered and conducted business.
East Rock Park
East Rock Park is a popular outdoor recreation destination among residents and visitors of the greater New Haven region. Views from the clifftops span metropolitan New Haven, Long Island Sound, and Long Island. The park is open year-round to hikers and walkers.
A number of hiking trails traverse the ridge. Giant Steps Trail provides a spectacular 285-foot climb to the Summit. It starts at the English Drive gate along the north side of Rice Field. The Giant Steps Trail is designated with red triangle trail markers. The Pardee Rose Garden and Greenhouse features roses and other flowering plants from spring to fall.
Mohegan Sun
Mohegan Sun is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic southeastern Connecticut.
Mohegan Sun is home to two unique casinos, two luxury hotel towers totaling 1,600 rooms, a world-class spa. The 125,000 square-foot Earth Expo Center, a championship golf course. More than 80 shops, restaurants and bars. Three award-winning entertainment venues, including the 10,000-seat Mohegan Sun Arena.
Gillette Castle State Park
Of all the things you’d expect to find in Connecticut, a castle might not top your list. But this unique property near East Haddam and Lyme is definitely worth a visit. The interior is as eccentric as William Gillette himself, so an interior tour is not to be missed if you make the trip to the park.
Some of the favorite sights at the castle and grounds include oddities like a system of hidden mirrors and unusual doorknobs and locks. At Gillette Castle State Park tourists can enjoy visiting a museum, walking on hiking trails, a visitor center, gift shop, concessions, picnic areas, hiking trails and much more.
Elizabeth Park Conservancy
The Elizabeth Park Rose Garden is the center of Elizabeth Park. It is the first municipal rose garden in the United States and the third largest rose garden in the country today.
Elizabeth Gardens in West Hartford offers acres of formal gardens, green spaces, recreational facilities, and walking trails. Here, you can take several tours that teach you about the park’s history, native trees, thriving perennials, and rose gardens.
In addition to the Rose Garden, the Conservancy oversees the maintenance of the Annual and Tulip Garden, the Julian and Edith Eddy Rock Garden, the Perennial Garden, the Heritage Rose Garden, the Sunrise Overlook, and the Hosta Garden.
Yale University Art Gallery
This world-famous Ivy League university is Connecticut’s pride and glory and New Haven’s number one tourist destination. The university founded in 1701, making it the third oldest university in the U.S.
The Yale University Art Gallery is the oldest university art museum in the Western Hemisphere. It houses a major encyclopedic collection of art in several interconnected buildings on the campus of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.
Extensive collections are especially strong in art from the ancient Mediterranean world, which includes more than 13,000 objects. African art comprises nearly 2,000 objects, and art from the ancient Americas.
Lake Compounce Amusement Park
Connecticut is home to the oldest amusement park in the U.S., located in Bristol. With 332 acres of games, rides and entertainment, there’s plenty to keep the whole family busy all day long. The amusement park also has a beach and water park included in the price of admission.
The Lake Compounce Amusement Park has rides for all ages. Some of the favorites include Boulder Dash, the first wooden coaster to be built entirely on the side of a mountain and 3 other coasters.
There is no doubt that Lake Compounce is one of the most fun places to visit in Connecticut.
Things to do in Connecticut
This little New England state might be small on size, but not on fun. Connecticut is the perfect destination for cultural and historical attractions. For visitors looking for fun, it doesn’t matter how old you are you’ll find plenty of places to play in Connecticut.