Quantcast
 
 
Just Be - Discover Bethlehem, New Hampshire

Connecticut > State > Things to Do and See > Great Things To Do in CT

Great Things To Do in Connecticut

Connecticut is packed with great things to on a getaway for families, kids, or just adults, like scenic shoreline and country drives, antique shopping, world-class museums, historic sites, pretty walks, and plenty of activities and attractions for your vacation adventure. Phone ahead or check the attraction's website before visiting, especially for outdoor activities.

Follow these links for : Outdoor Adventures - Beach Areas - State & Local Parks

Litchfield Hills Farmers Market
Family Outing - Essex Steam Train & Riverboat - Essex, CT
Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

One Railroad Avenue Essex, CT, 06426 Phone: 860-767-0103 Toll-Free: 800-377-3987

Lots of ways to experience adventures on this steam train and riverboat, and all of them are fun

You have a lot of options at Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, and all of them are fun. You can take a train ride through the Connecticut River Valley on vintage cars pulled by a steam locomotive. You can take a cruise along the Connecticut River on the Becky Thatcher, a Mississippi-style riverboat. Or you can do both, traveling along the rails to Deep River Landing, boarding the boat, then going back to Essex on the train. Or, you can experience vintage luxury, and fine dining, on the dinner train for lunch or dinner excursions. And, if that’s not enough, there are plenty of area activities, including the Goodspeed Opera House, hiking at Gillette Castle State Park and shopping and dining in Essex Village and Chester Village. Please check our website for current train & riverboat schedules.
Learn More
Silas Robbins House in Spring - Historic Wethersfield, CT
Historic Wethersfield

Travel into history or celebrate the great outdoors with activities in this historic town

At Historic Wethersfield, it’s the best of both worlds: historic collections to see in museums and homes, and plenty of events, walks and activities for lovers of the great outdoors. Inside, visit historic houses with 18th-century furnishings and artwork, learn about the town’s 17th-century West Indies trade participation in the maritime museum and step inside homes where George Washington really did visit. Outside, picnic by the town’s pretty cove, stroll along the 3-mile Heritage Walk, or pedal the Heritage Way Bike Trail. Hike through woodlands and meadows in one of the area’s many parks, which also feature everything from beaches and pools to bocce, tennis and basketball courts, accessible playgrounds, sledding hills and ponds perfect for fishing and ice skating.
Learn More
Cruising off Rathbuns New - Argia Mystic Cruises - Mystic, CT
Argia Mystic Cruises

75 Steamboat Wharf Mystic, CT, 06355 Phone: 860-536-0416

Embark on a 2-hour day-sail or sunset sail

May through mid-October, choose a day or sunset sail aboard the sailing ship ARGIA! Discover islands, lighthouses, and traditional windjammer sailing, right from down-town Mystic, Connecticut. ARGIA accommodates up to 49 guests for public or private day or evening sails down the historic Mystic River to Fishers' Island Sound. Sail in smooth and protected waters aboard this Coast Guard licensed vessel.

Relax as you sail by scenic coastlines, take a turn at the helm, or help the crew hoist and trim the sails. Pack a picnic and a bottle of wine (or order snacks from us when you book) to make this excursion truly memorable.
Departures Daily (May thru mid-October) at:
  • 9:30am
  • Noon
  • 3:00pm (½ hr. earlier in October)
  • 6:00pm (½ hr. earlier after Labor Day, 1 hr. earlier in October)
Learn More
Onrust at the Dock - Connecticut River Museum - Essex, CT
Connecticut River Museum

67 Main Street, Steamboat Dock Essex, CT, 06426 Phone: 860-767-8269

Put this on your to-do list: learning about a great river, then sailing its waters

Learn about the Connecticut River, then take a cruise to get up close and personal to what The Nature Conservancy has called “one of the last great places in the Northern Hemisphere.” Marking its 50th anniversary, the Connecticut River Museum features exhibits that explore the great river’s history as well as its importance to the region’s heritage and future. Annual exhibits include a holiday train show and, from January through March, an exhibit on “The Eagles of Essex.” Public cruises aboard the 64-foot eco-tour boat RiverQuest include themes from the area’s wildlife to lighthouses, birding with special opportunities to see eagles and swallows, spring and fall foliage and sunset cruises. Or, sail aboard the Onrust, the re-creation of a 1614 vessel that sailed the river during the early Age of Exploration to get a taste of history.
Learn More
Explore Ice Castles in North Woodstock, NH! Click here to explore.
Full View - IT Adventures Rope Course - New Haven, CT
IT Adventure Ropes Course

40 Sargent Drive New Haven, CT, 06511 Phone: 203-812-9981

The perfect adventure is waiting for you at world’s largest indoor ropes course

Adventurers of all ages will find their perfect thrill-providing attraction at the It Adventure Ropes Course inside Jordan’s Furniture in New Haven, CT. The state-of-the-art fun facility — the largest indoor ropes course in the world — lets kids and adults soar through the air on integrated zip rails, conquer cargo nets and zigzag swinging beams and navigate more than 100 obstacles guaranteed to get your adrenaline pumping. There is no set path: You can follow your own route and directions. There’s also a separate climbing feature, with four unique walls to try: Astroball, Amazing, Hexed and Big Cheese. At the Little It ropes course, even the littlest thrill-seekers can try out their skills on platforms just three feet off the ground, with adults able to pitch in as needed. Group rates are available for birthday parties, field trips, private functions, and corporate retreats.
Learn More
Bluefish Girls 500x250 - Black Hawk Party Boat - Niantic, CT
Blackhawk Sport Fishing

Sailing from the Niantic Bay Marina Niantic, CT, 06357 Phone: 860-448-3662 Toll-Free: 800-382-2824

It’s a great day when it’s spent out on the water in search of fish — or fireworks

Is there a better day than one spent out on the water? At Blackhawk Sport Fishing, they have several ways for you to make the most out of that experience of being out on a fine boat on a beautiful New England day. Experienced captains and crew can take you in search of fish from stripers and sea bass to cod and fluke. (The mates will fillet and clean your catch if you wish.) Or, you can book a specialty cruise in search of gorgeous sunsets, spectacular fireworks, adorable seals or magnificent eagles. Kids are welcome — sometimes they even get to beep a boat horn or score a free T-shirt. A galley has burgers, hot dogs, snacks and beverages. Private charters are available.
Book a Trip
Explore Greenwich - Stanton House Inn - Greenwich, CT
Stanton House Inn

76 Maple Avenue Greenwich, CT, 06830 Phone: 203-869-2110

Greenwich, and this inviting inn, offer a variety of attractions, activities for visitors

The warm hospitality, luxurious accommodations and convenient location make The Stanton House Inn the perfect headquarters for your fun getaway or vacation. At the inn itself, there’s a seasonal outdoor pool and lawn games as well as a book-and-games-stocked library and gorgeous gardens to stroll in. You can walk to upscale dining and shopping in Greenwich or take a short train ride into New York City. In the other direction, it’s a pleasant drive to Mystic, with its famous aquarium and maritime attractions. There are beckoning beaches and a variety of state and local parks with hiking trails, playgrounds and tennis courts. The inn’s hosts will be happy to recommend everything from garden tours to where the most picturesque mansions are located.
Book Now
Corn Field Family - Lyman Orchards - Middlefield, CT
Lyman Orchards

32 Reeds Gap Road Middlefield, CT, 06455 Phone: 860-349-1793

Centrally located within 30 minutes of Hartford, Waterbury, and New Haven, CT, Lyman Orchards is a must-visit destination for all ages with plenty of events happening year-round. With nearly 100 varieties of pick-your-own fruits from June to October, it's perfect for family or corporate outings. Explore the seasonal Sunflower or Corn Maze, offering fun and beautiful views. The Apple Barrel Farm Market provides fresh local produce, handmade pies, and delicious sandwiches, while the 1741 Pub & Grill offers tasty meals with a view. Golf enthusiasts can enjoy three award-winning courses. Lyman Orchards blends tradition, nature, and recreation, making it an ideal spot for outdoor fun, farm-fresh flavors, and scenic beauty.
Learn More
Exterior View of the Mark Twain House & Museum - Hartford, CT
Mark Twain House & Museum

351 Farmington Avenue Hartford, CT, 06105 Phone: 860-247-0998

See the 19th-century home where Mark Twain penned some of his greatest works like Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Explore the Mark Twain House & Museum and reconnect with one of the nation’s most beloved authors, who wrote about Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer in this very house. Daily tours take visitors through the richly decorated rooms in the Victorian home, many featuring the exotic interiors of Louis C. Tiffany & Co. Museum artifacts, including period furniture, photos, paintings, and books by Darwin, Hawthorne, and others with margin notes written by Samuel Clemens. Visitors can see a film by Ken Burns, check out rotating exhibits, shop in the well-stocked museum store, and sample local food in The Nook Farm Cafe.
Learn More
Sailing Past a Lighthouse - Lighthouse Cruises - New London, CT
Cross Sound Cruises

2 Ferry Street New London, CT, 06320 Phone: 860-444-4620

Come home with fabulous photos after one of these fascinating lighthouse cruises

If you’re looking for a great way to spend the day that’s a little out of the ordinary, Cross Sound Cruises has you covered: Take one of their three two-hour lighthouse cruises, out of New London, CT and Orient Point, NY. You’ll ride in comfort in a beautiful catamaran, with an air-conditioned lounge, large outside decks and full snack and bar service. And the views: spectacular! You’ll pass by many of the region’s most-photographed lighthouses, from New London Harbor Light, one of the original 12 colonial lighthouses, to Watch Hill Light, whose construction was authorized by President Jefferson, as well as by historic forts and picturesque resorts and homes. Each tour has an experienced guide who will regale you with lighthouse histories as well as fascinating tales of the sea.
Learn More
Evening Lights - Bishop's Orchards - Guilford, CT
Bishop's Orchards

1355 Boston Post Road Guilford, CT, 06437 Phone: 203-453-2338

Food, fruit wines and fun: At this popular farm and orchard, they serve up all three

Once you visit Bishop’s Orchards, you’ll want to make it a regular stop on your things-to-do-list. There’s the pick-your-own season, which starts with sweet, juicy strawberries in June and goes through to pumpkins at Halloween. There are activities for kids, from hay mazes to book clubs. There are wine tastings and trivia nights and live music nights at the Little Red Bar(n), where you can also enjoy charcuterie boards and house-made barbecue from the BBQ Shed. Take your glass of farm-made fruit wine or hard cider out to the patio or sit under the sail-cloth tents. There’s the Creamery (three words: Sea Salt Caramel), open year-round. And then there is the year-round farm market, with a huge selection of fresh produce, prepared foods and world-famous pies.
Learn More
New Dinosaur Place Photo with Logo
The Dinosaur Place at Nature's Art Village

1650 Hartford-New London Tpke. (Rt. 85) Oakdale, CT, 06370 Phone: 860-443-4367

On the hunt for something different to do? Spend the day with the dinosaurs!

Here’s something different to do: Spend the day with dinosaurs! They are everywhere at The Dinosaur Place at Nature’s Art Village, from the T-Rex Tower, with 2 1/2 stories of challenging features and obstacles to the A-MAZE-asaurus maze with a slide through the giant mouth of a T-Rex to the dueling T-Rex water cannons at the exciting Splash Pad. But most of the dinos — more than 60 of them, all life-sized — are waiting for you along a 1.5-mile nature trail. The park also includes playgrounds, an 18-hole mini-golf course, an antiques market, fun shops with everything from crystals and shark’s teeth to home items, a creek where you can pan for fools gold nuggets, and a replica silver mine where you can dig for crystals and minerals.
Learn More
The Glass House Exterior New Canaan CT
The Glass House

199 Elm Street New Canaan, CT, 06840 Phone: 203-594-9884

Astonishing glass home centerpiece of enchanting property in New Canaan

Visit the extraordinary Glass House and see where art and architecture intersect. Built in 1949 by renowned architect Philip Johnson, the house’s exterior walls are made of glass, with no interior walls. You could, as Johnson said, see sunset and moonrise at the same time, standing in the same place. The house led to the building of 13 other “pavilions” on the 49-acre pastoral property over several decades, including the Sculpture Gallery, Painting Gallery, Studio, Ghost House and Pavilion on the Pond. Owned and operated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, it also houses a permanent collection of remarkable 20th century paintings and sculpture as well as temporary exhibits and outdoor sculptures. Self-guided tours are offered April through December, and occasional public programs are also presented.
olde mistick village in mystic CT
Olde Mistick Village for Nostalgic and New Shopping

Olde Mistick Village, at 27 Coogan Blvd. in Mystic, just off Exit 90 of I-95, is a quirky but really fun place to shop, especially as the Christmas season approaches. It is an open-air shopping center set up to resemble a Colonial village, complete with duck ponds, a waterwheel and replica of a steepled New England meetinghouse, where performances and special events take place. Visitors can wander along brick pathways to more than 40 stores that sell gift items from the world over. The meeting house and Victorian gazebo host performances of musicians, dancers, and storytellers free of charge. Open daily, year-round. 860-536-4941.
go karts
Arrive, Then Drive! Or Jump!

Supercharged, at 1 Sachatello Industrial Drive in Montville is well-named. At this 110,000-square-foot indoor karting and trampoline park, electric-powered karts speed around an indoor multi-level track. Two tracks offer challenges for all ages and skill levels. All drivers be at least 58 inches tall, and be able to operate the vehicle safely. There is no minimum age requirement. At the 8,000-square-foot, multi-angled trampoline park, everyone can jump for fun or tension relief or just because it feels good. Dream up games of dodgeball, airbag play and basketball. Open daily. 860-444-7700
vista lounge at mohegan sun
Lounge in an Onyx Mountain

In the heart of the lavish Mohegan Sun is Wombi Rock, a jagged sculpture of onyx and alabaster formed into a three-story mountain with intimate seating areas tucked among it nooks and crannies, all beneath a star-studded dome of sky. Projected on the dome above is changing fiber-optic displays of the sun, moon and stars. At the top, overlooking the gaming floors, is the Vista Lounge, an oh-so-divine bar and perch to see and be seen. Great fun to sit in this crystal nest, enjoy a drink, and watch the casino turn below.
weir farm in ct
Artwork Down on the Farm

Weir Farm National Historic Site on Nod Hill Road in Wilton is one of two national historic sites that preserves and displays a place for the visual arts. (The other is the Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site in Cornish, New Hampshire.) From 1882 to 2005, Weir Farm was the home and workplace of three generations of painters, starting with J. Alden Weir. Visitors today can view the Weir home and studios, take guided walks of stone walls and painting trails, and enjoy the rotating art exhibits. In April 2020, the farm was featured in the newest coin produced by the U.S. Mint in its American the Beautiful Quarters program. The grounds are open year-round; hours at the Visitor Center vary seasonally. Phone: 203-761-9945
denison pequotsepos nature center in Mystic CT with VisitNewEngland.com
Meet the Outdoors at Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center

Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center at 109 Pequotsepos Road in Mystic is a nature preserve and learning center with lots of hiking trails and a delightful nature store. Bring your family for a day of walking, birdwatching, nature photography and a picnic. On the 10 miles of hiking trails through woodlands, wetlands, and meadow, you can search for bluebirds, turtles or bullfrogs, admire a summer wildflower garden or simply enjoy a peaceful walk. Wander the Butterfly House and enjoy the tree house. See “Night in the Meadow” in the small theater. Open daily. Trail map. 860-536-1216
bartlett gardens
Arboretum Is a Portal to Nature

Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens at 151 Brookdale Road in Stamford welcomes people every day from dawn to dusk to explore 12 gardens and many trails (with your dog, if you like), and to enjoy champion trees, gardens, wildflower meadows, red maple wetlands and boardwalks, and woodland walking trails. The arboretum’s Silver Center hosts art displays and summer concerts. Come for botany classes and doggy happy hours. Events, classes and concerts. Trail map. 203- 322-6971
Salisbury General Store & Pharmacy - Salisbury, CT
General Store in Salisbury Is a Browser’s Delight

Located in Northwest Connecticut, Salisbury General Store and Pharmacy at 20 Main Street in Salisbury is one of those purely delightful stores with merchandise far beyond what the name might imply. Located in the gateway to the Berkshire Mountains, the store welcomes visitors, tourists, hikers, and shoppers looking for gifts. The store stocks specialty soaps and spa products, unique gifts, toys, crafts, cards and party goods, wooden kitchenware like cutting boards, and textile arts. The store features the work of local artisans. Hiking supplies too! 860-435-9388.
Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport, CT
Visit the Giant World Through Its Animals

Plan to bring your young ones – or adults with a love of exotic animals – to Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo at 1875 Noble Avenue in Bridgeport. One of the state’s top family attractions, the zoo displays 300 animals: condors, tigers, ocelots, wolves, a giant anteater and a golden lion tamarin. The zoo is open daily and the carousel is open Thursday through Sunday. Feed your brood at the Peacock Café then go on for further explorations. Special areas include a tropical rainforest, an aviary, and a New England farmyard. This is a great activity for bad-weather days. Zoo is open daily, year-round.
owl shop in new haven
For Late-Night Camaraderie, Try the Owl Shop

The Owl Shop at 268 College Street in New Haven has a long pedigree. It was opened in 1934 on Wall Street as a bookstore by Greek immigrants. The proprietor was also mixing his own tobacco blends, for sale. A second store opened on College Street in 1937. Today, this history has created a convivial cigar lounge and coffee bar frequented by Yale and New Haven people for relaxation and camaraderie. You can buy light snacks and enjoy live jazz on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Happy hour, needless to say, happens nightly. Open daily, past midnight. 203-624-3250.
Taste of New Haven Tours - Great Things To Do
Get a Taste of New Haven

Gather with friends to soak in the tastes, sights, and sounds of New Haven. On Taste of New Haven themed food and drink tours, guides lead guests through the buzzing city and into its finest eateries, with fun stops at cultural spots along the way. Tours are food-themed (New Haven pizza, sushi) or neighborhood-based (Canal Quarter, Wooster Square), and timed to warm you up for a night at the theater. Tours run year-round for 1.5-4 hours in rain or shine, and your departure point is revealed when you register. 888-975-8664.
Taste of New Haven Food and Drink Tours - Great Things To Do
Find Food Adventure with New Haven Food Tours

Most of us know that New Haven is famous for its original and authentic pizza, but there is so much more for your palate to enjoy there. Taste of New Haven Food & Drink Tours hosts culinary walking culinary tours of this delightful, historic city. Experienced tour guides lead guests on tours with names and themes like Theater District, Canal Quarter, Goatville, Wooster Square, Pizza and Pints Bike, New Haven Symphony, Latin American Tapas, Pizza Lovers, Live To Eat, Theater District, Latin American Tapas, and On 9. Tours usually last 3 to 4 hours, although the Pizza Lovers Tour and the Pizza & Pints Bike Tour are 6 to 7 hours. Gift certificate available for a unique present. You also may book a private tour! Call and check the website for 203-710-3710.
CT Audubon Birdcraft Museum & Sanctuary - Fairfield, CT
Sanctuary Is Home to Birds of Many Feathers (and Species)

Connecticut Audubon Society’s Birdcraft Museum in Fairfield is an intimate natural history museum with its own songbird sanctuary. This family-friendly museum offers first-class natural history programs and exhibits to bird lovers of all ages. Planted in 1914 as a refuge to attract, and harbor migratory and resident birds, the six-acre site has sheltered more than 120 species of birds. A bridge over a pond on the property allows close-up views of the sanctuary and its inhabitants. Visitors can observe a honeybee hive, a collection of African animals, and other changing exhibits, and attend scheduled demonstrations of bird-banding in spring and fall.
Bird Watching at Bluff Point State Park - Groton. CT - Photo Credit CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection
Birds from the Bluff

Among its other virtues as a hiking and lookout site, Bluff Point State Park off Depot Road in Groton is a rich resource for bird watchers. Many shorebirds can be seen year round. Along the loop trail watch for various shore birds in the river, mudflats and salt marsh. The tangles of vines along the trail and the beach are other fruitful places to view many species. In the fall American pipits are common and in the winter the Ipswich race of the savannah sparrow is sometimes seen, as well as an occasional snowy owl. Various grebes, cormorants, gulls and ducks are often seen from the bluff.
Barn Quilt Trail in Connecticut - Photo Credit Linda Pouder of Merryall Studio
Look Up! Quilting History on the Barns

You never need an extra excuse to take a ride around the lovely country roads of Connecticut, but here’s one anyway: the New Milford Barn Quilt Trail. This trail passes eight farms and consists of eight colorful quilt patterns painted on large wood blocks and hung on antique and vintage barns around New Milford. The trail is fun from explores and photographers and people who simply love the old barns. It honors the state’s agricultural history and the tradition of quilt making. The barn quilt blocks are hung on private property and may be viewed only from public roadsides.
Skydive Danielson - Danielson, CT
Skydiving: The Leap of a Lifetime

Ready to face your fear of heights? Take the plunge and experience the sensation of floating in a freefall at speeds upwards of 120 miles per hour. At the Skydive Danielson facility in Danielson, qualified instructors lead first-time skydivers into the adrenaline rush of a lifetime: a scenic ride over the landscape followed by a tandem jump from a height of 13,000 feet! Those who leave the Skydive Danielson facility wanting more can sign up for technical classes and receive their license to skydive.
Connecticut River Museum - Essex, CT
Beauty, History of Connecticut River on Display

If you are drawn to the Connecticut River by the beauty of its unspoiled marshlands, the Connecticut River Museum on Main Street in Essex offers an exceptional vantage point in all seasons. From its docks you can see bald eagles, migratory birds, and a wide variety of waterfowl. The tidal wetlands that surround the Museum are an environmental treasure and a beautiful natural attraction. The family-friendly exhibits are filled with art and artifacts that link the river’s stories to our lives today. Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
New England Air Museum - Windsor Locks, CT
Historic Aircraft on Display at Air Museum

The New England Air Museum at 36 Perimeter Road at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks is New England’s largest aviation museum and one of Connecticut’s most interesting attractions. It houses more than 80 aircraft and an extensive collection of engines, instruments, aircraft parts, uniforms and personal memorabilia. Within this collection are the Sikorsky VS-44A; a B-29 Bomber; the Silas Brooks Balloon Basket (1870); the Bunce-Curtiss Pusher (1912); the Sikorsky S-39; and a Kaman K-225 helicopter. The museum hosts lots of special events, many of them welcoming to children. Open year-round.
burgis brook alpacas ct
Burgis Brook's Alpacas Offer a Friendly Welcome

Burgis Brook Alpacas on North Canterbury Road (Route 169) in Canterbury is a full-time farm for raising, showing, and breeding alpacas located on 43 acres of rolling hills and forest. The farm store carries farm-raised alpaca yarn milled in Connecticut as well as hand-woven and knitted scarves and accessories and high quality Peruvian imported garments. Visitors are always welcome, but call in advance to let the farm hosts know you're coming. Hours: Sunday-Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday, 2-4 p.m.
Northwest Park & Nature Center - Windsor, CT
Year-Round Fun in Nature and a Coffeehouse, Too

Located on Lang Road in Windsor, Northwest Park & Nature Center is a 473-acre recreational facility that has the virtue of staying open and lively throughout the year. There is a nature center, 12 miles of trails to enjoy during the winter and summer, maple sugaring, a Coffee House Concert Series that brings live music to listeners, and more. Annual events include Country Fair, pancake breakfasts, maple sugaring demonstrations, owl prowls, holiday wreath-making workshop and other forms of fun for all ages. Nice outdoor activities for parents and kids. Phone: 860-285-1886
R. J. Julia Bookstore - Madison CT
A Bookstore With a Serious Love of Reading

R.J. Julia Booksellers in Madison opened two decades ago as an independent bookstore whose mission was, and is, to be a place where words matter and where writers meet readers. The store hosts more than 200 events a year. Authors from all over the country visit the store to inspire, educate, and entertain. A knowledgeable staff, opinionated book selections with shelf-talker tags help book lovers find books that are just right for them. Open daily.
Bushnell Park on Trinity Street in Hartford, CT
Beautiful Oasis in the City

Bushnell Park on Trinity Street in Hartford is a wonderful public sanctuary that merits a full-day visit. The park is home to a carousel that dates from 1914 – the golden age of these structures that combine artistry, magic, and simple fun. For people who love the artistry of nature, Bushnell Park is an urban arboretum of rare and native trees. Visitors can pick up a brochure and take a self-guided walk of magnificent trees from many parts of the world. The park also has beautiful fountains, statues, a pond, and a performance pavilion. The park offers free tours of the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Arch and hosts many public events. Open: May to mid-October. Phone: 860-232-6710.
The Shops at Yale - New Haven, CT - Great Things To Do
The Shops at Yale Are Just the Start of Your Exploration

With more than 50 unique boutiques and shops in Chapel Street Historic District and Broadway, Shops at Yale at 255 Crown Street in New Haven has the perfect mix of browsing, shopping, dining and people-watching to fill a weekend. The Shops at Yale are rich with boutiques alongside national retailers like Apple, J. Crew, and Urban Outfitters; bluestone sidewalks and beautifully restored architecture; award-winning restaurants and theaters; and world-renowned museums. Near at hand are public spaces that host lots of fun cultural events (one example among many is the sidewalk chalk art festival in August). Mix your pleasures with a visit to ancient beauty at the Yale Center for British Art, the Peabody Museum, Yale School of Architecture Gallery, and the historic Shubert Theater.
very and dash antiques in stamford ct for gthings
Antique Shopping Is Artful & Abundant in Stamford

Stamford, just a hop and a jump from the New York border, is a beehive of antiques stores, and a place where antiques lovers could get lost and put a grave dent in the checkbook. Among the places that are named in the upper strata of Stamford antiques shops are Avery & Dash Collections on Jefferson Street and Stamford Modern on Pacific Street.
Carson's Store - Noank, CT
General Store Covers All Needs With Classic Warmth

Carson's Store on Main Street in the very quiet and pretty seaside town of Noank was founded in 1907 and it is still going strong, serving tasty breakfasts, lunches, and ice cream along with the other joys of any old general store (penny candy, anyone?). Settle into a padded stools at the counter and contemplate an old-fashioned milk shake. Open daily, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Snowy Owl - Group Tours at CT Audubon Society in Greenwich
Private Group Tours of Animal Life

Greenwich Audubon is offering in-person, outdoor private adventures for groups of up to 8 people at the Audubon property at 613 Riversville Road in Greenwich or at Grass Island Park on Greenwich Cove. The adventures may include bird watching or bird counting, owl prowls, guided hikes, and exploration of ponds and wetlands.
Stratford Antique Center CT
Treasures From the Past

With about 200 antiques dealers under one roof, the Stratford Antique Center on Honeyspot Road is a place where antiques buffs can become blissfully lost. The center is located off I-95 in Stratford and is locally known as the “big blue building.” It houses 16,500 square feet of antiques and collectibles. Browsers will enjoy the numerous dealer floor spaces and display cases, making this a great shopping attraction for anyone looking for things to do on an afternoon or weekend. 203-378-7754.
Ladies Cruising - Stonington Borough - Stonington, CT
Stonington Borough Connecticut

Nature, history, food and the sea all celebrated in historic Stonington Borough

In Stonington Borough, you can get acquainted with nature, history, the ocean and good food, all in the same trip. Take a harbor cruise, walk the seawall at Stonington Commons, let the kids splash in the water at duBois Beach, enjoy a glass of wine at Saltwater Farm’s WWII-era hangar, now transformed into a winery. Go boating, fishing, kayaking or paddle boarding. Walk the trails of the Dodge Paddock & Beal Preserve, with panoramic views of Little Narragansett Bay. Visit the nation’s first Lighthouse Museum or a sea captain’s house. Take a self-guided walking tour of historic Stonington, shop its eclectic boutiques and galleries or sit down for a fine meal with a water view at one of many welcoming restaurants and cafes.
Chocolate Geeks in Essex CT
Knock Back Some Truffle Shots

Chocolate Geeks, located in The Barn at Griswold Square, 49 Main Street in Essex, is a business founded on a single product: truffle shots. (If you go gaga for chocolate truffles, these are up your alley.) Now they also sell bean-to-bar craft chocolate, artisan baking chocolate, tasting classes, chocolate chip cookies, and more. Open Wednesday – Saturday, noon – 5 p.m., or by appointment.
Audubon Center of Greenwich, CT
Audubon Center Brims With Activity Year-Round

Greenwich Audubon Center at 613 Riversville Road in Greenwich offers lots of recurring classes and programs that encourage people of all ages and physical abilities to enjoy the center and its lessons about nature. All year round, the center offers activities like Nature Yoga with Brittani Kelly, emphasizing nature around us and the health of the environment; Family Yoga, which welcomes kids to join the experience; and Sensory-Sensitive Saturdays, welcoming people with extra sensitivities who would like to enjoy learning about nature in a quiet and soothing space. Check out the center’s events pages to learn more. These are great activities for cold-weather and warm-weather seasons.
Connecticut Barn Trail
Come Visit Connecticut’s Beautiful Barns

You don’t need to be a photographer or painter to appreciate the beauty of farm barns. These icons of farming life have caught the attention of Connecticut historians, who created a Connecticut Barn Trail. Use the trail and its maps to explore this beautiful countryside at your own pace. The trail has seven routes that highlight barns at farms and farm stands, orchards, wineries, and historic sites. 203-562-6312.
Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford - CT Great Things To Do
Wadsworth Presents a Mix of Art and Entertainment

The marvelous Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford is a grand place to visit, particularly after the mid-decade overhaul of the galleries. Permanent and changing exhibits are always worth a fresh visit. This museum leads the way in providing events and entertainments to showcase and enhance exhibits. These may include films, talks, live music, even Sunday brunches. There’s always something to enjoy. 860-278-2670.
Prime Climb - Wallingford, CT
Go Climb a Rock

During the chilly seasons or on rainy days, are you and your kids climbing the walls? Come of the place where this activity is a fun, challenging indoor sport (for all ages)! Prime Climb is an indoor rock-climbing gym at 340 Quinnipiac Street in Silversmith Park in Wallingford, next to Walco Park. For fun and physical training, rock climbing is the next big thing, and indoor clubs are springing up everywhere. Good for children, teens, and adults. Prime Climb offers specials and kid-oriented activities.
Bluff Point State Park - Groton, CT
Bluff Point Beckons Walkers, Skiers

Bluff Point Coastal Reserve in Groton offers the visitor a delightful mixture of wooded hiking and cross-country skiing trails coupled with spectacular wildlife viewing on Long Island Sound. Because of its Coastal Reserve designation, access to the bluff is by foot or non-motorized vehicle only. The trail to the bluff passes through wooded and open areas until the view broadens as the bluff is approached. Here vegetation is more sparse and diminutive because of wind exposure. Among the plants to be found at the headland are native beach plum, beach pea and red and white shore roses.