Originally a Dutch colony, Connecticut is a small state with big impact on the country’s art, politics, history and culture. Its breathtaking beauty, from Bear Mountain to Long Island Sound, and the proximity to large East Coast urban centers, make Connecticut a popular weekend destination for families, couples and those seeking solitude.
You will find romantic tall ships in Mystic, priceless art at the Farmington’s Hill-Stead Museum, flea markets, and diverse activities at the Lake Compounce. Here are the best things to do in CT today.
1. Historic Downtown Mystic, Connecticut
You can feel the history everywhere you go in Mystic. This charming Connecticut seaside village is a focused on its glorious maritime past.
Visitors can explore the magical Mystic Seaport, a beautifully recreated 19th-century village with its tall ships, or visit the Mystic Aquarium which is home to seals, beluga whales and dolphins.
Visitors can also stroll through the Olde Mystic Village with its magnificent Colonial buildings, sample one of many great seafood restaurants and check out many unique shops, all while soaking up the village's historic atmosphere.
Don't miss the Mystic Art Association's studios and galleries, or, if you prefer, take a kayak trip on the Mystic River, have fun at the Mohegan Sun casino or catch a free concert at Mystic River Park. More Best Mystic, CT Beaches
2. Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, Connecticut
Double the fun and take a ride in one of the 1920s coaches pulled by an original steam locomotive and then hop on the Becky Thatcher riverboat and take a slow journey on the Connecticut River. The Essex Steam Train and Riverboat adventure is a two and a half hour trip through the picturesque Connecticut River Valley, called "one of the last great places on Earth" by the Nature Conservancy. The trip starts at the 1892 historic Essex Station.
The train will take you to Deep River Landing, where you board the Becky Thatcher riverboat for the one and a quarter-hour pleasant cruise along the Connecticut River, pass Goodspeed Opera House, Gillette Castle and beautiful landscape on both sides of the river. The Valley Railroad Company, which operates the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, offers a number of other excursions and adventures on boats or trains, separately or together.
1 Railroad Ave, Essex, Connecticut 06426, Phone: 860-767-0103
More ideas: New England Day Trips
3. The Glass House, Connecticut
The Glass House is a historic house in New Canaan, Connecticut, designed by Philip Johnson in 1949 as his residence. The building’s minimalist structure, proportions and geometry made it an influential project for modern architecture of the time. It is a great example of early use of normally industrial materials such as steel and glass in home design.
The Glass House is one of 14 structures located on the verdant 49-acre property that today features a permanent collection of significant 20th-century sculptures and paintings, as well as occasional temporary exhibitions. The property is a National Trust Historic Site. The site is open and tours are available from May to November.
199 Elm Street, New Canaan, Connecticut 06840, Phone: 203-594-9884
More ideas: Connecticut Campgrounds
4. Florence Griswold Museum, Connecticut
In the early 20th century, Miss Florence Griswold's boardinghouse housed a number of young American impressionist artists, who lived and painted in the house, sometimes on the house doors and walls.
Some of the more well-known artists who lived here include Henry Ward Ranger, Childe Hassam, Edward Charles Volkertand Willard Metcalf.
The house became the core of what is known as the Lyme Art Colony, the most famous American summer art colony and the home of American Impressionism.
Today, Miss Griswold's house is a museum known for its collection of American Impressionist paintings. The most significant collection at the museum is the Hartford Steam Boiler Collection which includes 157 oils, 31 paper works and two sculptures.
96 Lyme St, Old Lyme, Connecticut 06371, Phone: 860-434-5542
More ideas: Best Glamping in Connecticut
5. New England Air Museum, Connecticut
The New England Air Museum, at Bradley International Airport, presents the history of aviation in a lively and interesting way.
The three hangars of the museum display over 65 aircraft, from the early pioneering flight eras to modern jet planes, as well as helicopters and ultra-light aircraft.
There is a large exhibit of aircraft engines spanning the history of flight, a good-sized display focusing on the history of commercial aviation, and educational videos for children and adults.
There is an emphasis on interactive exhibits at the museum, with a flight simulator, cockpits in which visitors can sit and test out the controls, and hands-on activities and interactive games for children. Visitors can even watch aircraft being restored. The museum has a gift shop.
36 Perimeter Road, Windsor Locks, Connecticut 06096, Phone: 860-623-3305
6. Things to Do in Connecticut: Lyman Allyn Art Museum
Located in New London, Connecticut, the Lyman Allyn Art Museum was established by Harriet Upson Allyn in 1926, so people could learn about art and culture. The museum hosts Southeast Connecticut's most important art collection. It includes European, non-Western and American decorative and fine art.
Some of the most significant artworks are American 19th-century paintings, European 17th-centuryartworks on paper and contemporary works of art. The museum organizes educational programs for visitors of all ages. A part of the museum's campus is the beautiful 1829 Federal style stone Deshon-Allyn House, which was home to various members of Allyn family.
625 Williams St, New London, Connecticut 06320, Phone: 860-443-2545
More ideas: Milford Beaches
7. Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Connecticut
The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford, America's oldest continuously-operating art museum, was founded by arts patron Daniel Wadsworth in 1842 and has since then paved the path for the many major art museums in the country. It was the first American museum to acquire artworks by Caravaggio, Joseph Cornell, Frederic Church, Joan Miró and Salvador Dalí, and also the first in the country to showcase exhibits of important surveys of works by Surrealists, Picasso and Italian Baroque masters.
The museum today holds more than 50,000 works of art covering more 5,000 years of human history. Some of the most important collections include major Baroque and Surrealist paintings; the Morgan collection of Roman and Greek antiquities and decorative arts from Europe; and one of the world's best collections of Hudson River School landscapes.
600 Main St, Hartford, Connecticut 06103, Phone: 860-278-2670
8. Charles W. Morgan, Connecticut
What was once a mighty 2,700 ships-strong American whaling fleet, consists today of only one ship: The Charles W. Morgan.This magnificent tall ship was launched in 1841 from the Jethro and Zachariah Hillman yard in New Bedford, Massachusetts. At almost 107 feet long and with a beam about 27 feet wide, the ship carries 7,134 square feet of sail and used to sail with 35 sailors from around the world.
The cramped, stifling hot quarters for officers and men were below the deck. After five years of restoration, the Charles W. Morganset out in 2014 for its 38th sail to New England ports-of-call, as a magnificent reminder of America's glorious maritime heritage.
Mystic Seaport, 75 Greenmanville Ave., Mystic, Connecticut 06355, Phone: 860-572-0711
More romantic weekend getaways in Connecticut
9. Hill-Stead Museum, Connecticut
The Hill-Stead Museum is a stately Colonial Revival house on a large estate in Farmington, Connecticut, designed by one of the first American female architects, Theodate Pope Riddle, in 1901 for her father Alfred Atmore Pope. Today it is a museum, best known for its major French Impressionist masterpieces, which hosts art collected by Pope and his daughter.
Some of the most significant are paintings by Mary Cassatt, Eugène Carrière, Edgar Degas, Claude Monet and Édouard Manet and engravings by Albrecht Dürer are on display. The house remains as it was when Theodate lived in it, and 19 rooms are open to the public. It is furnished with magnificent paintings, prints, art pieces, furniture and.
35 Mountain Rd, Farmington, Connecticut 06032, Phone: 860-677-4787
10. Lake Compounce: An Amusement Park in Bristol
Lake Compounce, continuously-operating since its opening in 1846, is the oldest North American amusement park offering 332 acres of pure family fun. The park includes Crocodile Cove, Connecticut's biggest waterpark, with several slides, a lazy river and a wave pool.
The park has over 50 attractions and exciting rides for the entire family, including Boulder Dash, the best wooden coaster in the world. New rides are added yearly, such as the latest, Phobia, the first triple launch coaster in New England, which reaches speeds of up to 65 miles per hour and includes an adrenaline-pumping “cobra roll” 150 feet up in the air. The Drum Circus, Flying Elephants and the Antique Carousel are well suited to younger guests. The park offers food of all kinds for every taste.
186 Enterprise Dr, Bristol, Connecticut 06010, Phone: 860-583-3300
More day trips from CT
11. Rocky Neck State Park, Connecticut
Rocky Neck State Park is set amid coastal dunes, salt marshes, and features a pristine white sand beach which is perfect for swimming and sandcastle building. A boardwalk runs the length of the beach, and there are trails leading to viewing platforms overlooking the sea from which visitors might see some of the park's bird life.
Osprey, cranes, herons, and mute swans make their homes here, no doubt attracted by the herring spawning grounds on the coast. Salt water fishing is permitted, and the catch is usually mackerel, blackfish, flounder, and striped bass. The park has a 160-site campground, showers, restrooms, picnic areas, and a seasonal lifeguard. More Connecticut beaches
244 West Main Street, East Lyme, Connecticut 06333, Phone: 860-739-5471
12. Maritime Aquarium, Connecticut
The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk encourages visitors to protect the waters and creatures of Long Island Sound and to care for global ecosystems. With several opportunities for hands-on exploration of sea animals, visitors here get a rare up-close look at the creatures of Long Island Sound. Touch pools feature sharks, rays, jellyfish, sea stars, hermit crabs, horseshoe crabs, and whelks.
Popular exhibits include the harbor seal's unique indoor/outdoor habitat, and the giant pool housing two adorable river otters. The aquarium replicates a salt marsh and a river woodland environment and displays the animals who dwell in them. Other popular displays contain meerkats, frogs, and toads, and a delightful tankful of baby sharks.
10 North Water Street, Norwalk, Connecticut 06854, Phone: 203-852-0700
13. New Britain Museum of American Art, Connecticut
The New Britain Museum of American Art showcases American art through the ages, and owns more than 11,000 works of painting, illustration, photography, and sculpture. The Sanford B.D. Low Illustration Collection includes important works by Norman Rockwell.
The museum's permanent collections are varied, and incorporate Colonial and Federal portraits, the early and late Hudson River School, 19th century still lifes, post-Civil War figural painting and sculpture, Impressionism, Social Realism, Surrealism, Early Modernism, and the Ash Can School. Groups of eight people or more can participate in hour-long docent-led guided tours, and the museum welcomes school groups, early childhood groups, and has resources for homeschooling.
56 Lexington Street, New Britain, Connecticut 06052, Phone: 860-229-0257
14. Stamford Museum & Nature Center, Connecticut
The Stamford Museum and Nature Center is a museum, a farm, and home to over eighty acres of nature trails. The museum, housed in the neo-Tudor Bendel Mansion, contains collections of American art, natural history, artifacts of Native American art and culture, and a display of farming implements. The ten acre farm incorporates barns, a maple sugar house, and dozens of farm animals, including chickens, pigs, and cows.
Along the nature trails visitors may spot red foxes, white tailed deer, salamanders and toads, woodpeckers, Eastern bluebirds, and wood ducks. The property maintains a pond inhabited by river otters, and has an observatory with a 22-inch telescope, where monthly astronomy talks and guided star gazing take place. The museum and nature center offer tours, educational programs, and summer camps.
39 Scofieldtown Road, Stamford, Connecticut 06903, Phone: 203-977-6521
15. Arethusa Farm, Connecticut
Arethusa Farm is a dairy farm in Bantam, originally opened by the Webster family since 1868 and named after the region's pink orchard variety of the same name. In 1999, the farm was purchased by Anthony Yurgaitis and George Malkemus, who have maintained a public dairy storefront and gourmet restaurant at the site since 2014. Visitors can stop in at the dairy's open barn hours on Saturday to meet-and-greet with farm cows and learn about milking and bottling operations. The company's ultra-pasteurized milk is sold throughout the year, crafted to retain as much of its natural flavor as possible. Handcrafted ice cream is also sold, along with farm-fresh yogurt, European-style cheeses, small-batch butter, and seasonal eggnog made with cage-free eggs. The dairy farm's restaurant, Arethusa Al Tavolo, has been named as a top 100 restaurant in the United States by OpenTable since its opening.
822 Bantam Rd, Bantam, CT 06750, Phone: 860-361-6600
16. Shore Line Trolley Museum, Connecticut
The Shore Line Trolley Museum is a National Historic District, and displays and educates about the oldest running trolley line in the United States. The museum is famed for its collection of over 100 vintage transit vehicles, and its diverse collection of equipment, photographs, documents, and artifacts related to the history of the Trolley era.
Visitors to the museum may take a ride on a vintage trolley through scenic salt marsh surroundings, and for an extra fee, may drive a trolley car. The Trolley Reading Program is for children 4-8 and includes a trolley ride and a children's book read to them aboard the museum's "Story Trolley".
17 River Street, East Haven, Connecticut 06512, Phone: 203-467-6927
17. Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History
The Peabody Museum, which is located on Yale University campus, has a mandate to increase public understanding of Earth's history through exhibits and education. The museum is home to replicas of important hominid skeletons, such as the Turkana Boy, the most complete early hominid ever found, and a set of footprints, 3.5 million years old, that were preserved in volcanic ash.
The mammalian evolution and dinosaur halls are highly popular, and contain full-sized fossils of a mastodon, a brontosaurus, and a stegosaurus. The Discovery Room is a great place for children aged 5-12, and has touchable specimens and hands-on activities. Wide-ranging educational programming is available for children, adults, school groups, and summer camps and an after-school program complements the museum's dedication to education.
170 Whitney Blvd, Things to Do in New Haven, Connecticut 06511, Phone: 203-432-5050
18. U.S. Navy Submarine Force Museum, Connecticut
The U.S. Navy Submarine Force Museum is located on the Thames River in Groton, Connecticut. It is home to the decommissioned U.S.S. Nautilus, a National Historic Landmark, which was the world's first nuclear-powered vessel. Completed in 1954, it was the first ship to go to the North Pole, and had a long and varied service life.
Audio-guided tours of the submarine are available; visitors who dislike close quarters and tight spaces are advised not to take this tour. The museum is full of interactive displays, which give visitors a chance to try out a periscope, and contain artifacts, documents, and photographs related to United States Submarine Force history.
1 Crystal Lake Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, Phone: 860-694-3174
19. Things to Do in Connecticut: Beardsley Zoo
The Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport is a small attraction geared mainly for children. It is dedicated to the preservation of endangered species, and contains mostly North and South American animals.
The zoo is home to several endangered species, including the Andean condor, the Siberian tiger, the ocelot, the golden lion tamarin, and the giant anteater.
A tropical rainforest zone takes visitors into the humid climate that supports its monkeys and tropical birds.
Visitors may ride on the back of a camel, or pet the animals in the barnyard area. The zoo has a carousel, an eatery, a gift shop, and is available for birthday parties. Beardsley Zoo also has an educational program that can be accessed on or off-site.
1875 Noble Avenue, Bridgeport, Connecticut 06610, Phone: 203-394-6565
20. Things to Do in Connecticut: Mystic Aquarium
The Mystic Aquarium exists to inspire people to protect the ocean, and to conserve ocean life. Along with the usual fascinating tanks of colorful sea-dwellers, the aquarium has unique offerings.
The Arctic Coast exhibit brings visitors up close to beluga whales, the African penguin exhibit shows off many of these critically-endangered little birds, and the frog exhibit houses more than thirty species of frogs from all over the world.
Visitors will love the sea lion show in the marine theater, will have an opportunity to touch lizards, snakes, and American alligators in the Reptile Encounter room, and to marvel and shriek in the 4D theatre.
Interactive exhibits introduce visitors to world habitats, and give an understanding of why the earth's different ecozones must be protected.
55 Coogan Blvd., Mystic, Connecticut 06355, Phone: 860-572-5955
21. CT Things to Do: Mark Twain House and Museum
The Mark Twain House and Museum is consistently rated among the best historic houses in the world, and is a National Historic Landmark.
Samuel Clemens, also known as Mark Twain, lived here with his wife and three daughters from 1874-1891, and it was here that Twain wrote his beloved major works, including Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.
The three-story twenty-five room house is representative of fine Gothic architecture, and visitors may take docent-guided tours of rooms including the grand hall, the grand library, the elegant glass conservatory, and the billiards room where Twain did his writing.
Living history tours are also available; these are led by docents in period costume, and give visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the house. Seasonal ghost tours and murder-mystery tours add to the delightful offerings of this beautiful historic home.
351 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut 06105, Phone: 860-247-0998
22. Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center
The Mashantucket Pequot Museum is located on land belonging to the Mashantucket Pequot people, and is primarily a research institution dedicated to the study of diverse Native peoples in the USA and Canada.
The museum seeks to bring those studies to life, through exhibits, dioramas, videos, films, and artifacts, and through a life-sized recreated Native village which visitors can walk through.
One gallery is dedicated to Native American arts and crafts. The museum has permanent exhibits depicting the area's natural and cultural history, a restaurant serving a variety of Native American cuisine, and a gift shop selling Native American arts and crafts.
110 Pequot Trail, Mashantucket, Connecticut 06338, Phone: 800-411-9671
23. Things to Do: Studio 80 and Sculpture Grounds
Studio 80 + Sculpture Grounds is a premiere arts center in Old Lyme, situated on 4.5 beautiful acres along the banks of the scenic Lieutenant River. The gallery and studio, which is located adjacent to the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts, is one of Connecticut's premiere abstract art studios and galleries, showcasing the unique works of artist Gilbert V. Boro.
More than 100 beautiful sculptures dot the studio's gardens and grounds, open to the public for exploration 365 days a year during business hours. A loft exhibition gallery displays additional small-scale works, including maquettes and study pieces. Small group tours of the facility may be organized by contacting the studio directly via phone or email.
80 Lyme St, Old Lyme, CT 06371, Phone: 860-434-5957
More ideas: camping in CT
24. Things to Do Near Me: The Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art
The Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art is a non-collecting museum that displays original and innovative American contemporary art. The exhibits are always changing, and since the museum's founding in 1964, it has displayed the works of over 8,000 artists. The museum hopes to connect visitors to contemporary art using hands-on workshops, tours, and presentations, and by on-site and classroom programs.
Guided tours of the museum are presented by curators and artists, and take visitors through the two-story 1783 building that houses the museum. There is a two-acre sculpture garden on the museum's grounds, a gift shop, and an education center for children and for the professional development of teachers.
258 Main Street, Ridgefield, Connecticut 06877, Phone: 203-438-4519
25. CT Things to Do: Yale University Art Gallery
The Yale University Art Gallery is the oldest university art gallery in the Western Hemisphere; it was founded in 1832 after a donation of one hundred paintings. It has vast collections and curates special exhibits. The museum has particularly fine collections of early Italian art, African sculpture, and is considered to have the best collection in the world of American decorative arts.
Its modern art collection contains works by such luminaries as Picasso, Degas, Rothko, Miro, and Giacometti. Other collections include coins and medals, Asian art, Indo-Pacific art, Islamic art, and photography. The museum provides educational programs for university students, for New Haven schools, and for the general public.
1111 Chapel Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, Phone: 203-432-0600
The top attractions to visit in Connecticut near me today according to local experts are:
- 1. Historic Downtown Mystic, Connecticut
- 2. Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, Connecticut
- 3. The Glass House, Connecticut
- 4. Florence Griswold Museum, Connecticut
- 5. New England Air Museum, Connecticut
- 6. Things to Do in Connecticut: Lyman Allyn Art Museum
- 7. Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Connecticut
- 8. Charles W. Morgan, Connecticut
- 9. Hill-Stead Museum, Connecticut
- 10. Lake Compounce: An Amusement Park in Bristol
- 11. Rocky Neck State Park, Connecticut
- 12. Maritime Aquarium, Connecticut
- 13. New Britain Museum of American Art, Connecticut
- 14. Stamford Museum & Nature Center, Connecticut
- 15. Arethusa Farm, Connecticut
- 16. Shore Line Trolley Museum, Connecticut
- 17. Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History
- 18. U.S. Navy Submarine Force Museum, Connecticut
- 19. Things to Do in Connecticut: Beardsley Zoo
- 20. Things to Do in Connecticut: Mystic Aquarium
- 21. CT Things to Do: Mark Twain House and Museum
- 22. Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center
- 23. Things to Do: Studio 80 and Sculpture Grounds
- 24. Things to Do Near Me: The Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art
- 25. CT Things to Do: Yale University Art Gallery
More ideas:
Children's Museum of Southeastern Connecticut
The Children's Museum of Southeastern Connecticut is an educational, interactive, hands-on place where kids from nine months to nine years old can let their imaginations fly and safely explore the world around them. It has 5,000 square feet of space, including an outdoor play space, and is designed to encourage, challenge and engage children to explore sciences, art and cultures of the world.
Some of the most popular rooms are the Discovery Room with activities focused on science, the Imaginative Play room, where children can ride a fishing boat or fly a plane, and an outdoor play area with a tree house, climbing wall and whale drum. There is also a special Toddler Land for younger guests.
409 Main St, Niantic, Connecticut 06357, Phone: 860-691-1111
PEZ Visitor Center
PEZ is a highly recognizable candy in collectible dispensers, which have been sold and manufactured in the United States since 1952. PEZ dispensers have become part of American pop culture and reflect the times, as new character heads are developed to keep up with current trends. The Visitor Center has been open since 2011, and offers self-guided tours, a display of historic advertisements, viewing windows to watch the manufacturing process, and videos which show the candy being made.
Scavenger hunts and bingo games make this a fun visit for adults and children alike. School and other groups of more than ten persons can enjoy a candy-making demonstration. The Visitor Center also organizes PEZ-themed birthday parties for children.
35 Prindle Hill Rd, Orange, CT 06477, Phone: 203-298-0201
More Ideas: Apple Picking in Connecticut
Apple picking is one of the oldest and most beloved of American pastimes. When fall arrives, it means that apple picking season is here, and it’s the best time of year to head out to a nearby farm or orchard and start exploring those long lines of apple trees in search of the tastiest, ripest fruit to be used in all your recipes ideas. There are lots of great apple-based recipes to try out this year, including old-timey classics like apple pies and sauces to more modern, exotic ideas, so it’s essential to stock up on lots and lots of apples while you can.
New England is an excellent spot for apple growing, with the region’s climate and rainfall providing the perfect conditions for dozens of different varieties to thrive, so it’s no wonder there are a multitude of awesome apple picking spots in Connecticut and other New England states. Connecticut is particularly well-stocked in terms of orchards and farms, so if you’re looking to do some New England apple picking this fall, CT is the place to be. Some of Connecticut’s apple orchards offer apple picking and nothing, more while others will offer additional U-Pick options and activities like wagon rides, mazes, play areas, and special events.
Best Apple Picking Spots in Connecticut
With so many different apple picking locations to choose from in Connecticut, how can you possibly decide between them? Well, part of the fun of going apple picking is discovering something new, so you shouldn’t be afraid to take a chance on one of the apple picking spots listed below. We’ve taken a look at all of the apple orchards in Connecticut in order to narrow down your selection and help you find the best place to spend a day with your friends or family.
- Rogers Orchards - 336 Long Bottom Rd, Southington, CT 06489, Phone: 860-229-4240
Located not too far away from the Connecticut capital of Hartford, Rogers Orchards is one of the oldest farms in the area, having been founded way back in the early 1800s. You can really feel two centuries of experience and history as you step foot on this beautiful land, which is a real landmark for Connecticut’s agricultural history and heritage. Rogers provides some of the best apples in the whole state, with more than 20 different varieties growing on the land including Rome and Macoun, as well as lots of peaches, pears, and other tasty fruits. If you’re looking for an authentic apple picking experience at one of CT’s most storied orchards, Rogers is the place for you.
- Beardsley's Cider Mill & Orchard - 278 Leavenworth Rd, Shelton, CT 06484, Phone: 203-926-1098
As the name suggests, Beardsley's is more than just an orchard. This location is also the home of a fully-functioning cider mill and produces some of the tastiest cider you can taste in Connecticut. Apple varieties at this historic orchard include Gala, Honeycrisp, Empire, Liberty, and McIntosh. Guests are also encouraged to visit the farm bakery for all sorts of homemade treats like apple pies, pumpkin cheesecakes, yummy cookies, fruit breads, scones, donuts, and more.
- Lyman Orchards - 32 Reeds Gap Rd, Middlefield, CT 06455, Phone: 860-349-1793
If you're looking for variety, Lyman Orchards is one of Connecticut's very best fruit picking locations. There are almost 100 types of fruit to pick at this farm throughout the year, including a dozen different kinds of apples. The history of this location goes all the way back to the 18th century and it's open all through the year, featuring U-Pick services not just for apples, but also for pears, pumpkins, strawberries, raspberries, and peaches. This is a really professional orchard with a friendly, cheerful atmosphere, so if you want to experience some of the best apple picking in the region, Lyman Orchards is the best spot to be.
- Blue Jay Orchards - 125 Plumtrees Rd, Bethel, CT 06801, Phone: 203-748-0119
Featuring a wide selection of apple varieties like Gala, Fuji, Cortland, and McIntosh, Blue Jay Orchards is located in the southwestern part of the state and is one of the only major apple picking sites in this area, having served the local community for many years. Scenic wagon rides can be enjoyed at this location for people who simply want to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings, and low-priced pumpkins can also be picked at this family-friendly location too. There's also a farm market and bakery selling all kinds of delicious delights to tantalize your tastebuds from fresh apple pies to yummy cider donuts and more.
Attraction Spotlight: Lyman Allyn Museum in New London
Located in New London, Connecticut, the Lyman Allyn Museum has been inspiring and educating visitors since 1936. From its humble start with a collection consisting of only 13 pieces, this well-regarded institution has grown to include more than 15,000 American art works from the 18th to the 20th centuries. Visitors can access nine galleries, a gift shop, and the museum’s famed Sculpture Trail, which includes over 10 acres of gardens and lawns. The works exhibited at the museum are curated through the lens of life in Connecticut, giving visitors a unique opportunity to become better acquainted with the state as well as the city of New London itself.
History:
The Lyman Allyn Museum was the brainchild of Harriet Upson Allyn, a prominent Connecticut resident, who donated the funds for the creation of the institution that she named after her father, Captain Lyman Allyn. Aside from his work as a captain, Lyman Allyn worked in banking and insurance as well for the railroad industry. The museum building was designed by Charles A. Platt, who was known for his work on the Addison Gallery of American Art in Massachusetts. His design work resulted in the neoclassical structure visitors still see today. Since 1932, the museum has been providing quality programming and educational opportunities to the local community as well as to those visiting New London.
Permanent Collection
18th Century
Colonial life in Connecticut was dominated by merchants who arranged trade deals with the West Indies. Exporting food and livestock to the Caribbean, Connecticut residents obtained rum, sugar, and molasses. This robust trade ushered in a period of exceptional economic growth, allowing many wealthy Connecticut residents to acquire objects of great beauty and to showcase their status through art. This historical context allows visitors to fully appreciate the portraits that were produced at the time. A great example of such a work is a portrait of a local well-to-do woman, Sarah Deshon, which displays her conspicuous wealth to signal the family’s success.
Connecticut’s geography also made it a key area in the Revolutionary War. As Connecticut residents were particularly poorly affected by what they viewed as unfair taxation and governance policies, they were more than willing to fight for independence from Britain. New London’s involvement in launching naval attacks from its strategically situated harbor prompted the British to burn the city during the Battle of Groton Heights. The political climate was reflected in the artwork of the period as well.
19th Century
The art of the 19th century was central in uniting the new nation around common goals, ideals, and a plethora of natural resources that signaled hope and opportunity. Despite the fact that industrialization, by way of steam power, was creating mass production and automation on a scale never seen before, the art of the time seems to harken back to a simpler, romanticized pastoral past. Visitors will likely notice that much of the landscape art of the time stood in stark contrast with the realities of 19th century life that the average person of the time would have faced. This is evident in Thomas Cole’s painting of Mount Etna. Using techniques and conventions from classical antiquity, Cole co-opts an ancient artistic vocabulary to spell out a set of ideals for the newly minted American dream. In so doing, his work set the tone for his contemporaries, many of whose works are also displayed at the Lyman Allyn Museum.
20th Century
Landscapes, still life paintings, and portraits are all well represented in the museum’s 20th century holdings. Visitors will be able to trace the decade-by-decade shifts in American art on display. Fueled by the rapid urbanization of American cities as well as the waves of immigration that followed, early 20th century art seems worlds apart from the tranquility and idealism of the preceding era. While a uniquely American style was quickly coming to the forefront, visitors will still be able to appreciate the way American artists of the time remained very much in dialogue with their European counterparts. The massive social and cultural shifts that occurred over the course of the 20th century are also reflected in the art on display. The 20th century brought much diversity to the art world as women, minorities, and other oppressed groups began to gain esteem as artists. Issues concerning race, gender, and identity are at the forefront of 20th century art and in many ways paved the way for artists today.
625 Williams Street, New London, CT 06320, Phone: 860-443-2545
