Hill-Stead Museum

Farmington, CT

Hill-Stead Museum

• Address: 35 Mountain Rd, Farmington, CT 06032
• Website: www.hillstead.org

Overview:
Hill-Stead isn’t your typical art museum. It’s a perfectly preserved Colonial Revival estate where Impressionist paintings hang exactly where they did over 100 years ago. Add in sweeping views, quiet trails, and flower-filled gardens, and you’ve got one of the most peaceful cultural spots in Connecticut.

Why It’s Worth a Stop:
Where else can you see a Monet in a sunroom, or a Degas sketch in a cozy hallway? The rooms are full of original furniture, books, and details from the Pope family’s life, making it feel like someone just stepped out for tea. Outside, the property’s walking trails and seasonal events make it a spot worth returning to.

What to Know Before You Go:
• Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
• Guided tours give you access to the full house and its history.
• Trails are open daily, free of charge.
• No photos allowed inside—but trust us, you’ll remember it.

Fun Fact:
The estate was designed by Theodate Pope Riddle, one of the first female architects in the U.S. She lived here, worked here, and made sure the art stayed exactly where it belonged.

Mark Twain House and Museum

Hartford, CT

The Mark Twain House & Museum

• Address: 351 Farmington Ave, Hartford, CT 06105
• Website: www.marktwainhouse.org

Overview:
This isn’t just where Mark Twain lived—it’s where he wrote Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, and more of his most iconic works. The 25-room Gothic Revival house, built in 1874, was packed with high-tech features for its time and is now beautifully restored to reflect the years Twain called the happiest of his life.

Why It’s Worth a Stop:
You’ll walk the same halls where Twain raised his family and wrote some of America’s most enduring stories. A guided tour takes you through richly detailed rooms, including his writing space in the billiard room and the family’s stunning dining room. The museum next door offers deeper insight into his life, humor, and social commentary through exhibits like Mark Twain: I Have Sampled This Life—which features personal items like his spectacles, rare first editions, and the famously failed Paige Compositor printing machine. Don’t skip the gardens either: inspired by Olivia Clemens’ original plantings, they bloom from spring through fall thanks to the work of UConn Master Gardeners.

What to Know Before You Go:
• Open daily (hours vary seasonally).
• Guided tours required for access to the house interior.
• Museum includes exhibits, a café, and a great gift shop.
• Combo tickets available with the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center next door.
• Accessible entrances and services available—call ahead for details.

Fun Fact:
Twain once joked that building the house nearly broke him financially—he moved his family in before construction was even finished. Still, he later called it “the loveliest home we ever had.”

Gillette Castle State Park

East Haddam, CT

Gillette Castle State Park
• Address: 67 River Rd, East Haddam, CT 06423
• State: Connecticut
• Website: portal.ct.gov/DEEP

Overview:
Perched high above the Connecticut River, Gillette Castle State Park draws over 300,000 visitors a year—and it’s easy to see why. This quirky 14,000-square-foot stone mansion was built in 1914 by William Gillette, the actor best known for his stage portrayal of Sherlock Holmes. From its dramatic hilltop location to the hidden passageways, hand-carved locks, and unusual design choices, the castle feels more like a mystery novel brought to life. The surrounding park offers forest trails, scenic overlooks, a seasonal ferry crossing, and even a few rare riverfront camping spots.

Why It’s Worth a Stop:
Between the theatrical architecture, the Sherlock Holmes lore, and the incredible river views, this spot checks a lot of boxes. Hike the wooded trails along the old miniature train bed, enjoy a picnic, or take a self-guided tour of the castle itself—just be sure to book in advance. It’s weird, wonderful, and wholly unforgettable.

What to Know Before You Go:
• Park grounds open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset year-round.
• Castle interior is open for self-guided tours Memorial Day through Labor Day (daily) and on weekends/holidays through mid-December.
• Holiday tours offered on weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
• Castle admission: $6 adults, $2 kids (ages 6–12), free under 5.
• Grounds and trails are free to visit.
• Pets allowed on leash in picnic areas and trails (not in the castle or on decks).
• Restrooms, picnic tables, and parking available.
• Castle first floor is wheelchair accessible.

Fun Fact:
Gillette’s will requested that the property never fall into the hands of “some blithering saphead who has no conception of where he is or with what surrounded.” The State of Connecticut got the message—and preserved the place with care.

Mystic Seaport Museum

Mystic, CT

Mystic Seaport Museum

• Address: 75 Greenmanville Ave, Mystic, CT 06355
• Website: www.mysticseaport.org

Overview:
Mystic Seaport Museum is the country’s leading maritime museum—and one of Connecticut’s most iconic day trips. Set on 19 acres along the Mystic River, it’s part historic village, part working shipyard, part museum campus, and entirely unforgettable.

Why It’s Worth a Stop:
You can climb aboard the Charles W. Morgan (the last surviving wooden whaleship), peek into a blacksmith’s forge, watch shipwrights restore wooden vessels by hand, or simply wander the recreated seaport village where musicians, craftspeople, and storytellers bring history to life. The exhibits range from hands-on maritime tools to world-class scrimshaw collections, and if you’re lucky, you might even catch live music drifting through the shipyard.

What to Know Before You Go:
• Open daily, year-round (hours vary by season).
• Discounts available for children, seniors, and Mystic residents.
• Dining options and picnic spots on-site.
• Wear comfortable shoes—there’s a lot to explore.
• Great for families, history buffs, and anyone who just wants a break from screens.

Fun Fact:
The museum is home to over 500 historic vessels and more than 2 million artifacts, including rare ship plans, maritime photos, scrimshaw, and one of the largest maritime libraries in the world.

Connecticut Art Trail

24 World-Class Museums

Connecticut Art Trail

• Address: Statewide – 23 participating museums and historic sites
• Website: www.ctarttrail.org

Overview:
Think of the Connecticut Art Trail like a choose-your-own-adventure for art lovers. It connects 23 museums, galleries, and historic homes across the state—from big names like the Wadsworth and Yale to quieter, tucked-away spots you might never stumble on otherwise.

Why It’s Worth a Stop:
One passport gets you into every stop on the trail for a full year, which means you can take your time. Spend an afternoon at a well-known museum, or make a day trip out of visiting one of the smaller, lesser-known gems. It’s a fun way to see more of the state—and get your art fix while you’re at it.

What to Know Before You Go:
• The passport is $35 and good for one year.
• You can buy it online or at any participating location.
• Each spot has its own hours and vibe—check ahead.
• Makes a great gift or self-guided travel challenge.

Fun Fact:
Some stops on the trail are traditional art museums, but others include artists’ homes, sculpture gardens, and university galleries—so no two visits feel the same.

Shubert Theater

New Haven, CT

Shubert Theatre

• Address: 247 College St, New Haven, CT 06510
• Website: www.shubert.com

Overview:
Since 1914, the Shubert Theatre has been a major part of New Haven’s arts scene—and a surprising launchpad for Broadway-bound shows. Known as the “Birthplace of the Nation’s Greatest Hits,” it’s where dozens of iconic productions had their first curtain call before heading to New York.

Why It’s Worth a Stop:
There’s a little magic in the walls here. From A Streetcar Named Desire to The Sound of Music, this historic venue has seen it all. Today, the Shubert hosts national tours, concerts, dance, and community events—keeping the stage just as lively as ever.

What to Know Before You Go:
• Located in downtown New Haven’s theater district—easy to pair with dinner or drinks.
• Street parking and nearby garages available.
• Tickets available online or at the box office.
• Restored interiors with modern upgrades (yes, comfy seats and good sound).

Fun Fact:
Over 300 world premieres, American debuts, and pre-Broadway runs have taken place on the Shubert stage—including Oklahoma!, My Fair Lady, and Carousel.

Goodspeed Opera House

East Haddam, CT

Goodspeed Opera House

• Address: 6 Main St, East Haddam, CT 06423
• Website: www.goodspeed.org

Overview:

Perched right on the Connecticut River, the Goodspeed Opera House is a beautifully restored 1876 theater known for launching Broadway hits in a postcard-perfect small town.

Why It’s Worth a Stop:
It’s not just about the show (though the musicals are top-notch). The setting is something special—walkable streets, river views, and that wow moment when the curtain goes up in an ornate, intimate theater. Past productions include Annie and Man of La Mancha, so you’re in good company.

What to Know Before You Go:
• Open season runs April through late December.

• Tickets available online or at the box office.
• Parking is free but limited—arrive early.
• Restaurants nearby for a pre-show dinner or post-show treat.

Fun Fact:
Before becoming a theater, the building served as a shipping office, general store, post office—and for a short time, even a militia base.

Florence Griswold Museum

Old Lyme, CT

Florence Griswold Museum

• Address: 96 Lyme St, Old Lyme, CT 06371
• Website: www.florencegriswoldmuseum.org

Overview:
This riverside house turned museum was once home to the Lyme Art Colony—an early American Impressionist group that shaped the region’s creative legacy.

Why It’s Worth a Stop:
This place has an easy charm. You can tour Florence’s original house (artists literally painted on the walls), explore light-filled galleries, walk the riverfront trail, or check out the seasonal sculpture garden. The whole experience feels like stepping into a painting—especially in spring or fall.

What to Know Before You Go:
• Closed Mondays. Hours vary per season.
• Outdoor sculpture trail and river views.
• Great spot for quiet mornings or artsy day trips.
• Family-friendly, with kids’ activities available.

Fun Fact:
The house still features hand-painted panels and doors from artists who stayed there—many of whom paid their rent in artwork.