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State: CT

  • Lyman Orchards Farm Store at the Apple Barrel – Middlefield, CT

    Lyman Orchards Farm Store at the Apple Barrel – Middlefield, CT

    Lyman Orchards Farm Store at the Apple Barrel

    Middlefield, CT

    farm-fresh-berries-at-lyman-orchards-ct
    Nothing beats fresh-picked raspberries at Lyman Orchards. 📷: Lyman Orchards

    Lyman Orchards Farm Store at the Apple Barrel

    • Address: 32 Reeds Gap Rd, Middlefield, CT 06455
    • State: Connecticut
    • Website: www.lymanorchards.com

    Overview:
    Whether you’re there for pie, pumpkins, or pick-your-own apples, Lyman Orchards is a classic Connecticut stop. The Apple Barrel store is stocked with local goods, fresh-baked treats, seasonal produce, and just the right amount of nostalgia.

    Why It’s Worth a Stop:
    The pies are legendary, but that’s just the beginning. Depending on the season, you can pick apples, wander a corn maze, walk through fields of sunflowers, or just sip cider and browse shelves of jams, snacks, and local specialties. It’s one of those places that makes you slow down (and snack more).

    What to Know Before You Go:
    • Open daily, year-round.
    • Pick-your-own fruit varies by season—check online before you go.
    • Gets busy on fall weekends—weekday visits are a little calmer.
    • Plenty of parking, picnic space, and outdoor areas to explore.

    Fun Fact:
    Lyman Orchards has been family-run since 1741—making it one of the oldest continuously operating businesses in the country.

  • Florence Griswold Museum – Old Lyme, CT

    Florence Griswold Museum – Old Lyme, CT

    Florence Griswold Museum

    Old Lyme, CT

    florence-griswold-museum-old-lyme-ct
    Art, gardens, and riverside calm—Florence Griswold’s legacy lives on. 📷: Florence Griswold Museum

    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.

  • Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art – Hartford, CT

    Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art – Hartford, CT

    Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art

    Hartford, CT

    wadsworth-atheneum-museum-of-art-hartford-ct
    From Hudson River School paintings to surrealist surprises—the Wadsworth has range. 📷: Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art

    Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art

    • Address: 600 Main St, Hartford, CT 06103
    • Website: www.thewadsworth.org

    Overview:
    The Wadsworth isn’t just the oldest public art museum in the country—it’s also one of the most surprisingly cool places to spend a few hours in Hartford. From ancient artifacts to cutting-edge contemporary art, the collection covers a lot without feeling overwhelming.

    Why It’s Worth a Stop:
    You’ll find everything from Baroque masters and Hudson River School landscapes to ballet costumes, colonial furniture, and surrealist standouts. It’s also one of the few museums where you can see a full-on arms and armor collection and Monet just a few galleries apart. Plus, their “Happy Hour” is one of the best deals around—pay what you wish from 4–5pm, Thursday through Sunday.

    What to Know Before You Go:
    • Open Thursday–Sunday, 12pm–5pm.
    • Admission: $20 adults / $15 seniors / $10 students.
    • Free for members, Hartford residents, and anyone 17 and under.
    • “Pay What You Wish” every day from 4–5pm.
    • Accessible and walkable from downtown Hartford.

    Fun Fact:
    The Wadsworth’s collection includes everything from Roman antiquities to Ballets Russes costumes—and even a legendary collection of Hudson River School landscapes.

  • Yale University Art Gallery – New Haven, CT

    Yale University Art Gallery – New Haven, CT

    Yale University Art Gallery

    New Haven, CT

    yale-university-art-gallery-new-haven-ct
    Ancient to modern, floor to ceiling—Yale’s gallery covers it all. 📷: Yale University Art Gallery

    Yale University Art Gallery

    • Address: 1111 Chapel St, New Haven, CT 06510
    • Website: artgallery.yale.edu

    Overview:
    Founded in 1832, this is the oldest university art museum in the country—and it’s completely free to visit. The Yale University Art Gallery is a calm, beautiful space that serves as a hub for teaching, research, and creativity, open to students and the public alike.

    Why It’s Worth a Stop:
    The collection spans over 5,000 years, with ancient artifacts, European masters, African sculpture, American paintings, and bold modern pieces. Whether you’re an art buff or just looking for a peaceful spot to wander, this museum delivers without overwhelming.

    What to Know Before You Go:
    • Free admission, no tickets required.
    • Closed Mondays.
    • Located right next to the Yale Center for British Art.
    • Public parking available nearby.

    Fun Fact:
    The museum’s main building was designed by famed architect Louis Kahn—it’s considered a masterpiece of modernist design.