Connecticut - Attractions

Farmington Valley Visitors Association
33 East Main Street
Avon, CT  06001  
Phone: 860-379-7669
Toll-Free: 1-800-4-WELCOME
Email: fvvaoffice@farmingtonvalleyvisit.com

Whatever the season, find your “Hidden Gem” in Connecticut’s Farmington Valley, a special wonderland just 2 hours from New York or Boston. First choose a season, then select a lodging property. Each property offers unique seasonal packages whether you’re looking for outdoor adventure, a romantic escape or family fun activities. Coupon books for seasonal discounts and surprises await you at check-in. Explore shops, galleries, antiques, restaurants and more. Visit historic houses & museums. Hike, bike, canoe, kayak, fly-fish, tube, ski or hot air balloon, depending on the season! Free brochures and getaway information.

Greater Hartford Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc.
One Civic Center Plaza
Hartford, CT  06103-1592  
Phone: 860-728-6789

Since 1974, the Greater Hartford Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. has marketed and promoted the Hartford region as a convention and meeting destination. The Bureau provides complimentary services to all convention and meeting planners. We can assist you in finding a meeting facility, provide promotional literature and much more. For more information, please call (860) 728-6789 or (860) 446-7811 (outside CT).

Harriet Beecher Stowe House
77 Forest Street
Hartford, CT  06105  
Phone: 860-522-9258

Open: Tours: Tuesday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sunday, noon-4:30 p.m.; open on Mondays, Memorial Day to Columbus Day and December. Closed major holidays.

Her words changed the world with "Uncle Tom's Cabin," the groundbreaking anti-slavery novel (1852). Tour the Victorian Gothic home (1871), the Katharine Seymour Day House (1884), and the Victorian grounds and gardens. Stowe Visitor Center showcases exhibitions, museum shop. Admission: Adults, $8; seniors,$7; children age 4-12, $4.

Connecticut College Arboretum
270 Mohegan Avenue
New London, CT  06320  
Phone: 860-439-5020
Email: arbor@conncoll.edu

Connecticut College Arboretum's 750 acres include the college campus, plant collections, natural areas, and managed areas. Its three major plants collections for public enjoyment are the Campus Landscape with 120 acres of trees and shrubs from around the world; the Native Plant collection, with 20 acres of woody plants and wildflowers indigenous to North America with a pond, and walking trails; Caroline Black Garden with an exquisite display of diverse woody plants in a garden setting. Open every day from sunrise to sunset. Free public guided tours every Sunday afternoon May - October at 2 p.m. Call 860-439-5060 for more information. Private group tours can be arranged upon request.

G & L Country Barn and Christmas Shop
Rt. 14, 181 Brick Top Rd
Windham, CT  06280  
Phone: 860-456-1154
Toll-Free: 888-737-5600
Email: gandl181@earthlink.net

A Magical Place to Visit!

G & L Country Barn and Christmas Shop is known for its extensive selection of gifts, home decor, collectibles and wonderful displays. Wander through our 14-room country barn, enjoy the aromas, and discover what’s around every corner. We have the perfect gift for every occasion and always lots of friendly, old fashioned customer service. The promise of a new experience awaits you here at G & L. Check out these villages and accessories: Primitives, Vera Bradley, Yankee Candle, General Store, Gourmet Foods, Garden, Country Furniture, Department 56, Heartwood Creek, Charming Tails, Byers Choice, Boyds, Willow Tree, and Christmas Loft year-round. We are worth the trip! Open year-round. Please call or visit the website for our hours.

Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center
110 Pequot Trail
Mashantucket, CT  06338  
Phone: 800) 411-9671

Open: Daily, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., last admission at 3 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving Eve, Thanksgiving day, December 24 and 25, December 31 and January 1

Permanent exhibits on the Native and natural history of southern New England include a cool descent into a glacial crevasse from 18,000 years ago. Walk through a 1550 Pequot Village. Interactive computer programs, films providing additional information and interpretation of the exhibits. Two research libraries, one for children. Museum store and restaurant. Admission: Adults, $15; seniors, $13; children age 6-15, $10; under 6 free.

Misquamicut Business Association
Misquamicut Beach
Westerly, RI  02891  
Phone: 401-596-9441
Toll-Free: 877-622-2930
Email: caswellcookejr@yahoo.com

Spanning seven miles from Watch Hill to Weekapaug, this is Rhode Island's longest stretch of beach with its pristine waters and white sand. Misquamicut Beach features an array of activities for the entire family, including our new state of the art Pavilion with plenty of parking. Activities include amusement parks with a carousel, mini-golf, go-carts, batting cages, kiddy rides and more. Enjoy native lobsters, steamers and swordfish from Block Island sound on the beach at our area's best restaurants. There is plenty of nightlife for couples and singles alike Located between Mystic, Ct and Newport, 15 minutes from the casinos and 5 minutes from historic Downtown Westerly and beautiful Watch Hill.

Mystic & Shoreline Visitor Information Center
Olde Mistick Village, Coogan Blvd.
Mystic, CT  06355  
Phone: 860-536-1641
Email: mysticinfo1@yahoo.com

Your Gateway to New England

The Mystic & Shoreline Visitor Information Center is located off I-95 at Exit 90 in Olde Mistick Village. Upon arriving in Mystic make us your first stop for:

• Discount tickets to area attractions.
• Hotels/B&Bs - 24-hour on-site reservations.
• Brochures on over 225 area attractions and businesses.
• Menus on display.
• Maps, Postcards, Souvenirs.

Mystic Aquarium
55 Coogan Boulevard
Mystic, CT
Phone: 860-572-5955

Discover the new Mystic Aquarium where you'll find underwater wonders to inspire a new generation of explorers. 3,500 sea creatures from a vast array of marine environments take you on a journey into our ocean planet. You'll visit the Alaskan Coast, a one-of-a-kind, nose-to-nose view of beluga whales and seals in a naturalistic million-gallon habitat, and discover Challenge of the Deep, a unique, interactive experience spanning the history of man's fascination with underwater exploration. 500 of the most beautiful and exotic fishes in the world share a 30,000-gallon Coral Reef exhibit. It's a world of wonder...and a wonderful way to explore their world. Mystic Aquarium is a member of Cultural Destinations of New England.

Mystic Country
12 Roosevelt Avenue
Mystic, CT  06355  
Phone: 860-536-1205
Fax: 860-536-1480
Email: info@mysticcountry.com

Explore the Mystic Country region of Eastern Connecticut and Southwestern Rhode Island. This link provides a guide to local attractions, family activities, lodging, dining, outdoor adventures, entertainment, shopping, and events.Explore the Mystic Country region of Eastern Connecticut and Southwestern Rhode Island. This link provides a guide to local attractions, family activities, lodging, dining, outdoor adventures, entertainment, shopping, and events.

Mystic Seaport
75 Greenmanville Avenue
Mystic, CT  06355-0990  
Phone: 860-572-5315
Toll-Free: 888-973-2767
Email: info@mysticseaport.org

Open: Daily April through October, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and November through March, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed Christmas Day.

Mystic Seaport – The Museum of America and the Sea – is the nation’s leading maritime museum. Climb aboard historic tall ships, stroll through a re-created 19th-century coastal village, discover stars in the planetarium, see a working preservation shipyard in action, explore exhilarating exhibits and marvel at gardens and daily demonstrations of maritime trades. The Museum is located one mile south of exit 90 off I-95 in Mystic, CT.

Ocean Beach Park
1225 Ocean Avenue
New London, CT  06320  
Toll-Free: 1-800-510-SAND (7263)
Email: BCGOBP@aol.com

New England's Finest Beach and Boardwalk

There’s family fun and more at Ocean Beach Park. New this year is our Splash Park for kids under 8. For more water fun we have the ocean, of course, an Olympic-size swimming pool and triple waterslide. Our award-winning lifeguard staff is on duty for your safety. For more fun we have rides, mini-golf, and a Family Fun Center with a video arcade. Kids can enjoy our playground and adults can work out in the health club. The nature walk and observation deck let you enjoy our natural beauty. When all the activity makes you hungry you can choose from our full-service restaurant, a food court, or ice cream stands. Ocean Beach Park can also accommodate picnics and corporate events. Our nightly entertainment schedule includes Classic Car Cruises on Mondays; kids movies on the beach Tuesday and Thursday; live magic on Wednesday; live bands on Friday; and family entertainment on Saturdays.

Olde Mistick Village
Coogan Boulevard (Just off I-95 at Exit 90)
Mystic, CT  06355  
Phone: 860-536-4941
Email: info@oldmysticvillage.com

Open Year Round

A world apart from the ordinary mall experience, Olde Mistick Village, with its unique collection of over 60 shoppes, stores and restaurants, has become a favorite shopping center for local residents as well as the many visitors who come into the Mystic area from around the world. A day at Olde Mistick Village is more than simply a day of shopping -- The village is colorful year 'round and features easy strolls and duck pond as well as many special events and entertainment in our Gazebo. Few places offer as many gift shopping opportunities as does Olde Mistick Village. Many one-of-a-kind, handmade items are imported from throughout the world. A great selection of brand-name gifts is always available at competitive prices.

The Dinosaur Place
1650 Route 85
Montville, CT  06370  
Phone: 860-443-4367

Discover an interactive science, nature and shopping adventure at The Dinosaur Place. Indoor Activities include digging for gems, panning for “gold” or unearthing a dinosaur skeleton. The world-class gift shop is a must stop on your visit whether you are looking for mineral and fossil specimens, fine jewelry, gourmet foods, educational toys, or unique giftware. Plus, treat yourself and your family to a tasty lunch or snack at Cobalt Café.

Outdoor Adventure can be found with over 25 life-sized dinosaurs nestled along 1 mile of easy walking trails. The nature trails include hands-on discovery stations and educational signs. During the summer, cool off on New England’s largest SPLASHPAD®. Picnic areas, snack bar, ice cream shop, and playground onsite. Visit our website for hours, rates, and directions.

Westerly/Pawcatuck Chamber of Commerce
Misquamicut/Watch Hill/Historic Downtown
Westerly, RI
Phone: 401-596-7761

Enjoy the perfect family vacation with a visit to Westerly, RI. Discover Westerly's seven miles of beaches, including Misquamicut, a mecca of family fun and activities that include water slides, mini-golf, night clubs, and more. Explore the picturesque village of Watch Hill, a charming Victorian seaside resort with a lighthouse and famous flying horse carousel. Take a walking tour of historic downtown Westerly-Pawcatuck, a two-state downtown named one of the 12 Most Distincitve Destinations by the National Trust For Historic Preservation. You'll find a 14-acre park, quaint shops, superb restaurants, and a river walk. The area features six golf courses, 40 restaurants, more than 50 hotels and bed and breakfasts, and hundreds of retail shops just eight miles from Mystic, Connecticut, and 30 miles from Newport. Call today for a free Go Westerly Magazine.