Things to do & places to visit in Connecticut, United States

Connecticut is a study in attraction and contrast. In one small state, you’ll find miles of sandy oceanfront shoreline, acres of forested hiking trails, and world-class museums, art and theater. Here family-friendly adventure parks and aquariums are just minutes from dynamic casino resorts and quaint, historic small towns — offering experiences that range from culinary to cultural, luxurious to laid-back. It’s the perfect place to unwind and recharge, all at the same time.

Connecticut #40 destination in United States 2023. The average rating score is 4.39 based on 70.9k traveler reviews, of 1.727 attractions. Timezone: America/New_York, current date and time: Thursday, April 18, 2024, 17:38.

Top things to do (35)

Top destinations in Connecticut 100

See more 88 destinations »

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Yale University Art Gallery (972 reviews)
- Wonderfully diverse collection
Thursday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM Art Museums

Yale University Art Gallery is the oldest college art museum in America. The Gallery’s encyclopedic holdings of more than 250,000 objects range from ancient times to the present day and represent civilizations from around the globe. Spanning a block and a half of the city of New Haven, Connecticut, the Gallery comprises three architecturally distinct buildings, including a masterpiece of modern architecture from 1953 designed by Louis Kahn through which visitors enter. The museum is free and open to the public. See more..
5.0 Adventure Rooms (898 reviews)
- Diamond in the Rough
Thursday: 1:00 PM - 8:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Escape Games

Take on some of the most famous, award winning, room escape events in the world. Your goal is simple... complete the Adventure Rooms challenge in less than 60 minutes! Can you solve your way to victory? See more..
5.0 Mission Escape Games (652 reviews)
- Spencer is AMAZING
Thursday: 12:00 PM - 11:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Escape Games

For my 19th birthday I wanted to do an escape room with a few of my friends. I eagerly booked The Hydeout for my friends and I- to say the least, we had a blast. Our Puzzle Master Spencer was amazing, especially for dealing with a group of teenagers on a Wednesday night. He was really funny, captivating, and motivated us during the actual escape room which helped us when we had no idea what to do next. I definitely recommend for any teenagers out there looking for a fun night with a few friends, and make sure to request Spencer because he really is the best! See more..
5.0 The Adventure Park at The Discovery Museum (402 reviews)
- Great Courses/ Compassionate Staff
Temporarily closed - Closed until Mar 31, 2023 Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks

Great ropes courses for a variety of ability levels: we had a blast! But above & beyond the fun, the customer service from the staff made for a very special day. I went with my adventurous 10 year old (off like a shot) & my slightly more careful 8 year old. After starting a course with my 8 y/o, one of the elements was just too scary for her & a staff member came to help her down. They were wonderfully kind & praised her for coming as far as she did. After she came down, the park manager, who'd seen what had happened, did the same & then showed her other courses she might want to try instead. After successfully completing one of those, she had the confidence to try the "scary" course again & it was her favorite of the day. It was such a fun, exciting day, but she also learned a lot about herself & facing fears & honoring her own "I'm not ready for this," too. See more..
5.0 Goodspeed Opera House (384 reviews)
- Superb Production of Cabaret, Superb Cast
Historic Sites • Theaters • Theatre & Performances

GOODSPEED MUSICALS' Birthplace of the original productions of Man of La Mancha, Shenandoah, and Annie, and the first regional theatre to receive two Special Tony Awards for its outstanding achievements, Goodspeed Musicals produces America's musical treasures to delight, inspire, and entertain you. Set along the tranquil Connecticut River, our two intimate theatres bring you closer to the excitement of live musicals. The beautiful surrounding countryside is brimming with restaurants, shops, and galleries for a get-away so perfect, you'll want to make it a Goodspeed day! See more..
5.0 New Britain Museum of American Art (347 reviews)
- Excellent Museum That Gets Great Exhibits
Thursday: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Art Museums

Acknowledged as the first museum in the world dedicated solely to collecting American art, the NBMAA is renowned for its preeminent collection spanning three centuries of American history. The award-winning Chase Family Building, which opened in 2006 to critical and public acclaim, features 15 spacious galleries which showcase the permanent collection and upwards of 25 special exhibitions a year featuring American masters, emerging artists and private collections. Education and community outreach programs for all ages include docent-led school and adult tours, teacher services, studio classes and vacation programs, Art Happy Hour gallery talks, lectures, symposia, concerts, film, monthly First Friday jazz evenings, quarterly Museum After Dark parties for young professionals, and the annual Juneteenth celebration. Enjoy Café on the Park for a light lunch prepared by “Best Caterer in Connecticut” Jordan Caterers. Visit the Museum Shop for unique gifts. Drop by the “ArtLab” learning gallery with your little ones. Gems not to be missed include Thomas Hart Benton’s murals “The Arts of Life in America,” “The Cycle of Terror and Tragedy, September 11, 2001” by Graydon Parrish,” and Dale Chihuly’s “Blue and Beyond Blue” spectacular chandelier. Called “a destination for art lovers everywhere,” “first-class,” “a full-size, transparent temple of art, mixing New York ambience with Yankee ingenuity and all-American beauty,” the NBMAA is not to be missed. See more..
5.0 Puzzle Theory, LLC (323 reviews)
- Not your typical escape room
Thursday: 3:00 PM - 12:00 AM Spent 1-2 hours Escape Games

Puzzle Theory is a Connecticut Escape Room. We thrust you and your group into a thematic and sometimes absurd story for 60 minutes! Explore the room, find clues, and solve all the riddles. Some of the puzzles are straightforward and simple. Some will require intense analytic skills and deductive reasoning. Communication and teamwork is extremely important. Solve everything within 60 minutes! See more..
5.0 Complexity: A Puzzling Adventure (283 reviews)
- Complexity is AWESOME
Thursday: 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Escape Games

Complexity: A Puzzling Adventure An Escape Room type activity in Farmington, Connecticut Search the room, Find the clues, Solve the puzzles, Complete the mission! It is a great way to: Celebrate a birthday Engage in team building and be considered awesome for choosing it as your company event. See more..
5.0 Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library (278 reviews)
- Beautiful building inside
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM Libraries

This was a highlight of our time in new haven. Absolutely worth a trek across campus to find. The building is truly a marvel. The translucent marble is a special thing to see. My favorite exhibit was the Audubon illustrations. Even the Gutenberg Bible was much more colorful than I had expected. See more..
5.0 Team vs. Time (275 reviews)
- The best escape rooms ever. Period.
Thursday: 2:30 PM - 7:30 PM Spent 1-2 hours Escape Games

An award winning, fully immersive and interactive, group entertainment room escape experience. This is room escape for the room escape enthusiasts. Always private. Travel back in time, explore unique environments, examine artifacts, and do your best to solve the mystery before time runs out. Good luck! HOW IT WORKS: ASSEMBLE YOUR TEAM, RESERVE YOUR PRIVATE EVENT, IT’S YOUR TEAM VERSUS TIME. See more..
5.0 Escape New Haven (255 reviews)
- A New Haven "must do"
Thursday: 10:30 AM - 9:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Escape Games

Escape the room at Escape New Haven, an adventure for your mind and senses. Teams of 2-5 players are "locked" in one or more of our 4 themed games and have 60 minutes to puzzle their way out, unearthing new challenges along the way. Great for families, birthday parties, corporate team-building, groups of friends, reunions, and more. Explore, adapt, work together, think creatively -- and you just might ESCAPE! See more..
4.5 Mystic Seaport Museum (3.418 reviews)
- October Visit
Thursday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • History Museums

Winter Hours: Monday-Wednesday: CLOSED. Thursday-Sunday: 10a.m.-4p.m. North Campus Open Featuring: Charles W. Morgan Mystic Seaport Museum in Mystic, Connecticut is the largest martime museum in the United States. It is notable for its collection of sailing ships and boats and for the re-creation of the crafts and fabric of an entire 19th-century seafaring village. See more..
4.5 The Mark Twain House & Museum (1.676 reviews)
- Grand house tour
Thursday: 10:30 AM - 4:30 PM Spent 2-3 hours Historic Sites • History Museums

The Mark Twain House & Museum, a National Historic Landmark in Hartford, Connecticut, was the home of America's greatest author, Samuel Clemens (a.k.a. Mark Twain) and his family from 1874 to 1891. It is also where Twain lived when he wrote his most important works, including Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Prince and The Pauper and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. A stunning example of Picturesque Gothic architecture, the 25-room home features a dramatic grand hall, a lush glass conservatory, a grand library and the handsome billiard room where Twain wrote his famous books. The Webster Bank Museum Center at The Mark Twain House & Museum offers visitors an opportunity to learn more about Mark Twain, his family, the historic house, and the author's legacy. This state-of-the-art facility houses our ticket desk; the Aetna Gallery with a permanent exhibition on Twain's life and work; a rotating exhibition hall, The Hartford Financial Services Theatre, showing a Ken Burns mini-documentary on Twain; classroom space; the lecture hall-style Lincoln Financial Auditorium; The Mark Twain Store; entertaining spaces like the soaring Hal Holbrook and the sunny second floor cafe/patio area. See more..
4.5 The Maritime Aquarium (1.039 reviews)
- Time well spent
Thursday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Aquariums

Easy access from I-95 or Metro-North Railroad, convenient covered parking next door, warm and spacious with two on-site cafes, gift shop and a 4D Theater, the Aquarium is a most excellent family outing, date or solo visit! The marine population we exhibit includes varieties of sharks, big and small, stingrays, harbor seals, sea turtles, game fish, jellies, crabs, lobsters, mollusks and more. We also exhibit tropical travelers that follow the Gulf Stream north to our waters. Plus we have some other fun animals, from tamarins to meerkats. We offer lots of touch experiences including stingrays, sharks, jellyfish and intertidal animals. See more..
4.5 The Submarine Force Museum (888 reviews)
- Take your time and enjoy your visit
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Speciality Museums

The home of the world's first nuclear submarine has several other exhibits on the history of submarines. See more..
4.5 Yale University (826 reviews)
- What an Amazing Insitution
Educational sites

One of the country's oldest and most prestigious universities. See more..
4.5 Mohegan Sun Arena (817 reviews)
- Frankie Valle and the Four Seasons
Arenas & Stadiums

Mohegan Sun Arena is now ranked consistently among the top venues in the world according to Billboard Magazine, Pollstar and Venues Today. It has won "Casino of The Year" at the Country Music Awards in 2008 & 2010 and in 2013, was voted "Arena Of The Year" at the G2E Global Gaming Conference in Las Vegas. Also in 2013, Mohegan Sun won "Casino of The Year" in 2 categories at the Academy of Country Music Awards. For more information on concerts and other great events visit Mohegan Sun. See more..
4.5 Mystic River Bascule Bridge (794 reviews)
- Neat to Watch
Bridges

Though I don't know if I would call the Mystic River Bascule Bridge an attraction, it is right smack in the middle of downtown Mystic (a great place to walk around). We were actually able to see it open up a few times over a couple of days, and you couldn't help but stop and watch the process (or the cool boats go by). So, though I wouldn't necessarily go out of my way to go see it, if you are in downtown Mystic, it's worth it to stop and watch the bridge in action. See more..
4.5 Gillette Castle State Park (769 reviews)
- Tickets sold out for castle tour but still worthwhile
Thursday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Historic Sites • State Parks • Parks

This 24-room mansion has undergone extensive renovations. See more..
4.5 Essex Steam Train & Riverboat (750 reviews)
- lovely old fashioned train ride with a narrated enjoyable river cruise
Boat Tours • Scenic Railroads

On a fall clear day this little ride on a steam train and then onto a narrated river cruise is just the "ticket" ;) My friend and I started at Gillette Castle first and then on to the train/boat cruise which is a perfect combo. The views are stunning from the Castle home and well worth visiting. Downtown Essex for lunch in between is also well worth it. Enjoy, fellow travelers. See more..
4.5 Historic Downtown Mystic (698 reviews)
- Off season- great time to visit!
Scenic Walking Areas

One of my favorite places to go to do some early Christmas shopping, still pretty crowded as it was a beautiful October Saturday. We were fortunate to find a spot on Main! Friday night we tried the new brewery Bank and Bridge. Cool use of an old Bank building- vault intact. Good food and great craft selection Missed Drawbridge Ice cream this time - we were off to some local wineries —need to plan another day trip! See more..
4.5 Hammonasset Beach State Park (587 reviews)
- An amazing gem
Thursday: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM State Parks • Beaches

Sandy beach ideal for walking. See more..
4.5 Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art (586 reviews)
- Wow, wow and wow!
Thursday: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Art Museums

The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art is your place to connect with amazing art. You will find us in the heart of Hartford, CT with our castle doors open. Home to a collection of nearly 50,000 works of art spanning 5,000 years, the Wadsworth is the oldest continuously operating public art museum in the United States, founded by Daniel Wadsworth in 1842 and welcoming the public since 1844. With over 50,000 square feet of gallery spaces and a collection that ranges from Greek and Roman antiquities, European and American decorative arts, world-renowned Baroque and Surrealist paintings, an unparalleled collection of Hudson River School landscapes, European and American Impressionist paintings, Modernist masterpieces, and Contemporary Art, the Wadsworth offers a visual experience for every taste. See more..
4.5 Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History (565 reviews)
- Great museum that will open in the future.
Natural History Museums

This museum has a diverse collection ranging from Indian artifacts to Egyptian art to a large bird collection. See more..
4.5 Charles W. Morgan (436 reviews)
- Interesting historic whale hunting ship
Ships

Located at Mystic Seaport, this is the only existing wooden whaleship. See more..
4.5 Elizabeth Park (425 reviews)
- Kathy (Director of Park Operations)
Thursday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM Parks • Gardens • Jogging Paths & Tracks

This walkers' haven, with several gardens along its wildflower trail, a lovely pond and sports and concert facilities, is best known for its magnificent rose garden, with 800 varieties of roses. See more..
4.5 Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center (412 reviews)
- Amazing Experience
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums • History Museums

Pequot Museum, located in an ancient cedar forest minutes away from Foxwoods Resort Casino, is the largest Native American museum in the world. REOPENING MAY 19TH!! See more..
4.5 Connecticut Science Center (406 reviews)
- Grammy and Popi Summer Camp
Thursday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Science Museums

Our first visit which we took advantage of due to free entry for children and one adult CT resident in July/August. We did pay $7 for parking (convenience-elevator brings you right up to the centers lobby) paid for one adult and extra for the butterfly experience (totally worth it and no time limit). Our grands are 6 and 8 yr old girls and they loved it. Lots of hands on , some restricted to younger kids) but sanitizer and restrooms abundant. Crowded due to some camp groups. Some activities got taken over a little roughly by older kids. Staff didn’t do much and not all adults stayed with their kids. Overall a great afternoon ! Snacks on first floor were outrageously expensive but after a few hours they were hungry. Don’t miss the rooftop gardens with a spectacular views over Hartford and the Ct River See more..
4.5 Yale Center for British Art (367 reviews)
- Great collection in a remarkable building.
Thursday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Art Museums

As a COVID-19 precaution, the Yale Center for British Art is closed until further notice. We are committed to the health, safety, and well-being of our visitors and staff. Note that all March and April tours are canceled, and many upcoming programs are canceled or postponed. We apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you for your support and understanding. Please continue to check britishart.yale.edu for updates. Posted: March 13, 2020 See more..
4.5 Kent Falls State Park (360 reviews)
- Beautiful Falls
State Parks • Waterfalls

We were at the Falls during February when they were frozen. It was beautiful. We returned last weekend to see them in spring. They were very impressive. There is a walking path that goes to the top of the falls forxa really nice view. The surrounding park has picnic tables, bathrooms and lots of open space for recreation. Parking is good but on a really busy day it will fill up quick. There is no admission fee to vehicles with Connecticut plates. Well worth a trip especially when there is plenty of water coming over the falls. See more..