The old whaling port of New London (pop. 29,000), now the seat of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, has preserved a number of handsome old 17th, 18th and 19th c. buildings. Other features of interest are Monte Cristo Cottage (home of the playwright Eugene O'Neill), the Lyman Art Museum (dolls' houses) and the Arboretum, on the campus of Connecticut College. Ocean Beach Park is a popular recreation area. From New London there are ferries to Block Island, Fisher Island and Long Island, which attract many visitors. The town of Groton is an important American submarine base. In the Submarine Museum the nuclear submarine "USS Nautilus", the first to pass under the Arctic, lies at anchor.
Housed in the longest continuously operating U.S. Custom House, the Robert Mills Museum features displays on American maritime history. It was built by Robert Mills in 1833 in a classic Greek Revival style. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Address: New London Maritime Society, 150 Bank Street, New London, CT 06320-6002, United States
Phone: 1 (860) 447-2501, Fax: 1 (860) 447-8086
Hours:
January 1 to March 31: 1pm-5pm; Closed: Mon, Tue, Wed
April 1 to December 31: 1pm-5pm; Closed: Mon, Tue, Wed, Mon
The Hempsted Houses, built in 1678 and 1758, were home to several generations of Hempsteds. On display in the homes are some of the original furnishings.
Hours:
May 15 to October 15: 12pm-4pm; Closed: Mon, Tue, Wed
On display in the Lyman Allyn Art Museum are American and European art, New England furniture, a toy collection, as well contemporary art by Connecticut artists.
Address: Lyman Allyn Art Museum, 625 Williams Street, New London, CT 06320-4130, United States
Phone: 1 (860) 443-2545, Fax: 1 (860) 442-1280
Hours:
10am-5pm; Sun:1pm-5pm; Closed: Mon
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
This was the boyhood home of Eugene O'Neill and the setting for his play "Long Day's Journey into Night". On display are some of his personal items and a short presentation on his life.
Address: Monte Cristo Cottage, 325 Pequot Avenue, New London, CT , United States
Phone: 1 (860) 443-5378, Fax: 1 (860) 443-9653
Hours:
May 29 to September 6: 12pm-4pm; Sun:1pm-3pm; Closed: Mon, Tue, Wed
Always closed on: American Independance Day (July 4)
Ocean Beach Park, overlooking Long Island Sound, offers an Olympic size swimming pool, mini golf, as well as a board walk with food stalls and a bathhouse with showers.
Tips: Attractions within the park have additional rates.
Visitors are invited to watch a multimedia presentation on life in the US Coast Guard Academy. The training vessel "Eagle" can be boarded during the afternoon if it is in port. There is also a museum in Waesche Hall with various historical artifacts.
Located on a 184 acre estate is the 1919 home of William Hooker Gillette, known for being the actor who played the original Sherlock Homes. The home looks like a medieval fortress from the outside.
The Gillette Castle in East Haddam.
The old Gillette Castle in Gillette Castle State Park.
Address: Gillette Castle State Park, 67 River Road, East Haddam, CT 06423-1462, United States
Phone: 1 (860) 526-2336, Fax: 1 (860) 424-4070
Hours:
8am-Sunset
Tips: The Castle is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Memorial Day Weekend through Columbus Day.
The Prudence Crandall Museum offers displays and changing exhibits on women's and local history. Prudence Crandall established New England's first academy for black girls.
Address: Prudence Crandall Museum, Box 58, Canterbury, CT 06331, United States
Phone: 1 (860) 546-7800, Fax: 1 (860) 546-7803
Hours:
May 1 to December 15: 10am-4:30pm; Closed: Mon, Tue
Always closed on: American Independance Day (July 4), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Labor Thanksgiving Day - Japan (November 23), Easter - Christian
Disability Access: Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
East Haddam is home to what is thought to be the world's oldest church bell. Located in the tower of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, the bell dates to A.D. 815.
The Gillette Castle in East Haddam.
The old Gillette Castle in Gillette Castle State Park.
Address: Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, 393 Main Street, Middletown, CT 06457, United States
Phone: 1 (860) 347-6924, Fax: 1 (860) 346-1043
The Goodspeed Opera House is home to Goodspeed Musicals and the original productions of Man of La Mancha, Shenandoah, and Annie. Three productions are staged each year between April and December at the Opera House in East Haddam.
The structure was built in 1876 by William Goodspeed who had a special interest in theatre. Following his death the building served a number of other purposes including a militia base during World War I but was restored in 1959 by Goodspeed Musicals. The Goodspeed Opera House was rededicated on June 18, 1963, with the opening of the musical Oh, Lady! Lady!.
Address: Goodspeed Opera House, Box A, East Haddam, CT 06423-0281, United States
Phone: 1 (860) 873-8668, Fax: 1 (860) 873-2329
The museum in Ivoryton deals with the history of the Fife and Drum Company and displays drums, fifes, military swords, music, uniforms, medals, awards and photographs.
Address: Company of Fifers & Drummers, 63 North Main Street, Box 277, Ivoryton, CT 06442-1009, United States
Phone: 1 (860) 767-2237, Fax: 1 (860) 767-9765
Hours:
June 30 to September 6: 1pm-5pm; Closed: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
Tips: Free concerts offered Tuesday evenings during the months of July and August, usually featuring two corps per night.
The Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center is a tribally owned complex that presents exhibits on the Native and natural history of southern New England. The indoor exhibits feature dioramas, text panels, interactive computer programs, and a series of films that highlight the evolution of Mashantucket Pequot life.
Visitors will encounter a 16th-century coastal Pequot village, a glacial crevasse from 18,000 years ago, as well as life on a reservation from 1675 to the 1970s.
Hours:
10am-4pm; Closed: Sun, Mon, Tue
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), New Year's Eve (December 31), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Built in 1816, the house features original stenciled floors and displays Day family possessions. Dr. Amasa Day Chaffee grew up in the Amasa Day house, his life's work and personal belongings are part of the museum's collection. Chaffee was also a well-known art photographer so many of his vintage photos and glass plates are displayed.
Address: Antiquarian & Landmarks, 66 Forest Street, Hartford, CT 06105-3204, United States
Phone: 1 (860) 247-8996, Fax: 1 (860) 249-4907
Hours:
July 1 to August 31: 1pm-4pm; Closed: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu
September 1 to October 14: 1pm-4pm; Closed: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
Interactive science and nature displays as well as the Dinosaur Crossing are the highlights of Dinosaur Place. While indoors, visitors can dig for gems, excavate a dinosaur skeleton and explore the Earth's history as far back as 600 million years ago!
Outside Dinosaur Place, is the Dinosaur Crossing with 30 life-sized dinosaurs on a 1.5 mile trail. There are touch and learn stations set up along the trails.
Address: The Dinosaur Place, 1650 Hartford New London Turnpike, Oakdale, CT 06370, United States
Phone: 1 (860) 443-4367, Fax: 1 (860) 443-0253
Hours:
April 10 to November 1: 10am-am
Tips: Summer admission is higher and includes the Splashpad.
The Florence Griswold Museum displays a large collection of American Impressionism. Many of the artists were members of the art colony at Old Lyme, including Charles Ebert, William Chadwick, and Will Howe Foote.
Address: Florence Griswold Museum, 96 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT 06371-1426, United States
Phone: 1 (860) 434-5542, Fax: 1 (860) 434-9778
Hours:
10am-5pm; Sun:1pm-5pm; Closed: Mon
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), American Independance Day (July 4), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Easter - Christian
Fort Shantok State Park is a 167 acre park that contains the ruins of the Mohegan Indian fort and burial ground. Fishing and hiking opportunities are available.
The Military Historians Museum contains collections of military uniforms, medals, awards, and instruments. Also on display are military vehicles from WWII and Operation Desert Storm.
Hours:
8am-2:30pm; Closed: Sun, Mon, Sat
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
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East Haddam - Gillette Castle State Park
East Haddam - Gillette Castle State Park, East Haddam
Stonington - Old Lighthouse Museum, New London
Stonington - Old Lighthouse Museum, New London
East Haddam - Gillette Castle State Park, East Haddam
Stonington - Old Lighthouse Museum, New London
Harkness Memorial State Park, Waterford
Essex, New London
