Great Things To Do in CT

Explore the Mark Twain House & Museum and reconnect with one of the nation’s most beloved authors, who wrote about Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer in this very house. Daily tours take visitors through the richly decorated rooms in the Victorian home, many featuring the exotic interiors of Louis C. Tiffany & Co. Museum artifacts, including period furniture, photos, paintings, and books by Darwin, Hawthorne, and others with margin notes written by Samuel Clemens. Visitors can see a film by Ken Burns, check out rotating exhibits, shop in the well-stocked museum store, and sample local food in The Nook Farm Cafe.

Learn about the Connecticut River, then take a cruise to get up close and personal to what The Nature Conservancy has called “one of the last great places in the Northern Hemisphere.” Marking its 50th anniversary, the Connecticut River Museum features exhibits that explore the great river’s history as well as its importance to the region’s heritage and future. Annual exhibits include a holiday train show and, from January through March, an exhibit on “The Eagles of Essex.” Public cruises aboard the 64-foot eco-tour boat RiverQuest include themes from the area’s wildlife to lighthouses, birding with special opportunities to see eagles and swallows, spring and fall foliage and sunset cruises. Or, sail aboard the Onrust, the re-creation of a 1614 vessel that sailed the river during the early Age of Exploration to get a taste of history.

Centrally located within 30 minutes of Hartford, Waterbury, and New Haven, CT, Lyman Orchards is a must-visit destination for all ages with plenty of events happening year-round. With nearly 100 varieties of pick-your-own fruits from June to October, it's perfect for family or corporate outings. Explore the seasonal Sunflower or Corn Maze, offering fun and beautiful views. The Apple Barrel Farm Market provides fresh local produce, handmade pies, and delicious sandwiches, while the 1741 Pub & Grill offers tasty meals with a view. Golf enthusiasts can enjoy three award-winning courses. Lyman Orchards blends tradition, nature, and recreation, making it an ideal spot for outdoor fun, farm-fresh flavors, and scenic beauty.

Located on Lang Road in Windsor, Northwest Park & Nature Center is a 473-acre recreational facility that has the virtue of staying open and lively throughout the year. There is a nature center, 12 miles of trails to enjoy during the winter and summer, maple sugaring, a Coffee House Concert Series that brings live music to listeners, and more. Annual events include Country Fair, pancake breakfasts, maple sugaring demonstrations, owl prowls, holiday wreath-making workshop and other forms of fun for all ages. Nice outdoor activities for parents and kids. Phone: 860-285-1886

Bushnell Park on Trinity Street in Hartford is a wonderful public sanctuary that merits a full-day visit. The park is home to a carousel that dates from 1914 – the golden age of these structures that combine artistry, magic, and simple fun. For people who love the artistry of nature, Bushnell Park is an urban arboretum of rare and native trees. Visitors can pick up a brochure and take a self-guided walk of magnificent trees from many parts of the world. The park also has beautiful fountains, statues, a pond, and a performance pavilion. The park offers free tours of the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Arch and hosts many public events. Open: May to mid-October. Phone: 860-232-6710.

The New England Air Museum at 36 Perimeter Road at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks is New England’s largest aviation museum and one of Connecticut’s most interesting attractions. It houses more than 80 aircraft and an extensive collection of engines, instruments, aircraft parts, uniforms and personal memorabilia. Within this collection are the Sikorsky VS-44A; a B-29 Bomber; the Silas Brooks Balloon Basket (1870); the Bunce-Curtiss Pusher (1912); the Sikorsky S-39; and a Kaman K-225 helicopter. The museum hosts lots of special events, many of them welcoming to children. Open year-round.

The marvelous Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford is a grand place to visit, particularly after the mid-decade overhaul of the galleries. Permanent and changing exhibits are always worth a fresh visit. This museum leads the way in providing events and entertainments to showcase and enhance exhibits. These may include films, talks, live music, even Sunday brunches. There’s always something to enjoy. 860-278-2670.