On 40 acres, the Center offers two miles of easy-to-walk trails criss-crossing meadows and woodlands. Stroll across a 350-foot boardwalk through a cattail marsh, explore two ponds and survey the treetops from an observation tower. Gardeners in the family will enjoy browsing in the perennial, herb, and wildflower gardens as well as an impressive greenhouse filled with exotic tropicals. Birds and butterflies abound, thanks to an unusually diverse collection of habitats. Meet birds of prey, furry mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Discover how cider is made in autumn or maple sugar during the

Founded in 1889, the New Canaan Museum & Historical Society is the oldest historical society (along with Westport) in Fairfield County. Our mission focuses on preservation, modernism, education and community. Through exhibits, programs, library services and events, we celebrate history and explore its role in shaping the future. Our sprawling campus includes the Town House (1825), Cody Pharmacy (1845), Hanford-Silliman House (c. 1764), the Rock School (1799), the Landmark John Rogers Sculpture Studio (1878), and Tool Museum and Print Shop. Other historic buildings are Connecticut’s last one

The Youth Museum offers programs for children and families as well as hands on exhibits, interactive play areas and a small outdoor area with picnic tables. Tour time: 30 minutes

The New Britain Museum of American Art is the first institution dedicated to solely acquiring American art. Spanning four centuries of American history, the Museum’s permanent collection is renowned for its strengths in colonial portraiture, the Hudson River School, American Impressionism, the Ash Can School, as well as the important mural series The Arts of Life in America by Thomas Hart Benton. The singular focus on American art and its panoramic view of American artistic achievement, realized through the Museum’s extensive permanent collection, exhibitions, and educational programming, make

Offers planetarium shows and public observing of the night sky (weather permitting). Tour time: 1.5 hours

Come, spend a relaxing day in Olde Mistick Village. Stroll the beautiful paved walkways and enjoy shopping in distinctive buildings designed to represent a New England Village of about 1720. In the Village, we have picturesque settings of flowers, trees, and duck ponds that surround you as you stroll, relax, and unwind. Our shopkeepers pride themselves on offering you some of the most interesting and unique items from Mystic and around the world. Feeling hungry? Olde Mistick Village is home to some of Mystic’s best restaurants. Our Village is also home to a multi theatre arts and movie cinema

Take in the spectacular vista in all directions from the 165-foot Heublein Tower, the former summer home of a prominent Hartford family. Within the tower is a museum of local history. It's a scenic 1.25 mile hike to the tower and picnic area. The familiar Farmington River Valley landmark of Heublein Tower sits atop Talcott Mountain, a long, precipitous wooded ledge named after the Talcott family. The 165-foot structure was built as a summer home in 1914 by Gilbert Heublein. Hiking the Tower Trail is 1.25 miles long; a walk to the Tower takes approximately 30-40 minutes. The Tower is accessed

A two+ acre site in the center of town features a special collection of 10 historic buildings, gardens and a gift shop. The grounds and gardens are always open during daylight hours for self-guided tours. Guided tours of the Phelps Tavern, built circa 1771, are offered Saturdays at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Please call ahead to book your tour. The Visitors Center and Gift Shop are open year round, Thursdays through Saturdays, from noon until 4 p.m.

Explore this nature sanctuary with 1,200 acres, 11 miles of trails with gardens, raptor aviaries, picnic area, interpretive building, nature store and more. Audubon Sharon, consisting of the Sharon Audubon Center and Emily Winthrop Miles Wildlife Sanctuary, has been connecting people with nature for fifty years. Creating life-changing experiences that enable community members and their families to appreciate, understand and protect the natural world is at the very core of our mission. The Sharon Audubon Center is a nature center and wildlife sanctuary owned and operated by the National Audubon

Travel Mystic Aquarium’s indoor and outdoor exhibits to visit with thousands of creatures including beluga whales, African penguins, rescued seals, colorful fish and more. Roll up your sleeves and touch a shark, stingray or even an exotic reptile. Complimentary sea lion shows provide a truly unique opportunity to see these fascinating animals up-close and in action. Go back in time to when dinosaurs roamed the planet in Jurassic Giants: A Dinosaur Adventure ! Encounter dinosaurs that ‘fly’ above, lurk around every corner and get you thinking about how to protect our planet. Plus, a robust