9 Best Attractions To Visit In Connecticut

Connecticut may be the third smallest state by land area, but it’s packed with attractions that range from whimsical castles and storied literary homes to one-of-a-kind museums and natural wonders. Families can ride vintage coasters at the nation’s oldest amusement park in Bristol, art lovers can explore masterpieces at Yale and Wadsworth, and history buffs can descend into the eerie tunnels of America’s first state prison or climb aboard a Cold War submarine. Add in the charm of Mystic’s seaport village and the drama of Chapman Falls, and you’ve got a state where every stop tells a story.

Lake Compounce, Bristol

The oldest continuously operating amusement park in the United States, Lake Compounce, started in 1846 as a picturesque “picnic” park. It was built when owner Gad Norton let an influential scientist conduct a series of flashy science experiments on the shores of the lake. When thousands witnessed the event, Norton was inspired to add a walking path, a gazebo for concerts, picnic tables, public swimming, and rowing on the lake. Swings, Connecticut’s first 10-pin bowling alley, pool tables, a casino, all followed, and before long, the residents of Bristol had a “delightful little seaside of their own.”

Today, Lake Compounce is a top attraction in the Constitution State for families who come for modern-day thrills, hills, and chills on classic rides like the Carousel, Ferris Wheel, and the world-famous Boulder Dash wooden rollercoaster. Admission to the park includes access to the adjacent Crocodile Cove Water Park. The park also offers a cool “Rainy Day Guarantee”: if the park closes due to bad weather, you’ll score a free ticket to return another day.

Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven

The Yale University Art Gallery (YUAG) in New Haven was founded in 1832 when painter and portraitist John Trumbull sold 28 paintings and 60 mini portraits to display in the Neoclassical building he designed himself, the Trumbull Gallery. The YUAG is the oldest university art museum in the U.S., spanning one and a half city blocks in three architecturally distinct buildings: Street Hall, built in 1866; the Old Yale Art Gallery, built in 1928; and the 1953 Louis Kahn Building.

You can spend an entire day exploring the art gallery, never mind strolling through one of the world’s most prestigious campuses. Still, a few of its most celebrated works include John Trumbull’s “The Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776,” Vincent van Gogh’s “Le café de nuit (The Night Café),” and “Flowers” by Andy Warhol. The gallery is free and open to the public from Tuesday through Sunday.

Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine, East Granby

The Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine has a storied history as a mine, a prison, and a tourist attraction. Recognized as colonial America’s first copper mine, the Simsbury Mine was established in 1707 and was operational until the 1750s. In 1773, the abandoned mine tunnels were converted into a harsh medieval prison known as New-Gate, where more than 100 inmates were kept underground in dark, damp mine shafts until above-ground buildings were added. The notorious prison, which closed in 1827, was briefly resurrected as a copper mine until it was sold privately to new owners who provided candles and guided tours of the old prison to curious visitors who named it “Old New-Gate.”

1973 the National Park Service designated New-Gate Prison as a National Historic Landmark. Admission to the landmark includes a guided 30-minute tour of the copper mine, followed by a self-guided tour of the prison yard and exhibits. The mine is 52 degrees at all times and wet, so you’ll probably want to bring a coat to explore its grim, eerie tunnels.

Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic

The Mystic Seaport Museum is the largest maritime museum in the U.S. Since its founding in 1929 as the Marine Historical Association to preserve New England’s seafaring heritage, the museum has evolved into a living history center complete with four National Historic Landmark ships you can climb aboard, including the 1841 whaleship, Charles W. Morgan; the 1866 Noank smack, Emma C. Berry; the Sabino steamboat, and the 1921 L.A. Dunton, a fishing schooner.

Explore the recreated 19th-century historic seaport village by visiting trade shops, businesses, and houses from the 1800s, transported from around New England, including a drugstore and doctor’s office, a chapel, and the Geo. H. Stone General Store.

After visiting the museum, explore the pretty town of Mystic, called the “Nautical Jewel of New England.” Snap some photos of the iconic 1922 Mystic River Bascule Bridge, a drawbridge connecting Mystic with Stonington.

Submarine Force Library and Museum Association, Groton

The Submarine Force Library and Museum Association is located in Groton, Connecticut, on the Thames River (not the famous River Thames). The museum is home to the first nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Nautilus, which was launched on January 21, 1954, with Dwight D. Eisenhower’s wife, Mamie, breaking a bottle of champagne on its bow before she slipped into the water of the Thames River. The Nautilus was decommissioned on March 3, 1980, after 25 years, and was later designated a National Historic Landmark.

While the USS Nautilus is the star attraction at the museum, where you can walk along the sub’s narrow corridors, see the living quarters and control centers on a 30-minute self-guided audio tour, you can also explore a replica of David Bushnell’s “Turtle,” the first combat submarine from 1775, and see other exhibits on submarines.

Devil’s Hopyard State Park, East Haddam

Devil’s Hopyard is a scenic 1,000-acre state park in East Haddam surrounded by mystery, including its strange name. Legends say the bizarre name stems from the unusual round potholes at the base of the park’s stand-out Chapman Falls, thought by early settlers to be the marks of the Devil’s hooves as he leapt across the rocks, infuriated that his tail was wet. Others believe it harkens back to an old hop farm or a farmer named Hopkins.

Regardless of its origin, the park is stunning, especially after a rainfall. Highlights include the Devil’s Hopyard Covered Bridge and Chapman Falls, which dramatically drop 60 feet into the Eightmile River, a designated National and Scenic Wild River. There are plenty of activities for outdoor enthusiasts, including fishing for trout from a designated platform, hiking, picnicking, and birdwatching. On the way out of the park, stop by Scotties Frozen Custard to try the “Flavor of the Day.”

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Hartford

The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art was founded in 1842 by one of the first art patrons in the U.S., Daniel Wadsworth, who was persuaded to create an “atheneum,” instead of an art gallery, to incorporate more than just a gallery of paintings. Today, the museum is more akin to a cultural institution, home to nearly 50,000 works of art, including sculpture, decorative arts, armor, and weaponry.

A few stand-out collections in the Wadsworth Atheneum include one of the largest collections of Hudson River School paintings, contemporary art from 1945 to the present, and the Colt Firearms Collection. Book a docent-guided tour or join in on a special theme or family tour. Enjoy happy hour at the museum during the last hour of every day the museum is open with a pay-what-you-want admission price.

Gillette Castle State Park, East Haddam

Gillette Castle State Park is a whimsical medieval-style mansion built by William Gillette, a famous American actor, playwright, and stage manager, most remembered for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes on stage about 1,300 times. He is credited with the catchphrase “Elementary, my dear Watson,” as Arthur Conan Doyle never wrote.

The stunning 14,000 square foot 24-room castle sits 200 feet above the Connecticut River, surrounded by 184 acres. The park is one of the few in the state where you can pitch your tent next to the river, but to camp at Gillette Castle State Park, remarkably, you can only arrive by canoe or kayak, no cars or walk-ins. There’s a 1.5-mile-long railroad trail that hikers can follow, leftover from the days when Gillette used to transport his famous friends around his estate, as well as footbridges, trestles, and abandoned tunnels. Another way to visit the castle is by taking the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry, one of the oldest operating ferries in the U.S. (since 1769), originally called the Warner’s Ferry and used during the Revolutionary War.

Mark Twain House & Museum, Hartford

The Mark Twain House & Museum is the 25-room Victorian Gothic home where the author Samuel LanghorneClemens and his family lived from 1874 to 1891, and wrote classics like “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” and “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court.” In the museum, if you’re a Twain fan or simply Twain-curious, you’ll learn about the author’s life and see various exhibitions, like the Paige Compositor, the giant Mark Twain puppet created by local artist Anne Cubberly, and a film by influential documentary filmmaker Ken Burns. Take a break at the Nook Farm Café on the second floor of the Visitor’s Center for Connecticut-made snacks, like Deep River chips and soft drinks from Avery’s Beverages.

The house+museum contributes significantly to the arts and culture community of Connecticut’s capital city and hosts numerous year-round events, such as “Graveyard Shift Ghost Tours” in October 2025 and “Get a Clue Murder Mystery Tours” in November 2025.

From castles and coasters to art galleries and historic ships, Connecticut’s top attractions are a snapshot of the culture, history, and natural beauty you’ll discover there. It doesn’t matter if you’re chasing thrills, wandering through museums, or hiking to waterfalls; the Constitution State doesn’t disappoint. So no matter what you’re into, these nine best attractions prove that Connecticut is much more than a stopover—it’s a place worth sticking around and exploring.