860-767-0103
One Railroad Ave., Essex
This is the only steam train and riverboat connection trip in the country. The 2 and half hour tour (which is narrated) starts at the Essex Station and goes through the country side while you ride on vintage rail cars pulled by a steam engine. When you reach Deep River Landing you will switch it up and board the Becky Thatcher riverboat. An hour and 15 minute cruise takes you down the Connecticut River. Along the way take in sights such as Gillette Castle and the Goodspeed Opera House. After the river tour you board the train for the trip back to Essex. You could also just take the train ride if you chose. Fun note, in July of 2007 Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull was filmed in Essex in the historical train yard.
Hours: Hours vary by season. Check the schedule online.
Cost: Train and Boat - $26 Adult / $17 Kids (2-11) Train Only - $17 Adult / $9 Kids
860-585-5411
95 Riverside Ave, Rt. 72, Bristol
I didn't even know a carousel museum existed, and this one houses the biggest collection of antique carousel pieces in the country. You can tour the museum with our without a tour guide. After, check out Bushnell Park Carousel (which is not on the grounds of the museum and is about an 18 minute drive to Hartford). The Museum is currently working to restore the vintage 1914 Stein and Goldstein carousel (one of only 3 left in the world), for its 100th birthday in 2014. The carousel is in operation throughout restoration; a 3 and a half minute ride goes for $1.
Hours: Closed January and February. Tues-Sat 10am-5pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm
Cost: $6 Adults (includes 1 ride on the Bushnell Carousel)
Dinosaur State Park860-529-8423
400 West Street, Rocky Hill
Connecticut is taking the cake for some of the biggest and best. Dinosaur State Park is one of the largest sites of dinosaur tracks in North America. Beneath a large dome are 500 dinosaur tracks, most of which were made by the Dilohpsaurus, the dinosaur also featured in the Jurassic model and exhibit. The tracks were discovered in 1966 accidentally during the excavation of a new building site. Another 1,500 tracks were re-buried for preservation. The trackway, around 200 million years old, is a Registered National Landmark. Surrounding the park are more than 2 miles of walking trails and the Dinosaur State Park Arboretum.
Hours: Park is open daily 9am-4:30pm, Exhibit Center is open Tues-Sun 9am-4pm *Beginning Feb 25, 2013 the Exhibit Center will be closed for renovation for around 5 weeks
Cost: $6 Adults / $2 Kids (6-12)
Silver Sands Pkwy, Milford
Here's the big deal about Silver Sands - it's free! If you've ever tried to go to a beach or lake in CT, you know that's almost impossible to find. The Park looks out on Charles Island, where it's rumored Captain Kidd buried treasure in 1699. The island currently only holds the remains of a Catholic retreat center for the 1920s-30s. The island can be reached by a rocky sandbar during low tide - which means the sandbar is underwater during high tide. Don't get stuck in the middle...tides come in fast (I'm not going to mention anything about personal experience).
Hours: 8 am to sunset, the Island interior is shut down from May 1-Aug 31 to protect heron and egret nests. * The Boardwalk is currently closed due to damage sustained during Hurricane Sandy.
Cost: FREE!
860-526-2336
67 River Rd, East Haddam
This beautiful castle was the former home of William Gillette, actor, director and playwright. Tours take you through the interior of the 24 room mansion, set upon 184 acres of land. The grounds offer picnicking, hiking, and camping along the Connecticut River.
Hours: The grounds are open year round, 8am to sunset. The Castle is open Memorial Day to Columbus Day from 10am-5pm.
Cost: Visiting the grounds is free, going inside the Castle is $6 Adults / $2 Kids (6-12)
For more Connecticut "Things to Do" look over a previous blog I wrote by following this link - and keep checking back for more!
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