Fun Friday

Good Morning we have made it through another week and now it's time to go on our weekly Friday adventure.

Can you guess where we are going this week? We are going to the  beautiful state of Connecticut

1.)  Mystic Seaport Museum hours of operation are 10-4om Mystic Seaport located in Mystic, Connecticut is the largest maritime museum in the United States. Most notable for its collection of maritime artifacts, the museum maintains the world's last whaling ship: the Charles W. Morgan. Guests can explore a 19th Century Village, visit the Henry B. DuPont shipyard- renown for restoring historical ships, and get out on the water for their very own maritime adventure.

2.) The Mark Twain House & Museum located in Hartford hours of operation are 10:30-4:30pm The Mark Twain House & Museum, a National Historic Landmark in Hartford, Connecticut, was the home of America's greatest author, Samuel Clemens (a.k.a. Mark Twain) and his family from 1874 to 1891. It is also where Twain lived when he wrote his most important works, including Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Prince and The Pauper and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. A stunning example of Picturesque Gothic architecture, the 25-room home features a dramatic grand hall, a lush glass conservatory, a grand library and the handsome billiard room where Twain wrote his famous books. The Webster Bank Museum Center at The Mark Twain House & Museum offers visitors an opportunity to learn more about Mark Twain, his family, the historic house, and the author's legacy. This state-of-the-art facility houses our ticket desk; the Aetna Gallery with a permanent exhibition on Twain's life and work; a rotating exhibition hall, The Hartford Financial Services Theatre, showing a Ken Burns mini-documentary on Twain; classroom space; the lecture hall-style Lincoln Financial Auditorium; The Mark Twain Store; entertaining spaces like the soaring Hal Holbrook and the sunny second floor cafe/patio area.

3.) Yale University Art Gallery located in NEw Haven hours of operation are 10-5pm  Yale University Art Gallery is the oldest college art museum in America. The Gallery’s encyclopedic holdings of more than 250,000 objects range from ancient times to the present day and represent civilizations from around the globe. Spanning a block and a half of the city of New Haven, Connecticut, the Gallery comprises three architecturally distinct buildings, including a masterpiece of modern architecture from 1953 designed by Louis Kahn through which visitors enter. The museum is free and open to the public.

4.) The Submarine Force Museum located in Groton hours of operation are 9-5pm The home of the world's first nuclear submarine has several other exhibits on the history of submarines. While here also check out the USS Nautilus The USS Nautilus the first nuclear submarine is at the Submarine warfare museum. It is free to enter the museum. You can walk through the Nautilus and see what life was like aboard a submarine. Interesting to see how much stuff was crammed into such a small boat and how they lived.

5.) Gillette Castle State Park located in East Haddam hours of operation are 11-5pm This 24-room mansion has undergone extensive renovations. Hidden away in the hills of Connecticut is this fascinating home, designed and created by famous stage actor William Gillette, who was famous for playing Sherlock Holmes for decades. The castle is perched right over the river, so the views are gorgeous. The house is now part of a state park, and one must book a tour to go inside, but the experience should not be missed!  

6.) Thimble Islands located in Branford Take a boat tour around this stunning archipelago off the Connecticut coast. You’ll learn about the area’s history and spot picturesque houses and plenty of marine life along the way. Tours last about 45 minutes and are best enjoyed on sunny days, as the water spray can be somewhat chilly.
Alternatively, rent a kayak and paddle all the way to Outer Island, which is home to a wildlife refuge. Here, you’ll get to walk along the rocky shore and have a picnic in the woods. Visit the Thimble Islands in the summer to watch sailing races every weekend. – Tripadvisor

7.) Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art located in Hartford hours of operation are 12-5pm The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art is your place to connect with amazing art. You will find us in the heart of Hartford, CT with our castle doors open. Home to a collection of nearly 50,000 works of art spanning 5,000 years, the Wadsworth is the oldest continuously operating public art museum in the United States, founded by Daniel Wadsworth in 1842 and welcoming the public since 1844. With over 50,000 square feet of gallery spaces and a collection that ranges from Greek and Roman antiquities, European and American decorative arts, world-renowned Baroque and Surrealist paintings, an unparalleled collection of Hudson River School landscapes, European and American Impressionist paintings, Modernist masterpieces, and Contemporary Art, the Wadsworth offers a visual experience for every taste.

8.) Olde Mistick Village located in Mystic  hours of operation are 10-8pm This recreated 18th-century New England village offers a refreshing change from shopping malls as we know them. Browse or buy in the more than 60 small shops or dine in one of this charming setting's many eateries. While you are in town don't forget to check out the drawbridge and watch the ships and yachts sail under the bridge

9.) The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk hours of operation are 10-5pm  Easy access from I-95 or Metro-North Railroad, convenient covered parking next door, warm and spacious with two on-site cafes, gift shop and a 4D Theater, the Aquarium is a most excellent family outing, date or solo visit! The marine population we exhibit includes varieties of sharks, big and small, stingrays, harbor seals, sea turtles, game fish, jellies, crabs, lobsters, mollusks and more. We also exhibit tropical travelers that follow the Gulf Stream north to our waters. Plus we have some other fun animals, from tamarins to meerkats. We offer lots of touch experiences including stingrays, sharks, jellyfish and intertidal animals.

10.) Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library hours of operation are 9-5pm. As an architecture enthusiast, I found this Mid-Century Modern building as stunning as I had seen in photos, both inside and out!! The exterior of Vermont marble, granite, bronze, and glass is innovative and has stood the test of time 60 years later. And inside the glass tower of books--the stacks holding the University's rare books and literary manuscripts collection is amazing!! Be sure to go up to the mezzanine and walk all the way around. And don't forget to take in whatever exhibition is on display on the ground and mezzanine levels. There is always something on exhibit that will pique your interest!

11.) Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center hours of operation are 9-5pm Pequot Museum, located in an ancient cedar forest minutes away from Foxwoods Resort Casino, is the largest Native American museum in the world. REOPENING MAY 19TH!!
12.) New England Air Museum located in Windsor Locks hours of operation are 9-4pm The New England Air Museum houses over 80 aircraft in three large hangars and outdoor display area, as well as an extensive collection of engines, instruments, aircraft parts, uniforms and personal memorabilia. Plan a visit today to check out exciting aircraft, displays, exhibits and programs that are perfect for all ages!

13.) PEZ Visitor Center hours of operation are 10-5pm Come see and experience the PEZ brand in person. Over 4,000 square feet dedicated to all things PEZ! See the largest, most comprehensive collection of PEZ memorabilia on public display in the world, PEZ motorcycle built by Orange County Choppers, the world's largest PEZ dispenser, viewing area into our production area, PEZ trivia game, factory store, interactive historical timeline and much more. Learn about the brand that has been inspiring and innovating since 1927! Open 7 days! Easy access off I-95 at exit 41 in Orange, Connecticut. Plenty of free parking!

14.) Florence Griswold Museum located in Old Lyme  hours of operation are 10-5pm A 12-acre museum campus with a historic home museum, a modern art gallery with changing exhibitions, and gardens and river frontage along the delightful Lieutenant River. Visitors enjoy seasonal events including June's GardenFest and October's Wee Faerie Village. Discovery Sundays (April - September) give visitors of all ages the opportunity to take a mini-lesson in landscape painting and create their own masterpiece on the extensive grounds of the Museum. Visitors can enjoy lunch on the veranda at the outdoor Cafe Flo (May-October), and find unique gifts, exhibition catalogs and more at the Museum Shop. The Museum is named for Miss Florence Griswold, who at the turn of the 20th century opened her home as a boarding house which quickly became popular with American artists including Childe Hassam and Willard Metcalf. Museum docents share tales of the Lyme Art Colony and this home of American Impressionism. Check FlorenceGriswoldMuseum.org for a calendar of events and exhibitions.

15.) Sheffield Island Lighthouse located in Norwalk The Norwalk Seaport Association has owned, restored and maintained Sheffield Island Lighthouse and is the official U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Friends group for the Norwalk Islands.Sheffield Island with its historic lighthouse, beaches and wildlife refuge offers abundant summer fun for visitors. From May through September, visitors can board the Seaport Association's catamaran for a cruise to the island then tour the lighthouse, observe wildlife in their natural habitat in the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, hunt for shells along the beach, dine on a picnic lunch, play on the lawns around the lighthouse and just have a good time. The lighthouse tower provides magnificent views of Long Island Sound and, on a clear day, of the New York City skyline. Join us for one of the most exciting tours that the Norwalk Harbor Islands area has to offer! During this unforgettable adventure tour of Sheffield Island and Lighthouse, you'll step directly from the boat into the past.

16.) Kidcity Children's Museum located in Middleton Kidcity is open by reservation only, at KidcityMuseum.com. Imagination play for kids age 1 to 7, and their favorite grownups. Picked by Yankee Magazine in 2012 as the "Best Indoor Adventure" in New England!

17.) Stamford Museum & Nature Center hours of operation are 9-5pm Seasonal fun awaits you at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center. The 118-acre property is home to Heckscher Farm, an 18-acre working farm; Overbrook Nature Center; the Bendel Mansion, with changing exhibitions and pieces from the Museum’s permanent collection; an otter pond; Nature’s Playground; the Stamford Observatory; Animal Embassy; and more than 80 acres of hiking trails. The Wheels in the Woods Trail provides a universally accessible nature trail. Come discover, learn, and enjoy!

18.) Bruce Museum located in Greenwich hours of operation are 10-5pm Explore Art and Science at the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, Connecticut. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am to 5:00 pm; closed Mondays and major holidays. Closed Thanksgiving Eve at 3:00 pm., Thanksgiving Day Closed, Closed Christmas Eve at 3:00 pm., Closed Christmas Day, Closed New Year's Eve at 3:00 pm, Closed on New Year's Day, Closed Easter Sunday. Tuesdays are free for all, all other days during construction are "pay as you wish," suggested amount, adults $20.00, Students (5-22 w/ valid ID) $15.00, Seniors (65 & up) $15.00, Museum members and children under 5 Free. Museums for All gives up to four individuals in the same group free admission with the presentation of one EBT card. This program is in effect during regular business hours and does not apply to lectures or other special programs. The Bruce Museum is participating in the Blue Star Museums program, offering free admission to all active-duty U.S. military personnel and their families with identification.

19.) Stepping Stones Museum for Children located in Norwalk Stepping Stones Museum for Children ignites a child's love of learning through play. Open your world to our hands-on exhibits and exciting programs. With our five main galleries and over 100 hands-on activities, children become wide-eyed with wonder. As they see, hear, touch, feel and do, their ever-growing minds venture to amazing new places. Our Traveling Exhibit Gallery changes every few months so you can always expect new and fascinating adventures. Stepping Stones mission is to broaden and enrich the educational opportunities for children ages ten and under and to enhance their understanding of the world. The museum seeks to create an environment that inspires lifelong learning and supports parents, caregivers and educators as facilitators of children's explorations. Stepping Stones is open daily between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and CLOSED Mondays between Labor Day and Memorial Day (School Year Hours) Hours are 10:00 am - 5:00 pm.

20.) Dinosaur State Park located in Rocky Hill hours of operation are 9-4:30pm In August of 1966, bulldozer operator Edward McCarthy was excavating a rocky site for a state building. He turned over a slab of gray sandstone and saw something very exciting: six large, three-toed footprints. Within a few weeks of the discovery, state officials decided to preserve the site as a state park. Two seasons of careful excavation resulted in one of the largest on-site displays of dinosaur tracks in the world. Fossil tracks are named independently from fossil animals. No skeletal remains were found at the Rocky Hill site so scientists speculate that the animal was similar to Dilophosaurus based on the shape and size of the footprints and the age of the sandstone where they are found. Hear more during our interactive track talk! The Park offers school field trips, as well as family-oriented programming on weekends, school vacations, and during the summer months. The Park has several days where admission is free over the summer in June and August!

21.) Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum located in Norwalk  hours of operation are 12-4pm The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum is regarded as one of the earliest and finest surviving Second Empire Style country houses ever built in the United States. The 62-room mansion was built by banker-railroad tycoon LeGrand Lockwood, who in 1864 began construction of his estate on the Norwalk River in Norwalk, Connecticut. Designed by European-trained, New York-based architect Detlef Lienau, the mansion, which was completed in 1868 at a cost of over $2,000,000.00 in 1868 currency, is considered his most significant surviving work. American craftsmen, along with many immigrant artisans, were employed in the construction of the house. Following Mr. Lockwood's financial reversal in 1869 and his untimely death in 1872, his wife, Ann Louisa Benedict Lockwood, lost the house in foreclosure to the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad in 1874. At the time, Mrs. Lockwood owed one remaining mortgage payment of $90,000 - Mr. Lockwood had paid off $310,000 of his mortgage which he took out following the tragic financial disaster of Black Friday in 1869. After remaining unoccupied for two years, the mansion was purchased in 1876 by Charles Drelincourt Mathews, a wealthy provisions merchant who retired at an early age. The purchase price from the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad astonished many. The house, not even a decade old, along with its numerous outbuildings within the 30-acre compound, was sold for a fraction of its value: $90,000.00 - the last payment owed by Mrs. Lockwood. However, much work had to be done in order to occupy the now unfurnished mansion and the grounds, never completed, were commissioned to Fredrick Law Olmstead. Charles and Rebecca had 4 children: Lillie, Florence, Charles Thompson, and Harold. Lillie and Harold both married, had children, and summered at the Mansion; Florence and Charles never married and lived at their townhouse at 812 Fifth Avenue in NYC in the winter or when not traveling throughout Europe. Charles Thompson Mathews, a world-renowned scholar in the field of architecture, won an international competition for the design and construction of the Lady Chapel at St. Patrick's Cathedral in NYC in 1899. His two books on the subject were used as textbooks at Ivy League schools such as Columbia, Harvard, and Yale. Following his death in 1934, Miss Florence Mathews made Norwalk her full-time residence and passed away in her father's mansion in 1938. The house was first leased and subsequently sold to the City of Norwalk for "park purposes." Years of neglect along with use by City Offices and storage of heavy machinery severely deteriorated the once beautiful home. When the City announced their plans for demolition in the early 1960s in order to build a new City Hall near the mansion, 16 taxpayers, later incorporated into "The Common Interest Group", sued the City of Norwalk and following a lengthy court battle, the Mansion was saved in 1965. In 1971, the Mansion was officially declared a National Historic Landmark. Today, the Museum is being lovingly restored back to its original grandeur by a non-profit organization and is a cultural gem which highlights the lives, styles and technology of the Victorian Era. Tours are offered early April through early January, Wednesday-Sunday. Tours are conducted on the hour at 12, 1, 2, and 3 p.m. Admission: $10 Adults, $8 Seniors, $6 Students 8-18, and Free for Children under the age of 8.

22.) Tarrywile Park & Mansion located in Danbury hours of operation are 8-4:30pm This beautiful mansion and park are situated on over 700 acres, with several ponds and lakes, miles and miles of trails, and plentiful space for picnicking. I think people sometimes forget that this is a park as well as a mansion/wedding facility, so it generally isn't as full as some of the state parks, making this an ideal destination for walking and enjoying the gorgeous scenery. You can also fish here during fishing season. Not stroller friendly but you can bring toddlers in and after a maybe 3 minute walk there is an open field for running and picnics, etc.

23.) Harriet Beecher Stowe Center located in Hartford hours of operation are 12-5pm Harriet Beecher Stowe was the best-selling author of the anti-slavery novel "Uncle Tom's Cabin." A 21st-century museum and program center, the Stowe Center offers interactive and engaging tours and programs designed to inspire action on social justice issues. Specialized tour experiences and discussion-based contemporary issue programs are regularly offered.

24.) Fort Trumbull State Park located in New London  hours of operation vary so check before you go The Fort Trumbull State Park provides a great overview of how this Fort has served America over several centuries and through several wars. Everything from:
* Revolutionary War events with a crude initial Fort Trumbull and its role in the Battle of Groton against General Benedict Arnold (boo, hiss!).
* War of 1812 and how the British attack on Washington, DC convinced Congress to upgrade Fort Trumbull and other coastal forts against foreign navies.
* Civil War and how Fort Trumbull was used to help recruit soldiers & sailors.
* Post Civil War improvements to coastal forts (such as Fort Trumbull) led to the current set of fortifications.
* WWI and how Fort Trumbull was used for the recruitment & training of Army, Navy and Coast Guard personnel; as well as growing research into submarine warfare.
* WWII and Fort Trumbull's research facilities role into Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), as well as training Navy & Merchant Marine officers.
* Cold War and the expanding Naval Underwater Sound Laboratory's scientific contributions.  There are lots of displays, short movies, and walks through the restored Fort to see how personnel stationed there lived. The surrounding grounds have nice walking trails and picnic areas. Lots to see

25.)Stonington Lighthouse Museum Built in 1840, this lighthouse was the first in the country to be converted to a museum. The unique collection reflects more than 350 years of Stonington's history, including its courageous victory over the British in 1814 at the Battle of Stonington, the life of Venture Smith, an enslaved man who bought his freedom, and intimate portraits by famed photographer Rollie McKenna. Climb the tower for a dramatic view of Long Island Sound and three states - CT, RI & NY. Only $5 for adults; $3 for children. Open Fridays & Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

26.) The Carousel Museum located in Bristol hours of operation are 12-5pm The Carousel Museum strives to educate guests of all ages about the art and history of the carousel ride through informative and interactive exhibits. Our museum houses well over 100 antique wooden carousel animals, a carving workshop and a restoration area, and our very own working carousel ride. The Museum is also home to a Museum of Fire History, a Museum of Greek Culture. On top of our exhibits, this renovated 33,000 square foot factory building is the perfect place to host your next function. Call or visit our website for more information! Discover a rental space that’s beyond your wildest dreams at The Carousel Museum in Bristol, CT! Our stunning ballroom is a truly magical and unforgettable setting that's perfect for weddings, meetings, celebrations of life, quinceaneras, anniversaries, team building, presentations, and more. With the capacity to comfortably seat up to 150 guests at 60” round tables with a dance floor, our ballroom is a breathtaking backdrop.

27.) Shore Line Trolley Museum located in East Haven What a fun place to visit. It is perfect for ages BUT you do have to be able to go up a few tall steps to get into the trolleys. The trolleys are fascinating and you can ride two of them on a loop and then go inside and look at the 10 or so others, dating from 1906 to 1926. An unexpected treat is the scenery on the loop ride. You go through a beautiful saltmarsh with ospreys sitting on their nests, or flying. There are other water birds too, including snowy egrets.

Even the gift shop is good, with things for kids and adults and a serious exhibit on how trolleys work and the history of the trolley in the Northeast.

28.) Vintage Radio and Communications Museum of Connecticut located in Windsor hours of operation are 1-4pm Visit Connecticut's newest cultural attraction and learn how communications technology has changed our lives. It's fun, educational and entertaining! Tune radios over 80 years old... talk over candlestick telephones like your grandparents used... send a message in Morse Code... crank a phonograph and listen to 100-year-old records... see what television was like when the only color choices were black and white. Learn about the telegraph, telephone, mechanical sound recording, wireless telegraphy, radio and television, and the seeds of computers, satellite communications and the Internet.

29.) American Clock & Watch Museum located in Bristol hours of operation are 10-5pm Join us for a fascinating trip back in time. This fascinating museum boasts one of the largest displays of American-made timepieces in the world. Designated as one of Connecticut's cultural treasures, the museum was founded in 1952, officially opened to the public in 1954, and has been a destination for visitors from all over the world for almost 70 years. Partially housed in a historic 1801 home, the property boasts approximately 10,000 sq. ft of exhibit space spread across eight gallery spaces. With over 1500 timekeepers on display and many that chime & strike on the hour, you're sure to find something to pique your interest! The gift shop has a wide variety of clock-related gifts and books. The museum is open Wednesdays through Sundays, 10:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. Museum members admitted FREE, Adults $8, Seniors $7, Students 6-17 (or with college ID) $5, Children under 6 admitted FREE. Group tour rates available for 10 or more visitors. Call for details.

30.) Institute for American Indian Studies located in Washington  hours of operation are 11-4pm The Institute for American Indian Studies (IAIS) is a museum and research center in rural Washington, CT. IAIS preserves through discovery and education the vitality, cultural knowledge, and traditions of Native American Peoples with a focus on Eastern Woodland Communities. Our museum exhibits feature 12,000 years of human history and lifeways though artifacts and art from across America. Visitors can experience the past first-hand with our replicated tools, instruments, and other items used in daily life located in our indoor Sachem’s longhouse classroom. The 15.5 acres of the museum’s natural surroundings contain several hiking trails, a medicinal garden, and a replicated 16th century Algonkian village. The museum collections, housed in the research center, include over 355,000 Native American artifacts and ethnographic items, two libraries, and archival records available to researchers by appointment. Museum programming includes annual festivals, various workshops, children’s programs, academic lectures, and an archaeology club that participates in excavations, performs lab work, and hosts lectures. Our education department serves over 10,000 school children annually from the tri-state area with hands-on programs and curricula aligned to Connecticut State Standards. Curious adult learners also will find numerous educational program offerings on a variety of topics. Find your adventure today.

With over 400 things to do in this beautiful state you can very easily find some amazing things to do and discover around every corner.

I hope that you have enjoyed this week's tour and come back next week for another amazing adventure. Remember to always be kind as it costs nothing and if you see someone without a smile stop and give them yours a smile is contagious.

Written by: BeautifulChaos318