Essex Steam Train & Riverboat
Centrally located in the Connecticut River Valley, the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat is a great place to visit. Be sure to visit River Valley Junction, an interactive museum located adjacent to Essex Station.

Goodspeed Opera House
Home to the original productions of Man of La Mancha, Shenandoah, and Annie, and recipient of two special Tony Awards for outstanding achievement in the musical theatre, Goodspeed is world renowned as the home of the American Musical. website

Norma Terris Theater
At the Norma Terris Theatre, located in Chester, Connecticut, Goodspeed develops new musicals and nurtures emerging artists. Inaugurated in 1984, The Norma Terris Theatre has launched over 50 musicals into the theatre world, including 25 world premieres, giving writers the opportunity to develop their material through actual production. website

Ivoryton Playhouse
Often referred to as “a little known jewel on the Connecticut shoreline”, the Ivoryton Playhouse is a unique theatre with a fascinating history and an exciting future. Built in 1911 as a recreation hall for the workers of the Comstock-Cheney factory, the building hosted silent movies, dances, town meetings, and vaudeville shows. In 1930, under the direction of Milton Stiefel, the theatre became summer home to most of the great names of the American stage including Katharine Hepburn, Marlon Brando, Helen Hayes and Tallulah Bankhead. The Ivoryton Playhouse was the first self-supporting summer theatre in the nation. website

Mark Twain House -- Hartford. website

Gillette Castle State Park -- Hadlyme. Once the home of William Gillette, a turn-of-the-19th century actor known for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes on Broadway. Take a hike, tour the castle or relax on a picnic.website The views up and down the Connecticut River from the castle grounds are spectacular! 

Haddam Meadows State Park -- The Nehemiah Brainerd House borders the park which overlooks the scenic Connecticut River and offers opportunities for boating, fishing, and picnicking. website 

Florence Griswold Museum -- Old Lyme. Former art colony home showcases American Impressionist art. website

Hill-Stead Museum -- Farmington. Enjoy a guided tour of 19 period rooms filled with art and antiques, exhibited in situ. You can also admire the Beatrix Farrand-designed Sunken Garden, stroll the Warren Manning-inspired grounds, or browse the Museum Shop for unique gifts and books. Hill-Stead Museum 

Connecticut Wine Trail -- Nineteen vineyards are joined by the Connecticut Wine Trail. The trail is split into two sections that will take a day a piece to visit. website

Norfolk Chamber Music Festival -- A summer-long series of concerts on Fridays and Saturdays by faculty of the Yale Summer School of Music and invited guests. Free concerts are also offered by the school's students Thursday night and Saturday morning.  Norfolk - Festival History 

Antiques in Connecticut -- There are an abundance of antique shops in Connecticut. You can spend days visiting the various individual shops as well as various galleries. ANTIQUES IN CONNECTICUT

Tourism Websites

River Valley/Connecticut - Connecticut's River Valley - history, recreation, shopping, culture. website

Connecticut Tourism -- Find out more about visiting Connecticut. website

Fall Foliage -- Connecticut in October will welcome you with a beautiful display of Autumn colors and the Haddam area along the Connecticut River will present you with a blaze of red, yellow and orange! To view "peak" times for viewing the Fall colors, view the State of Connecticut's Fall Foliage Report

Places of Interest

Essex Village -- Visit "The Best Small Town in America." Located on the Connecticut River. Shops, restaurants, and the Connecticut River Museum

Chester Village -- Boutiques, galleries and restaurants in this quaint artist community.

Deep River -- Deep River is on the Connecticut River. Once an ivory-processing center, with a piano-key factory on the main street. website

Old Saybrook -- Where the Connecticut River meets Long Island Sound. Old Saybrook offers beautiful shores, vistas, marinas and an eclectic collection of shops and restaurants on Main Street and nearby. website

East Haddam Village -- Shops, restaurants and the Goodspeed Opera House.

Middletown -- Home of Wesleyan University. Dining, shopping, galleries. website

Westbrook -- Westbrook, Connecticut USA, a quaint shoreline community nestled on the banks of Long Island Sound between New Haven and New London. website


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