Category: Connecticut

Things to Know

• No admission charge to the Village. Admission charge for Museum of America and The Sea.
• Village is interesting but not extensive.
• Peaceful, tranquil setting.
• Village is dog friendly.

A brief but enjoyable stop on our tour of New England was Connecticut’s Mystic Seaport Village. Due to our travel schedule, we had only a little over an hour to spend at the village, which we found to be sufficient. We enjoyed a leisurely stroll down several historic streets and portside paths, and stopped for a bite to eat along the way.

The village consists of numerous historic structures that were originally built in various parts of New England during the 19th century and later relocated to Mystic Village. A multitude of shops, eating establishments, and other businesses now call these buildings home.

Unfortunately, we lacked the time needed to visit the area’s foremost attraction, the Museum of America and the Sea, our nation’s largest maritime museum. The museum is noted for its extensive collection of sea vessels as well as its re-creation of a 19th century seafaring village. Visiting the museum will definitely be on our list of to do’s for future Connecticut expeditions.

Recommendation: Mystic Village is both quaint and serene. It’s a great place to spend an hour or so strolling and taking in the natural beauty and historic sites. We were advised to set aside half a day to visit the museum. The actual amount of time you’ll need will likely depend on how long you spend in each of its exhibits. Museum admission prices range from free for children 2 and younger, to $28.95 for an adult.

Things to Know:

• No admission fee. Contributions welcomed.
• Tower access is via a 1.25 mile, moderately difficult trail.
• Scenic views of surrounding area available on the trail and at the tower.
• Interesting historical context.
• No food or drinks for sale or allowed inside tower or museum.
• Dog friendly trail and park. Dogs not allowed inside tower or museum.

One of the first stops on our two-week driving tour of New England was Connecticut’s Talcott Mountain State Park. This scenic park, located near the town of Simsbury, is home to the Heublein Tower, a striking 165-foot structure atop a heavily forested ridge known as Talcott Mountain. The tower was built in 1914 as a summer home for Gilbert Hueblein, a Bavarian immigrant whose family achieved prominence in America’s food and beverage industry. It, along with 557 adjoining acres, is maintained through a cooperative, public-private partnership.

The tower houses a small but interesting museum, as well as an observation area that provides very nice views of the surrounding Connecticut landscape. It’s accessible via a 1.25 mile trail that’s a reasonably easy walk for those accustomed to such distances.

Recommendation: If you’re looking for a nice day trip in Connecticut, we’d recommend this as a fun way to spend 2 or 3 hours in the Hartford, Connecticut area. Be aware that pets are not allowed inside the tower and museum. There is also no food or drink available at, or allowed inside, the tower, so be sure to pack whatever you may need before you hit the trail.