Life in Connecticut can be expensive, but fortunately, there are still places couples, families and individuals can go to have fun without spending money. Walking, hiking and going on picnics in state parks are still free, but not all of the places where people can enjoy themselves for free are outdoors. There are museums and great buildings to visit and places to educate, inspire and entertain those who take a little time to investigate and plan their activities. Here are just five of the top free attractions in Connecticut.
Wadsworth Atheneum Museum Of Art
600 Main St.
Hartford, CT 06013
(860) 278-2670
thewadsworth.orgBetween the hours of 4 and 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday admission is free to The Wadsworth Atheneum, the oldest continually operating art museum in the United States. (At other times admission is free for children under 18 years of age, and $15 and under for others, although there are discounts for students over 18 and for seniors. Admission is always free to members). There is, of course, far too much to view in that final free entry hour, as the museum closes daily at 5 p.m., but for those who plan well and especially those who plan for multiple visits, those one-hour visits can be inspiring and even breathtaking. The Wadsworth has over 50,000 pieces in its collection, only a small fraction of which are on display at any one time. The collection includes antiquities from Greece and Rome as well as paintings, prints, furniture and firearms from the 18th century forward.
600 Main St.
Hartford, CT 06013
(860) 278-2670
thewadsworth.orgBetween the hours of 4 and 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday admission is free to The Wadsworth Atheneum, the oldest continually operating art museum in the United States. (At other times admission is free for children under 18 years of age, and $15 and under for others, although there are discounts for students over 18 and for seniors. Admission is always free to members). There is, of course, far too much to view in that final free entry hour, as the museum closes daily at 5 p.m., but for those who plan well and especially those who plan for multiple visits, those one-hour visits can be inspiring and even breathtaking. The Wadsworth has over 50,000 pieces in its collection, only a small fraction of which are on display at any one time. The collection includes antiquities from Greece and Rome as well as paintings, prints, furniture and firearms from the 18th century forward.
Gillette Castle State Park And Mansion
67 River Road
East Haddam, CT 06423
(860) 526-2336
www.ct.govAlthough there is a small fee to tour the mansion or the outdoor art trail at Gillette Castle State Park, self-guided tours of the nature trails, the river walk and the rest of the grounds that this faux medieval fortress home looms over are free. Parking and picnic areas are also free of charge. Just walking about or partaking in a picnic lunch on the grounds are a joy, as the park sits in the midst of the Seven Sisters Mountain Range and overlooks the Connecticut River. The small fee to tour the mansion, see its collection of 19th and early 20th-century art, furniture and railroad memorabilia is well worth it, as is that for the outdoor art trail.
67 River Road
East Haddam, CT 06423
(860) 526-2336
www.ct.govAlthough there is a small fee to tour the mansion or the outdoor art trail at Gillette Castle State Park, self-guided tours of the nature trails, the river walk and the rest of the grounds that this faux medieval fortress home looms over are free. Parking and picnic areas are also free of charge. Just walking about or partaking in a picnic lunch on the grounds are a joy, as the park sits in the midst of the Seven Sisters Mountain Range and overlooks the Connecticut River. The small fee to tour the mansion, see its collection of 19th and early 20th-century art, furniture and railroad memorabilia is well worth it, as is that for the outdoor art trail.
Hammonasset Beach State Park
1288 Boston Post Road
Madison, CT 06443
(203) 245-2785
www.ctvisit.comIt does cost to park in the public lots at Hammonasset Beach State Park, but use of the two miles of sandy shore and the picnic areas and playing fields along Connecticut’s longest public beach are free. There are playgrounds and, in season, concession stands, and there are lots of things to do in, along and near the water for no charge. Fees and rental charges do apply for select functions and facilities, but swimming, scuba diving, sunbathing, making sandcastles and enjoying a picnic on the beach or in the park grounds is free. The Meigs Point Nature Center, which is part of the park, also has a lot of free activities and programs and is open year-round.Related: Top Parks With Barbecues In Connecticut
1288 Boston Post Road
Madison, CT 06443
(203) 245-2785
www.ctvisit.comIt does cost to park in the public lots at Hammonasset Beach State Park, but use of the two miles of sandy shore and the picnic areas and playing fields along Connecticut’s longest public beach are free. There are playgrounds and, in season, concession stands, and there are lots of things to do in, along and near the water for no charge. Fees and rental charges do apply for select functions and facilities, but swimming, scuba diving, sunbathing, making sandcastles and enjoying a picnic on the beach or in the park grounds is free. The Meigs Point Nature Center, which is part of the park, also has a lot of free activities and programs and is open year-round.Related: Top Parks With Barbecues In Connecticut
Connecticut State Capitol
210 Capitol Ave.
Hartford, CT 06106
(860) 240-0222
www.cga.ct.govSet back from the skyscrapers of the financial district is the beautiful gilded dome of the State Capitol. The building and grounds are impressive, but what are even more impressive and memorable are the treasures packed within its halls. Free guided tours hosted by very knowledgeable volunteers take visitors through hallways draped with regimental battle flags, down portrait and sculpture galleries and into rooms packed with artifacts of historical significance. When the legislature is in session, the viewing galleries are open to any and all who care to listen in on the debates and speeches.
210 Capitol Ave.
Hartford, CT 06106
(860) 240-0222
www.cga.ct.govSet back from the skyscrapers of the financial district is the beautiful gilded dome of the State Capitol. The building and grounds are impressive, but what are even more impressive and memorable are the treasures packed within its halls. Free guided tours hosted by very knowledgeable volunteers take visitors through hallways draped with regimental battle flags, down portrait and sculpture galleries and into rooms packed with artifacts of historical significance. When the legislature is in session, the viewing galleries are open to any and all who care to listen in on the debates and speeches.
Bushnell Park
Trinity St.
PO Box 230778
Hartford, CT, 06123
(860) 232-6710
www.bushnellpark.orgFrederick Law Olmstead who designed New York City’s Central Park had to pass on the commission to create a similar green space in the heart of Connecticut’s capital city, but the man he passed the offer to did a splendid and beautiful job creating what is now known as Bushnell Park. Set just below and around the slight hill topped by the gleaming golden dome of the Capitol Building, Jacob Weidenmann’s creation is an appreciation of Mother Nature and her handiwork in Connecticut. Over 160 varieties of trees, shrubs, bushes and other flora native to the Nutmeg State are displayed in gardens and copses and along paths and beside fountains and monuments to create a beautiful and peaceful place for visitors to walk. The massive Soldiers and Sailors Arch, erected to honor those who fought in the Civil War, dominates one corner of the park, while at the other is a lovely shallow pool and fountain and an historic carousel.Related: Top Summer Backpacking Trips In Connecticut
Trinity St.
PO Box 230778
Hartford, CT, 06123
(860) 232-6710
www.bushnellpark.orgFrederick Law Olmstead who designed New York City’s Central Park had to pass on the commission to create a similar green space in the heart of Connecticut’s capital city, but the man he passed the offer to did a splendid and beautiful job creating what is now known as Bushnell Park. Set just below and around the slight hill topped by the gleaming golden dome of the Capitol Building, Jacob Weidenmann’s creation is an appreciation of Mother Nature and her handiwork in Connecticut. Over 160 varieties of trees, shrubs, bushes and other flora native to the Nutmeg State are displayed in gardens and copses and along paths and beside fountains and monuments to create a beautiful and peaceful place for visitors to walk. The massive Soldiers and Sailors Arch, erected to honor those who fought in the Civil War, dominates one corner of the park, while at the other is a lovely shallow pool and fountain and an historic carousel.Related: Top Summer Backpacking Trips In Connecticut
Mark G. McLaughlin is a professional and prolific writer with a proven publishing record in a wide variety of fields. An historian, novelist, freelance journalist, ghost-writer, book reviewer, magazine editor, web and magazine columnist, Mark has more than 30 years of experience. His work can be found at Examiner.com.
