Art and culture have always been an important aspect of life in Connecticut. Today, you can experience the vibrant cultural scene at renowned museums, historic concert halls, and cutting-edge science centers. From the maritime exhibits at Mystic Seaport to the incredible collections at the Yale Art Museum and Peabody Natural History Museum in New Haven, Connecticut is home to some of the best museums in New England. Weir Farm National Historic Site, an artist retreat in Connecticut, is also worth adding to your vacation itinerary. If you are looking to add a dash of fun to your next vacation, come to Connecticut and discover some of the finest museums in the country. From Hartford to Fairfield County, culture comes alive in Connecticut!
The Barnum Museum
Neatly situated along the Pequonnock River in Bridgeport, the Barnum Museum is a must-visit for families traveling through western Connecticut. Dedicated to the life and work of the iconic P.T. Barnum – who lived in Bridgeport – the Barnum Museum features a wide range of artifacts you'll need to see to believe.
Found in a building originally constructed by Barnum himself, this museum was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. Visit during summer and check out the Envisioning the Future! exhibit. In all, there are close to 1,000 items and artifacts to view at the Barnum Museum – make the drive in from Fairfield.
Connecticut Science Center
Set on the Connecticut River, the Connecticut Science Center is a nine-story, 154,000-square-foot museum located in Hartford near Berlin.
Established in 2009, the Connecticut Science Center was designed by César Pelli & Associates – and is a Gold Level, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Certified green building.
A $165 million structure, the Connecticut Science Center is home to permanent galleries such as Exploring Space, River of Life, and Picture of Health.
Small children are free to explore KidSpace and Invention Dimension.
Museum of Natural and Other Curiosities
Many of those who visit Hartford, the capital of Connecticut, enjoy tours of the Old State House right in historic downtown. And while tours of this iconic and important building can yield unique insights into the history of Colonial America and Hartford, it's what you'll find on the top floor that'll have you dropping your jaw in amazement.
The Museum of Natural and Other Curiosities is a fun-for-all-ages destination housing a wide range of unique and off-the-wall artifacts. Rare and exotic stuffed birds line the walls, with an eight-foot alligator dangling nearby; the two headed pig should draw interest, and giant lobster claw often draws ooh's and ahh's.
Wadsworth Atheneum
The oldest public art museum in the country, the Wadsworth Atheneum is the largest art museum in Connecticut – located in downtown Hartford.
Also known simply as the Wadsworth, this castle-like art museum is home to works of French and American Impressionism, modernist and contemporary artwork, and early American decorative arts.
Open in 1844, the Wadsworth is part of the North American Reciprocal Museums program, and was the original site of the New York City Ballet.
The Wadsworth Atheneum art museum is also home to original works by Dali and Picasso.
