The Constitution State has plenty of beaches, but we can promise there’s none quite like this one. This abandoned amusement park in Connecticut reopened a few years ago. It’s undoubtedly got the craziest history of any beach around! You’ll definitely want to visit this place and see how much it’s changed. Once upon a time, the beach was home to the Pleasure Beach Amusement Park. You truly won’t believe its transformation.

Founded in 1892 in Bridgeport, Pleasure Beach in Connecticut was originally an amusement park.
Tichnor Brothers/Wikimedia
Those looking for a good time could take a steam ferry across the Lewis Gut. There was even a bridge connecting the peninsula to the mainland. Designed to spare Connecticut residents from the hassle of traveling to nearby states for amusement, the park strove to create a local spot for family fun. It included roller coasters, carnival games, and a beautifully crafted carousel. The horses from the carousel are now at Beardsley Zoo.
Here's what was left of the original Pleasure Beach Carousel when the park closed.
826 PARANORMAL/Wikimedia
With all of the horses removed, you can see how eerie this place is. It was truly among the most creepy places in Connecticut, and definitely lacked the inviting sight of an amusement park. The town of Bridgeport purchased the park in 1937, but it went bankrupt in the mid-1960s. By the 1980s, abandoned places in Connecticut like this were often meeting spots for drug users and graffiti taggers. Despite the changing atmosphere brought on by the park's closing, people continued to visit the beach.
The long, well-lit boardwalk and soft sand were too much of a draw for people to stay away.
Rana Xavier/Flickr
The beach also offered excellent views of the neighboring towns of Bridgeport and Stratford. In fact, the peninsula is actually divded right down the center. Half belongs to each of the respective towns. The western end, which contains Pleasure Beach, is still owned by Bridgeport.

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The Stratford side, called Long Beach West, used to have a number of seasonal cottages. These were demolished in 2010.
Bill/Wikimedia
In June of 1996, a fire destroyed the bridge leading to the mainland. The cottages and other structures were left abandoned. This created the largest ghost town in Connecticut. Technically, you could still visit the beach during this time. Getting there was an obstacle, though: you either had to hike from Stratford or boat in from Bridgeport.
In 2009, the buildings that once housed the carousel and bumper cars were demolished.
Lastchance1291/Wikimedia
Those looking to investigate abandoned places in Connecticut and could still investigate the remaining buildings. The pavilion, parking lot, and theater (pictured) remained. But in 2010, the city received a $1.9 million federal appropriation to bring the beach back to life. They purchased a couple of water taxis and got to work.
Soon, the water taxis were up and running!
Trenten Kelley/Flickr
You're now free to return to Pleasure Beach in Connecticut and see it for what it really is: a peaceful oasis to watch the waves and soak in the sun. The vandalized pavilion has been restored to its former glory. The boardwalk has been repaired. Where a large parking lot once took up much of the natural space, there is now grass and picnic tables. You won't believe the transformation.
Get out and enjoy the newly restored beach today!
826 PARANORMAL/Flickr
Avoid crowds and experience living history when you dip your toes in the ocean. You may even catch a glimpse of the rabbits and foxes that live in the nearby woods. Enjoy the ferry ride, go fishing on the dock, bike the boardwalk, and catch the sun setting over Bridgeport. In just under 125 years, this place has made multiple transformations. It's no wonder that this once abandoned amusement park in Connecticut still attracts people today. This is a magical place!

If you enjoyed reading about this abandoned amusement park in Connecticut, check out these little-known beaches for even more sandy spots to discover!

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Pleasure Beach Amusement Park

Lisa Sammons | September 30, 2021

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Pleasure Beach, Bridgeport, CT 06615, USA