Posted in Connecticut Attractions July 01, 2021 by

7 Hidden Gems In Connecticut You Need To Check Out

We all know Connecticut is full of great places to visit, but some of our attractions require a little extra digging and make up the best hidden gems in Connecticut. Instead of visiting all your old regular favorites, consider adding some new places to your bucket list. These hidden gems in Connecticut are often forgotten, or at least not as popular as our major tourist attractions. They’re definitely unique and worth a visit!

1. Connecticut's Old State House (Hartford)
Connecticut's Old State House/Yelp
Folks often think of this place as just another historical museum, and it definitely does have its share of history. But this is one of the better under-the-radar attractions in Connecticut.
Connecticut's Old State House/Yelp
The State House is also home to Joseph Steward's Museum of Curiosities, where you can see the famous two headed calf. There are a number of other interesting taxidermied creatures. You can find out more about Connecticut's Old State House on their website.
2. The Cushing Center at Yale's Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library (New Haven)
Thomas Autumn/Flickr
A visit to one of the nation's most esteemed universities is never a bad idea. Explore the area, grab some pizza, and check out the Cushing Collection.
John_from_CT/Flickr
The exhibit includes Dr. Cushing's manuscripts, art works, and best of all, preserved body parts. That includes jars of brains, both whole and sliced. The Cushing Center website has some interesting videos available.
3. PEZ Visitor Center (Orange)
Doug Kerr/Flickr
You can learn a lot about these little candies at the visitors center. Like did you know they were created to help deter people from smoking? They're probably the tastiest cessation candy on the market.
Oside 4All/Google Maps
This is your chance to see the greatest collection of all time, including the largest dispenser in the world. Spoiler alert: it's 12 feet tall! But not for sale. Visit the PEZ Visitor Center website for more information (and an online store!).
4. Lime Rock Park Racetrack (Lakeville)
Sarah/Flickr
Unless there's a big time race going on, entry is free at Paul Newman's "home away from home." He drove his cars around this track until he was 82 years old. And you can still catch some old-timers here doing the same!
Innocenzo Jimmy Ciorra/Flickr
The 1.53 mile course sees a lot of high performance vehicles, and the occasional car show where you can check out what racing looked like 50 years ago. They'll line them up on the green and let you get real up close and personal. The Lime Rock Park website has a calendar of upcoming events and additional information.
5. The Glass House (New Canaan)
Thomas Nemeskeri/Flickr
Paradoxically, this is one of the most popular best little-known places in Connecticut. Though it's not often talked about or mentioned as a "must see attraction in Connecticut," tours frequently sell out. You'll actually get to be inside of the display as you learn about architecture and contemporary art.
Tony/Flickr
The grounds are also beautiful, but will cost you extra to have it added to your tour. The fun part is walking around the house and wondering if you could actually live somewhere made of glass. For gorgeous photos, visit the Glass House website.
6. Devil's Hopyard State Park (East Haddam)
Tom Henthorn/Flickr
This place definitely draws hikers, but it's also a popular muse for the artistically inclined. This place is favored for painting, writing, and photographing alike.
Eric Harrison/Flickr
The main attraction is of course the falls: it's one of the best hidden waterfalls in Connecticut. There's also great picnic spots and it's fantastic for bird watchers or insect lovers. The Devil's Hopyard State Park website has more information on this gorgeous place.
7. LEGO Factory (Enfield)
Doug Kerr/Flickr
If you loved playing with these as a kid, then you should give this place a visit. And of course, take a picture with the 8 foot LEGO pieces out front.
Eric Lumsden/Flickr
Sadly, tours are not available of the factory itself, but you can still hit up some LEGO attractions in the area. Stop by the local airport to see a LEGO construction of Mark Twain's house. Then hit up his brick-and-mortar home, which is also a museum, to see a LEGO statue of him.

Do you know about other hidden gems in Connecticut? Tell us where to find them in the comments!

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Address: Connecticut's Old State House, 800 Main St, Hartford, CT 06103, USA
Address: Cushing/Whitney Medical Library At Yale, 333 Cedar St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
Address: PEZ Visitor Center, 35 Prindle Hill Rd, Orange, CT 06477, USA
Address: Lime Rock Road, Lime Rock Rd, Salisbury, CT, USA
Address: The Glass House, National Trust for Historic Preservation, 199 Elm St, New Canaan, CT 06840, USA
Address: Devil's Hopyard State Park, 366 Hopyard Rd, East Haddam, CT 06423, USA
Address: Lego Way, Enfield, CT 06082, USA
Address: The Mark Twain House & Museum, 351 Farmington Ave, Hartford, CT 06105, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center

hidden gems In Connecticut

July 06, 2021
Lisa Sammons

What are some more under-the-radar attractions in Connecticut?

We've certainly got plenty! Have you checked out the Center Church Crypt yet? It's pretty creepy, it's in the basement of a church that was built right over a colonial graveyard, so the builders covered the grass with bricks and the tombstones just pop out between them. Looking for caves? The Steep Rock Railroad Tunnel (no trains run through there anymore) is pretty rad. We've got a list here of some other cool places to check out!

What are some hidden waterfalls in Connecticut?

Of course, there's lots of waterfalls that have entire state parks centered around them, but you can find lots of hidden waterfalls in Connecticut too! Yantic Falls is a beautiful sight right in the middle of an industrial area in Norwich. Check out this list that features a baker's dozen of lesser-known waterfalls in Connecticut.

What are some state parks in Connecticut?

West Rock Ridge State Park is not super-popular, but it's absolutely gorgeous. Gillette Castle State Park is in East Haddam, not far from Devil's Hopyard State Park, and it's such a neat place. You also don't want to miss Sleeping Giant State Park in Hamden. It gets its name from a giant mountain that resembles a sleeping giant.