The Unique Hike That Takes You Through an Abandoned Amusement Park in Connecticut

Most people are aware that Connecticut is home to the nation's oldest continuously operating amusement park, Lake Compounce. That theme park was opened in 1846 and has slowly grown into a premier destination for thrill-seekers, teenagers, and families. Unfortunately, many of Connecticut's other amusement parks were not quite as prosperous and only had short-lived runs during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Today, you can actually hike to one of these deserted venues and explore the remnants of an abandoned amusement park in Connecticut.

Suburban Park in Unionville, Connecticut, was open for just ten years, between 1895 and 1905. It was built by the Hartford Suburban Trolley Line as the last stop on its line between Hartford and Unionville. Many trolley companies during the time period built parks like this to attract more customers to their transportation services. Today, you can explore its ruins over the course of a 1.4-mile hike.

When Suburban Park Amusement Park was open, there were wide open grassy areas, a swimming lake, a dance hall, a merry-go-round, and more. Today, the park is heavily wooded with trails crossing through the ruins of the deserted theme park. Discover foundations and walls of buildings slowly being reclaimed by nature. If you stretch your imagination to its limits, you can recreate the busy weekend atmosphere of a cheerful theme park.

A favorite spot for the kids along the trails is the underground cold storage cellar used for food refrigeration. Climb on in and explore this underground structure. The crown jewel of the park was a colorful, electrified fountain. This water display was extremely unique. Our street lights were still lit by gas in those days, so an electric fountain was quite an attraction!

You don't have to travel through the abandoned amusement park willy-nilly, trying to guess what the ruins are. A crew of volunteers cleaned up the trails and posted guide signs as an Eagle Scout project. It makes your tour much easier and very informative.

The signs give details of the deserted structures and, in some cases, pictures of them in their heyday. The trails are well-marked and easy to navigate, but you can expect a little hill climbing to see all of the abandoned attractions.

The trail meanders through a mix of wooded areas and open spaces, offering moments of both seclusion and panoramic views. It's an excellent spot to take photos, with every turn presenting a new opportunity to capture the odd harmony between nature and history. Whether you're a history buff or just enjoy a walk in the woods, the Suburban Park trail is truly one-of-a-kind.

Did you know about this abandoned amusement park in Connecticut? Have you ever taken a hike through it? If you like exploring Connecticut's ruins, check out these trails that take you to an abandoned village in Connecticut and a deserted zoo in Connecticut. Feeling inspired? Try planning your own Connecticut trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.