Local Sites and Attractions

Gillette Castle - Born in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1853, William Hooker Gillette, noted actor (famous for his stage portrayal of Sherlock Holmes), director, and playwright, built the twenty four-room mansion reminiscent of a medieval castle on a 184-acre estate with vistas overlooking the Connecticut River. Gillette designed the castle and most of its contents personally, which was built from local fieldstone and took five years to complete the main structure. Inside Gillette Castle, hand-hewn southern white oak woodwork, forty-seven intricately carved doors, built-in couches, a movable table on tracks, and light switches of carved wood all point to his creative genius.

Outside on the grounds of the estate, trails lead you along walking paths, some constructed with near-vertical steps, stone-arch bridges, and wooded trestles spanning up to forty feet. Other outdoor attractions include the actor's three-mile long narrow gauge railroad, the railroad station (Grand Central), a vegetable cellar and Gillette's goldfish pond.

The Mystic Aquarium located in Mystic, CT is an educational and exploration center where visitors can enjoy more than 3,500 specimens of marine life from around the world-200 different species in more than 34 exhibits within a 110,000 square-foot covered exhibit space on an 18-acre property.

Mystic Aquarium features a 1200-seat theatre highlighted by a bottlenose dolphin show, a new XD Motion Theatre, 3D ride that brings marine animal environment to life before your eyes, a Ray Touch Pool, and a new Hidden Amazon exhibit. Other attractions include New England's only Beluga Whale, the Discovery Lab, the Return to Titantic exhibit (Dr. Ballard's journey to find the Titantic), the Lions of the Sea, and much more.

The Mystic Seaport and Village is The Museum of America and the Sea and is the nation's leading maritime museum. Here you can explore American maritime history firsthand as you climb aboard historic tall ships such as the Charles W. Morgan, stroll through a re-created 19th-century coastal village or watch a working preservation shipyard in action.

Founded in 1929, Mystic Seaport is open every day except December 24 & 25. More than 300,000 people visit Mystic Seaport annually and membership to the Seaport represents more than 20,000 people from all 50 states and many foreign countries.

The Essex Steam Train - Enjoy the experience of an authentic journey back to the days of steam trains and riverboat rides at the Essex Steam Train located just minutes away in Deep River, CT. One of two coal-fired locomotives pulls a collection of lovingly restored railroad cars to take you through some of the most beautiful country in the state. Along the ride, you'll find forests and streams, beautiful vistas, nostalgic towns, and some of the most gorgeous views of the Connecticut River.

Then, jump on board the Becky Thatcher, a restored steam-driven riverboat at Deep Landing, and you'll sit back, take in the fresh air, and learn about the history and natural wonder of the Connecticut River. On the journey, you'll see spectacular landscapes with coves and inlets, islets and deep water, each home to fish, fowl, river vegetation and perhaps, one of several Bald Eagles that make the riverside their home. You'll also get a glimpse of man-made wonders - bridges, ferries, riverfront homes and local landmarks including the Goodspeed Opera House and Gillette Castle.