Issues → September/October 2009 → Travel →
What is There to See In New England?
(page 10 of 10)
Connecticut is often ahead of the curve. Hartford boasts the nation's first public art museum, the Wadsworth Atheneum, while New Haven (Yale's art museums are no slouches either) can claim America's first hamburger, still lovingly served at Louis' Lunch. Coney Island types might contest Lake Compounce's claim as America's first amusement park (the Bristol, CT, park is more than 160 years old), but you won't care as you scream your appreciation on the 180-foot plunge of the Sky Coaster.
The three-ring circus was born here, and the master of bunkum himself, Phineas T. Barnum, even served as the serious and capable mayor of Bridgeport. The Barnum Museum, open since 1893, chronicles both the city and the colorful career of its namesake. Even P.T. would be awed by the spectacles of Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun, where glittering fantasy casino complexes have sprouted in the tribal-owned wilderness. You don't need to be a gambler to check in and catch some concerts.
Live theater fans have a choice of several top-flight professional companies, such as Yale Rep and Long Wharf in New Haven and the Hartford Stage Company. But to stay ahead of the pack, be sure to get tickets to the historic Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, where you just might catch the next big musical in development before it goes to Broadway.
Reader Comments
Comment from Peter Rukavina on December 6, 2011
My favourite drive is the one from Montreal down the spine of Vermont into southern New Hampshire.
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