Anything to do in Connecticut?

[Wade Lippman]

I will be in the North Haven area for a day next week while my son does some job interviews. I have looked at several tourist sites and there doesn't seen to be anything worthwhile to do, except maybe Yale, and I have already seen that.

I wanted to try for People's Court tickets, but my wife refuses to do that.

Any suggestions? Hikes, shopping areas, anything?

[Prashun Patel]

Two bucket list items for me: the Yale University Art Gallery, Hank Gilpin's studio in Rhode Island.

[Pat Barry]

Foxwoods Casino

[David Bassett]

Mystic Seaport sprang to mind, but it's not in North Haven. On the map it looks about 60 miles east of New Haven, say 70 miles out of your way.

[Jebediah Eckert]

Mark Twain house and the Harriet Stowe house (right next door to each other) in Hartford are pretty good, mostly original with furnishings and all. It's about a 30-40 minute drive from you but worth it.

[Phil Stone]

Lots of beautiful old houses to see in nearby Guilford. I haven't been back there for years, but I think there are one or two open to the public. If you're able, get into the attic of one and see the amazing timber framing.

[Dave Anderson NH]

The area you are staying is less than half an hour's drive from Mystic Seaport where you could spend a full day. I'll also second Prashun's idea of Yale, specifically the furniture study are which has one of the best collections in the US of period furniture. There are literally almost 1000 pieces. The CT Historical Society Museum in Hartford is only a half hours drive.

[roger wiegand]

Samuel Clemen's house in Hartford, the Bushnell carousel on the state house grounds. The American Clock and Watch museum in Bristol, Mystic Seaport, Frank Pepe's Pizza in New Haven, Louis' Lunch in New Haven (best hamburger anywhere!), Dinosaur State Park, flyfishing the Farmington River near New Hartford, Yale Museum of Natural History...

I could go on and on.

[Roger Feeley]

Stop by Louis Lunch which is regarded by some as the birthplace of the hamburger. They have these neat looking gas fired ovens that cook the burgers like bread in a toaster.

[Wade Lippman]

I think Mystic Seaport is a winner. Thanks much.

[Bert Kemp]

Oh You must go to Jimmy's at Savin Rock for lunch or dinner if you can get in. awesome hot dogs and the best seafood. It in West Haven on the beach, if Jimmys is packed Turks is just down the road also great place to eat. The Museum at Savi Rock is pretty interesting also.Jimmys address is 5 Rock St, West Haven, CT 06516

[Malcolm Schweizer]

Mystic Seaport sprang to mind, but it's not in North Haven. On the map it looks about 60 miles east of New Haven, say 70 miles out of your way.

Beat me to it. I could not imagine going to Connecticut without going to the Mystic Seaport. It is probably the most highly regarded wooden boat museum, and I believe it is touted as being the largest seafaring museum in the world. I actually have yet to make it there, but on trips in the past to Vermont and to Boston I tried like heck to find a way to get to the Mystic Seaport, and it just wasn't possible. Please don't miss that. That would be like going to Vegas and not going to any casinos, or going to Orlando and not doing Disney.

[Wade Lippman]

Beat me to it. I could not imagine going to Connecticut without going to the Mystic Seaport. It is probably the most highly regarded wooden boat museum, and I believe it is touted as being the largest seafaring museum in the world. I actually have yet to make it there, but on trips in the past to Vermont and to Boston I tried like heck to find a way to get to the Mystic Seaport, and it just wasn't possible. Please don't miss that. That would be like going to Vegas and not going to any casinos, or going to Orlando and not doing Disney.

I've been to Vegas 3 times (once for a WW show and twice on work) and never been to a casino, except to get to my room. But I will be going to Mystic Seaport on only my 5th visit to the state.

[Rick Moyer]

I'm curious about the wanting to go to a "People's court" taping but the aversion to a casino.

[Wade Lippman]

I'm curious about the wanting to go to a "People's court" taping but the aversion to a casino.

Geez, I don't know how to say this without offending anyone....

I might watch ski jumping, but would never consider doing it?

[Randy Reitz]

My extended family always liked Lenny's for seafood, but many people also like Dino's. And people argue whether Pepe's or Sally's aPizza is the best in the United States.

[Mike Cutler]

Wade

Mystic Seaport is a must. There's just a lot of things going on there these days. They just opened up a whole new building.

I would say that you might want to re-consider the Casino. I don't gamble at all, but both of the Casinos here have more than enough things to do, and see, that you never need to hit the gaming floors. I personally prefer the Mohegan Sun. but they're both pretty cool.
In New Haven You need to hit Louis' Lunch, as another post stated, it's just kind of a different experience. Pepe's pizza should be on your list also, even though Modern Pizza is thought to be better than Pepe's,Pepe's is still Pepe's, and it is an icon.
Sally's pizza is also on Wooster Street with Pepe's, but it's a little different atmosphere. Sally's is a little harder to get into than Pepe, because of the limited hours,and it's cash only. You have to be in line before Sally's opens for Dinner, or you probably won't eat before 8:30 pm. The Elm City Diner is also back in business. I haven't been there since it re-opened.
Closer to North Haven and not as far as Mystic is the Essex train Station. From Saybrook on the coast to Chester, inland on the west side of the Connecticut river are a lot of neat little towns and landings. In Cheshire, there is the Black Seal, if you want some Tavern fare, and the Griswold Inn, if you want to go more formal On the other side if the river is Gillette's Castle, and north of that is the Gelston House and the Good Speed Opera House, where the bridge goes over the river.
If you want some good seafood, try Johnny Ad's in Saybrook on Rte. 1. Don't judge the book by it's cover with Johnny's, this little seafood/clam shack makes some good food.;)
If the ferry is running you cross the river from Chester to Hadlyme. From there make your way to the Devils Hopyard and give your self an hour or three.
North of the Casino's, in Voluntown, is the Pachaug Forest. 25,000 acres, and at this time of the year you'll have it all to yourself. ( If you see two vizslas running around, don't worry, they're very friendly, and I'm somewhere near them. ;)

In New haven, I would have to look and see what is the the Schubert, or Long Wharf theater, but they're both worth checking out of you have the time.
North Haven used to be home to Marlin Firearms, Colt, and a division of Winchester.

[Malcolm Schweizer]

I've been to Vegas 3 times (once for a WW show and twice on work) and never been to a casino, except to get to my room. But I will be going to Mystic Seaport on only my 5th visit to the state.


Actually, I think it's cool that you didn't do the casinos.

[roger wiegand]

I went to a casino in Reno forty some years ago. Have they improved? I've never felt any desire to go back to one.

[Pat Barry]

If you were able to hit a Reno casino 40years ago then I guess you hit the jackpot so to speak.

[Bert Kemp]

I went to one in Vegas just to see what all the hub bud was about, I was there buying my you know what :mad: so had to check out a casino. It was awful, they stink of cigarette and cigar smoke. Yea the waitresses are cute and bring you free beer if your gambling but if your not a gambler ( I'm not) theres no reason to be in one at least the gambling area. Theres lots of other better things to see and do in Vegas.

[Rick Moyer]

I was in no way suggesting or recommending a casino, but I think I'd rather be around the folks in a casino as opposed to those at a "People's Court" taping. Just sayin'.

[Marc Sitkin]

The D'Elia tool museum in Scotland Connecticut should not be missed. You'll have to call to see when they are open, and it's a drive, but well worth it. Andy has assemble a world class collection of patented planes that are beautifully displayed.
http://www.deliatoolmuseum.com/