Open House Day this Saturday

Connecticut tourism season is well underway! I encourage all residents to get out this weekend and enjoy all our state has to offer. Saturday, June 10th is Connecticut Open House Day, a great opportunity to explore and discover.

Coordinated by the Connecticut Office of Tourism, more than 200 participating attractions from throughout the state will be offering special incentives throughout the day – such as free or reduced admission, free gifts, or special exhibits and activities – in an effort to encourage residents to explore everything the state has to offer.

Below is a list of just some of the attractions participating in Southeastern CT. For a full list of participating venues click to view the COMPLETE LIST. 

In Southeastern CT:

Colchester
Colchester History Museum
Free admission from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. On view, “What the Doctor Ordered: A Century of Medicine Bottles from Colchester Pharmacies;” and an informal discussion with collector and donor Gerry Dauphinais.

Franklin
Ashbel Woodward House Museum
Free admission from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Kicking off the summer learning program of “Pioneer Days.” Pioneer Stories: 11 a.m.-noon. Pioneer Crafts: 1 p.m.

Groton
Avery-Copp House
Free admission from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Ebenezer Avery House
Free admission from noon until 4 p.m.

Lebanon
Lebanon Historical Society Museum
From 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., visitors can take a ride in a Model T around the Lebanon Green, enjoy craft demonstrations, hands-on crafts, and food will be available for purchase. Ribbon cutting of the opening of the Beaumont House included in the guided tours.

Montville
Dinosaur Place at Nature’s Art Village
From 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. (last admission at 5 p.m.), visitors receive $3 off park admission and a dino-lollipop for each child.

Mystic
Denison Homestead Museum
Free admission from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center
Free admission for Connecticut residents from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Mystic Aquarium
Open from 9 a.m. until 5:50 p.m. Offering $6 off general admission, good up to four guests when you mention Connecticut Open House Day at the gate.

New London
Custom House Maritime Museum
Open from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m., offering reduce admission to $5, or $7 (for two); and 10% discount off purchases in the Museum Shop.

Hempsted Houses
Free admission from noon until 4 p.m. Celebrate Juneteenth Day with storytelling, drumming, gospel music, dance and a dash of history.

Monte Cristo Cottage
Free tours from noon until 4 p.m., to the boyhood home of Nobel Prize-winning playwright Eugene O’Neill.

Shaw Mansion
Open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., offering reduced membership prices and 20% discount off publications.

Niantic
Children’s Museum of Southeastern Connecticut
From 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., visitors with a valid Connecticut ID receive $1 off regular admission.

Samuel Smith House
Free tours of the historic farmstead from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Visit with the live animals, watch the bee hives and walk around the native plants; refreshments.

Smith-Harris House Museum
From 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., enjoy refreshments and meet the 19th century home’s residents. Games on the lawn for the young and the young at heart.

Thomas Lee House
Free admission from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., with house and schoolhouse tours, hands-on activities and historical exhibits.

Norwich
Leffingwell House Museum
Free guided tours of the first floor of the historic Colonial house from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Regular admission for the entire museum and exhibits.

Norwich Heritage & Regional Visitors’ Center
Tom Callinan, Connecticut’s first official State Troubadour will entertain with historical songs about Norwich; launching the Troubadour Trail. Open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Old Mystic
Indian and Colonial Research Center
Free guided tours from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Uncasville
Tantaquidgeon Museum
From 10 a.m until 3 p.m., tour of the oldest Indian-owned and -operated museum in America. Visitors receive a free gift from the museum.

Waterford
Eugene O’Neill Theater Center
Visitors receive a ticket voucher for one National Playwrights Conference or the National Music Theater Conference. Open to visitors from noon until 4 p.m.

Take a look at the CT Open House Day 2017 COMPLETE LIST of participating venues and offerings in CT.