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- 💎CT’s Hidden Gems, Big Food Fest, and a Classic Coaster Returns
💎CT’s Hidden Gems, Big Food Fest, and a Classic Coaster Returns
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Hey there, Connecticut friends!
The weekend is almost here, and we’ve packed this edition with hidden gems, exciting festivals, local headlines, and a deal on one of the most iconic attractions in the state. Whether you’re planning your next day trip or just want to see what’s buzzing around the state, we’ve got you covered.
Here’s what you’ll find inside:
Hidden gems across Connecticut (including a restaurant that gives you a book with your meal!)
Milford’s can't-miss foodie festival this weekend
What’s happening around the state: library leadership, new restaurants, immersive art shows, and more
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Explore the offbeat, the historic, and the just plain cool.
We recently released our brand-new guide to some of the most intriguing hidden gems across the state, and trust us—you’re going to want to add these to your must-see list.
From the mysterious ruins of Hearthstone Castle to the abandoned (and hauntingly beautiful) Seaside Sanatorium in Waterford, Connecticut is full of fascinating spots hiding in plain sight.
You'll also discover offbeat places like the Traveler Restaurant, where your meal comes with a free book, and Holy Land USA, the once-abandoned religious theme park in Waterbury that’s been slowly getting a second life. Whether you're a lifelong Nutmegger or new to exploring the state, you’re sure to find something that surprises you.
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One of Connecticut’s most beautiful hidden treasures lives right on the Yale campus.
The Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library in New Haven is home to literary legends like one of the last surviving Gutenberg Bibles and the puzzling Voynich Manuscript.
This six-story modernist structure is an architectural wonder, and inside it holds over 180,000 of the world’s rarest books, all preserved in a glass cube that glows like a lantern.
Whether you’re a book lover, history buff, or just want to see something spectacular, the Beinecke is an unforgettable stop on your next New Haven trip.
More than 30 vendors, live music, kids’ activities, and plenty to taste.
Food lovers, this one’s for you. The CT Foodie Fest returns to Milford this weekend at Wasson Field, and it's shaping up to be even bigger than last year’s debut event that drew over 6,000 attendees. Expect everything from gourmet bites and craft beverages to artisan markets and family-friendly fun.
The event runs Saturday, April 26 from 10 am to 7 pm and Sunday, April 27 from 11 am to 6 pm. Admission is $5 online or $8 at the door, and kids under 8 get in free.
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Bristol’s iconic amusement park is open and this deal is too good to miss.
Lake Compounce, the oldest continuously operating amusement park in North America, is back with an epic offer—Groupon is offering up to 50% off single-day admission for a limited time.
Ride the world-famous Boulder Dash coaster, splash around in the state’s largest water park, and be among the first to experience the newly restored Wildcat wooden coaster.
TOP EVENTS TODAY YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS
🎨 CREATE_SPACE Thursdays at WORK_SPACE (Manchester): A welcoming space to experiment with creative expression.
🖼️ Alexey von Schlippe: Expressions of Mind and Soul at Slater Memorial Museum (Norwich): Explore a powerful retrospective of vivid, expressive artwork.
🎭 Kate at Home at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center (Old Saybrook): Step inside the legendary actress’s private life through this immersive exhibit.
🔬 April Vacation Daily Fun at the Connecticut Science Center (Hartford): Interactive science fun for the whole family, all week long.
🌼 Dancing Daffodils: Pick-Your-Own Daffodils 2025 at Halfinger Farms (Higganum): Wander through golden blooms and take home a bundle of sunshine.
🧍 In the Now: Contemporary Figurative Art at Crown Gallery (ven): Discover bold, thought-provoking portraiture from modern artists.
🎸 Weekly Blues Jam at Black-Eyed Sally’s (Hartford): Bring your instrument or just enjoy live blues in a laid-back setting.
🧠 Trivia Thursdays at Back Again Board Game Café (Middletown): Show off your smarts while sipping coffee and snacking.
👻 Downtown Mystic Ghost Tours (Mystic): Take a spine-tingling stroll through Mystic’s haunted history.
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HAVE YOU SEEN THIS?
THIS WEEK IN CONNECTICUT HISTORY
Mark Twain’s Final Chapter in Redding
On April 21, 1910, Samuel Clemens—better known to the world as Mark Twain—passed away at his home in Redding, Connecticut, just one day after Halley’s Comet reached its brightest. The legendary author had once quipped, “I came in with Halley’s Comet in 1835. It is coming again next year, and I expect to go out with it.” True to his word, he did.
Twain lived many of his most productive years in Hartford’s Nook Farm neighborhood, where he rubbed elbows with fellow literary giants like Harriet Beecher Stowe and penned classics including The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Tom Sawyer, and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. His final years, however, were spent at Stormfield, a villa-style estate in Redding where he hosted guests like Thomas Edison (who filmed the only known footage of Twain) and endured personal heartbreak, including the tragic death of his daughter Jean.
Today, his Hartford home is preserved as a museum and literary landmark—an enduring tribute to one of Connecticut’s most iconic residents.
The S&P 500 is dropping, hedge funds are losing gains, and recession fears look like they are back. But players like Jeff Bezos and BlackRock’s Larry Fink? They’ve long diversified beyond U.S. equities—partly into historically uncorrelated asset classes including blue-chip contemporary art. In 2022, Fink called property and art “the new gold,” while Bezos recently joined him as a top 200 collector.
Masterworks allows everyday investors to do the same—by investing in shares of multimillion-dollar artwork offerings, featuring iconic artists like Picasso and Banksy. With 23 exits and all of them profitable, it’s no wonder 68,000+ investors have signed up, with Masterworks passing $1.2 billion in invested capital across their 450+ art offerings.
Investing involves risk. Past performance is not indicative of future returns. See important disclosures at Masterworks.com/cd.
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HEADLINES AROUND THE STATE
📚 New Director at Perrot Memorial Library
Trish Tomlinson has been named the 11th director of Old Greenwich’s Perrot Memorial Library. She brings over two decades of experience and has already begun shaping the library’s future with new programs and community outreach.
🍳 All-Day Brunch Spot Opening in West Hartford
The Friendly Toast is coming to West Hartford Center on May 5! Known for its funky vibe and creative menu (think cheese-stuffed tots and chicken & waffles), the restaurant will be taking over the former Division West space on LaSalle Road.
☕ Aroma Joe’s Expands to Berlin
Aroma Joe’s opened its third Connecticut location this month in Berlin, offering drive-thru service, handcrafted drinks, and AJ’s RUSH® energy drinks. The grand opening was a hit with giveaways and freebies all week.
🏠 New Inclusive Housing Project Coming to Farmington
Hartford-area nonprofit Favarh is launching a supportive housing community in Farmington. It will provide 90 accessible apartments, including 20 units specifically for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, complete with ADA+ features and smart home tech.
🎨 “Beyond Van Gogh and Monet” Coming to Hartford
This immersive exhibit brings to life the masterpieces of two legendary artists. Opening May 24 at the Connecticut Convention Center, guests can walk through projected artwork paired with music. Tickets are on sale now.
Thanks!
Thanks for reading! We hope today’s newsletter gave you something new to explore or get excited about. If it did, consider sharing it with a friend who could use a little Connecticut inspiration in their inbox too.
See you soon for more events, local happenings, and hidden gems!
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