🏛️ Explore Yale, Visit a Quirky Landmark & Catch Jaws on the Big Screen!

September 03, 2025

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Hey there, Connecticut explorers! 🌟 Ready to mix history, humor, and a little cinematic suspense into your week? We’ve rounded up a few must-see experiences across the state that are perfect for wandering, laughing, or reliving iconic moments—there’s something for everyone.

Inside This Issue:

🏛️ Discover New Haven’s history and hidden gems at your own pace
💩 Check out Connecticut’s quirkiest tourist spot and its eco-friendly twist
🦈 Celebrate the classic thriller on the big screen at the historic Garde Arts Center
📗 This Month in CT History: Lafayette’s Grand Tour Through Connecticut
📰 Local headlines you might’ve missed

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Step Back in Time, One Landmark at a Time

Explore the rich history of New Haven and Yale University with a private, self-guided walking tour you can do at your own pace. The tour runs 24/7 through a smartphone app, letting you pause, play, and explore whenever you like.

Start at the corner of Elm and College Street and discover Battell Chapel, the New Haven Green, and the storied Old Campus. Learn about Yale’s founding, its famous motto, and historical figures like Nathan Hale, all while strolling past architectural gems and public art.

Along the way, pop into Louis’ Lunch, the birthplace of the hamburger, or the Yale University Art Gallery, home to works like Van Gogh’s Night Cafe and Hopper’s Rooms by the Sea. Delve into the mysterious side of Yale as you pass the tombs of secret societies like Skull and Bones, then finish the tour at Grove Street Cemetery, a reflective resting place for Yale’s most influential figures.

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💩 CONNECTICUT’S MOST UNLIKELY TOURIST SPOT: THE JOHN OLIVER MEMORIAL SEWER PLANT

Where Humor Meets Environmental Innovation

Think a sewage plant can’t be a tourist attraction? Think again. The John Oliver Memorial Sewer Plant in Danbury started as a joke after John Oliver called out the city on his HBO show, and turned into a quirky landmark with a surprisingly eco-friendly twist.

Thanks to a playful bet, the city officially named the sewage treatment plant after Oliver, who even attended the ribbon-cutting in a hazmat suit. But beyond the laughs, the plant is home to the world’s first “fat-to-fuel” biodiesel system, turning waste into renewable energy.

For anyone curious about Connecticut’s offbeat attractions, this one combines history, humor, and a clever environmental solution.

🦈 JAWS (1975) 50TH ANNIVERSARY SCREENING

Relive the Terror at the Historic Garde Arts Center

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jaws as part of the Connecticut Maritime Heritage Festival! Watch the iconic great white terrorize Amity on the big screen in the beautifully restored Garde Theater.

Experience the suspense that launched a blockbuster phenomenon and see the classic cast—including Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, and Robert Shaw—in all their glory. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a first-time viewer, this event promises edge-of-your-seat excitement.

Free admission, donations welcomed, tickets required.

When: September 5–6, 2025 | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Where: Garde Arts Center, 325 State St., New London, CT

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Fun, Thrills, and Waterpark Adventures Await!

Summer might be winding down, but the fun doesn’t have to stop! Lake Compounce in Bristol, Connecticut, is offering up to 45% off single-day admission tickets—giving you the perfect excuse to squeeze in one last adventure before the season ends.

As North America’s oldest continuously operating amusement park, Lake Compounce has been delighting families and thrill-seekers for over 175 years. From heart-pounding roller coasters like Boulder Dash, voted the world’s #1 wooden coaster, to Connecticut’s largest water park, there’s more to explore than a single day can contain. Kids and the young at heart alike will find something to love, from rides and attractions to dining and live entertainment.

And the excitement keeps building: the classic Wildcat roller coaster is back with a smoother, all-new track, ready for daring riders to feel the thrill of this 97-year-old wooden icon. On select summer weekends, you can also catch the Lake Compounce Summer Concert Series or the family-friendly Beach Bash, making it a full day of music, dancing, and lakeside fun.

With this Groupon deal, you can grab discounted admission for a single day, valid any operating day on or before September 7, 2025—perfect for a spontaneous adventure with family or friends. Children three and under enter free, and tickets include any applicable fees or taxes, making it a no-fuss day out.

Don’t miss your chance to experience one of Connecticut’s most beloved amusement parks at a fraction of the price.

TOP EVENTS TODAY YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

HAVE YOU BEEN HERE YET?

THIS MONTH IN CONNECTICUT HISTORY

Revolutionary Hero Visits the Constitution State

In 1824, the Marquis de Lafayette, celebrated Revolutionary War hero and America’s favorite French ally, returned to Connecticut as part of his nationwide tour. Invited by President James Monroe, Lafayette’s journey through the United States was meant to commemorate the nation’s fiftieth anniversary and celebrate the enduring ties between America and France.

During his travels through Connecticut, Lafayette passed through coastal towns like Fairfield, New Haven, and Old Saybrook before making stops inland at Tolland and Stafford Springs. Even in his late sixties, crowds greeted him with admiration and patriotic fervor, including an elaborate military parade and speeches honoring his service to the young nation.

Lafayette continued on to Hartford, Middletown, and beyond, leaving a lasting mark on the state. Today, streets, schools, and public plazas across Connecticut bear his name, a tribute to the enduring legacy of a man whose contributions to American independence and diplomacy are still celebrated nearly two centuries later.

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HEADLINES AROUND THE STATE

🍺 Kent Falls Brewing Plans Second Spot in Northford
Connecticut’s popular Kent Falls Brewing Company is expanding with a new location at the former Stewards of the Land Brewery site on Forest Road in Northford. The new taproom will feature full pours of beer, Connecticut wine and cider, food trucks, events, and a special brew called “Buddy Sprinkles Goes To Northford.” No opening date has been announced yet.

🏗️ Buffalo Wild Wings Coming to Former TGI Fridays in Enfield
Demolition is underway at the long-vacant TGI Fridays in State Line Plaza as it gets ready to become a new Buffalo Wild Wings. The project is still going through plan review, but local fans of wings and casual dining can expect a familiar new hangout once construction is complete.

🍪 Cookie39 Opens Sweet New Milford Location
Cookie39 has opened a temporary shop at 499 New Haven Ave., taking over the former Sundae House site. Known for coffee, cookies, and ice cream, the sweet shop brings fresh-baked treats to Milford with plans for a permanent location in the future.

🎸 Local Rocker Launches Guitar Shop in North Haven
Andre Roman, a North Haven native and longtime musician, has opened Roman Electric Guitars at 4B Linsley St. The shop offers instrument sales, repairs, and a cozy hangout for music lovers, with plans for intimate live shows and music workshops. An open house is scheduled for Aug. 30 from 12–4 p.m.

Thanks!

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