Yale University Art Gallery

One of the oldest college art museums in the world, the gallery was founded in 1832 when patriot-artist John Trumbull gave over 100 of his paintings to Yale College. Trumbull’s original paintings of the American Revolution are now joined by an encyclopedic collection of objects that range from ancient times to the present day and represent civilizations from around the globe. 

Special events include a weekly series for teens; storytelling for children; in-depth lecture series on artists and art; thematic, guided tours; and groundbreaking discussion programs.

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art

Located in the heart of Hartford, the Wadsworth is a great place to connect with amazing art. Home to nearly 50,000 works, the collection encompasses European art from antiquity through Modernism as well as American art from the 1600s through today. 

The museum is deeply engaged in the community; and hosts a series of programs including an artist residency, during which artists work closely with Hartford community groups to plan, develop, and execute a collaborative project. 

The Wadsworth is the oldest continuously operating public art museum in the United States, opening in 1844. Today, visitors find captivating and innovative programs mining the iconic holdings and offering new stories that illustrate the breadth and quality of the museum’s collection.

Slater Memorial Museum

Located on the historic campus of Norwich Free Academy, Slater Memorial Museum features a global collection of artwork and objects and several permanent galleries focusing on the art history of civilizations spanning thousands of years. 

The museum also features a gift shop and select juried exhibitions and special exhibits in designated mediums throughout the year.

Highlights include a unique, world-renowned and breathtaking plaster cast collection; a gallery dedicated to African art; and works by notable Norwich and Connecticut artists throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

Mattatuck Museum

This vibrant destination in the heart of downtown Waterbury’s architectural district hosts numerous changing exhibitions each year as well as a permanent collection, featuring 300 years of work by American giants including John Trumbull, Erastus Salisbury Field, Frederic Church, John Frederick Kensett, Kay Sage, Arshile Gorky, Yves Tanguy, Peter Poskas, Abe Ajay and Alexander Calder. 

‘The Matt’ is also home to the Waterbury Button Gallery of 10,000 buttons from all over the world. These miniature works of art  have been made in a variety of materials, including glass, porcelain, pearl, metal, bone, paste, wood and jade. The museum hosts a robust calendar of events, including tai-chi, lunch and learn series, homeschool and family activities, open crafting and organized excursions.

Lyman Allyn Art Museum

Located just off I-95, Exit 83, the Lyman Allyn Art Museum has enjoyed celebrating the arts with visitors for almost a century. Featuring particularly strong collections of American paintings and decorative arts, the museum also presents a wide range of changing exhibitions and programs throughout the year. 

The historic grounds include a sculpture trail which is surrounded by 12 rolling acres of gardens and lawns. The grounds are open to the public for walking and picnicking. The museum’s free first Saturdays are popular with families, and include hands-on arts and science activities. On the first Thursday of every month, adult visitors can enjoy an upscale creative session, with drinks and light bites. 

Hill-Stead Museum

Hill-Stead Museum is noted for its 1901 33,000-square-foot house filled with art and antiques. Pioneering female architect Theodate Pope Riddle designed the Colonial Revival-style house, set on 150 hilltop acres, to showcase the Impressionist masterpieces amassed by her father, Cleveland iron industrialist Alfred A. Pope. 

Collections in 19 intact rooms include original furnishings, paintings, and numerous art works. The c. 1920 sunken garden is the centerpiece of the grounds; while three miles of walking trails treat visitors to beautiful habitats and a variety of native pollinators, birds, ponds, meadows, forest, and foliage. Special events include gala dinners, a May Market, Sunken Poetry Festival, and multicultural music, dance and theater performances.

Greenwich Historical Society / Bush-Holley House Museum 

The circa 1730 National Historic Landmark Bush-Holley House survived the American Revolution and became the site of CT’s first American Impressionist art colony from 1890 to 1920, where influential artists including Childe Hassam and John Henry Twachtman lived and worked. 

This exciting reimagined campus includes beautiful museum galleries, library and archives, museum store, and landscape and gardens restored to the period of the Cos Cob Art Colony. Greenwich Historical Society preserves and interprets the history of this vibrant, globally influential community through exhibitions and engaging lectures, programs, and events.  

Florence Griswold Museum

The recipient of a Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence, the Florence Griswold Museum has been called “Giverny in Connecticut” by the Wall Street Journal, and a “must-see” by the Boston Globe. 

In addition to the historic Florence Griswold House, the Museum features a gallery for changing art exhibitions, education and landscape centers, an artist’s studio, twelve acres along the Lieutenant River featuring the Robert F. Schumann Artists’ Trail, and historic gardens. Special offerings include a seasonal cafe with scenic outdoor seating, curated gift shop, art camps for kids, Art Bar for adults, holiday programs and festivals.

Bruce Museum

Located in Bruce Park overlooking Greenwich Harbor, the Bruce Museum is a community-based, world-class institution that offers a changing array of exhibitions and educational programs to promote the understanding and appreciation of art and science.

The museum’s recent expansion includes four leading-edge galleries that provide vastly expanded accommodations for changing art exhibitions; and dedicated space to show the museum’s permanent art collection.

The entire ground floor is free and open to the public during museum hours. It includes a new museum store; a restaurant with indoor/outdoor seating; a state-of-the-art auditorium; and meeting spaces for special event use. The grounds also include a sculpture garden and landscaped walking paths. 

Note: The CT Art Trail Passport is not sold or valid during weekends of May and October Outdoor Festivals.