Connecticut – Eloray

Mystic Seaport, Connecticut (Leonard G, Wikimedia CCA 1.0)

Let’s Visit Connecticut

Join our virtual tour highlighting the top attractions in Connecticut
For an overview of the state, see: National Geographic Kids. Connecticut

Highlights

Feeding the sea lions at Mystic Aquarium (Picabu, Wikipedia Commons)

Let’s learn more about some fascinating places worth seeing in Connecticut.

Mystic Seaport Museum (Mystic) is famous for being the largest maritime museum in the United States. It features a recreated 19th-century seafaring village and historic ships, including the Charles W. Morgan, the last wooden whaleship in the world.
Yale University (New Haven) is known for being one of the most prestigious Ivy League universities in the world. The campus offers beautiful architecture, art galleries, and the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History.
Mark Twain House and Museum (Hartford) is famous for being the home of renowned American author Mark Twain. Visitors can tour the Victorian mansion where Twain wrote some of his most famous works, including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
Mystic Aquarium (Mystic) is known for its incredible marine life exhibits, including beluga whales, sea lions, and penguins. The aquarium focuses on conservation and education, making it a popular family destination.
Gillette Castle State Park (East Haddam) is renowned for its unique castle, which was built by actor William Gillette, best known for playing Sherlock Holmes on stage. The castle features quirky designs and scenic views of the Connecticut River.
The Glass House (New Canaan) is famous for its modern architectural design by Philip Johnson. The all-glass structure is a National Trust Historic Site and offers tours of the house and surrounding landscape.
Essex Steam Train and Riverboat (Essex) is known for its scenic tours through the Connecticut River Valley. Visitors can ride a vintage steam train and enjoy a riverboat cruise, offering beautiful views of the countryside.
Lake Compounce (Bristol) is the oldest continuously operating amusement park in North America, established in 1846. It is famous for its wooden roller coaster, Boulder Dash, and its water park attractions.
Hammonasset Beach State Park (Madison) is renowned for being Connecticut’s largest shoreline park, offering sandy beaches, nature trails, and wildlife viewing. It’s a favorite spot for swimming, picnicking, and camping.
Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art (Hartford) is famous for being the oldest public art museum in the United States. The museum houses a vast collection of European and American art, including works by Caravaggio, Salvador Dalí, and Georgia O’Keeffe.

Intriguing mysteries and weird facts

The USS Nautilus submarine permanently docked at the US Submarine Force Museum and Library in Groton (Victor ny, Wikimedia CCA 3.0)

Discover these little-known facts about Connecticut.

Connecticut Is Home to the First Hamburger
The first-ever hamburger was made in New Haven, Connecticut, at Louis’ Lunch in 1900. They still serve their famous burgers today, cooked on the same vertical broilers they used over a century ago.
The Oldest U.S. Newspaper Is Still Published in Connecticut
The Hartford Courant, established in 1764, is the oldest continuously published newspaper in the United States. It has been delivering the news for over 250 years.
Connecticut Invented the Cotton Gin
Eli Whitney, who was born in Westborough, Massachusetts, but later lived in New Haven, Connecticut, invented the cotton gin in 1793. His invention revolutionized the cotton industry and is still considered one of the most impactful inventions in American history.
The Frisbee Was Born in Connecticut
The Frisbee originated in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where students began throwing pie tins from the Frisbie Pie Company. This fun pastime eventually turned into the popular flying disc we know today.
The First Telephone Book Was Issued in Connecticut
The world’s first telephone book was published in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1878. It only had 50 names listed and was a far cry from the hefty phone books that came later.
Connecticut Has a Witch Trial History
Long before the famous Salem witch trials, Connecticut held its own witch trials, starting in 1647. Several people were tried and executed for witchcraft in the colony, making it a lesser-known chapter of early American history.
The first practical helicopter was invented in Stratford, Connecticut by Igor Sikorsky in 1939. He also founded Sikorsky Aircraft, still based there today.
Home to the First Speed Limit Laws
In 1901, Connecticut became the first state to implement speed limit laws for automobiles, capping speeds at 12 mph in cities and 15 mph on country roads.
The Submarine Capital of the World
Groton, Connecticut, is known as the Submarine Capital of the World due to its historic submarine shipyard. The first nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Nautilus, was built in Groton and is now a museum.
Connecticut’s State Hero Is a Spy
Nathan Hale, born in Coventry, Connecticut, is the state hero. He was a 21-year-old schoolteacher who volunteered to spy for the Continental Army during the American Revolution and was captured by the British. His famous last words were, I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.

Notable People

Katherine Hepburn (United Artists, Wikimedia Commons)

Here are 10 famous men and women from Connecticut.

Famous Men

Noah Webster (1758–1843) was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and is famous for creating the first American dictionary, Webster’s Dictionary, which standardized American English spelling and grammar.
P.T. Barnum (1810–1891) was born in Bethel, Connecticut, and became a famous showman and circus founder. He is best known for founding the Barnum & Bailey Circus and for his role in shaping the modern entertainment industry.
George W. Bush (1946– ) was born in New Haven, Connecticut, and served as the 43rd President of the United States from 2001 to 2009. He is known for his leadership during the 9/11 attacks and the Iraq War.
Charles Goodyear (1800–1860) was born in New Haven, Connecticut, and is famous for discovering the vulcanization process of rubber, which made it more durable and revolutionized industries like tire manufacturing.
Christopher Lloyd (1938– ) was born in Stamford, Connecticut, and is a well-known actor, famous for his roles as Doc Brown in Back to the Future and as Uncle Fester in The Addams Family.

Famous Women

Katharine Hepburn (1907–2003) was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and is considered one of the greatest actresses in Hollywood history. She won four Academy Awards for Best Actress, more than any other actor. Famous for her iconic roles in movies like The Philadelphia Story and The Lion in Winter.
Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811–1896) was born in Litchfield, Connecticut, and became famous for writing Uncle Tom’s Cabin, a novel that fueled anti-slavery sentiment before the Civil War.
Annie Leibovitz (1949– ) was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, and is a world-renowned photographer, known for her striking portraits of celebrities, including her iconic cover of John Lennon and Yoko Ono.
Meryl Streep (1949– ) was born in Summit, New Jersey, but grew up in Connecticut. She is regarded as one of the greatest actresses of all time, with multiple Academy Awards for her roles in films like The Iron Lady and Sophie’s Choice.
Judy Collins (1939– ) was born in Seattle, Washington, but grew up in Connecticut. She is a Grammy Award-winning folk singer and songwriter known for her hit Send in the Clowns and for her social activism.

Date of Ratification of the Articles of Confederation/
Admission to the Union

January 9, 1788 (5th)

State Capital and Government

Connecticut State Capitol, Hartford (Ragesoss, Wikimedia CCA 4.0)

Hartford
Government of Connecticut

Area and total population

Area: 4,842 square miles

Total population: 3,597,000

Major cities and their population

City	Population
Bridgeport	145,000
New Haven	136,000
Stamford	130,000
Hartford	123,000
Waterbury	108,000
Norwalk	89,000
Danbury	85,000
Greenwich	64,000

Education

Sterling Law Building, Yale University (Pradipta Mitra, Wikmedia CCA 1.0)

Connecticut Department of Education
Connecticut Colleges and Universities
University of Connecticut
Yale University

Educational Resources

Twinkl. Connecticut

Fairs and festivals

Connecticut Country Fairs

Flag

The flag consists of a white shield with three grapevines, each bearing three bunches of purple grapes on a field of royal blue. The three grapevines represent the original three settlements in the state. The text in the banner below the shield provides the state motto “Qui Transtulit Sustinet” Latin for “He who transplanted sustains.” The Connecticut General Assembly approved the flag in 1897.

Geography

Location