New London Cottage Taking Part In CT Open House Day

HARTFORD, CT – Governor Dannel P. Malloy is encouraging residents and visitors to take advantage of the special discounts and unique promotions that will be offered at over 240 tourist destinations across Connecticut on Saturday, June 9, as part of the state’s 14th annual Connecticut Open House Day.

Coordinated by the Connecticut Office of Tourism, the one-day event is designed to showcase Connecticut’s diverse mix of history, art, culture and excitement, according to a release. Residents can look forward to free admission at over 85 attractions, free tours at over 25 properties, and special offers and giveaways at over 100 businesses.

“Connecticut has an incredible array of museum, galleries, theaters, vineyards, shops, restaurants, historic properties, and other locations that make our state so unique, and we are proud to showcase all of them during this special event on Saturday,” Malloy said in a release. “Residents and visitors alike are encouraged to take advantage of the special deals and discounts that businesses will offer throughout the day. It’s the perfect opportunity to explore a destination you may have never visited before.”

Just a small sampling of some of the promotions being offered across the state includes:

• Monte Cristo Cottage (New London): Free tours from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., to the boyhood home of Nobel Prize-winning playwright Eugene O'Neill.
• Goodspeed Opera House (East Haddam): From 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., enjoy free tours of the historic Victorian theater built in 1876.
• Connecticut River Expeditions – RiverQuest (Haddam): Take a special 40-minute cruise for a special price of $5, for all ages. Begins at 9 a.m., when RiverQuest meets capacity, will leave the dock. Return and reload with last boat departing at 12:30 p.m. First come, first serve, no reservations. No credit cards, cash only.
• Osborne Homestead Museum (Derby): Museum open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. with a special presentation on the Japanese art form ukiyo-e, a crafts workshop, and free tours of the museum featuring Japanese woodblock prints and Asian art.
• Barnum Museum (Bridgeport): Free admission from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., along with free Barnum bookmarks, guided tours, post cards and red noses (while supply lasts).
• New England Carousel Museum (Bristol): Free admission from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
• Witness Stones African American History Walking Tour (Guilford): Free walking tour at 9 a.m. Departs from the Visitors Kiosk, located at 32 Church Street.
• Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art (Hartford): Free admission from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
• Lutz Children’s Museum (Manchester): Free admission from noon until 5 p.m., with “Touch-a-Truck” where visitors can climb inside big trucks and heavy equipment.
• Mystic Aquarium (Mystic): Offering $6 off general admission, good up to four guests when you mention Connecticut Open House Day at the admission gate.
• Yale Center for British Art (New Haven): Open 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., offering free introductory tour (11 a.m.), a tour of the special exhibition “Celia Paul” (1 p.m.), and an architecture tour (3 p.m.). In addition, the Museum Shop is offering 10% off visitors’ entire purchase.
• PEZ Visitor Center (Orange): Free admission from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
• Dinosaur State Park (Rocky Hill): Free admission from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
• National Helicopter Museum (Stratford): Free admission from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.

To view the full list of attractions participating in Connecticut Open House Day, click here.

Discounts and special offers, as well as hours of operation, vary by attraction. More information can be found on the state’s official tourism website at www.CTVisit.com. Also, follow @CTvisit on Twitter and Instagram, post photos and comments using the hashtag #CTOpenHouse, and RSVP to the event on Facebook.

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