Central

New Britain Rock Cats
New Britain Stadium, Willow Brook Park ,S. Main St. New Britain, 06051. (I-84 Ex. 35, Rte. 9 Ex. 24N/25S) Member of the Eastern League, AA professional baseball; Minnesota Twins affiliate. (860) 224-8383

Summer Music Festival
Miller Band Shell ,Walnut Hill Park New Britain. Jazz, blues, country and western, big bands, and children's concerts. (860) 826-3360

Coastal Fairfield

Day Trippers
P.O. Box 36 , Darien, 06820. Escorted cultural and historic motorcoach trips, day, weekend or longer. Departures from various locations in Fairfield and New Haven counties. (203) 656-2426, (888) 382-8747

Connecticut Audubon Birdcraft Museum
314 Unquowa Rd , Fairfield, 06430. (I-95 Ex. 21) Historic (1914) museum highlights natural history of the state with dioramas, changing wildlife exhibits, children's activity corner and dinosaur footprints. Adjacent sanctuary has 6 acres with trails and pond; first nature center in America. (203) 259-0416

Silvermine Chamber Music Series
Silvermine Guild Arts Center , New Canaan, 06840. May-Sept., Fri. evenings. (203) 966-9700/(203) 966-5617

Norwalk Seaport Association
132 Water St. , Norwalk, 06854. A nonprofit agency operation historic Sheffield Island Lighthouse, environmental education programs (preschool and elementary), the Oyster Festival and SPLASH! (203) 838-9444

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk
10 North Water St. , Norwalk, 06854. (I-95 Ex. 14N/15S) Explores the marine life and maritime culture of Long Island Sound. Aquarium with sharks, seals, jellyfish, river otters and 1,000 other marine animals; IMAX movie theater. Environmental Education Center, boat-building demonstrations. (203) 852-0700

United House Wrecking Co.
535 Hope St. , Stamford, 06906. (I-95 Ex. 9) Connecticut's largest antique emporium. Over 30,000 square feet of antiques, furniture, stained glass, fireplace mantels and accessories, plumbing and lighting fixtures, outdoor furniture, architectural salvage, and more. (203) 348-5371

Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts
downtown , Westport, 06880. Outdoor venue presenting over 50 nights of entertainment free to the public, some special ticketed events. Mid-June-Aug. (203) 221-4422

Westport Country Playhouse
25 Powers Court , Westport, 06880. Summer stock professional theater. (203) 227-4177

CT River Valley

Chamard Vineyards
115 Cow Hill Rd. , Clinton, 06413. (I-95 Ex. 63) Spreads across 40 acres along the southern Connecticut coast. Visit the classic New England-design winery and tour the state-of-the-art cellar with free wine tastings. (860) 664-0299

Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets
20-A Killingworth Turnpike , Clinton, 06413. (I-95, Ex. 63) Upscale outlet village with 70 stores, Banana Republic Factory Store, Barneys New York Outlet, Calvin Klein, Coach, J.Crew, Polo Ralph Lauren, Nike, Gap Outlet and many more. (860) 664-0700

Gillette Castle State Park
67 River Rd. , East Haddam, 06423. (Rte. 9 Ex. 6 or 7) Castle will be closed in 2000, due to renovations, grounds and hiking trails open to the public on a limited basis. Call ahead for public access. (860) 526-2336

Goodspeed Opera House
Rte. 82 , East Haddam, 06423. Nationally acclaimed musicals performed in a historic Victorian theater overlooking the Connecticut River. Apr.- Dec. (860) 873-8668

Connecticut River Museum
67 Main St. ,Steamboat Dock Essex, 06426. (Rte. 9 Ex. 3) 1878 dockhouse, waterfront and park. Permanent and changing exhibitions, replica of America's first submarine, the 1775 Turtle. Gift shop. (860) 767-8269

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Ride
Valley Railroad ,1 Railroad Ave. Essex, 06426. (Rte. 9 Ex. 3) Ride in 1920s' coaches pulled by an authentic steam locomotive. Then, board a river boat and cruise along the Connecticut River. Gift shop, grill car. Dinner train available for private charters. May-Dec. (860) 767-0103/(800) ESSEX TRAIN

Ivoryton Playhouse
103 Main St. , Ivoryton, 06442. (Rte. 9 Ex. 3) River Rep summer stock, June-Sept., year-round events include children's theater, concerts, dancing, and community theater. (860) 767-8348, (860) 767-7318

Essex Saybrook Antiques Village
345 Middlesex Turnpike , Old Saybrook, 06475. This antiques group shop represents over 125 dealers and has operated successfully for over 10 years. Merchandise ranges from jewelry, pottery, and paintings to furniture. (860) 388-0689

Oakdale Theatre
95 S. Turnpike Rd. , Wallingford, 06492. Performances include concerts, broadway shows, and family programs. Year-round. (203) 265-1501, (203) 269-8721

Tanger Outlets
314 Flat Rock Place , Westbrook, 06498. Connecticut's premiere outlet center featuring 65 factory outlet stores including J. Crew, Timberland, Oshkosh B'gosh and more. Where you'll find extraordinary value every day. (860) 399-8656 or (888) SHOP-333

Housatonic Valley

Danbury Railway Museum
120 White St. , Danbury, 06810. (I-84 Ex. 5) Vintage locomotives and other rolling stock in railroad yard. Restored 1903 Union Station with model railroads, displays, gift shop. Jan.-Mar., Thurs.-Sat. 10-5, Sun. 12-5. Apr.-Dec., Tues.-Sat. 10-5, Sun. 12-5. Call for scheduled train excursions. Weather permitting. Adults $3, children $2; additional fee for special excursions. (203) 778-8337

Mystic Area

Historic Ship Nautilus & Submarine Force Museum
Naval Submarine Base ,1 Crystal Lake Rd. Groton, 06349. (I-95 Ex. 86) Board the world's first nuclear-powered submarine. Museum recounts history of the U.S. Submarine Force. Working periscopes, mini-subs, mini-theaters. Gift shop, picnic area. (800) 343-0079/(860) 694-3174

Foxwoods Resort Casino
Rte. 2 , Mashantucket, 06339. (I-95 Ex. 92, I-395 Ex.85S) World-class gaming facility with over 5,500 slots, hundreds of table games, keno, high-stakes bingo, poker and race book. Three hotels, variety of restaurants and specialty shops, Cinetropolis (2 theaters), 1,500-seat showroom hosting headline entertainme Open daily, 24 hours. (800) PLAY BIG (800-752-9244)

Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center
110 Pequot Trail , Mashantucket, 06339. (Rte. 2) Extensive permanent exhibits on the Native and natural history of southern New England include a cool descent into a glacial crevasse from 18,000 years ago. Walk through a 1550 Pequot Village populated by 51 life-cast figures. (860) 396-6800, (800) 411-9671

Mystic Aquarium
55 Coogan Blvd. , Mystic, 06355. (I-95 Ex. 90) Features 34 exhibits and nearly 3,500 specimens representing the world's oceans. The centerpiece for the exhibit gallery is a 30,000 coral reef stocked with sharks, sting rays, and other colorful reef fishes.(860) 572-5955

Mystic Seaport
75 Greenmanville Ave. , Mystic, 06355. (I-95 Ex. 90) Founded in 1929, the museum houses the largest collection of boats and maritime photography in the world. Renowned for its village area of 19th-century buildings and ships.(860) 572-5315, (888) 9-SEAPORT

U.S. Coast Guard Academy
15 Mohegan Ave. , New London, 06320. (I-95 Ex. 83; I-395 Ex. 78) One of the nation's 4 military academies. U.S. Coast Guard Museum open year-round. Free. (860) 444-8270

Waterford Speedbowl
1080 Hartford Rd. ,(Rte. 85) Waterford, 06385. (I-395 Ex. 77) NASCAR stock car auto racing. Apr.-Oct., Sat. evenings races; other special events. (860) 442-1585

North Central

Connecticut Fire Museum
58 North Rd. , East Windsor, 06088. (Rte. 140) Old-time fire trucks (1850-1950), models and history of fire-fighting. (860) 623-4732

Connecticut Trolley Museum
58 North Rd. ,(Rte. 140) East Windsor, 06088. (I-91 Ex. 45) 3.5 mile round trip ride on antique trolley cars, dating from 1894 to 1949. Displays in Visitors Center include restored trolleys, Climax locomotive and other artifacts. Gift shop and picnic area. (860) 627-6540

Stafford Motor Speedway
Rte. 140 , Stafford Springs, 06076. (I-84 Ex. 70E/73W) NASCAR auto racing every Fri. at 8 p.m. on half-mile oval track; special events. Racing: Apr.-Sept. Adults $12.50, children (6-14) $2, 5 and under free. Special event prices vary, call ahead. (860) 684-2783

Bradley Teletheater
11 Schoephoester Rd. , Windsor Locks, 06096. (I-91 Ex. 40) State-of-the-art simulcast theater with the best of thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing, and jai alai. Grandstand area, clubhouse, and fine dining. (860) 623-0380

New England Air Museum
Bradley International Airport ,Rte. 75 Windsor Locks, 06096. (I-91 Ex. 40) Largest aviation museum in the Northeastern U.S. 80 aircraft featured in 2 display buildings, exhibits, films, gift shop. (860) 623-3305

Greater Hartford

First Company Governor's Horse Guard
Military Reservation ,232 W. Avon Rd. Avon, 06001. (Rtes. 4 & 44) Drills on horseback every Thurs. evening at 8 p.m. and special events on Sat. & Sun. year-round. Free. (860) 673-3525

Heritage Trails Hartford Sightseeing Tours
P.O. Box 138 , Farmington, 06034. Two-hour guided narrated tours of Hartford in air-conditioned mini-bus. Departs from Hartford hotels. Other tours include Colonial Dinner, Amistad sites and the Freedom Trail, Mark Twain's Secrets of Victorian Hartford, ancient graveyards. (860) 677-8867

Hill-Stead Museum
35 Mountain Rd. , Farmington, 06032. (I-84 Ex. 39) National Historic Landmark. Colonial Revival style house (1901) set on 150 acres with sunken garden. Collection of French Impressionist paintings, decorative arts and original furnishings. (860) 677-9064/(860) 677-4787

Farmington Antiques Weekend
Considered to be the #1 buying show in the Northeast as 600 of the Contrys finest antique dealers offer for sale: Antiques & 1000's of vintage collectibles. www.Farmington-Antiques.com

Elizabeth Park Rose Gardens
Prospect Ave. , Hartford, 06106. (I-84 Ex. 44) First municipal rose garden in the country; greenhouses, nature walks, perennials and rock gardens. Peak bloom: late June. Pond House offers snack bar, lounge and auditorium. Another entrance located on Walbridge Rd. in West Hartford. Daily from dawn to dusk; greenhouses daily (except holidays) 10-4. Free. (860) 722-6514, (860) 242-0017

The Bushnell
166 Capitol Ave. , Hartford, 06106. Connecticut's premiere performing arts center, presenting over 300 events annually. National Historic Landmark, offering the best in Broadway, symphony, opera, dance, and a variety of entertainment. Sept.-June. (860) 987-5900

The Mark Twain House
351 Farmington Ave. ,(at Woodland St.) Hartford, 06105. (I-84 Ex. 46) Elaborate Victorian (1874) mansion with rare interiors by Louis Comfort Tiffany (1881) and Associated Artists of New York. 19 splendidly furnished rooms. National Historic Landmark. (860) 247-0998

Greater New Haven

Long Wharf Theatre
222 Sargent Dr. , New Haven, 06511. Tony award-winning professional theater offering productions of classic and exciting new works. (203) 787-4282

Lyman Center for the Performing Arts
Southern CT State University ,501 Crescent St. New Haven, 06515. (203) 392-6154

New Haven Coliseum
275 S. Orange St. , New Haven, 06510. (I-95 Ex. 47) Full-service entertainment facility presenting family shows, sporting events, trade shows and conventions. (203) 772-4200

Peabody Museum of Natural History (Yale University)
170 Whitney Ave. , New Haven, 06520. (I-91 Ex. 3) Exhibits of dinosaur fossils, wildlife dioramas, and birds of Connecticut; Pacific, Mesoamerican, and ancient Egyptian, Native North Americans cultures; mammals, primates, meteorites, minerals. Special events and programs. (203) 432-5050

Shubert Performing Arts Center
247 College St. , New Haven, 06510. Known as the "Birthplace of the nation's greatest hits" offering the best of Broadway, dance, opera, cabaret and family entertainment. (203) 562-5666, (800) 228-6622

Sports Haven
600 Long Wharf Dr. , New Haven, 06511. (I-95 Ex. 46, I-91 Ex. 2) State-of-the-art simulcast theater with the best of Thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing, and jai alai on four high resolution movie size screens. In the center of the complex is a 2,800 gallon aquarium filled with exotic sharks; casual dining. (203) 946-3201

Litchfield Hills

Lake Compounce Theme Park
822 Lake Ave. , Bristol, 06010. (I-84 Ex. 31) New England's Family Theme Park with rides and attractions for all ages, including Splash Harbor Water Park, Ghost Hunt, Thunder Rapids Raft Ride, fun games and live entertainment, one-mile mountainside rollercoaster. Memorial Day-late Sept. Call for hours and rates. (860) 583-3300

Lime Rock Park
Rte. 112 , Lakeville, 06039. (Rte. 7) Professional and amateur road racing, car shows and auto festivals. Major professional races on Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. (860) 435-5000, (800) RACE-LRP

Litchfield Performing Arts
P.O. Box 69 , Litchfield, 06759. Performances of classical music, jazz, theater and dance in various locations. (860) 567-4162

Norfolk Chamber Music Festival
Music Shed, Ellen Battell Stoeckel Estate ,Rtes. 44 & 272 Norfolk, 06058. Performances by renowned musical artists and ensembles, amid the spectacular beauty of the Litchfield Hills. Stroll the estate, picnic or visit the art gallery before the concert. (860) 542-3000

Guided Flyfishing Trips
Rte. 128 , West Cornwall, 06796. Flyfishing guides and instructions. Gourmet lunch provided for full day trips. Reservations required. Flyfishing collectibles and antiques. (860) 672-1010

Northeast Connecticut

Plainfield Greyhound Park
137 Lathrop Rd. , Plainfield, 06374. (I-395 Ex. 87) Greyhound racing, live simulcast horse racing, dining. Year-round, daily with variety of afternoon and evening races. (860) 564-3391/(800) RACES-ON

Antiques Marketplace
109 Main St. , Putnam, 06260. Connecticut's largest antique mall. 350 exhibits with over 250 dealers. Renovated 1880's department store. (860) 928-0442

University of Connecticut
Main Campus ,Rte. 195 Storrs, 06269. (I-84 Ex. 68) Parking and traffic services on Rte. 195 provides campus maps, parking and visitor information. Animal barns open daily 10-4. Floriculture greenhouses. (860) 486-3530

Greater Waterbury

Quassy Amusement Park
Rte. 64 , Middlebury, 06762. (I-84 Ex. 16E/17W) 20-acre family playground on Lake Quassapaug; over 30 rides and games, swimming, picnic tables, boat rides, pavilions, food, concessions, petting zoo. Memorial Day-Labor Day (203) 758-2913/(800) FOR-PARK

Naugatuck Railroad Company/Railroad Museum of New England
242 East Main St. , Thomaston, 06787. An 18-mile ride on restored historic railroad from mills, through a state forest, along the Naugatuck River and up onto the face of a dam. (860) 283-RAIL

Thomaston Opera House
158 Main St. , Thomaston, 06787. Full-scale theatrical productions, dance presentations, concerts, children's theater series. Year-round. (860) 283-6250

CONNECTICUT LODGING ASSOCIATION
169 Orange Street New Haven, CT 06510
Ph: 860-635-5600 | Fx: 203-782-7755