8 Weird Landmarks in Connecticut You Should Visit

Thedailymiaminews– Connecticut, the third-smallest state in the United States (only Delaware and Rhode Island are smaller), has a lot of unusual sites within its borders. Some, like Gungywamp, have such unusual names that you don’t even know what they are until you look into them more closely. Some, such as the PEZ Factory, are both fun and impressive. Some names are a reflection of the time period in which they were given. For example, Devil’s Hopyard was named during the Puritan era, when many people were afraid of the Devil and other unknown things.

Devil’s Hopyard State Park

The Puritans thought that the perfectly round holes in the rocks of the park’s magnificent waterfalls were created by the Devil. They speculated that he got his tail wet and, in his rage and hurry to escape, burned holes in the rock. According to geologists, potholes are formed by quickly whirling water that often contains small rocks and debris. Over time, the water erodes the rock, creating the pothole. In this state park in East Haddam, you have the opportunity to be the judge at Chapman Falls.

There are a number of alternative trails that will take you to the falls, depending on how far you want to go. The Chapman Falls Loop is a 0.4-mile hike that begins and ends at the parking lot. It is moderately strenuous and has beautiful views. When you arrive at the falls, you will be able to observe the schist formations. These formations were created millions of years ago when silt deposits formed rocks. Over time, the rocks were heated, crushed, and folded into shapes that look like stairs, which is similar to the way that some falls in Scotland look. Other pathways vary in length from 2 miles to 5 miles. Trout fishing is excellent in the Eightmile River and streams in the park. There are campgrounds in the park as well.

Gungywamp

This interesting archeological site is located near Groton, Connecticut, at the Denison Pequotsepos State Park. It is unclear where the name “Gungywamp” comes from or what it means. Researchers have linked it to ancient Gaelic, Mohegan, Pequot, and Algonquin languages, giving meanings such as “church of the people,” “place of ledges,” “swampy place,” “all-powerful,” and “white.”

The site has several characteristics, including as stone chambers, house foundations, a double stone circle, and several cairns that are placed on the ground and on top of stones. Researchers believe that the location may have been utilized for a variety of purposes, ranging from ancient rites to the practical corralling of livestock. This is despite the fact that there is evidence that Native Americans used the site thousands of years ago and that it was also used throughout Colonial times. DPNC guides lead 1.5-mile treks of Gungywomp every month. These walks take roughly two hours to complete. Bring high-quality hiking equipment because the ground is rough, muddy, and uneven.

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While you are in the area, visit the town of Groton, which is regarded as the Submarine Capital of the World. This is because General Dynamics Boat Division constructed submarines there during World War II. The Nautilus, which is the first nuclear-powered submarine in the world and a national historic site, is currently parked here. The Submarine Force Library and Museum is open for the entire family to visit, and on occasion, you can take a tour of the Nautilus itself. Inquire at the information desk for self-guided tours and scavenger hunts.

I was unable to locate any images of Gungywamp on Shutterstock. However, images can be found on Wikipedia, the DPNC’s website, and a number of other websites. https://dpnc.org/dpnc-announces-gungywamps-inclusion-in-connecticut-state-register-of-historic-places/. Shutterstock has pictures of Groton.

Visitor Center and PEZ Factory

Orange, Connecticut is home to the greatest collection of PEZ memorabilia in the world. The PEZ facility is home to the world’s largest PEZ dispenser and a PEZ motorcycle made by Orange County Choppers. Play games, win prizes, view PEZ collections from different years, and watch the PEZ factory in action.

When you are in Orange, which was named after William of Orange, you should go to the Sunflower Farm of Orange. There, you may find seasonal things, jellies, relishes, baked goods, natural soaps and candles, jewelry, and more. During the winter, our hours are Thursday and Friday from noon to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

There are a number of restored houses in the town that you can visit. The Stone-Otis House has been restored to its modified Greek Revival design and features a parlor, nursery, Grandma’s Attic, and a general store, which was the second one in town.

Dinosaur State Park

This park in Rocky Hill is home to one of the largest collections of real dinosaur tracks in North America. In 1966, while digging for a building, 2,000 dinosaur fossil tracks were discovered here. The geodesic dome has 500 fossil tracks that are thought to have been formed by a theropod comparable to the Dilophosaurus some 200 million years ago. The surviving tracks were buried in order to preserve them for future generations.

The park also has more than two miles of paths that are surrounded by rocks and natural plants that were around during the time of the dinosaurs. These plants include trees such as beech, birch, hickory, oak, red maple, and sugar maple, as well as wetlands, meadows, and solidified lava rocks. The park grounds are open every day from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., as long as the weather is good. The trails close at 4 p.m. The exhibit center is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

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While you are at Rocky Hill, you should check out the Dividend Pond Trails and archeological District, which comprises 68 acres of land, 3 miles of trails, and 10 archeological sites. The Rocky Hill-Glastonbury Ferry, which is the oldest ferry in the United States that has been in continuous operation, is open for rides from April to November.

Saville Dam

Saville Dam has a really unique look for a dam; it resembles a magnificent medieval castle turret. The dam on the Farmington River in beautiful Barkhamsted is a popular spot for taking pictures and enjoying stunning views of the Barkhamsted Reservoir and the area below the dam. The reservoir contains the foundations of a portion of Barkhamsted Hollow, the original town that was intentionally submerged when the dam was constructed.

People enjoy kayaking and canoeing on the river. The People’s State Forest and the American Legion State Forest include a variety of hiking paths that are either loops or out-and-back excursions. The trails range in distance from .3 miles to 3.3 miles and have different types of terrain and heights. Some of them are appropriate for novices. You can find maps online that provide information about the treks at the following link: https://www.barkhamsted.us/hiking-in-barkhamsted. There are four miles of trout fishing, including a catch-and-release area, starting at Riverton, which is close by.

Barker Museum of Characters, Comics, and Cartoons

This charming, one-of-a-kind museum in Cheshire has over 80,000 items of memorabilia, including characters like Popeye, Betty Boop, Mickey Mouse, and Shirley Temple, that you will remember from your childhood. You will witness old favorites on lunch boxes and dishes as bobbleheads and puppets, from the plodding, gravity-propelled Ramp Walkers produced in 1873 to plastic figures of The Simpsons. During the off-season, which lasts until June 15, the hours of operation are Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Roaring Brook Park in Cheshire has a hike to Roaring Brook Falls, which is the second highest waterfall in the state. The hike is moderately difficult. If you want Italian food that is well rated and made using local ingredients, check out Viron Rondo Osteria. Cheshire is a town with a population of around 29,000. It is simple to reach other cities from there, like Waterbury (10 miles away), New Haven (17 miles away), and Hartford, the state capital (28 miles away).

Puppetry Museum

The Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry at the University of Connecticut in Storrs has more than 2,500 puppets from all over the world that bring joy to visitors. Some of the puppets are life-sized and all of them look like they are ready to have a chat. Their intricate features include wrinkled brows and enlarged eyes. In addition to the puppets, there are books, DVDs, and other materials related to puppetry, including the audiovisual collection of Puppeteers of America. The museum provides tours, displays, exhibitions, and workshops. You can enter for free, but donations are welcome. The William Beton Museum of Art is located on the university’s campus as well.

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For outdoor recreation, head to Eagle Preserve in Storrs/Mansfield and hike to a flowing waterfall. Be sure to plan ahead for a trip to the Adventure Park at Storrs, which opens for the season on March 28. The park has climbing and ziplining activities for people of all skill levels. Suitable for children ages 7 and above.

The Glass House

This structure, which was built in 1949 by Philip Johnson, is likely one of the most unusual buildings you will come across in a park in New Canaan. It is true that it is a “four walls of glass” design, which is what is now referred to as a “open space” design, but it was unheard of at the time. The house has glass walls on the outside and no walls on the inside, allowing you to see the beautiful countryside from every room. However, the interior stays exactly the same, with everything in each “room” section placed in the same spot, even while the view changes with the seasons. Johnson claims that the home has features that are similar to those of the Parthenon, an English garden, the Romantic movement, and other things. Tickets for the tour must be bought online.

Make sure to check out the New Canaan Nature Center. It is full of activities even in the winter, including yoga, hiking, birdwatching, and camping. It also offers the oldest nature-based preschool in the country. If you’re looking for fine dining, Blackbird in town offers everything from small plates to steaks. Gates Restaurant and Bar is the place to go for American comfort food with a twist.

Making Arrangements for Your Trip to Connecticut’s Distinctive Attractions

You are probably astonished by all of the unusual but incredible sites in Connecticut, where you may look back on the past while taking in a huge assortment of toys and television characters from earlier times. Check out lifelike puppets that appear as if they are about to come to life. Visit a dam that is very different from anything a beaver could make, and a park that provides evidence that dinosaurs truly did roam the world, at least in this town in Connecticut. Now that you are aware of some of the things the state has to offer, it is time to start making plans.

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