Best things to do in Connecticut

The largest maritime museum in the world, Mystic Seaport Museum is home to a collection of historical ships and boats. Along with seacraft, a re-creation of a 19th-century fishing village is one of the attraction's most popular spots. The museum is housed in 60 historical commercial buildings where traditional crafts are still made the same way they were when the town was founded.

See one of the United States' largest outdoor beluga whale exhibits at Mystic Aquarium, and get close-up with sharks, sea lions, penguins, octopi, and other ocean critters. Get hands on at touch exhibits where you can feel a reptile, stingray, shark, or crustacean. For an additional fee, you can get even closer during an animal encounter program with an African penguin, beluga whale, or even feed stingrays. Children and grownups can take educational programs at the aquarium to find out more about the marine life and conservation practices. Bring your own food and dine at the outdoor picnic area or try out the on-site cafe, which offers burgers, pizzas, snacks, wraps, and so on.

Step back into the 18th century at Olde Mistick Village. All the mall's shops are housed inside recreated houses typical for 1720s New England. Most offer locally produced goods that can't be found anywhere else. Peruse everything from clothes and accessories to handcrafts and food. The village has a selection of restaurants, and a theater shows movies and hosts live performances. Throughout the year, you can happen upon many events, exhibits, and festivals here. Even though this isn't a typical mall, modern facilities are available, along with plenty of parking space.

Yale University Art Gallery displays art from nearly all cultures, but it's most famous for its collection of early Italian paintings, African sculptures, and modern art. Located in several buildings on the university campus, the gallery also houses world-renowned collections of American decorative and fine arts from as far back as the 17th century. Of particular note is the small collection of rare American silver. Opened in 1832, the gallery recently underwent renovations to connect three separate galleries while maintaining their distinct architectural styles; it reopened in 2012.

The Submarine Force Museum offers self-guided tours with a chance to learn about the history of submarines and their role as part of the U.S. Navy. Climb aboard the USS Nautilus--launched in 1954, the Nautilus was the world's first operational nuclear-powered submarine. Before it was decommissioned in 1980, it cruised under the ice of the North Pole, participated in NATO exercises, and joined in the naval quarantine of Cuba. The Nautilus offers self-guided audio tours. The museum houses a collection of smaller submarines, including a Japanese midget submarine (plus related items, such as periscopes), and a large library featuring a collection of books, documents, and photographs relating to the development of submersible crafts.

Perched on the hills above the Connecticut River, Gillette Castle State Park features an early 20th-century mansion and a series of lakeside walking trails. Here you'll find the crumbling former glory of actor William Gillette's medieval-looking residence, built of stone and surrounded by thick forest. You can wander the grounds, which are ideal for easy walks, thanks to pathways made from former railroad tracks. Explore the "castle" itself to see a great number of carved oak woodworks and creative features, such as built-in couches and a sliding table.

Wander the halls and grounds of Yale University to get a feel for the institution's 300-year history and the minds that have studied here. Join a guided tour led by a current student, or pick up the Blue Trail map for a self-guided tour. You can also choose to listen to audio tracks on your own MP3 player as you explore the university. The guided tour will take you to the central campus area, several of Yale's residential colleges, the Gothic Sterling Memorial Library, and the Beineke Rare Book and Manuscript Library. You'll learn about student life on campus, the university's architecture, and Yale's history.