The Best Indoor Activities in CT For a Rainy Day

The old New England weather adage holds true for Connecticut: if you don’t like the weather, wait ten minutes.

But sometimes, that rainy morning lasts all day.

In Connecticut, we don’t let a bit of bad weather interfere with enjoying our time off.

If you’ve planned a visit to New England and it looks like it might be wet, don’t cancel your plans.

There are plenty of unique things to do in Connecticut, rain or shine.

Top indoor activities in CT, throughout the state

Here are the best indoor activities in CT for a rainy day.

Indoor activities near Greenwich, Connecticut

In this writer’s opinion, Greenwich, Connecticut really shines in fine weather.

But that doesn’t mean a rainy day removes all options to enjoy the area!

Some top indoor attractions to explore nearby include:

Bruce Museum, Greenwich

This is not your everyday museum.

Here you’ll find an interesting mix of art, science, and natural history. You choose what suits you, either a docent-led or self-guided audio tour.

Either way, the expansive museum provides a new perspective of the world. Eclectic collections include work ranging from Childe Hassam to Alexander Calder.

The galleries are filled with:

• Photos
• Sculptures
• Drawings
• And prints

Still more elegant displays grace the galleries as French art glass and ladies gowns.

Some of the most unique exhibitions include:

• Rare butterflies
• Extinct species
• Navajo jewelry
• Inuit soapstone carvings

You’re sure to discover something new, something familiar and likely something totally unexpected.

Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, Norwalk

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum was the home of LeGrand Lockwood from 1864 to 1868. This mansion is one of the most important Second Empire Style country houses in the United States.

The financier and railroad tycoon’s mansion offers stunning architecture and impeccable interiors. It’s a magnificent testament to the grandeur of the Victorian Era. Known as “Elm Park”, Lockwood lost the estate in 1872 due to a reversal of fortune.

Luckily, its later owners were just as prestigious and lived in the home until 1938.

The home was sold to the City of Norwalk a few years later.

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion is an amazing example of Victorian technology. The mansion features state-of-the-art (for then):

• Indoor hot and cold plumbing
• Central heating
• And gas lighting

The mansion stands as a historic marker of American forbearance. After all, it survived the turbulence of both the Post Civil War era and the Great Depression. Thanks to local preservationists, the mansion was brought back to its former glory. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1971.

It was also used as the location for The Stepford Men’s Association building in the original 1975 film, The Stepford Wives.

The Maritime Aquarium, Norwalk

The Maritime Aquarium allows you to get up close and personal with underwater creatures from sharks to seals and fish to sea turtles. The aquarium continues to change its exhibits and also includes the largest IMAX theater in Connecticut. Check their website to find out what’s playing, and more about the latest exhibits to explore.

A trip here is without question one of the most fun activities to do with kids near Greenwich, from this writer’s experience.

Weir Farm National Historical Park, Wilton

This unique site housed three generations of American artists.

America’s most well-known impressionist Julian Alden Weir purchased the farm in 1882. His daughter, painter Dorothy Weir Young, and her husband, sculptor Mahonri Young, carried on the tradition. New England landscape painters Sperry and Doris Andrews were the final owners.

Located in a picturesque spot, the property provided inspiration for artists such as Weir, Young, and Andrews.

The farm includes an expansive property with both indoor and outdoor attractions. Any day is ideal for you to wander the expertly preserved home, studios, and barns in the rain.

If the rain stops falling you can also explore the gardens, woodlands, and Weir Pond.

Top museums in Connecticut on a snowy day

Connecticut was one of the wealthiest states in the Union one hundred years ago, a reputation it retains to this day.

And those magnates of industry invested much of their vast fortune into museums scattered throughout the state.

Some Connecticut museums are world-renowned, others severely underrated.

Yale Center for British Art, New Haven

This hidden gem is the perfect place to spend your rainy day immersed in the world’s largest collection of British art outside the United Kingdom. ‘In the know’ art lovers have had a rare opportunity to discover British works throughout the ages. From the Elizabethan Age through to today, you can take a walk through time.

Awe-inspiring oil paintings by:

• Turner
• Constable
• Whistler
• Stubbs
• Reynolds

Are juxtaposed by the sculpture of Hepworth, or the world mapped out in 1577 through the eyes of the Francis Drake expedition.

Discover circa 1500 paintings of wildlife in the Helmingham Herbal and Bestiary, one of 35,000 rare books and manuscripts in the center.

Even the building housing the 250 sculptures and 2,000 paintings is a work of art itself designed by architect Louis I. Kahn.

This barely scratches the surface of museums in the Yale University collection.

Many other museums make both the list of top attractions, activities, and things to do in New Haven, as well as indoor activities:

• Yale University Art Gallery
• Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History
• Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
• Yale Collection of Musical Instruments
• Cushing/Whitney Memorial Library
• Leitner Family Observatory and Planetarium

Railroad Museum of New England, Thomaston

Don’t discount this unique experience just yet.

Sometimes it takes a little rain to shine some light on a new adventure.

If you love the idea of travel, one of the fun indoor places to go is the Railroad Museum of New England. The museum offers educational exhibits that introduce you to the history of the train. Displays include a passenger car from the 1920s and a diesel locomotive.

You can also take a trip on the Naugatuck Railroad from historic Thomaston Station or explore trains throughout the ages. A series of scenic tours are available throughout the year, allowing you to experience railroad travel firsthand. From:

• The Chocolate Decadence Tour
• Northern Lights Limited
• Seasonal trips celebrating the holidays

The story of riding the rails comes to life at the Railroad Museum.

Indoor activities for a rainy day in Mystic, CT

Fitting for the largest tourist destination in Connecticut, Mystic has plenty of attractions and activities to entertain.

Regardless of the weather, of course.

Mystic Noank Library, Mystic

Built in 1892 by Captain Elihu Spicer the building is something to behold with its ornate brick, granite, and red sandstone. Its unexpected detailing of gold exterior, red roof and trim is second only to the gorgeous spaces inside.

Italian tile mosaic floors and lovely stained glass create an interesting backdrop to explore the collection. Be sure to peruse the books, magazines, and local history section of this intriguing library.

Listen to the rainfall on the red roof while you read a book, or look up at the impressive, vaulted oak ceiling on the second floor. The design resembles the hulls of Captain Spicer’s ships, creating a lovely space to find quiet on a rainy day.

Mystic Aquarium, Mystic CT

The Mystic Aquarium’s indoor gallery allows you to encounter thousands of colorful fish in a 35,000-gallon exhibit. Various habitats feature unusual creatures from pufferfish to sea slugs and one of the most diverse displays of jellies available at any aquarium.

Visitors delight in the Weird and Wonderful exhibit where the creatures live up to the exhibit’s name. Some heavy-weights of the exhibit include the Giant Pacific Octopus and Giant Japanese Spider Crabs.

The gallery also features a live coral reef ecosystem.

Board and Brush, Mystic

There’s nothing like a little rain to awaken your inner artist.

Board and Brush offer indoor activities for adults in CT with folk art workshops where you can create your own art to bring home as a memory.

Whether it is:

• A wood sign
• Terra cotta pot
• Or an artfully designed canvas pillow

It’s all about discovering your artistic side and creating rustic folk art reminiscent of simpler times. It also helps that rustic, farmhouse chic is very popular today, so your art will be something you can proudly display.

Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer House Museum, Stonington

Another spot inspired by the spirit of seafaring New Englanders, the Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer House Museum celebrates the discovery of the Antarctic Peninsula.

The captain made the discovery in his 47-foot sailboat when he was just 21.

He was also well-known for his clipper ship designs. Look out on the same harbor views he enjoyed from the cupola and dream of the romance of lost ships and lovers from a bygone era.

Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center, Ledyard

This museum offers a rare glimpse into life before the Europeans arrived.

If you want to understand Native American culture in the area, this life-sized display is literally and figuratively a walk back in time.

Enjoy hands-on demonstrations and authentic meals featuring both traditional and contemporary Native-American food.

BF Clyde’s Cider Mill, Old Mystic

If you are visiting between September and December, BF Clyde’s Cider Mill is home to the oldest steam-powered cider press in the U.S.

The mill still uses it to extract apple cider, and you can sample their selection of hot and cold beverages.

They also specialize in autumn-inspired baked goods including their famous fresh apple cider donuts. It’s a great way to spend a few hours watching the cider pressing demonstrations and then sampling the flavors of nature’s bounty.

Velvet Mill, Stonington

Built in 1888 as a fabric mill, the Velvet Mill is now an impressive space where you’ll discover an eclectic collection of local art, food and plenty of shopping. Artisans display and sell their goods and food, including local brews and antiques.

Mystic Museum of Art, Mystic

This lovely gallery on the Mystic River offers a constantly changing collection of art displays.

You never know what you’ll find or what emerging artists you’ll discover.

There is also a permanent exhibit featuring the works of:

• Robert Brackman
• Beatrice Cuming
• Henry Ward Ranger

The art’s period ranges from the early twentieth century to the early 2000s.

From American Impressionism to Tonalism you will view a diverse collection of art and several different styles.

Even more indoor activities in Connecticut

In this writer’s opinion, some indoor activities like:

• Indoor ropes courses
• Axe throwing
• Dining by the fire
• Afternoon tea
• Even gambling

Make for better indoor winter activities in Connecticut.

But you do you.

Indoor shopping in Connecticut

Sure, malls still exist.

A new one in South Norwalk proves that developers are still building them.

For some reason.

But there are definitely more unique places to shop indoors on a crummy day.

There are even some unique shopping spots in other parts of Norwalk, including antique malls and funky shops along Washington Street.

Check-out our list of the best Connecticut flea markets for indoor and outdoor options.

Alternatively, explore the most unique antique shops throughout Connecticut, to enjoy more perusing and less sifting through a hoarder’s nightmare.

Added benefit: you won’t be able to find your treasures anywhere online.

Theoretically.

The CT Spirits Trail

What better way to lift your spirits on a rainy day than a jaunt along the CT Spirits Trail. You can sample some of the state’s finest craft spirits including moonshines.

You can also find top-shelf quality liquor and unique specialty liqueurs and Eau-de- vies.

Each distillery specializes in incorporating locally grown ingredients from agricultural crops as part of the local-is- better movement. You can interact with the makers, take tours of the production process, and of course, imbibe in a sample or two.

And if spirits are a little too strong for you, take a tour of the best Connecticut breweries throughout the state.

While many tout outdoor seating, indoor seating is absolutely necessary in a state with as temperamental weather as ours.

Sea Tea Improv, Hartford

Let the antics of these talented improv groups and stand-up comedians chase away the little gray clouds of the day. Sea Tea Improv offers indoor activities in CT with at least six original comedy shows weekly with a good mix of improv, stand-up, and more.

This is the ideal way to let down your hair and have a good laugh.

You can even participate in courses and workshops. It is a unique theater where you can be entertained or learn how to entertain.

Between this and great museums like the Wadsworth Atheneum and Mark Twain House, there are plenty of things to do in Hartford on a rainy day.

Find more things to do in Connecticut, regardless of weather

Don’t let bad weather spoil your travel plans, with so many places to go on a rainy day in CT.

For even more activities, attractions, and things to do in CT, download a free copy of the Connecticut Travel Guide.