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2019 | DOING BUSINESS IN CONNECTICUT | 77 TOURISM, ARTS & CULTURE Greater New Haven is another popular tourist destination. Part of the famed Yale University, the Yale Peabody Museum is "one of the oldest and largest university-based natural history museums, with more than 13 million objects … representing more than 4 billion years of geological, biological, and human history," according to the museum's website. There, visitors can see huge dinosaur skeletons, rare insect and plant specimens, Babylonian and other anthropological artifacts, minerals and meteorites, and more. New Haven is also home to the Yale University Art Gallery, the Yale Center for British Art, and the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library. The region, situated near the coast, is just one of the many Connecticut locales offering visitors a myriad of water-based activities, from swimming on the state's sandy beaches and camping in state parks to taking theme-based cruises on Long Island Sound. Fresh seafood is abundant, and live musical performances, indoors and out, abound. The northern border of the state has its own unique attractions. Located in East Granby, Old New-Gate is the oldest surviving state prison in the nation. The prison was first a copper mine in 1707, and it has a rich history that includes housing Tories during revolutionary times, and at other times a WWI tank and a caged bear. Museum assistant Morgan Bengel said the prisoners lived in the mines but did no mining because it was feared that putting mining tools in the hands of prisoners was a bad idea. The 45-acre site includes a prison yard, guard house, and four standing ruins. Recently renovated, it has become a popular tourist draw, and is also used for square dancing and outdoor performances by the local theater guild. Other attractions unique to Connecticut include the 100-year-old castle in East Haddam built for eccentric actor William Gillette, the Florence Griswold Center in Old Lyme where American Impressionism got its start, and Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill, host to original tracks from 60 million years ago. Many of Connecticut's attractions are pet-friendly, including hotels and bed and breakfasts, restaurants, and shopping venues, like Evergreen Square in South Windsor. The Cascades at Lake Mohegan in Fairfield is listed as one of the top 10 dog-friendly trails in the world. Outdoor activity opportunities can be found throughout the state. Ziplines, water sports, and mountain biking are enjoyed at venues such as Powder Ridge in Middlefield, Brownstone Exploration and Discovery Park in Portland, and Pachaug State Forest in Voluntown. Those looking for a special-interest adventure that allows them to explore many parts of Connecticut may enjoy following one of the specialty trails described on the Office of Tourism web site. There are trails for those who love wine, signature cocktails, pizza, or burgers and brews. Other trails are geared to lovers of antiques, art, barns, bed and breakfasts, bicycling, chocolate, chowder, and even dinosaurs. The Connecticut Beer Trail connects the state with countless places to enjoy craft beers, from Broad Brook Brewing Company in the heart of the tobacco valley to Stony Creek Brewery in Branford (with a second location just opened at Foxwoods last fall), and Two Roads Brewing Company in Stafford, which recently opened a $15 million addition called Area 2 to create experimental brews. History buffs will enjoy the Mashantucket Pequot Museum, the largest native American museum in the world. Other indigenous sites include the Institute for American Indian Studies in Washington, CT, featuring an Algonkian village and a just-added escape room that teaches survival skills from the 1500s. A newly discovered native American fort along the Norwalk River is being excavated, and artifacts including pottery, Dutch-made glass beads, and arrow points will likely be added to exhibits at the University of Connecticut. An intact palisade from the 1630s was recently unearthed on the property of the historic Webb-Deane-Stevens house in Old Wethersfield. "This is the earliest archaeological evidence of English settlement in Connecticut," senior archaeologist Sarah Sportman said, dubbing the site the Plymouth Colony of the state. Full steam ahead Although Connecticut's tourism industry is a huge economic driver, neighboring states spend nearly twice as much on funding and advertising their arts, culture, and entertainment attractions. Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz (D-Berlin) would like to change that. The Blue-Ribbon Panel on Tourism he launched last fall has submitted several recommendations to boost the sector. One idea is to market the state nationally by promoting attractions that are unique to Connecticut. Another suggestion includes putting www.CTVisit.com on state license plates. The panel has also recommended the use of extra funding mechanisms to support tourism, updating Connecticut's tourism branding, and improving transportation infrastructure so that people can get around more easily. Other recommendations include creating a five-year strategic tourism plan, funding five new regional marketing organizations, and easing state Department of Transportation restrictions on attractions' wayfinding signage. Aresimowicz has said that tourism "should not be simply viewed as a cost but as an investment in our economy that creates jobs and helps pay for the programs and services vital to all our residents." Thrills abound at Brownstone Exploration and Discovery Park in Portland.