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2015 | Doing Business in Connecticut 79 Tourism, Arts & Culture A Fresh Twist on Tourism State lures visitors with a blend of old and new By Sarah Wesley Lemire L ike peanut butter and jelly or Batman and Robin, there are some things that just naturally go well together. In Con- necticut, it's history and innovation that pair up to help make the state an ideal tourist destination. "ere is so much to do here, so many multilayer ex- periences. Most people would be surprised that there's as much to do and see in Connecticut as there is," said Randy Fiveash, director of the Connecticut Office of Tourism. Not defined by a single destination or attraction, Connecticut's allure comes from the sum of its many parts, which include shopping, dining, gaming and museums. ere are also hundreds of miles of mountainous trails to hike, seaside beaches for picnicking in the sun, and pretty New England towns to spend the day exploring. e state's rich historical background provides the ideal backdrop for visitors who want to connect with the past, while progressive new desti- nations and attractions help keep them firmly rooted in the present. "It's a great opportunity to take the historic and juxtapose it with the new," said Fiveash. It's that juxtaposition that helps make Connecticut unique, and is one of the driving forces behind the $14 billion dollars spent by travelers in 2013. Connecting With the Past Among the state's biggest attractions is the Mark Twain House & Museum, located in Hartford. Named as one of the Best Ten Historic Houses in the world by National Geographic, and dubbed "Downton Abbey's American cousin" by Time magazine, the site draws 60,000 to 70,000 visitors annually. "We draw a lot of people who might not otherwise come to Hart- ford," said Jacques Lamarre, director of communication and special projects for the Mark Twain House & Museum. "We are an internation- al destination thanks to Mark Twain being known all over the globe." And whether visitors are coming from near or far, they bring added economic value to the entire region. "ey are staying in ho- tels, dining in our restaurants, and they want to see other things while they are in town," said Lamarre. "We really want to make sure that the whole area benefits by our presence here." Picturesque Mystic is another of Connecticut's most popular historic destinations. Many visitors come to visit the world-renowned Mystic Aquarium, shop the town's quaint boutiques, and eat at its popular restaurants like Mystic Pizza, the inspiration and location of the Julia Roberts film by the same name, released in 1988. Continued on page 80 > Once the home of celebrated "Tom Sawyer" author Samuel Clemens, a.k.a. Mark Twain, the stately Farmington Avenue Victorian and attached museum have become a major tourist attraction. PHOTO/MARK TWAIN HOUSE & MUSEUM