Hartford Business Journal

www.HartfordBusiness.com • June 4, 2018 • Hartford Business Journal 11 Source: Each attraction via survey, Connecticut Office of Tourism. Notes: N/A = not available or not applicable. Lake Compounce of Bristol and Ski Sundown of New Hartford do not disclose attendance. Hartford's Dillon Stadium is expected to be revitalized and reopened by spring 2019. (1) Includes part-time employees. (2) Run by the Bushnell Park Foundation. (3) An additional 11 seasonal employees. (4) An additional 66 student interns. (5) Approximately 150 student employees. (6) An additional 31 part-time employees. (7) Includes Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort. (8) Approximate figure from 2017 survey. (9) National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark. (10) Six seasonal employees. (11) Built in 1901; Theodate Pope Riddle's will stipulated that the property be established as a museum, which opened to the public in 1947 (12) Originally founded as New Haven Colony Historical Society. (13) Data from 2017 survey. —Compiled by Stephanie R. Meagher. FOCUS Most visited tourist attractions in Connecticut (Ranked by estimated 2017 attendance) Rank Attraction 2017 attendance Employees/ Volunteers (1) Description Top executive(s) Year founded 1 Foxwoods Resort Casino 350 Trolley Line Blvd. Mashantucket, CT 06338 800-369-9663; www.foxwoods.com 11,816,196 5,500 0 Hospitality, entertainment, gaming, retail, dining, golf, spa and hotel Felix D. Rappaport 1992 2 Mohegan Sun 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd. Uncasville, CT 06382 888-MOHEGAN; www.mohegansun.com 9,000,000 7,150 0 Entertainment, gaming, dining, shopping, hotel, spa, meetings and conventions Ray Pineault 1996 3 Mystic Aquarium 55 Coogan Blvd. Mystic, CT 06355 860-572-5955; www.mysticaquarium.org 700,821 370 684 Underwater worlds and creatures including beluga whales, penguins and more; interactive experiences, exhibits and animal adventures Stephen M. Coan 1973 4 Riverfront Recapture 50 Columbus Blvd. Hartford, CT 06016 860-713-3131; www.riverfront.org 617,000 99 1,835 Variety of events and recreational activities Michael Zaleski 1981 5 The Lyman Farm Inc. d/b/a Lyman Orchards 32 Reeds Gap Road Middlefield, CT 06455 860-349-1793; www.lymanorchards.com 600,000 50,250 0 1,100 scenic acres in central Connecticut with Pick Your Own Orchards, bakery, cafe, cheese and more; beginner and championship public golf on 45 holes John Lyman III Stephen L Ciskowski 1741 6 The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk 10 N. Water St. Norwalk, CT 06854 203-852-0700; www.maritimeaquarium.org 506,236 119 347 Exhibits, sharks, seals, sea turtles, jellyfish, river otters and other animals native to Long Island Sound and its watershed; study cruises, educational programs and IMAX movie theater Brian Davis 1988 7 Bushnell Park (2) P.O. Box 230778 Hartford, CT 06123 860-232-6710; www.bushnellpark.org 500,000 1 50 Weekly tours of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch and monthly tours of the park, monuments and statues; newly renovated carousel is open year-round Mary Zeman 1854 7 Elizabeth Park Conservancy 1561 Asylum Ave. West Hartford, CT 06117 860-231-9443; www.elizabethparkct.org 500,000 7 1,000 The oldest municipal rose garden, tulips, annuals, perennials, iris, dahlias, herbs, medicinals, rock garden, hosta garden, duck ponds, recreational and picnic areas, running trails, playground, cafe Christine M. Doty Park 1897, Conservancy 1977 9 The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts 166 Capitol Ave. Hartford, CT 06106 860-987-5900; www.bushnell.org 316,000 100 570 Two performance halls and multiple public event spaces, more than 450 events annually, Broadway tours, symphonies, family entertainment, concerts, local arts and community events David Fay 1929 10 Mystic Seaport 75 Greenmanville Ave. Mystic, CT 06355 860-572-0711; www.mysticseaport.org 300,000 300 600 Maritime museum featuring historic vessels, a working preservation shipyard, recreated seafaring village, exhibits, galleries and more Stephen C. White 1929 11 Connecticut Science Center 250 Columbus Blvd. Hartford, CT 06103 860-724-3623; www.ctsciencecenter.org 295,843 86 101 Science-based museum, educational and tourism venue Matt J. Fleury 2009 12 Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo 1875 Noble Ave. Bridgeport, CT 06610 203-394-6565; www.beardsleyzoo.org 280,000 37 (3) 127 (4) Three-hundred animals representing primarily North and South American species; South American rain forest with aviary, prairie dog exhibit, farmyard; hoofstock trail featuring bison, pronghorn, deer, cafe, picnic grove, indoor carousel Gregg Dancho 1922 13 Yale University Art Gallery 1111 Chapel St. New Haven, CT 06510 203-432-0600; artgallery.yale.edu 232,185 149 0 (5) Oldest college art museum in America, and the third oldest in the world; holds more than 200,000 objects Jock Reynolds 1832 14 Quassy Amusement & Waterpark 2132 Middlebury Road Middlebury, CT 06762 203-758-2913; www.quassy.com 230,000 350 0 Family amusement and waterpark on Lake Quassapaug with more than two dozen rides and attractions George Frantzis II 1908 15 Essex Steam Train & Riverboat (Valley Railroad Co.) 1 Railroad Ave. Essex, CT 06426 860-767-0103; www.essexsteamtrain.com 183,649 N/A Narrated steam-train and riverboat excursions, meals on the Essex Clipper Lunch & Dinner Trains, sunset cruises, music cruises and fall foliage trains; Christmas North Pole Express and Santa Special Train Kevin Dodd 1971 16 Toyota Presents Oakdale Theatre 95 S. Turnpike Road Wallingford, CT 06492 203-269-8721; specialevents.livenation.com 180,000 35 0 Year-round concert venue and event space for graduations, weddings, parties, proms, galas, meetings and more Jim Koplik 1954 17 Historic Ship Nautilus and Submarine Force Museum 1 Crystal Lake Road Groton, CT 06349 860-694-3174; www.ussnautilus.org 133,763 7 35 U.S. Navy's official submarine museum with tours of the Nautilus, the first nuclear-powered submarine along with exhibits ranging from the Revolutionary War era to present day Bradley M. Boyd 1964 18 Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History 170 Whitney Ave. New Haven, CT 06511 203-432-5050; peabody.yale.edu 125,000 64 (6) 123 Jurassic-age dinosaur skeletons from the Peabody's paleontology collections, Rudolph Zallinger's mural "The Age of Reptiles"; exhibits on ancient Egypt, early man, CT geology, CT birds, minerals and meteorites David Skelly 1866 19 The Goodspeed 6 Main St. East Haddam, CT 06423 860-873-8668; www.goodspeed.org 120,000 N/A Produces award-winning musicals featuring Broadway actors, directors and designers; surrounded by top-notch restaurants, shops and galleries; first theatre in the nation to be honored with two Tony awards Michael Gennaro 1963 20 Brownstone Exploration and Discovery Park (7) 161 Brownstone Ave. Portland, CT 06480 866-860-0208; brownstonepark.com 100,000 (8) 225 0 Outdoor adventure sports park for all abilities and ages; rock climbing, wakeboarding, kayaking, snorkeling, cliff jumping, scuba diving, "Survivor-style" competitions, zip lines, swimming, floats, trails; groups, lessons and rentals Sean Hayes 2009 20 The Children's Museum 950 Trout Brook Drive West Hartford, CT 06119 860-231-2824; www.thechildrensmuseumct.org 100,000 (8) 46 45 A multidisciplinary learning center featuring a planetarium, wildlife sanctuary, preschool, hands-on educational exhibits, public programs, on-site and outreach educational programs, and a second site, Roaring Brook Nature Center Michael Werle 1927 22 Yale Center for British Art 1080 Chapel St. New Haven, CT 06520 203-432-2800; www.britishart.yale.edu 97,166 133 69 Public art museum and research institute that houses the largest collection of British art outside the United Kingdom Amy Meyers 1966 (opened to the public in 1977) 23 Hartford Stage Co. 50 Church St. Hartford, CT 06103 860-527-5151; www.hartfordstage.org 87,271 74 298 Tony award-winning theater producing six main-stage productions and "A Christmas Carol" Michael Stotts Darko Tresnjak 1964 24 Discovery Museum and Planetarium 4450 Park Ave. Bridgeport, CT 06604 203-372-3521; www.discoverymuseum.org 85,000 21 63 Hands-on children's museum, planetarium, simulated space missions; school, homeschool and scout groups, scout badges, demos, children's workshops, summer programs, library and school outreach statewide Bill Finch 1958 25 Florence Griswold Museum 96 Lyme St. Old Lyme, CT 06371 860-434-5542; www.florencegriswoldmuseum.org 80,000 20 225 Galleries for changing exhibitions, education center, landscape center, extensive gardens, and a restored artist's studio Rebekah Beaulieu 1941 26 Bushnell Park Carousel 1 Jewell St. Hartford, CT 06103 860-585-5411; www.thecarouselmuseum.org 70,000 7 0 Century-old carousel in the shadow of skyscrapers and a giant Turkey Oak, 24-sided pavilion houses 48 hand-carved wooden horses and two lovers' chariots that swirl around a booming Wurlitzer band organ Louise L. DeMars 1914 27 New Britain Museum of American Art 56 Lexington St. New Britain, CT 06052 860-229-0257; www.nbmaa.org 69,708 N/A First institution dedicated solely to acquiring American art, spans four centuries of American history, permanent collection known for its strengths in colonial portraiture, Hudson River School and more Min Jung Kim 1903 28 Mark Twain House & Museum 351 Farmington Ave. Hartford, CT 06105 860-247-0998; www.marktwainhouse.org 68,860 86 100 National Historic Landmark home and National Geographic's top 10 historic houses in the world Pieter Roos 1929 29 Infinity Music Hall & Bistro 32 Front St. Hartford, CT 06103 860-560-7757; www.infinityhall.com 60,000 25 60 Two-hundred live concerts yearly, four-star restaurant for dining before or during the show, happy-hour bar scene, corporate and private events Chris O'Brian Janelle Jenkins 2007 30 New England Air Museum 36 Perimeter Road Windsor Locks, CT 06096 860-623-3305; www.neam.org 52,261 21 127 Historic aviation artifacts; more than 80 aircraft and an extensive collection of engines, instruments, aircraft parts, uniforms and personal memorabilia Jerry Roberts 1959 31 B.F. Clyde's Cider Mill 129 N. Stonington Road Old Mystic, CT 06372 860-536-3354; www.bfclydescidermill.com 50,000 20 0 Family-owned winery producing hard ciders and apples wines; last steam power cider mill in the U.S. offers sweet cider making demonstrations weekly (9) Harold W. Miner 1881 32 Dinosaur State Park 400 West St. Rocky Hill, CT 06067 860-529-5816; www.dinosaurstatepark.org 40,000 2 (10) 100 Five hundred Jurassic period dinosaur tracks housed under the exhibit center's geodesic dome Meg Enkler 1966 32 Infinity Music Hall and Bistro Route 44, 20 Greenwoods Road Norfolk, CT 06058 860-542-5531; www.infinityhall.com 40,000 25 50 Intimate concerts and creative cuisine in an 1880's Victorian music hall with newly restored sound system, 4-star bistro before or during the live shows The venue is also available for private events. Dan Hincks 2007 34 Hill-Stead Museum 35 Mountain Road Farmington, CT 06032 860-677-4787; www.hillstead.org 39,213 39 170 National historic landmark featuring 33,000-square-foot house, filled with art and antiques, set on 152 hilltop acres; c. 1920 Beatrix Farrand-designed Sunken Garden Susan Ballek 1901 (11) 35 The Connecticut Historical Society 1 Elizabeth St. Hartford, CT 06105 860-236-5621; www.chs.org 38,425 36 175 Nonprofit museum, library and education center with exhibitions, programs and Connecticut-related collections Jody Blankenship 1825 36 Children's Museum of Southeastern Connecticut 409 Main St. Niantic, CT 06357 860-691-1111; www.childrensmuseumsect.org 33,515 13 40 Science and art, imagination stations, fishing boat, lighthouse, fire engine, weather reporting, cooking, discovery room, animals, outdoor tree house, obstacle course, water and bubbles tables Holly Cheeseman 1992 37 Knights of Columbus Museum 1 State St. New Haven, CT 06511 203-865-0400; www.kofcmuseum.org 25,500 13 0 Rotating exhibitions of history and art, permanent gallery of the Knights of Columbus' annals and renowned Christmas exhibitions Kathryn Cogan 2001 38 Harriet Beecher Stowe Center 77 Forest St. Hartford, CT 06105 860-522-9258; www.harrietbeecherstowe.org 25,226 22 5 Twenty-first century museum links history to current issues and uses Harriet Beecher Stowe's life and work to inspire social justice and positive change Katherine Kane 1941 39 Connecticut State Capitol Tours 210 Capitol Ave. Hartford, CT 06106 860-240-0222; www.cga.ct.gov/capitoltours 23,299 5 10 Gold-domed State Capitol and legislative office buildings with tours featuring historic displays and statues Kimberly Fabrizio Tours 1971 building opened 1878 40 Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum 211 Main St. Wethersfield, CT 06109 860-529-0612; www.webb-deane-stevens.org 19,439 28 Visitors are immersed in the life of the mid-18th and early-19th centuries during one-hour tours; annual events to entertain and educate visitors Charles T. Lyle 1919 41 New England Carousel Museum 95 Riverside Ave. Bristol, CT 06010 860-585-5411; www.thecarouselmuseum.org 16,000 9 84 Museum of Fire History, Museum of Greek Culture, fine art galleries, regularly changing exhibitions, indoor carousel and the New England Carousel Museum Louise L. DeMars Morgan Urgo 1991 42 Barker Character, Comic & Cartoon Museum 1188 Highland Ave. (Route 10) Cheshire, CT 06410 203-699-3822; www.barkermuseum.com 15,000 2 0 Collection of about 80,000 cartoon or character-based toys and artifacts Herb Barker 1997 43 U.S. Coast Guard Museum 15 Mohegan Ave. New London, CT 06320 860-444-8511; www.uscg.mil/hq/cg092/museum 13,671 N/A Museum of the U.S. Coast Guard, maritime and military history, lifesaving and environmental histories Scott Price 1966 44 Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center 132 Main St. Ridgefield, CT 06877 203-438-5485; www.keelertavernmuseum.org 10,200 4 200 Eighteenth century historic house that was target of British cannon fire during the Revolutionary War, home to a Civil War chronicler and country retreat of Cass Gilbert, architect of U.S. Supreme Court and other landmark buildings Hildegard M. Grob 1966 45 New Haven Museum 114 Whitney Ave. New Haven, CT 06510 203-562-4183; www.newhavenmuseum.org 9,868 10 12 Collects, preserves and interprets the heritage of Greater New Haven bringing more than 375 years of history to life through collections, exhibitions, programs and outreach Margaret Anne Tockarshewsky 1862 (12) 46 New Custom House Maritime Museum 150 Bank St. New London, CT 06320 860-447-2501; www.nlmaritimesociety.org 6,000 1 50 Stories of New London's waterfront, museum tours, boat trips to three lighthouses (New London Harbor, Ledge, and Race Rock Light) Susan Tamulevich 1983 47 The Barnum Museum (13) 820 Main St. Bridgeport, CT 06604 203-331-1104; www.barnum-museum.org 5,000 N/A Exhibits featuring artifacts that belonged to P.T. Barnum, Tom Thumb and others, open June-August Kathy Maher 1893 48 Connecticut Trolley Museum 58 North Road East Windsor, CT 06088 860-627-6540; www.ct-trolley.org 3,300 9 150 Historical and educational experience, three-mile round trip on restored trolley cars, static displays, movie in the theater, gift shop, picnic area and entrance into Fire Museum Gina Maria Alimberti 1940 49 Prudence Crandall Museum (13) 1 S. Canterbury (Routes 14 & 169) Canterbury, CT 06331 860-546-7800; www.cultureandtourism.org 3,100 1 35 A National Historic Landmark; New England's first academy for African-American young women, established in 1833 by Connecticut's State Heroine Kazimiera Kozlowski 1984 50 Cedar Hill Cemetery & Foundation 453 Fairfield Ave. Hartford, CT 06114 860-956-3311; www.cedarhillcemetery.org 1,800 15 55 American rural cemetery, 270 acres of landscaped woodlands, waterways and memorial grounds; listed on the National Register of Historic Places, open from sunrise to sunset Beverly Lucas Mary Anne Hawthorne Cemetery 1864 foundation 1999 Source: Each attraction via survey, Connecticut Office of Tourism. Notes: N/A = not available or not applicable. Lake Compounce of Bristol and Ski Sundown of New Hartford do not disclose attendance. Hartford's Dillon Stadium is expected to be revitalized and reopened by spring 2019. (1) Includes part-time employees. (2) Run by the Bushnell Park Foundation. (3) An additional 11 seasonal employees. (4) An additional 66 student interns. (5) Approximately 150 student employees. (6) An additional 31 part-time employees. (7) Includes Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort. (8) Approximate figure from 2017 survey. (9) National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark. (10) Six seasonal employees. (11) Built in 1901; Theodate Pope Riddle's will stipulated that the property be established as a museum, which opened to the public in 1947 (12) Originally founded as New Haven Colony Historical Society. (13) Data from 2017 survey. —Compiled by Stephanie R. Meagher.

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