Staycations Offer Diversions Close To Home

For Connecticut residents not wanting to venture far from home for their summer vacation, the Connecticut Art Trail offers 15 world-class museums and historic sites as the centerpiece of vacation experiences, all within the state’s borders.

Connecticut Art Trail offers enticing “Staycation” options and special offers that are valid through Labor Day. In all cases, mention Staycation and show proof of Connecticut residency and venues will have specials for visitors.

Among the CT Art Trail locations and their specials are Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington, with $1 off admission; Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford will give a free gift with a Museum Shop purchase and $2 off admission on Tuesdays; and The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield, with a “Contemporary Art Meets History Package,” giving 20 percent off a two-night stay at the West Lane Inn, two tickets to the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Weir Farm National Historic Site in nearby Wilton and neighboring Keeler Tavern Museum, plus a free glass of wine with purchase of dinner at Luc’s Café and Restaurant, also in Ridgefield.

Yale University Art Gallery has created a “Starry Nights” hotel package at the four-star Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale, including overnight accommodation with breakfast, welcome gift, reservations to Van Gogh’s “Cypresses” and “The Starry Night” at YUAG, shopping coupons, drinks at the hotel’s rooftop bar, $50 gift certificate for Zinc or Chow Restaurant, and self-parking for $299/night, double occupancy, valid through September 7.

The following museums are offering free admission on given days through the Staycation program: The New Britain Museum of American Art, Saturdays 10 am to noon; Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Tuesdays; Mattatuck Museum Arts & History Museum, Waterbury, free under ages 16; Bruce Museum, Greenwich, free on Tuesdays; Bush-Holley Historic Site, free on Tuesdays; and Center for Contemporary Printmaking in Norwalk, Weir  Farm National Historic Site, and William Benton Museum of Art at UConn-Storrs, are all always free.

Visit www.ArtTrail.org for a detailed description of each museum, Trail Getaway itineraries, lodging packages and recommended lodging, dining and area attractions near each museum.