Vibrant Arts & Culture

Home to world-class museums, award-winning theaters and an exceptional arts community.

Committed to supporting and enjoying a passion for arts and culture.

At the crossroads of fascinating historical sites, art museums and performance venues, you’ll find Connecticut’s dedication to supporting—and enjoying—arts and culture is second to none. The Nutmeg State is home to museum trails, Tony-winning theater companies, National Historic sites that celebrate painting, and landmarks that are as dramatic on the outside as the performances within.

Artistic gems that shine.

Connecticut offers an especially vibrant cultural scene — alive with theaters, restaurants, performing arts organizations and music venues of every kind. This includes five nationally acclaimed producing theaters and dozens of regional and local theaters.

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Cultural passion that performs.

Connecticut possesses a cultural richness that rivals states many times our size— and the food, music, art and dance that go with it. Whether you want to feel at home or experience something new, you’ll find it here, from New Haven’s Italian traditions to Hartford’s West Indian, African American and Latino roots to a growing LGBTQ population and many other communities around the state.

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Museums put us on the map.

There are 21 world-class museums and historic sites on the Connecticut Art Trail, and Connecticut also plays host to top-rated contemporary science museums, naval and military museums, railroad museums and much more.

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Historic sites show us how far we’ve come.

As one of the original 13 colonies, Connecticut has played a major role in the history of the U.S. — and its many well-preserved historic sites bring that past to life. Today, our dedication to preserving the past includes over 60 officially designated National Landmarks, from homes to libraries, factories to lighthouses.

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Just a few of Connecticut’s firsts.

Connecticut’s spirit of invention and innovation is part of its cultural DNA. Here are just a few of the many achievements that happened here before they happened anywhere else.

LouisLunch

The first hamburger served in America was at Louis Lunch in New Haven, CT, in 1900, and the restaurant is still in operation today!

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Wadsworth

The oldest public art museum still operating today (Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford, 1842)

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Yale

First Ph.D. degree issued in America (Yale University, 1861)

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The oldest and longest continuously operating amusement park in America (Lake Compounce, Bristol, 1846)

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Cultural Values

Support for all communities, diversity and inclusion are all part of Connecticut’s values.
Commuters on a train

Getting Around

Transportation options include air, rail and bus transit systems plus easy highway access.

Key Facts & Figures

Statistics and research that support our appeal as a great state to live, work and play.