Discover 6 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in East Lyme (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Children's Museum of Southeastern Connecticut, Niantic River Bridge, and Thomas Lee House. Also, be sure to include Smith–Harris House in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in East Lyme (Connecticut).
Table of Contents
Children's Museum of Southeastern Connecticut
Cultural institute in East Lyme, Connecticut. The Children's Museum of Southeastern Connecticut is an interactive educational and cultural institution located in Niantic, Connecticut. Founded in 1992, the museum covers 5,000 square feet and is designed to encourage children to study arts, sciences, health, and various cultures.
The museum features 3 major areas: The Discovery Room features a variety of science-based activities. The Imaginative Play area featuring imagination playground building blocks that encourage kids to build various structures using large foam building blocks. Also in this area is a new train exhibit featuring Dreamup Toys of East Lyme, CT. The Global Village with cultural exhibits allowing interactive play and a Toddler Area for the smallest of visitors. The Outdoor Playspaces feature a tree house, chimes, a whale drum, giant sand pit, water area, a performing stage and an authentic two-person research submarine.[1]
Address: 409 Main St, 06357 Niantic
Niantic River Bridge
Bridge. Niantic River Bridge, also known as Amtrak Bascule Bridge No. 116.74, is a railroad bridge carrying Amtrak's Northeast Corridor line across the Niantic River between East Lyme and Waterford, Connecticut. It is a drawbridge with a bascule-type draw span. A new bridge was constructed in 2012 to replace the former span built in 1907. It opened on September 8, 2012. Related construction work finished in June 2013.[2]
Thomas Lee House
Museum in East Lyme, Connecticut. The Thomas Lee House is a historic house at the junction of Giant's Neck Road and Connecticut Route 156 in the Niantic section of East Lyme, Connecticut. Built about 1660, it is one of the oldest wood-frame houses in Connecticut. Restored in the early 20th century by Norman Isham, it is now maintained by the East Lyme Historical Society as a museum. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.[3]
Address: 228 W Main St, 06357-1013 Niantic
Smith–Harris House
Museum in East Lyme, Connecticut. The Smith–Harris House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Thomas Avery House, is a 2+1⁄2-story clapboarded Greek Revival home on Society Road in East Lyme, Connecticut. It is believed that the farmhouse was built in 1845–1846 as a wedding gift for Thomas Avery and Elizabeth Griswold. It remained in the Avery family until 1877, when it was purchased by William H. Smith. By the 1890s, the farm was managed by Smith's younger brother, Herman W. Smith, and nephew, Frank A. Harris. In 1900, the two married Lula and Florence Munger, sisters, and both resided in the house. In 1955, the house was sold to the Town of East Lyme, and the sisters continued to live in the house until requiring a nursing home. The house was saved from demolition by citizens and restored. It opened on July 3, 1976, as a historic house museum, operated and maintained by the Smith–Harris House Commission and the Friends of Smith–Harris House. It is open from June through August and throughout the year by appointment. The Smith–Harris house was added to the National Historic Register of Places on August 22, 1979.[4]
Samuel Smith House
Building in East Lyme. The Samuel Smith House is a historic First Period house at 82 Plants Dam Road in East Lyme, Connecticut. With a construction history dating to about 1700, it is one of the oldest buildings in the community, exhibiting a pattern of architectural changes over the 18th century. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 4, 1979.[5]
William Gorton Farm
Building in East Lyme. The William Gorton Farm, also known as the Bond Farm, is a historic farm complex at 14 West Lane in East Lyme, Connecticut. The site was continuously used for various agricultural pursuits from the late 17th to the early 20th centuries. The existing buildings date from the 18th century to the late 19th century, including a farmhouse, two barns, a blacksmith shop, and the remains of an icehouse and dock. The farm was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 5, 1984.[6]