Best Classic Attractions in Connecticut | 2015 Editors’ Choice Awards

There’s a lot to see in do in the Nutmeg State, but some activities really stand the test of time. Read our picks for the best classic attractions in Connecticut.

Historic Highlight – Best Clams The Place, Guilford (1940s) They arrive at your table in a bath of buttery cocktail sauce, still on a grill grate, straight off the wood fire. Instantly you understand why folks have been pulling off Route 1 to savor roasted littlenecks here since 1971. Actually, this casual, seasonal clambake restaurant’s origins stretch back to the 1940s, and one other thing has never changed: tree stumps for seats. 901 Boston Post Road. 203-453-9276; theplaceguilford.com Historic Highlight – Best Throwback Bar The Owl Shop, New Haven (1934) A drink and a smoke? It’s outlawed just about everywhere except at this warm, masculine, well-ventilated cigar bar, where live jazz packs the house on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Why? This landmark’s long history as a tobacconist exempts it from smoke-free statutes. Joe Lentine has handcrafted the shop’s aficionado-caliber tobacco blends since 1964. 268 College St. 203-624-3250; owlshopcigars.com Historic Highlight – Best Arts Hub Florence Griswold Museum, Old Lyme (1947) Florence Griswold’s boardinghouse became the epicenter of American Impressionism when she hosted preeminent painters in the early 20th century. This 11-acre museum complex strives to remain Creativity Central, with a packed calendar of programs like Make-a-Painting Sundays, Art Bar happy-hour workshops, outdoor festivals, and changing exhibits. 96 Lyme St. 860-434-5542; florencegriswoldmuseum.org Historic Highlight – Best Art-House Cinema Bantam Cinema, Bantam (1927) The first moviegoers to escape reality inside this barn-like, two-screen theatre watched silent f licks with organ accompaniment. That was 1927, and Connecticut’s oldest continuously operating movie house f inally ditched its 1930s-vintage equipment for a digital projection system in 2013. If they ever abandon real butter, those who adore the popcorn and eclectic films will surely revolt. 115 Bantam Lake Road. 860-567-1916; bantamcinema.com Historic Highlight – Best Century-Old Ride Bushnell Park Carousel, Hartford (1914) Hartford’s treasured merry-go-round, with its 48 meticulously restored, hand-carved wooden horses—one of fewer than 200 survivors of carousels’ golden age—turned 100 in 2014. This year, she receives a fitting gift. The pavilion that houses this antique ride has been renovated with heat and indoor restrooms to enable year-round operation. Spins on this work of art remain $1. 1 Jewell St. 860-585-5411; thecarouselmuseum.org