Florence Griswold Museum

Begin at the  Florence Griswold Museum old Lyme. Born in 1850, Griswold nourished the creative spirits of American Impressionists, including William Henry Howe, Matilde Browne and Childe Hassam. While living and working at her Georgian mansion, they painted on its walls and doors, and you can view those panels on a visit to the 11-acre site (it also includes an education center, restored gardens, and the Krieble Gallery).

Stop for ice cream at the James Gallery & Soda Fountain in Old Saybrook. 

Prudence Crandall House Museum

In Canterbury, visit the  Prudence Crandall House Museum. Crandall (1803-1890) enraged her community when she welcomed black women to enroll alongside wealthy whites in her academy on Canterbury Green. The Black Law that forbade her to operate the school was repealed in 1838.

Stay overnight at the lodge of your choice.

Harriet Beecher Stowe Center

Start your day at Hartford’s Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, and learn about the author who rocked the world with the publication of Uncle Tom’s Cabin in 1852. The historic site includes a Visitor Center (1873 carriage house), the Stowe House (open for tours), the Katharine Seymour Day House (named for Stowe’s grandniece, founder of the Stowe Center), and eight Victorian gardens.

Hill-Stead Museum

Drive to Farmington, home of the  Hill-Stead Museum, a 152-acre, 10-building museum and a National Historic Landmark. The original country estate was built between 1898 and 1901 by architect Theodate Pope Riddle. Paintings by Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, and Mary Cassatt are among the notable works on display.