Location: Derby
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10 Things to Do in Derby That You Shouldn't Miss
Derby is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 12,903 at the 2010 census. It is the smallest consolidated city of Connecticut by area and population.
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1. Yale University Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
5 based on 786 reviews
Yale University Art Gallery is the oldest college art museum in America. The Gallery’s encyclopedic holdings of 200,000 objects range from ancient times to the present day and represent civilizations from around the globe. FREE and open to the public. On December 12, 2012, the Yale University Art Gallery celebrated the grand opening of the renovated and expanded museum. The expanded Gallery transforms the visitor experience of both the museum and its esteemed collections. The project united the 1953 modernist structure designed by Louis Kahn, the 1928 Old Yale Art Gallery, and the 1866 Street Hall into one continuous structure while maintaining the distinctive architectural identity of each.
Reviewed By kzsull01 - Windsor, Connecticut
My husband and I visited the Yale University Art Gallery in New Haven, Connecticut on Sunday, March 4th, 2018. This museum is excellent and offers a comprehensive view of various types of art. It has quite an impressive and beautifully curated collection of objects. We have visited this museum multiple times in the past and have always found it to be very enjoyable, interesting and educational. Each different type of art on display is in its own gallery, usually having multiple rooms, and has a very nice overview describing the art as well as such aspects as its historical, cultural, political and religious impact, depending on what is applicable. We spent about an hour in the museum this time and did not see all the exhibits. Our focus this time was on the special exhibits on the fourth floor as well as a few of the galleries on the second floor that we did not have the opportunity to spend as much time in as we would have liked during our last visit. It would probably take at least four hours to see the entire museum. This museum is definitely worth the visit and has a very nice added bonus of free admission. The only drawback of this museum is that it does not offer free parking and you may have to pay to park depending upon where you park and when you come.
The ‘Japan’s Global Baroque, 1550 – 1650’ special exhibit was exquisite with elegant objects illustrating the critical role that both imported and domestic goods played in Japanese art and culture during the momentous period of the 16th and 17th centuries. The ‘Pompeii: Photographs and Fragments’ special exhibit highlights the changing representations over time of Pompeii, a city destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79 and since then frozen in time through excavation and preservation. Large-scale photographs of Pompeii are on display and show the ongoing cycles of deterioration and preservation that mark it as a living landscape. Images of reliefs, frescoes, paintings and sculptures as well as fragments of ancient Roman wall paintings and a number of other different types of domestic objects from the period and region are also displayed within this exhibit making it both very interesting and unique. Both these special exhibits were nicely done and worth seeing.
In addition to the special exhibits, we went to the second floor. On the second floor was beautiful European Art, including vibrant Italian Renaissance paintings, a gallery of Dutch Art as well as excellent paintings by such artists as Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas and many others. Also on this floor was a large collection of Asian Art, including exhibits on the ‘Line as Design in Japanese Art’, the ‘Origin of Chinese Writings’, art from the Safavid (modern day Iranian) dynasty, art of a popular, playful, and powerful Hindu god Krishna, with the ‘Krishna: The Divine Cowherd’ exhibit, and much, much more.
Below I included what we saw during our visit in late November 2017 to give highlights on the remaining galleries in the museum to provide a complete review of the entire museum and all it has to offer, which is definitely quite a bit.
On the first floor we enjoyed the African Art exhibit highlighting major themes that unite different local traditions to understand the aesthetics, meaning, and historical depth associated with this art. On display were many items, including masks, sculptures, statuettes, chairs, jewelry, ceramics, textiles and horns. This was a nicely done exhibit. Also on the first floor was Ancient American Art, with art of the Maya, from Mexico to the Andes. There was also Art of the Ancient Mediterranean with objects providing insights into politics, culture and religion, including statues, coins, wood carvings, vases, ceramic figurines, numismatic curiosities as well as many other artifacts. The next gallery on the first floor was the Dura-Europos (modern day Syria) gallery. Included was Tomb24 in the Necropolis at Dura-Europos. Also in the exhibit was armor, the shrine to the god Mithras, jewelry, pottery and textiles. In addition, there was the first known painting of the Virgin Mary and the earliest surviving house church. All the exhibits on the first floor were very interesting, enjoyable and educational, with much historical significance.
On floor 2E there was American Art before 1900, with historical paintings on the American Revolution, including George Washington at Princeton and Trenton and other paintings by John Trumbull depicting such subjects as the Declaration of Independence and the Battle of Bunker Hill. As we continued through the American Art galleries there were portrait miniatures, self-portrait prints, sculptures by Augustus Saint-Gaudens and landscape paintings of multiple places, such as, the Catskills, Niagara Falls and Mount Katahdin, all very beautiful.
There was also quite an extensive collection of American Decorative Art housed in multiple galleries, broken down into time periods, from the 17th century to the present day. In these galleries were many items, such as, furniture, including chairs, chests and highboys. There was also silver, tin glaze earthenware, pottery, dinnerware, and rooms from both a North Branford and a Hebron home, among many other items. In addition, there was an impressive exhibit on American coins, medal and silver from 1670 to the present as well as Benjamin Franklin items on display.
The third floor had an Indo-Pacific Art Gallery, with the art of maritime South East Asia, as well as a Modern and Contemporary Art and Design exhibit with paintings, including some by Pablo Picasso, sculptures, furniture and decorative arts.
We highly recommend this museum. It definitely has a lot to offer, much more than what I have mentioned here. I only provided some highlights in this write-up based on our experience during our visit. We hope that you have the opportunity to visit it and enjoy it as much as we did.
2. PEZ Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4 based on 433 reviews
Come see and experience the PEZ brand in person. Over 4,000 square feet dedicated to all things PEZ! See the largest, most comprehensive collection of PEZ memorabilia on public display in the world, PEZ motorcycle built by Orange County Choppers, the world's largest PEZ dispenser, viewing area into our production area, PEZ trivia game, factory store, interactive historical time line and much more. Learn about the brand that has been inspiring and innovating since 1927! Open 7 days! Easy access off I-95 at exit 41 in Orange, Connecticut. Plenty of free parking!
Reviewed By blacksteps2017 - Richmond, Virginia
We raced to get there - even calling from the road to plead our case - we'd been driving since Maine and traffic on I-95 wasn't under our control. When we arrived at the factory we were forced to buy an extra ticket because apparently they "don't do tours for less than 5 people"! Admittedly, my adrenaline was pretty high since we'd hauled ash to get there for the last tour of the day so to be told pay up or you don't get a tour really rubbed me the wrong way at the time; that was Monday and now it's Thursday and I'm still annoyed because after my husband and I paid for the extra ticket (with my husband "shushing" me for complaining), some grandparents and their grandkids decided to take the tour! That was four additional people - did we get a refund of our useless ticket? No. Anyway, it was interesting and the guy who did the tour was kind of a Pez celebrity, so that was neat.
3. Silver Sands State Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 350 reviews
Reviewed By ItIsSunny
Parking is free and, after leaving the parking lot, the paved & wooden walkways are well-kept. The walkways do drop abruptly into the sand, causing an unexpected drop & twisted ankle if you're not watching. The only toilet was a portable type in the parking lot. There were a few benches from which one could sit and watch the beautiful shoreline. Nice place to walk. Beaches were well-maintained.
4. Jones Family Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 196 reviews
We offer a variety of seasonal crops: * Strawberries in June/July * Blueberries in July/Aug * Pumpkins and Squash in October * Christmas Trees from Thanksgiving to Christmas Additionally, we have some on-site activities with our Winery and Harvest Kitchen Cooking Studio. * Winery Tasting Room is open mid-March through December, closed January till mid-March. Visit our website for hours of operation as they expand through the months into summer and fall. * Harvest Kitchen Cooking Studio is open late March through December for scheduled educational events. Visit our website for list of upcoming events for both Cooking Education and Wine Education Classes that you can register for online. Jones Family Farms consists of 3 farm locations in Shelton that are in close proximity, but with unique street addresses as you plan your visits. * Homestead Farm - 606 Walnut Tree Hill Road * Pumpkin Seed Hill Farm - 120 Beardsley Road * Valley Farm - 555 Walnut Tree Hill Road History Established in 1850. Jones Family Farms, nestled in the White Hills of Shelton, with its 19th century dairy barn and homestead farmhouse, impresses the visitor as a peaceful and relaxed living environment. The beautiful countryside with its orderly rows of Christmas trees, neat stonewalls, and well-maintained fields are the result of efforts by seven generations of Jones family farmers. The farmers of the 400-acre working farm invite families to visit and harvest seasonal crops. Presently under cultivation are 200 acres of Christmas trees, 15 acres of strawberries, 15 acres of blueberries, and 25 acres of pumpkins, gourds and squash. The Jones farmers harvest these crops from three different farm locations known as the Homestead Farm, the Valley Farm, and Pumpkinseed Hill. The farm also manages 50 acres of hay land and 50 acres of woodlots. Over five acres of grapes are in production for the farm's winery.
Reviewed By Andres72423 - Bridgeport, Connecticut
Off to our annual visit to Jones Farms to get our two Christmas tree. The season just opened and we were there early in the morning to get our trees. Best time to go to beat the post-Thanksgiving rush. The staff is always very helpful...MoreThanks for the summary Andres! It looks like you cover a lot of ground on your visit! We are happy to help you start celebrating the traditions of the Christmas season!
5. Ansonia Nature & Recreation Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By Gloria H - Fairfield, Connecticut
This was first visit here. I had recently read about the newly installed playground and it sounded really nice. My granddaughter loved playing there. The wooden play set is quite large with lots to do. There are a number of slides, climbing areas, swings, a swing tire. The area has lots of shade too. We will definitely return. In addition there are walking trails and a nature center building too.
6. New England Brewing Company
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By RussellJW - Falls Church, VA
Small brewery near New Haven, they have a good, but limited (7-8) selection of beers. Friendly helpful beertenders. The beers all have great sounding names like Fuzzy Duck, Combover or Weiss Trash. I found all the beer to be really good, full of flavor from the quality ingredients they use. The tap room is fairly small, with stand up tables. Lots of people coming and going after having filled their growlers. On a weekday, there was ample parking, no lines and plenty of cold beer. Recommend New England Brewing Company if you want some good locally made beer. Glad I made the effort to get here.
7. Derby Greenway
Overall Ratings
5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By edfc - Connecticut
The Derby Greenway is approx. 3.5 miles long. You are able to park easily in Bj's parking lot and walk across the street. The beginning of the greenway is up a small incline and it is easy to walk. At about the 3/4 mile mark you cross under Route 34 and when you emerge on the other side you will not believe where you are. The area is forested with ponds and wildlife. You can either complete the loop and return or go under the Route 8 bridge and take several pedestrian bridges to downtown Derby. The entire walk is on a wide paved path and if you are not up to walking the entire path even a short walk is wonderful. Bikes are allowed but pets are not which makes for a nice clean path with no surprises along the way
8. Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library
Overall Ratings
5 based on 200 reviews
Reviewed By acukiert - sao paulo, Brazil
This is a fantastic place to visit, although it could be seen in less then an hour. The architecture is fantastic, qnd the books....no words. If you are part of a research protocol, you would have access to some really old books. Simply amazing.
9. Beardsley's Cider Mill & Orchard
Overall Ratings
5 based on 51 reviews
Reviewed By lforish - Shelton, Ct
Best pies and apple cider around. Friendly employees and very interestic products for sale in the store.
10. Savino Vineyards
Overall Ratings
4 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By Samantha N
I stopped by on a whim and enjoyed myself. I came alone and was worried it would be awkward, but it wasn't. The ladies behind the bar were very friendly and knowledgeable. The back patio is very well kept and I was able to enjoy some time outside listening to the wind and birds outside as well as the laughter from inside.
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