Location: Branford
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The 10 Best Things to Do in Branford, United States
Branford is a shoreline town located on Long Island Sound in New Haven County, Connecticut, 8 miles (13 km) east of New Haven. The population was 28,026 at the 2010 census.
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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. Thimble Islands
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 236 reviews
Reviewed By Lynn C - Shelton, Connecticut
Earlier this summer we watched the sunset at the point and saw they did Thimble Islands tours, so when we did a stay vacation, we went and was not disappointed. It was a beautiful day and got to see the homes that are on the Islands with the history of the Islands. Highly recommend.
3. Shore Line Trolley Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 91 reviews
Reviewed By Planemeister - Magnolia Delaware
Even if you are a casual visitor this place is wonderful. The volunteer and paid staff are friendly and knowledgeable and relate interesting information without being in any way boring. The trolley cars themselves are wonderfully preserved and you can ride in them while learning a little history. I made arrangements in advance and was able to operate more than one streetcar for a modest donation. Electric trolleys are a largely forgotten part of American history that shaped how our cities expanded in the early 20th century. The scenery along the rail line is wonderful. If you like mechanical things, history or just nostalgia treat yourself to a great afternoon here, you will be glad you did!
4. Bishop's Orchards
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 165 reviews
Reviewed By Bob J - Old Saybrook, CT
Bishop's Orchards is tough to describe. There is a small supermarket with an incredible variety of fresh produce (besides apples), baked good, wines, meats, frozen items as well as meals ready to heat and sandwiches. Outside they have a seasonal floral market, animals, and pick your own produce that changes with the season.
Easy on and off Exit 57 of I-95 in CT. Just follow the Wine Tour signs.
5. Rose Orchards
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By peggyvb - Woodmere, New York
we liked this place a lot last year but found the porta potties to be gross. I guess going on a weekday was why one was clean this trip. That aside, the apple picking is lovely with the farm animals, pumpkins, little store with great pies and ice cream stand. Our grandson loved it. It is smaller and quieter than Bishops which is just 2 exits further.
6. 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.
7. Thimble Island Cruise
Overall Ratings
5 based on 73 reviews
Reviewed By ShelSouthShore_MA - South Shore, MA
We had a nice morning, cruising through the Thimble Islands. We were on the middle sized boat as the big boat was not cruising that day. The wait can be long and hot but the cruise is very entertaining and informative, Fun Day!
8. Yale Center for British Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 290 reviews
Note: The Center is temporarily closed for building conservation through February 2016. We apologize for any inconvenience. The Yale Center for British Art is a public art museum and world-renowned research institute. Presented to Yale University by Paul Mellon (Yale College Class of 1929), the Center houses the largest collection of British art outside the United Kingdom. The collection of paintings, sculpture, prints, drawings, rare books, and manuscripts reflects the development of British art and life from the Elizabethan period to the present day. Works on view include masterpieces by Thomas Gainsborough, J.M.W. Turner, and John Constable, as well as artists from Europe and America who lived and worked in Britain. Perhaps its greatest treasure is the building itself, a masterpiece of modern architecture designed by architect Louis I. Kahn. Located in downtown New Haven, the Center is near many of the city's best restaurants, theaters, and shops.
Reviewed By sundown_10 - Maryland
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the vast collection of British art. The museum presents the works in an artistic way where the art is accessible to view.
9. Overshores Brewing
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By tigg189074 - Hartford, Connecticut
My husband and I visited the brewery this past weekend. There's a pretty big tap room with lots of tables and seats available at the bar. They sell tastings - this time we visited there were three available on tap. They also sell a variety of other Belgian style beers. There were two test batches they had available that we were able to try. The guy serving the tastings was friendly and appeared to be an owner (so he knew a lot about the beer). Great place if you enjoy Begian beers. They also offer tours as well.
10. Stony Creek Brewery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 105 reviews
Reviewed By Janet S - Branford
One of my favorite places to hang out with friends any day of the week! On a nice summer day it's great to be outside by the river. I have also been there in the winter, and it's just as fun inside, cozy by the fire. Although it's not my favorite beer, they always have a good variety, with something for everyone. Cheers!
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