Connecticut Impressionist Art Trail

The Connecticut Art Trail, which was formally known as the Connecticut Impressionist Art Trail, provides access to fifteen world-class museum and historic sites, all along a single travel path. The trail began in 1995 and at the time, included only the ten museums and sites that celebrated Impressionist art. The area attracted Impressionist painters because of its natural beauty at the start of the 20th century. Popular painters including John Twachtman, Elmber Livingston MacRae, William Chadwick and Childe Hassam came to the state to paint the rivers, countryside, villages and shoreline for which the state is known. The trail expanded to include museums focusing on styles other than Impressionism in 2005 and grew to fifteen member museums and sites in 2008. Museums include the Bruce Museum, the Weir Farm National Historic Site, the Greenwich Historical Society/Bush-Holley Historic Site, the Yale University Art Gallery, the Florence Griswold Museum and the Hill-Stead Museum. Visitors to the trail can purchase an Art Pass which offers admission to several museums for one low price. The Art Trail group also offers recommendations for lodging packages, dining options and other attractions along the trail. Many travelers enjoy Art Trail Getaways that enable visitors to enjoy the art history of the area and stay in some of the finest accommodations the state features.