20+ Free Things To Do In Southeastern Connecticut

Southeastern Connecticut offers plenty of great experiences that won’t cost you a thing. From outdoor spots to historic sites, there’s something for every type of traveler. This guide shares the best free activities to help you plan your next budget-friendly outing.

Lavender Hill Farm Alpacas

If you’re looking for something unique and family-friendly to do in Connecticut, check out Lavender Hill Farm Alpacas in Voluntown. This farm offers visitors a chance to meet alpacas and shop handmade alpaca products. Farm tours are completely free, but donations are absolutely appreciated.
Learn more about visiting this farm: Lavender Hill Farm Alpacas in Connecticut

Seaside State Park

Seaside State Park in Waterford, Connecticut is the former site of the Seaside Sanatorium, which was a nationally recognized tuberculosis hospital. It has only been a state park since 2014, making it the state’s newest state park. This park with hauntingly beautiful historic buildings and coastal access is completely free to visit!
Learn more about visiting this park: The Unique Seaside State Park in Connecticut

Submarine Force Museum

This unique museum is located in Groton on the Thames River. This museum is home to the world’s finest collection of submarine artifacts and it’s also the home of the USS Nautilus, which was the first nuclear-powered submarine. The museum is operated by the U.S. Navy. It is completely free to visit.
Discover more things to do in Groton: 10+ Things to do in Groton, CT

Buttonwood Farm Sunflowers

In the summer months, Buttonwood Farm in Griswold is a great spot to visit. This farm is known for its beautiful sunflower fields, farm fresh ice cream, and scenic charm. It is actually considered the “Sunflower Capital of New England.” The walking field is completely free to visit. If you’d like to cut your own, you will need to pay, but the money goes towards Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Learn more about Buttonwood Farm: Buttonwood Farm Sunflowers and Ice Cream in Connecticut

Gillette Castle State Park

Gillette Castle was once the home of William Gillette, who was known for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes. Access to the grounds and Visitor Center is free. There are plenty of trails to explore and great river views from behind the castle. If you’re looking to tour the castle, you will need to pay.
Learn more about visiting this state park: Gillette Castle State Park

Ferry Landing State Park

Ferry landing state park in Old Lyme, CT, is a beautiful place to visit. The park has a beautiful boardwalk where you can enjoy views of the Connecticut River. There are also several picnic tables where visitors can enjoy a meal by the water. There’s no parking fees or admission fees to visit the park. NOTE: Right now the boardwalk is closed while they work on the train bridge, but the park is still open.
Learn more about visiting this park: Ferry Landing State Park

Mohegan Park

Mohegan Park in Norwich is a beautiful park to visit that’s completely free. The park is over 200 acres and there’s plenty to do within the park. There are walking trails, a pond where you can fish, a rose garden, a small beach, playgrounds, and even a disc golf course!
Discover more things to do in Norwich: Things to do in Norwich, Connecticut

Yantic Falls

Yantic Falls in Norwich is one of my favorite local waterfalls. Viewing this waterfall is very accessible and it does not require a hike. Enjoy views of the waterfall from multiple viewing platforms. There are also some old mill buildings you can check out within the park and there are bathrooms on-site. There are no fees for parking.
Discover more waterfalls in Connecticut: Don’t Miss These Stunning Waterfalls in Connecticut

Lantern Hill

This hike in North Stonington is one of my favorite hikes with views in southeastern Connecticut. Lantern Hill offers a short, but steep, trail that leads to views of Lantern Hill Pond and Foxwoods Resort. On clear days, you can even see Long Island Sound in the distance! There’s no fee to park here.
Learn more about the hike: Lantern Hill Trail Hike CT

The Book Barn

Let me just start off by saying that the Book Barn in Niantic is a book lover’s paradise. This bookshop has a collection of over 350,000 gently used and rare books. But, this spot is also about the experience. There are gardens, fun games, and even farm animals! You can easily spend hours here. And, there’s no admission to experience all that it has to offer!
Discover more unique things to do in CT: Unique Things to do in Connecticut

Avery-Copp House

If you’re into historic homes, be sure to check out the Avery-Copp Museum in Groton. This beautiful home on Thames Street was built in 1800. The house is still filled with the family’s possessions, which is not typical for many house museums. Touring the home is free, but they do accept donations to help with the preservation of the home.
Discover more historic houses to tour in CT: 13 Historic Houses You Can Tour in Connecticut

Ledyard Up-Down Sawmill

The Ledyard Up-Down Sawmill is a historic water-powered up-down sawmill that you can actually see in action. The sawmill is open seasonally. You can see the saw cut through wood as well as the parts that make the sawmill work underneath. The park where the sawmill is situated is open year-round and it features a pond with a loop trail around it. While it is free to visit, donations are accepted to help with the preservation of this historic site.
Discover more things to do in Ledyard: Things to do and Places to Eat in Ledyard, CT

Nathan Lester House Museum

The Nathan Lester House in Gales Ferry is a historic home you can tour in Connecticut. The house was built in 1793. The docents of this house are very knowledge about the details of the house as well as the history. There are also hiking trails on the property that you can explore during your visit. The house and grounds are completely free to visit.
Discover more historic house museums in southeastern CT: Historic House Museums in Southeastern Connecticut

Thomas Lee House

The Thomas Lee House in Niantic is right up the road from the entrance to Rocky Neck State Park. This house is one of the oldest wood frame houses in Connecticut in its primitive state. It was built in 1660. The docents here are very knowledgeable and kind! There’s also an old schoolhouse the property and a barn with various exhibits. While it’s free to visit, donations are accepted to help with the preservation of the house.
Discover more things to do in Niantic: Things To Do in Niantic, Connecticut

Fort Trumbull State Park

Fort Trumbull in New London has a legacy of service spanning two and a half centuries, from the American Revolution to World War II to the Cold War. It’s definitely worth a visit if you get the chance! While you do have to pay to go inside the fort and the museum, it is completely free to walk the grounds and admire the outside of the fort and the river views.
Discover more things to do in New London: Things To Do In New London, Connecticut

Hewitt Farm

Hewitt Farm in North Stonington offers scenic trails that are perfect for a relaxing hike through open fields and woodlands. It’s an easy, family-friendly spot with plenty of natural beauty, history, and local charm. There are various trails to explore, including one that takes you to an old cemetery.
Discover more things to do in North Stonington: Things To Do In North Stonington, Connecticut

Fort Shantok

Visiting Fort Shantok in Uncasville offers a peaceful blend of natural beauty and deep Mohegan tribal history. Scenic forest trails lead you to the historic fort site and views overlooking the Thames River. It’s located a couple miles from Mohegan Sun Casino.
Learn more about visiting this park: Fort Shantok Park in Uncasville CT

Walk Around Olde Mistick Village

Olde Mistick is a great place to walk around year-round. It’s a fun place to window shop, but there’s also a duck pond where you visit the resident ducks! In the winter months, the village is completely decked out with festive lights that are also free to enjoy.
Discover more things to do in Mystic: Things to Do & Places to Eat in Mystic, CT

The Connecticut College Arboretum

The Connecticut College Arboretum is a peaceful 750 acre park filled with natural beauty and native plant collections. With miles of walking trails and scenic landscapes, it’s perfect for nature lovers and casual explorers alike. It’s free and open to the public year-round from sunrise to sunset.
Discover more parks to visit in Connecticut: 13 Connecticut Parks Too Beautiful Not To Visit

Stoddard Hill State Park

Stoddard Hill State Park is one of my favorite spots to watch the sunset in southeastern Connecticut. This park is situated along the Thames River in Gales Ferry. You can enjoy the water views or explore the hiking trails at the park. There’s even an old cemetery you can check out towards the beginning of the trail. There’s no parking fee here.
Discover sunset spots in southeastern CT: 10+ Sunset Spots To Check Out In Southeastern Connecticut

Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park

This park in Groton is great to visit if you’re into war history. The historical park is the site of the largest Revolutionary War battle in Connecticut, the 1781 British massacre of colonial militia. You can walk the grounds, climb the monument, and check out the museum for free. However, if you’re not into history, it’s still great to visit since it offers great views of the Thames River.
Discover more coastal towns to explore in southeastern CT: Coastal Towns To Visit In Souteastern Connecticut

Brookside Farm Museum

The Smith-Harris House at the Brookside Farm Museum in Niantic is a beautifully restored Greek Revival farmhouse. The house was built in 1845 and it’s on the National Historic Register. The house museum features mid-19th century life and later through the story of the Avery, Smith, and Harris families. They often have free events here during their season and they also have some hiking trails to explore on the property. While it is free, donations are appreciated to help with the preservation of the house.
Discover more places in CT to step back in time: Connecticut Towns That Make You Feel Like You Stepped Back In Time