Randy Fiveash; Director, Ct Dept. Of Tourism
2nd Connecticut ‘Still Revolutionary’ Fan Favorite Town program.
Connecticut is launching the second annual award-winning Connecticut Fan-Favorite: Town program on Thursday to shine a spotlight on the state’s unique towns and experiences. The socially-driven program calls for people to vote for the Connecticut town that they think most embodies the spirit of the state’s brand, still revolutionary — a haven for original ideas and innovation that offers a dynamic blend of experiences. Participants will also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite business, destination or attraction within that town. The winning town and destination will receive bragging rights for all of 2014 along with widespread promotional support. For each vote cast, people will be entered to win a getaway to Connecticut’s favorite still revolutionary 2013 town, Niantic.
Niantic created a really fun video to help perpetuate their win We are hoping many towns and destinations create fun and interesting content this year to help celebrate and promote their town and destinations.
Top towns and destinations with the most votes will be announced on a weekly basis. Participants can vote once a day on the Visit Connecticut Facebook page through July 25. Each vote counts as a chance to win the getaway. The grand prize getaway is packed with special stops in Niantic, including a four-night stay at the Inn at Harbor Hill Marina, Connecticut’s fan-favorite 2013 destination
Saturday, June 14, Connecticut’s Office of Tourism invites residents to come out and explore the state’s unique blend of destinations during the 10th annual Connecticut Open House Day. As part of the statewide event, more than 175 destinations are providing special offers for residents, from free state park admissions and boat cruises, to discounted spa services and more.
Residents can visit destinations all across the state, including:
- Governor’s Residence in Hartford – free admission from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., including tours of the outside sculpture garden and inside the Residence, plus lemon ice will be served on the outside patio.
- Mystic Aquarium in Mystic – offering $5 off general admission for up to four people when they mention Connecticut Open House Day and present a valid Connecticut ID, 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
- PEZ Visitor Center in Orange – free admission from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
- New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks – free admission from noon until 4 p.m.
- Harriet Beecher Stowe Center in Hartford – free admission from 9:30 a.m. with house tours, horse-drawn carriage rides and walking tours of Nook Farm, as well as a complimentary shuttle between Nook Farm and Amistad Center at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art.
- Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk – providing $2 off the discount combo ticket from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. The ticket includes admission into the Aquarium and a classic IMAX movie.
- Roseland Cottage in Woodstock – purchase one admission ticket and receive a second ticket for free. Open from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.
- The Adventure Park at Storrs – 10% ticket discount from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m.
- New England Carousel Museum in Bristol – from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., each visitor will receive half-off regular admission and a free ride on the carousel.
Open House Day continues to evolve year over year with 19 new participants including Soarin’ Indoors and the Southington Drive-In and Avon Theaters, among others, while it continues to attract pioneering members of the Open House Day family, such as Goodspeed Opera House, Henry Whitfield State Museum, Nathan Hale Homestead, Prudence Crandall Museum and American Clock & Watch Museum and more.