Located at the crossroads of Connecticut, the city of Meriden is around two hours between Boston and New York. This historic downtown is known to be the epicenter of recreation with Westfield shopping malls that includes 150 shops and amazing restaurants. Being just 20 minutes away from New Haven and Hartford, the city is slated to become a railway stoppage on the New Haven –Hartford Springfield railway commuting line. The city allows visitors to indulge in many recreational outdoor activities such as visiting the Hubbard Park, Wadsworth Falls State Park, Giuffrida Park, and Meriden Lions Club Park. The city is also home to many historic places, shops, museums, and great dining options. Here are the best things to do in Meriden, Connecticut.
1. Admire the historic landmark at Castle Craig
This popular historical landmark in Meriden is located on the top of East Peak in Hanging Hills. This observation tower was built of stone and it measures 32 feet (10 meters) in height and 58 feet (17.67 meters) in circumference. Built in 1900, this tower was a gift from the President of Bradley and Hubbard Manufacturing company to the common people of Meriden. The metal interior stairway leads to the top of the tower offering a beautiful view of the surrounding region.
Castle Craig
Address: Peak Dr, Meriden, CT 06451, United States
Website: Castle Craig
Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 10am - 7pm; Mon - Fri: 10am - 4:45pm
Price: Free
2. Bring your family to Meriden Historical Museum
Posted by Meriden Historical Society on Saturday, 9 December 2017
Housed inside Andrew Homestead, one of the oldest homes in Meriden, this museum is open to visitors every Sunday. It invites its guests to explore the different historical exhibits. The museum’s exhibit is split into two sections. The main level of the Andrew Hampstead comprises of the special exhibits of the colonial era and the different items made in Meriden. The other section consists of permanent exhibits, different historical artifacts, and other collections.
Meriden Historical Museum
Address: 1090 Hanover Ave, Meriden, CT 06451, United States
Website: Meriden Historical Museum
Opening hours: Sun: 11am - 3pm (closed from Mon - Sat)
Price: Free
3. Swing by the historic Solomon Goffe House
This historic museum is located in north downtown Meriden. Built in 1711, this historic museum is one of the oldest remaining buildings in the city. This wood-frame structure holds great historical significance and attracts a lot of tourists every year. The museum is open for visitors during the summer season and even organizes conducted tours. These tours are offered on the first Sunday of each month with a different theme every month.
Solomon Goffe House
Address: 667 N Colony Rd, Meriden, CT 06450, United States
Website: Solomon Goffe House
Opening hours: Sun: 1:30pm - 4:30pm (closed from Mon - Sat)
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
4. Enjoy hiking at Hubbard Park
Located in the hanging hills outside the city center of Meriden, this park is a popular tourist destination listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The park is spread over an area of 1800 acres (728.43 hectares) and features hiking trails, picnic areas, flower gardens, streams, woodlands and the Mirror Lake. The Craig Tower is part of Hubbard Park allowing visitors to explore the beautiful view of the area from the top of the tower. The Park boasts a 51 mile (82.07 km) long trail and is best suitable for bicycling, mountain biking and hiking. Bring you family for a fantastic hike here.
Hubbard Park
Address: 999 W Main St, Meriden, CT 06451, United States
Website: Hubbard Park
Opening hours: 8am - 9pm (daily)
Price: Free
5. Have a relaxing time at Scotty O Boyles Pub
Posted by Scotty O'Boyles on Monday, 9 January 2017
This pub in Meriden is a great place to have a relaxing time over great food and drinks. This sports bar cum restaurant offers a friendly ambiance with great beer and drinks. The restaurant has an outdoor seating arrangement thus it creates the perfect ambiance to have a wonderful time with friends and family. The restaurant also hosts a karaoke event every Tuesday night and boasts a great variety of beer ranging from Bud Light, Budweiser, Lionshead IPA, to Shipyard Finder, Two Roads Little Heaven and many more.
Scotty O Boyles Pub
Address: 505-531 N Colony Rd, Meriden, CT 06450, United States
Website: Scotty O Boyles Pub
Opening hours: Sat : 12pm - 2am; Sun: 11:45am - 1am; Mon - Thu: 3pm - 1am; Fri: 3pm - 2am
6. Take a stroll at Meriden Green
This green park is located in the heart of downtown Meriden. The park is known as ‘Meriden Green’ and it is spread over an area of 14 acres (5.66 hectares). This piece of land plays a vital role in bringing transformation to the downtown of Meriden. The transformation includes development in areas that require a flood control infrastructure, transportation, and housing. Even an additional 3 acres (1.21 hectares) of land has been selected to be used for development along Mill Street and Pratt Street.
Meriden Green
Address: 77 State St, Meriden, CT 06450, United States
Website: Meriden Green
Price: Free
7. Explore your love for art at Gallery 53
Located in the downtown of Meriden, this 110-year-old art gallery is popular for its great visual arts and in making art an important part of the local community. The gallery boasts many exhibits, gift shops, events, workshops, parties and also conducts weekly classes to make art more accessible to artists, non-artists, and hobbyists. This art gallery was built in the year 1907 dedicated to the cultural upliftment and enrichment of the local community and is one of the oldest visual art galleries in Connecticut.
Gallery 53
Address: 53 Colony St, Meriden, CT 06451, United States
Website: Gallery 53
Opening hours: Sat: 10am - 2pm; Tue - Fri: 12am - 4pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
Price: 5 - 65 USD
8. Hike Phase II of The Meriden Linear Trail
Posted by Meriden Linear Trails on Saturday, 3 March 2018
This land was identified by the Meriden Linear Trail Advisory Committee for the development of multi-purpose trails for education, recreation and enjoyment of the young kids living in the city of Meriden. This long trail is perfect for leisurely walks and is a perfect road for adventure lovers. It is indeed great for campers and hikers too. This long linear trail offers a beautiful view of the Quinnipiac River, Sodom Brook and Handover Pond. The opening of the pond and the river gorge in 2007 led to the expansion of 3000 acres (1214 hectares) of land under the Meriden Park division.
Phase II Of The Meriden Linear Trail
Address: Quinnipiac Trail, Meriden, CT 06451, United States
Website: Phase II Of The Meriden Linear Trail
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
9. Indulge in Italian delights at Lido's Pizza Restaurant
This Italian restaurant in Meriden is known for serving authentic Italian cuisine just the way it is served in Italy. The restaurant offers a variety of items in appetizers and salads, entrees, wraps and grinders, pizzas and calzones. You can also create your own choice of pizzas with mushrooms, pepperoni, meatballs, olives, sausage, and onions with additional toppings.
Lido's Pizza Restaurant
Address: 75 Pomeroy Ave, Meriden, CT 06450, United States
Website: Lido’s Pizza Restaurant
Opening hours: Fri - Sat : 11am - 11pm; Sun: 12pm -10pm; Tue - Thu: 11am - 10pm (closed on Mon)
10. Witness lush greenery at Doctor Francis Giuffrida Park
Taken last night from the ridge, facing west
Posted by Giuffrida Park on Wednesday, 13 June 2018
Located in the north of East Meriden, Francis Giuffrida Park has an elevation of 95 meters (311.68 feet) and is a perfect getaway for long hikes. The park offers a beautiful view of the wetland meadow and the quiet reservoir. A hike to the Chauncey Peak can let you experience the spectacular views of the surrounding area. All these ridges are extremely steep and hence one needs to be cautious of the wet and snowy weather. Apart from the trails that climb to the ridgelines, there are other trails as well with similar terrain. Consider the season you choose to arrive at this location for a safe hike.
Doctor Francis Giuffrida Park
Address: 800 Westfield Rd, Meriden, CT 06450, United States
Website: Doctor Francis Giuffrida Park
Price: Free
11. Walk up to the Entrance to Guiffrida Park and Chauncey Peak
The Meriden Land Trust provides a complete guide with a proper hiking description for all visitors. The hiking trail is 3-meters (9.8 feet) long with an elevation of 410 feet (125 meters). The initial 322 meters (1056 foot) is very steep and might need crawling up the hill but, as you gradually descend to the north, the terrain is relatively flat. The hiking starts from the parking area heading towards the edge of the lake with a visible view of Chauncey Peak gradually crossing through the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail as you head east towards the base of the dam.
Entrance to Guiffrida Park and Chauncey Peak
Address: 701 Westfield Rd, Meriden, CT 06450, United States
Website: Entrance to Guiffrida Park and Chauncey Peak
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
12. Plan a visit to Giuffrida Memorial Outdoor Center
Icefalcon Armory is here at Balfar's Challenge! We have a bit of everything; armor, rattan, weapon tips and padding.
Posted by John Turnea on Saturday, 27 April 2019
This memorial center is located in the New Haven County region of Connecticut. This outdoor center is a park situated at an elevation of 165 meters (541.33 feet) at the southwest of Beseck Lake and Baileyville and is also close to other nearby attractions including the High Hill Pond Dam and Bishops Pond Lake. This is one of the popular tourist places attracting visitors every year.
Giuffrida Memorial Outdoor Center
Address: 576 High Hill Rd, Meriden, CT 06450, United States
Website: Giuffrida Memorial Outdoor Center
Opening hours: Sat: 10am - 8pm; Sun: 12pm - 8pm; Mon - Fri: 2pm - 8pm
Price: 12 - 68 USD
13. Indulge in frozen delights at Les' Dairy Bar
This ice-cream parlor in Meriden is a popular hotspot among locals and tourists for its mouth-watering creamy delights. The shop is a popular landmark in the city holding a rich history of 60 years. Some of the popular ice-creams include peanut butter parfait, chocolate ice-cream with peanut butter sauce, horse ice-cream, tangerine Italian ice-cream, etc. Alongside, you can also explore the sundae, slush, soda, sandwiches, shakes, pints, and quarts.
Les' Dairy Bar
Address: 654 E Main St, Meriden, CT 06450, United States
Website: Les’ Dairy Bar
Opening hours: 12am - 9pm (daily)
14. Read a book at Meriden Public Library
Thanks to everyone who came to our Family Fall Festival earlier today! We had a room full of happy families painting...
Posted by Meriden Public Library on Tuesday, 22 October 2019
Located in the east of Meriden, this public library was opened with a vision to impart informational, educational and cultural resources to the city. It aims to make a difference in people’s life by creating lifelong learners and in building limitless possibilities. So to meet the needs of the individual and the community as a whole, the library intends to make the printable and non-printable resources accessible to every individual. The library remains open for tourists and locals from Monday to Saturday. This is the best place to spend a free afternoon learning something new, or digging into that book that you have been longing to read for quite some time.
Meriden Public Library
Address: 105 Miller St, Meriden, CT 06450, United States
Website: Meriden Public Library
Opening hours: Mon - Wed: 9am - 8:30pm, Thu - Sat : 9am - 5pm (closed on Sun)
Price: Free
15. Shop all you need at Westfield Meriden
Located in Meriden, Connecticut, this shopping mall is the seventh-largest mall in Meriden with more than 140 small shops. The mall was renovated in the year 1997 with an ambitious mission to expand and incorporate new stores. Some of the popular stores you can find here are American Perfumes, Bath and Body Works; Boscov’s and Macy’s; El Toro Grill, FYE, H&M, Macy’s Backstage and many more. Alongside fashion and beauty, this shopping mall is also a one-stop destination for great food with a series of restaurants serving an amazing variety of dishes.
Westfield Meriden
Address: 470 Lewis Ave, Meriden, CT 06451, United States
Website: Westfield Meriden
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 9pm; Sun: 11am - 6pm
16. Take a stroll across the historic downtown
The downtown of Meriden has its own charm with rich historical heritage. As you take a stroll through this historic area, you will witness the intersection of railroads holding on to the ancient glory as in the 1930s. The Meriden Record-Journal building, Main Street Baptist Church, Masonic Temple, St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Meriden Board of education, Meriden City Hall, First United Methodist Church, and Christopher Columbus Monument are among the many notable places that you can explore while taking a tour of downtown Meriden.
Historic downtown
Address: Downtown Meriden, Connecticut, United States
Website: Historic downtown
Price: Free
17. Take a peek inside Augusta Curtis Cultural Center
Special thanks to Sam Carr of Aerial View Photography for this amazing shot of the Center!
Posted by Augusta Curtis Cultural Center on Sunday, 23 September 2018
Formed in the year 2000, this century-old Greek Marvel Memorial building is located in the heart of the city. The building holds a special space in the history of Meriden and is deeply rooted in the historically rich background of the greater Meriden. The building has undergone renovation with the purpose of maintaining and preserving the previous library and promoting different cultural explorations across diverse avenues in the community of Connecticut. The citizens of Meriden have played an active role in holding on to this historic glory and raising awareness in making this project a reality.
Augusta Curtis Cultural Center
Address: 175 E Main St, Meriden, CT 06450, United States
Website: Augusta Curtis Cultural Center
Price: 10 - 15 USD
18. Catch a show at Castle Craig Players
Posted by Castle Craig Players on Monday, 5 August 2019
This performing arts theatre was founded in 1992 with an active contribution of a group of volunteers. This non-profit organization was run by a group of members holding experience in production. At present, there are five to six shows hosted under each production. Depending on the season, shows are hosted where the audience can purchase tickets online in advance. For Cabaret Dinner Shows, the theatre can accommodate 60 people and the audience can get their food and drinks before the performance begins.
Castle Craig Players
Address: 59 W Main St, Meriden, CT 06451, United States
Website: Castle Craig Players
19. Tee off at Hunter Memorial Golf Course
This golf course in Meriden has been rated as one of the finest golf courses in Connecticut and among the ‘Ten Best Public Golf Courses’. This golf club was formally opened in the year 1929. In 1935 the course was further expanded with eighteen holes. Since then this golf course has undergone several design changes in making it what it is today. After the death of the famous golfer George Hunter, the course name was changed to George Hunter Memorial Golf Course from Meriden Municipal Golf Course popularly known as Hunter’s. In recent times, the golf club has hosted many exhibitions and events involving notable celebrities and recognized dignitaries.
Hunter Memorial Golf Course
Address: 688 Westfield Rd, Meriden, CT 06450, United States
Website: Hunter Memorial Golf Course
Price: 350 - 1450 USD
Meriden: the recreational hub of Connecticut
Beautifully positioned in the Connecticut River Valley, this notable town acts as the architectural epicenter. The town offers plenty of outdoor recreational activities to keep you occupied throughout your stay. The city boasts many architectural landmarks, parks and hiking trails. To experience the beauty of this majestic town, make sure you explore all the recommended places.
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
Create an account to