The Coolest Abandoned Places In Connecticut
Psychiatric hospitals, animal sanctuaries, and rundown resorts serve as some of the coolest abandoned places in Connecticut.
Written by Drew Waterstreet
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
It's all about balancing folklore with history when visiting abandoned places in
Connecticut
. You’ll hear stories of lightning strikes, unsolved murders, animal experimentation, and more. But, sometimes, you just have to see for yourself to find out the real story.The famous movie series The Haunting in Connecticut wasn’t exactly the brand boost the state was seeking—quite the opposite, actually. Instead of leaving the past behind us, curious adventurers have become more interested in investigating mysterious stories across the state.
To throw fuel on the fire,
car insurance
comparison super app Jerry
has curated a guide to eight of Connecticut’s most historic and mysterious abandoned places. Visit if you dare—and if it’s legal, of course!Compare quotes from 50+ insurers with Jerry in under 45 seconds?
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversAbandoned towns in Connecticut
Johnsonville Village
Location: East Haddam
Abandoned since: 1960s
Is it legal to go in? Not without permission from property owners
Johnsonville was known as the “Twine Capital of America” throughout the 1800s and early 1900s, hosting several twine mills across the town. But, as the story goes, the Neptune Mill was struck by lightning and burned to the ground in 1972. Some mills still stand today, but the twine business slowed, and the town slowly dissipated.
After several failed attempts to restore Johnsonville into a tourist destination or a residential community, the town was put up for auction and purchased by a Christian organization based out of the Philippines for $1.85 million. Only time will tell if this religious venture will be successful—Johnsonville seems to reject any attempt at restoration.
Gay City State Park
Location: Hebron
Abandoned since: Late 1800s
Is it legal to go in? Yes
Gay City was once a thriving community that benefited from the river's flow to power its lumber and textile mills. In the late 1800s, after a mill burned down for the third time and several murders went unprosecuted and unsolved, many residents got the heck out of town—leaving their houses and businesses behind.
Nature began to overtake the abandoned town, so now it is repurposed as Gay City State Park. Along many hiking trails, you’ll find remnants of buildings, gravestones, mill ruins, and more.
The mysterious nature of Gay City’s history makes it a destination for ghost hunters.
Hiking and permitted overnight camping
are allowed if you wish to explore the hidden horrors of the past!MORE: The 5 best road trip destinations in Connecticut
Abandoned hospitals in Connecticut
Cedarcrest Hospital
Location: Newington
Abandoned since: 2010
Is it legal to go in? No trespassing
Throughout its century-long tenure of operations from 1910 to 2010, Cedarcrest Hospital served as a sanatorium for the chronically ill and a psychiatric facility for the mentally ill. Not to connect the dots, but this patient history is the perfect creepy recipe for an abandoned hospital to be haunted!
The abandoned facility now has overgrown vegetation sprawling wherever it can reach. There are multiple “No Trespassing” signs posted, so viewing from outside the property is legally recommended.
The land was transferred to the city of Newington in 2018. They claim to be preparing the abandoned buildings for future use. But, in our opinion, some places are better left in the past.
Fairfield Hills State Hospital
Location: Newtown
Abandoned since: 1995
Is it legal to go in? Yes
Fairfield Hills State Hospital operated from 1931 to 1995 and specialized in psychiatry.
These days, the hospital campus is only half-abandoned. Starting in 2009, the town of Newton has begun repurposing some buildings for administrative, recreational, and cultural uses. However, other facilities persist in their abandoned state and are fenced off from public access.
The odd mixture of activity and abandonment gives the campus a slightly eerie feeling, but exploration along the walking trails is encouraged!
MORE: The best creepy podcasts for fall road trips
Abandoned hotels in Connecticut
Sunrise Resort
Location: East Haddam
Abandoned since: 2008
Is it legal to go in? Yes
The Sunrise Resort was once a thriving family getaway, operating from the 1930s to 2008. It was so popular that a direct train line was constructed to make travel from New York City easy.
Today, the resort sits abandoned as nature reclaims its right to the territory. It seems like anything beautiful can be made creepy once abandoned—whether it be the drained swimming pool, deteriorated entertainment advertisements, or empty buildings.
There’s just something weird about walking through a quiet area that was once thriving with sounds of fun, excitement, and life. But feel free to do so! Check out more information about your visit at the
Sunrise State Park
website.Grand View Hotel
Location: Colchester
Abandoned since: 2013
Is it legal to go in? No
Throughout its history, this resort property wore many hats. It first served as a full-experience family resort under the Grand View Hotel name. Next, the property was renamed “The Lodge” and repurposed into a bed & breakfast and a premier music venue.
But, the resort's time for lodging and entertainment came to an end, officially being put up for sale in 2013. Unfortunately, the property quickly deteriorated, and the main guest house collapsed on itself.
Spectators are no longer allowed on the premises, but we were able to find some
drone footage
—take a look at the creepy state of this once-thriving resort.Other creepy abandoned places in Connecticut
Shade Swamp Sanctuary
Location: Farmington
Abandoned since: 1960s
Is it legal to go in? Yes
We can all agree that abandoned hospitals and hotels are creepy, but what about a zoo? Let us tell you, the answer is undoubtedly YES! The creepy-score is absolutely off the charts for the Shade Swamp Sanctuary.
This zoo has plenty of rumors that swirl around its history. It was known for its rehabilitation of injured animals, but was also rumored to have performed unapproved experiments. Of course, nobody knows the exact truth, but it certainly adds to the eeriness of the abandoned property.
A wooden structure along Route 6 marks the trailhead's beginning toward the abandoned zoo. After about 50 yards, you’ll begin to see steel cages that are being reclaimed by nature.
The Shade Swamp Sanctuary can certainly add a little adventure to your hike! Here’s a
sneak preview
.Hearthstone Castle
Location: Danbury
Abandoned since: 1987
Is it legal to go in? No
The Hearthstone Castle was initially built as a “honeymoon cottage” for the notable portrait photographer who owned it. The term *cottage* is a bit of an understatement as this estate had 16 bedrooms, several wood-burning fireplaces, and stunning Italian woodwork.
After being abandoned in 1987, the Hearthstone Castle was declared a National Register of Historic Places in the same year. Since then, the stunning glow of the estate has been deteriorated by the elements of nature.
To preserve Hearthstone Castle's historic character, the city plans to begin a restoration project and turn the estate grounds into a tourist attraction. But for now, the premises are closed to the public for safety concerns.
Tips for exploring Connecticut’s abandoned places
We hate to put training wheels on an adventure, but exploring Connecticut’s abandoned palaces should be done safely, respectfully, and according to the law. Here are some tips to uphold these standards for exploration:
- Check property laws. It’s important to stay off of private property and stay out of restricted areas. Always check for property rights before exploring. If you feel like you’re trespassing, you’re probably trespassing.
- Leave it how you found it. Many of these abandoned sites have some historical background that can’t be restored if altered. So don’t take souvenirs—preserve the experience for the next explorer.
- Dress appropriately. You’ll want to wear close-toed shoes and even gloves to protect yourself from the deteriorated structures on these abandoned sites. Even consider wearing bright colors to make your presence known.
- Bring a friend or make your location known. Exploring abandoned places is generally safe, but it’s best not to go alone or without notice.
- Know yourself. Many of these abandoned places have an eerie atmosphere based on the context of their history—even if it’s just rumored folklore. So if you suffer from anxiety or panic attacks, it might be better to sit on the sidelines for these adventures. No shame in being honest with yourself!
How to find affordable car insurance in Connecticut
If you have a thirst for adventure, you could create an entire road trip to visit all of the public abandoned places in Connecticut. We’ll leave the adventures to you, but let the experts at
Jerry
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FAQs
Is it illegal to visit abandoned places?
It depends. If the property is still privately owned or no trespassing signs are posted, abandoned places can be illegal to visit. On the contrary, many abandoned locations are repurposed into city-sponsored hiking areas—these are legal and encourage visitation. Always check property laws before you explore!
What’s the creepiest abandoned place in Connecticut?
The creepiest place you can legally visit in Connecticut is Gay City State Park, in our opinion. On the surface, the area has been beautifully repurposed into a state park. But, the remnants of the city and the unsolved murders from the 1800s make the experience of hiking through it pretty ominous.
