The American Clock & Watch Museum in Bristol, Connecticut, explores the state’s place in American clock and watchmaking through eight galleries of American-made timepieces. You can visit year-round, with regular hours and admission details to check before setting out.
- Location: 100 Maple Street, Bristol, CT 06010
- Typical hours: Open Wednesday to Sunday; closed Monday and Tuesday
- Admission: $12 for adults ages 18–59; reduced rates for seniors, children and students
What does the American Clock and Watch Museum collect?
The American Clock & Watch Museum presents American-made timepieces and the story of Connecticut’s clock and watchmaking industry. Its eight galleries cover a range of objects, from sundials and shelf clocks to chronometers and character watches.
The collection is only part of the visit: the museum also features a two-story tower clock, a reproduction clock shop and a sundial garden. It opened to the public on April 10, 1954, as the Bristol Clock Museum, and took its current name in 1958.
Where is the museum, and how do you get there?
The museum is at 100 Maple Street in Bristol’s historic Federal Hill section, not in Terryville. From PLYMOUTH MOTOR LODGE, the drive takes about 7 minutes.
The Lock Museum of America is at 230 Main Street, Route 6, in Terryville, and the Terryville Water Wheel—a 20-foot-diameter wood-and-iron structure dating to 1851—is a five-minute walk from the lock museum.
The Railroad Museum of New England is another museum stop to include in a broader day around the area.
What are the museum’s hours and admission prices?
Admission is $12 for adults ages 18–59, $10 for seniors age 60 and over, and $5 for children and students ages 6–17 or students with college ID. Children age 5 and under enter free. A family rate is $25 for two adults and two students or children.
Opening hours
- Wednesday to Sunday: 10 AM–5 PM
- Monday and Tuesday: closed
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
The museum is closed on Easter, Thanksgiving, December 24–25, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Hours, prices and closures can change, so check the official site before you go.
How much time should you allow?
Allow at least one hour for a visit, the minimum recommended by CTvisit. The museum is self-guided, so you can move through the galleries at your own pace. Families are encouraged to try the scavenger hunt.
What can you pair with a museum visit?
The sundial garden is part of the museum’s visitor offering, and CTvisit identifies nearby dining as an amenity. For a broader plan that combines local museums and outdoor stops, the Terryville day-trip itinerary covers the area’s options.
FAQs
Is the American Clock and Watch Museum in Terryville?
No. It is in Bristol, Connecticut, in the historic Federal Hill section.
Is the museum self-guided?
Yes. The visit is self-guided, and families can try the museum’s scavenger hunt.
Does the museum have a garden?
Yes. A sundial garden is included among the museum’s visitor offerings.