Things to Do in Terryville, CT: One Day of Museums and Nature

Plan the day around opening schedules, and arrange your Lock Museum visit before heading there. The museum is about a 10-minute walk from this motel in Terryville, which makes it a natural first stop if you are staying in town.

For a longer rail-focused visit, check the Railroad Museum of New England’s hours and train departures before choosing it as your second stop.

If you would rather visit the American Clock & Watch Museum, its regular schedule gives you a different option for planning the day. The museums are in different towns, so allow for the drive between stops rather than treating them as neighboring attractions.

Before you go, check the official site for current schedules, prices, and visit arrangements. The Lock Museum asks visitors to call 860-480-4408 to schedule a visit or ask for information.

The Lock Museum of America makes a focused first stop, with themed rooms devoted to locks and related hardware. It stands at 230 Main Street, on the site of the former Eagle Lock Company headquarters.

The museum houses the world’s largest collection of locks, keys, handcuffs, and ornate door hardware, arranged across eight themed rooms. Give yourself time to move through the displays at a comfortable pace, then use the rest of the day for a second museum or a nature stop.

Because you need to schedule a visit, make that call before setting your itinerary around the museum. The museum’s contact number is 860-480-4408. For details on what to expect during the visit, read about visiting the Lock Museum of America.

Choose the Railroad Museum of New England for railway heritage and train rides, or the American Clock & Watch Museum for a self-guided visit through galleries of timepieces. Make this decision after checking each museum’s schedule and how much time you want to spend there.

Railroad Museum of New England

The Railroad Museum of New England is housed at the historic Thomaston train station, at 242 East Main Street in Thomaston. Its mission centers on the region’s railroad heritage, with educational exhibits and scenic and historical rides on the Naugatuck Railroad.

Friday hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Most train rides last about 1 hour 30 minutes, and passengers should arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. Boarding typically begins about 15 minutes before departure, and trains leave at their scheduled times.

Excursions can be bought online or at the Thomaston Station ticket counter on departure day, but popular trains can sell out in advance. Free parking, including accessible spaces, is available at the station. For details on the rail stop, plan a visit to the Railroad Museum of New England.

American Clock & Watch Museum

The American Clock & Watch Museum is at 100 Maple Street in Bristol and has eight galleries of timepieces. The museum is self-guided, and its early American sundial garden offers an outdoor part of the visit.

Its hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with annual holiday closures. Admission is $12 for adults ages 18–59, $10 for seniors 60 and older, $5 for children and students ages 6–17 or with college ID, and free for children 5 and under.

A family ticket for two adults and two students or children is $25. Allow at least 1 hour for the visit. A guide to the American Clock and Watch Museum covers the visit in more detail.

Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area is the itinerary’s nature stop, about a 15-minute drive from the hotel. Add it between museum visits or use it to finish the day, depending on the schedules you choose.

Keep the outdoor stop flexible and check local conditions before setting out. The itinerary does not need to include every museum: one museum visit followed by time outdoors can also make a full day in the area.

Let opening days and any scheduled train ride determine which museum comes first. The Railroad Museum has separate Friday and Saturday hours, while the American Clock & Watch Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday and has several holiday closures. The Lock Museum requires visitors to call to arrange a visit.

If the railway ride is central to your plans, build the day around its departure time: arrive at least 30 minutes beforehand and allow about 1 hour 30 minutes for most rides.

If you prefer a museum visit with a self-guided format, the clock museum calls for at least 1 hour. Keep the outdoor stop as the flexible part of the itinerary.

Do you need to schedule a visit to the Lock Museum of America?

Yes. Call 860-480-4408 to schedule a visit or ask for information.

How long do Railroad Museum of New England train rides last?

Most rides last approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. The Pumpkin Patch Express lasts 1 hour, the Autumn Colors Limited lasts 2 hours, and the Chocolate Decadence tour usually runs about 3 hours.

Can you buy Railroad Museum train tickets on the day?

Excursions may be purchased at the Thomaston Station ticket counter on departure day, though popular trains can sell out in advance. Online purchase is also available.

How much time should you allow for the American Clock & Watch Museum?

Allow at least 1 hour for its self-guided visit through eight galleries of timepieces.