Top 15 Must-See Attractions in Montville, Connecticut

The history of this town in southeastern Connecticut extends back well before the arrival of the first Europeans.

Montville is noted as the location where the Mohegan tribe separated from the Native American Pequot coalition, an event that had significant consequences during the mid-17th century.

The tribal headquarters can be found in Uncasville, a village named after the renowned sachem of that era.

This settlement is now part of a reservation, which also hosts the expansive resort, Mohegan Sun, rivaling the grandeur of Las Vegas casinos.

Another noteworthy aspect of Montville is Nature’s Art Village, which incorporates retail experiences with high-quality attractions, such as The Dinosaur Place, where numerous life-sized dinosaur replicas are hidden within a woodland setting.

1. Mohegan Sun

Founded in the mid-1990s following the acquisition of a reservation on their ancestral lands in Uncasville, the Mohegan tribe embarked on the development of a casino resort.

After extensive renovations in 2016, Mohegan Sun now boasts a remarkable scale.

As of 2019, it features 1,563 guest rooms, supplemented by the striking 400-room Earth Tower.

The resort comprises two casinos that house 6,500 slot machines and 377 table games.

This extensive offering is further enhanced by the Mohegan Sun Arena, which will be detailed below, in addition to eight nightlife venues, two performance areas, two luxurious spas, retail shops, and the 18-hole Mohegan Sun Golf Club, recognized by Golfweek as one of the ten best courses in Connecticut.

2. Casino of the Sky

Continuing to impress visitors nearly two decades after its opening, the Casino of the Sky is overwhelmingly opulent.

The expansive gaming floor is situated beneath the world’s largest fully operational planetarium dome, featuring dynamic celestial movements of the sun, moon, and stars.

An impressive indoor waterfall rises nearly 20 meters high, complemented by the captivating Wombi Rock, a multi-tiered entertainment and lounge area that emerges from the center of the venue.

This design employs alabaster and over 12,000 pieces of onyx sourced from three different continents.

Additionally, the striking River Blue, a luminous glass sculpture crafted by the renowned artist Dale Chihuly, weighs close to 5,000 kg.

3. Mohegan Sun Arena

Inaugurated in 2001, the Mohegan Sun Arena has a capacity of 10,000 and serves multiple purposes.

Over the past two decades, the arena has hosted numerous events, including WWE matches, preseason NBA games, and concerts featuring Taylor Swift, Jay Z, Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, and Jennifer Lopez.

Additionally, it serves as the home field for the New England Black Wolves Lacrosse Team and the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.

The Connecticut Sun has been competing in this arena since 2003, achieving playoff qualifications in more than half of the 15 seasons following the relocation from Orlando.

4. The Dinosaur Place at Nature’s Art Village

Perhaps the main attraction for families at Nature’s Art Village is this expansive 60-acre woodland inhabited by over 50 life-sized dinosaur replicas.

Visitors can explore various dinosaur models along 1.5 miles of meticulously maintained nature trails, which branch around the scenic Raptor Bay Lake.

One particularly impressive exhibit features a Brachiosaurus, measuring over 20 meters long and 12 meters tall.

Guests have the opportunity to walk beneath its body, while an animatronic Dilophosaurus offers an interactive experience by moving and roaring.

Moreover, an active volcano erupts every hour, alongside a dinosaur-themed maze, a splash pad, and a children’s playground featuring the SpaceNet, a sprawling multi-level climbing structure.

5. Genius Museum

This captivating museum within Nature’s Art Village showcases over two centuries of American innovation through authentic industrial artifacts.

Among the collection are remarkable steam-powered devices, including push-pull engines, a log splitter, and original steam bells from locomotives.

Another steam-powered attraction is the 19th-century printing press at the Gateway Gazette.

Visitors have the opportunity to examine historical printing and publishing equipment, including a stamping press and a large guillotine.

Hayday Farm displays a small array of heavy agricultural machinery from the early 20th century, while the Montville Queen is an authentic Chris-Craft boat from the 1920s, now powered by compressed air.

Guests can also experience a 1920s barbershop and procure vintage goods at the Oakdale Country Store, which sells 10-cent sodas and various quirky remedies.

6. Discovery Depot

Aimed at younger visitors, this attraction at Nature’s Art Village features a mining and geological theme.

Children can explore The Jackpot Mine, a replica silver mine where they can discover over 50 different types of minerals, crystals, and gemstones, which they can collect in a miner’s bucket.

After the adventure, they can display their findings on specialized mineral-identifying tables.

At Thunder Creek, there is an indoor stream where children can pan for gold, and the Bone Zone replicates a fossil quarry in the Southwestern United States.

Dr. Bones assists children in identifying their discoveries and gifts them with actual souvenir fossils to take home.

Additionally, the Geode Center showcases an impressive collection from around the globe, allowing guests to witness the unveiling of a geode millions of years old for the first time.

7. The Past Antiques Marketplace

One of the featured venues at Nature’s Art Village, this expansive antique center remains open seven days a week and is home to over 90 dealers under one roof.

The Past Antiques Marketplace is an easily explorative environment, encompassing two well-lit floors accessible by elevator.

Spread across 1,300 square meters, this marketplace is filled with a diverse array of items, including furniture, antique appliances, coins, figurines, art pieces, ceramics, jewelry, vinyl records, clothing, typewriters, vintage signs, historical farming tools, sports memorabilia, and myriad other collectibles.

8. Copper Creek Mini Golf

The latest addition to Nature’s Art Village is this creatively designed 18-hole miniature golf course, with the first nine holes being fully wheelchair accessible.

Copper Creek is themed around an Old West mining town and has been thoughtfully arranged to provide multiple strategies for navigating each hole.

Surrounded by woodland, the course features wild desert landscaping, alongside models of snakes, horses, and wolves, in addition to waterfalls, rocky formations, a water tower, and a wooden mill with a functioning wheel.

9. Tantaquidgeon Museum

There is an opportunity to gain deeper insights into Mohegan culture at what is believed to be the oldest continuously operating Indian museum in the United States.

Established in 1931 by three members of the Tantaquidgeon family: siblings Gladys and Harold along with their father John, the Tantaquidgeon Museum houses a rich collection of Native American artifacts, including pestles, mortars, arrowheads, baskets featuring woodland designs, wampum items, textiles, and carved bowls.

Crucially, these artifacts are presented from a Native American perspective, connecting local items with artifacts gathered from across the United States. The museum grounds also include a herb garden, framed wigwams, and a dugout canoe.

10. Fox Farm Brewery

Connecticut boasts a myriad of craft breweries, and this particular establishment in Salem stands out due to its unique setting.

Rather than being situated in an industrial warehouse, Fox Farm Brewery resides on 30 acres of farmland within a charming vintage dairy barn built in the 1960s.

This delightful rural locale offers up to nine distinct brews on tap.

At the time of writing in September 2019, their offerings included two IPAs, two American Pale Ales, a Helles lager, an American blonde, a porter, an oak-aged grisette, and a farmhouse ale infused with grapes.

Visitors can enjoy pints from Thursday to Sunday, with options for growler refills and purchases of bottled and canned beers.

Food delivery is available, pets are welcomed, and there is ample outdoor space for guests to enjoy.

11. Kids Quest and Cyber Quest

Children are well accommodated at Mohegan Sun, which features two entertainment-rich venues.

Kids Quest caters to children up to age 12 and is filled with various activities.

It would be impractical to list every feature, but offerings include a karaoke stage, a simulated home environment called Apt. Q, an assortment of non-violent video games at Techno Quest, a large indoor play area, a Tiny Tot room, a gym featuring a basketball court, a quiet play area for three to five-year-olds at Club 305, art stations at the Creation Station, and a dining area called Quest Cafe, which provides healthy meals for children.

Cyber Quest, on the other hand, is Mohegan Sun’s complimentary video arcade, equipped with cutting-edge video, ticket, and claw games.

12. Fort Shantok Archaeological District

This territory on the Mohegan reservation is maintained by the tribe as a local park, embodying significant historical relevance.

This location served as the primary Mohegan settlement from 1636 to 1682 and is regarded as sacred ground for its association with the sachem Uncas, who played a pivotal role in establishing the Mohegans’ dominance over the Pequot people.

Some of the few preserved Native American ceramics in southern New England have been uncovered in the site’s soil at Fort Shantok.

A stone memorial designed in the shape of a wigwam commemorates the settlement.

A plaque on the monument highlights a notable event in 1645, during which English officer T.I. Leffingwell defended Uncas and the Mohegans from an attack by the rival Narragansett tribe.

13. Bridge No. 1860

Before being reclaimed by the Mohegan tribe in the 1990s, Fort Shantok primarily served as a state park throughout the 20th century.

One notable construction project from the 1930s was Bridge No. 1860, spanning the Shantok Brook, also referred to as the Samson Occom Bridge.

This modest structure holds historical significance because it was constructed by the Works Progress Administration, providing employment for job seekers during the Great Depression, and is a prime example of the rustic park architecture that emerged in the early 20th century.

The bridge was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.

14. SuperCharged

This expansive facility features two twin-level electric karting tracks, totaling more than half a mile in length.

This amounts to approximately four times the track length found in an average indoor karting venue.

With tight turns, bridges, and high-speed straightaways, both courses provide exhilarating driving experiences, regardless of your prior racing experience.

Participants can complete an online waiver prior to arrival, allowing for a straightforward “arrive & drive” experience, with opportunities to participate in one or multiple races categorized as “Pro” or “Semi-Pro” (for participants under 15 years old).

Additionally, SuperCharged houses a vast trampoline park featuring a multi-angled main area, alongside fun activities such as dodgeball, basketball, and an oversized airbag.

15. Waterford Speedbowl

The recent history of this 3/8-mile oval racing track has been tumultuous.

In 2019, the current owner, who acquired the property through a foreclosure auction in 2014, faced serious legal issues, including lengthy prison sentences for human trafficking charges.

Throughout this turmoil, the 2019 racing season encountered multiple delays extending into August, although assurances were made by management that events would resume at the Speedbowl.

This track has been operational since 1951 and previously functioned under NASCAR’s Whelen All-American Series until 2017.

During a standard season, the track hosts races for modified stock cars, late models, X-Cars, mini-stocks, bandoleros, and others on Wednesday and Saturday evenings.

For those seeking an immersive experience, a premium option allows access to the pit paddock area.