Most people know that Connecticut is home to the oldest continuously operating amusement park in the nation, Lake Compounce. That theme park was opened in 1846 and has slowly grown into a premier destination for thrill-seekers, teenagers, and families. Many of Connecticut’s amusement parks were not quite as prosperous and only had short-lived runs during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Today, you can actually hike to one of these deserted venues and explore the remnants of an abandoned amusement park in Connecticut.

Suburban Park in Unionville, Connecticut was open for just ten years between 1895 and 1905. It was built by the Hartford Suburban Trolley Line as the last stop on its line between Hartford and Unionville. Many trolley companies during the time period built parks like this to attract more customers to their transportation services.
Facebook/Suburban Park
When Suburban Park Amusement Park was open, there were wide open grassy areas, a swimming lake, a dance hall, a merry-go-round, and more. Today the park is heavily wooded with trails crossing through the ruins of the deserted theme park.
Google Images/Nick Arduini
Discover foundations and walls of buildings slowly being reclaimed by nature. Only if you stretch your imagination to its limits, you can recreate the busy weekend atmosphere of a cheerful theme park.
YouTube/Sue Peters

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A favorite spot for the kids along the trails is the underground cold storage cellar used for food refrigeration. Climb on in and explore this underground structure.
YouTube/Sue Peters
The crown jewel of the park was a colorful electrified fountain. This water display was extremely unique. Our street lights were still lit by gas in those days, so an electric fountain was quite an attraction!
Facebook/Suburban Park
You don't have to travel through the abandoned amusement park willy-nilly trying to guess what the ruins are. During the past months, Timmy Germano and his crew of volunteers cleaned up the trails and posted guide signs as an Eagle Scout project. It makes your tour much easier and very informative.
Facebook/Suburban Park
The signs give details of the deserted structures and in some cases pictures of them in their heyday. The trails are well-marked and easy to navigate but you can expect a little hill climbing to see all of the abandoned attractions.
Facebook/Suburban Park

Take a look at more of Suburban Park in this short video by YouTube user, Sue Peters.

 

Did you know about this abandoned amusement park in Connecticut? Have you ever taken a hike through it? If you like exploring Connecticut’s ruins, check out these trails that take you to an abandoned village in Connecticut and a deserted zoo in CT.

If you want to find some more exciting and out-of-the-box things to do in Connecticut, you should peruse Airbnb Experiences. There’s something for everyone.

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Abandoned Amusement Park in Connecticut

Tori Jane | October 09, 2022

What are some interesting abandoned places in CT?  

Life in Connecticut is nice; it’s one of those gorgeous older states with plenty of amazing things to do and see along the way. Of course, like anywhere else, there is no shortage of abandoned places in CT, many of which are incredibly fascinating and certainly have an air of mystery about them. Some of our favorite abandoned places in Connecticut include places like:

  • Cedarcrest Hospital, which was closed and abandoned in 2010.
  • Seaside Sanitorium, which was closed in 1996.
  • Pleasure Beach is an abandoned beach town that seems to leave more questions than answers.  

 

Where is the abandoned amusement park in CT?  

Believe it or not, urban explorers in Connecticut will be thrilled to learn that there are numerous locations we would call abandoned amusement parks in CT. For example:

  • The above-mentioned Pleasure Beach was in operation from 1898 to 1958, and its remains can still be found in Bridgeport, though parts of it have actually been re-opened and repurposed as of 2014.
  • Another is the Savin Rock Amusement Park, in West Haven, which is easily accessible today.
  • There’s also the spooky Holy Land USA, in Waterbury, which is one of those amazing places in Connecticut being reclaimed by nature.  

 

What are some of the best hikes in Connecticut for history lovers?  

There are many wonderful hiking trails in Connecticut for your outdoor pleasure and many of them are excellent options for fans of history and abandoned places:

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