2 Best Sights in Bristol, The Litchfield Hills

One of the few museums in the country devoted entirely to clocks and watches, this 1801 house has more than 5,500 timepieces on display. Though the majority of them are American timepieces dating 1800–1940, the museum does have clocks dating to 1680 and watches dating as far back as 1595. Many of the clocks are kept running and chiming, making the museum a prime place to be when the big hand strikes "12." The gift shop is worth a stop to browse the clock-themed items including jewelry and ornaments made from clock gears and chocolate alarm clocks and gear-shaped chocolates.

One of the largest collections of antique carousel pieces in the country is housed here. Full-size pieces in the Coney Island, Country Fair, and Philadelphia styles are on display, as are miniature carousels. The museum is also home to an arts gallery, which hosts changing exhibitions, and the Museum of Fire History, which displays photos, antique equipment, and memorabilia. The museum maintains the Bushnell Park Carousel in Hartford (closed January and February).