Vacation Mad Men-style at The Glass House + 17 Other Great Connecticut Destinations!

Season six of Mad Men just kicked off, and thanks to the efforts of the Connecticut Office of Tourism, the Glass House, and a host of other great Connecticut destinations, you don’t have to be Don Draper to enjoy a Mad Men inspired getaway in the suburbs–just plan your visit to some (or all) of these great destinations!

Keep reading for more on modern architecture tours in New Canaan and New Haven, art exhibitions, mid-century modern accommodations, and Mad Men-inspired dining and celebrations, including a reception May 5th, from 3 - 6 pm at the Gores Pavilion for The Arts. Also not to be missed, “The Lucky Strike” cocktail at Elm Restaurant by chef Brian Lewis, featuring Cherry wood smoked bourbon and tobacco salt, and The Study at Yale, which Travel + Leisure describes in their story, Connecticut Lures 'Mad Men' Fans with 1960's Style Vacations, as “an elegant boutique hotel that oozes 60’s cool…”

THE GLASS HOUSE

The Glass House, built between 1949 - 1995 by architect Philip Johnson, is a National Trust Historic Site located in New Canaan, CT. The pastoral 49-acre landscape comprises 14 structures, including the Glass House (1949), and features a permanent collection of 20th century painting and sculpture, along with temporary exhibitions. The tour season runs from May to November and advance reservations are required. For more information, and to purchase tickets, visit www.philipjohnsonglasshouse.org or call 866.811.4111.

The Glass House
199 Elm Street, New Canaan, CT 06840
www.philipjohnsonglasshouse.org

THE GORES PAVILION FOR THE ARTS

On Sunday, May 5th, from 3 - 6 pm visit the Gores Pavilion, a building designed by Harvard Five architect Landis Gores who was a partner of Philip Johnson and managing architect on the Glass House. While there, enjoy wine and cheese and mingle with architects and modern home owners knowledgeable about New Canaan’s modern movement. A video discussing the movement, featuring John Johansen, Jens Risom, Pam Gores, Frederick Noyes and others who were all part of this important architectural period, is on view. Cost $5.00 per person.

The Gores Pavilion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Gores Pavilion For The Arts
848 Weed Street, New Canaan, CT 06840
www.nchistory.org
 

ELM RESTAURANT

Elm's signature Mad Men cocktail is a whimsical and delicious homage to Don Draper's crunch time moment. In the first scene, on the first episode, of Season 1 Don gulps his favorite old fashioned in the smoke filled bar. He finds inspiration and perseveres to the finish line for the firms Lucky Strike cigarette ad campaign...all before noon.

"Mad Men" Cocktail:

THE LUCKY STRIKE
Cherry wood smoked bourbon, cherry bitters, pedro ximenez sherry, tobacco salt. Note: Cocktail will be infused with smoking tobacco and will have a tobacco / ash garnish.

"Mad Men" Dish: 

25 DAY AGED PRIME BEEF RIB EYE 
Smothered in bourbon onions, wild mushrooms, house Worcestershire

Elm Restaurant
73 Elm Street, New Canaan, CT 06840
www.elmrestaurant.com

THE STUDY AT YALE

*Special Offer: Breakfast package for $239.00 (plus tax) double  occupancy through the end of  April – Based on availability.

The Study at Yale is a lifestyle hotel located in the heart of Yale University’s vibrant Arts Campus in New Haven, Connecticut and just steps away from the University’s museums, theaters, libraries, and cultural centers.  The Study captures the essence of the Yale experience and offers our guests a level of personalized service, style and comfort unparalleled in the New Haven area.

The Study At Yale
The Study, 1157 Chapel. St., New Haven, CT
203-503-3900
www.studyhotels.com

YALE UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY

Yale University Art Gallery is the oldest college art museum in the country. Its collection of 200,000 objects represent Eastern and Western cultures ranging in date from ancient times to the present. Free to the public.

* Featuring: Société Anonyme: Modernism for America | December 12, 2012–July 14, 2013. It features works by over 100 artists who made significant contributions to modernism, including Constantin Brancusi, Paul Klee, Piet Mondrian, and Joseph Stella just to name a few.

Yale University Art Gallery
1111 Chapel  St., New Haven, CT
203-432-0600
www.artgallery.yale.edu

YALE CENTER FOR BRITISH ART

The largest collection of British art outside the UK, in a landmark building by Louis Kahn. Exhibitions, talks, tours, concerts, and family programs.  Free to the public. 

Yale Center For British Art
1080 Chapel St., New Haven, CT
203-432-2800
www.britishart.yale.edu

LONG WHARF THEATER

A Tony Award-winning theatre featuring new works and reinvented classics.  Dedicated to create theatre of the highest quality that inspires discourse and reflection about each of us and the world in which we live. The recent 2012 renovation was a facelift that embraces the unique industrial nature of the site, while updating it for the 21st century.

Long Wharf Theater
222 Sargent Dr., New Haven, CT
203-787-4282
www.longwharf.org

D.I.Y. MODERNIST ARCHITECTURE TOUR: VISIT ICONIC BUILDINGS ON THE YALE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS IN NEW HAVEN, CT

1953 - Yale University Art Gallery – Louis Kahn | 1111 Chapel St., New Haven, CT | www.artgallery.yale.edu

The Yale University Art Gallery was Louis I. Kahn’s first significant commission and is widely considered his first masterpiece.  Kahn’s design has been celebrated not only for its beauty, geometry, and light, but also for its structural and engineering innovations.

1958 – Ingalls Rink – Eero Saarinen | 73 Sachem St., New Haven, CT | www.yalebulldogs.com

Ingalls Rink is without a doubt one of Yale's most important examples of post-war modernist architecture. The swooping roof seems to echo the movement of skaters, while providing seats for 3,000 spectators in a remarkably intimate setting.  Home of Yale men’s & women’s hockey/ youth hockey, Yale Figure Skating Club, university skating, and other recreational skating groups.

1963 - Beinecke Rare Books & Manuscript Library – Gordon Bunshaft

121 Wall St., New Haven, CT| 203-432-2977 | www.beinecke.library.yale.edu

The Beinecke is a building that has grown on Yale. At first decried by many as bombastic, it now has a strangely quiet presence in the midst of the vast granite-paved expanse of its plaza, punctuated by a sunken courtyard with sculpture by Isamu Noguchi.

1963 - Yale Art and Architecture Gallery – Paul Rudolph | 180 York St., New Haven, CT | 203-432-2288 | www.architecture.yale.edu

Paul Rudolph's Art & Architecture Building is called Brutalist with good reason, especially by those students and teachers who brush against its rough, corduroy-like walls. But it is also an intensely lyrical building that fittingly completes the march of art buildings on Chapel Street.

1969 - “Pirelli Tire Building” (Armstrong Rubber Comp. Building) – Marcel Breuer  | 500 Sargent Dr., New Haven, CT

Easily viewed from the I-95 turnpike. A fantastic embodiment of the design ideals held by a master Modernist architect, Marcel Breuer. Architecture Week called the bold structure “an icon of modern architecture.” Now owned by IKEA whose known for modernist design.

1974 - Yale Center for British Art – Louis Kahn | 1080 Chapel St., New Haven, CT | www.britishart.yale.edu

Atticus Bookstore Café | 1082 Chapel St., New Haven, CT | 203-776-4040 | www.atticusbookstorecafe.com

The Center was Kahn’s final work and was completed after his death. It was the first museum in the United States to incorporate retail shops in its design. Visit Atticus Bookstore Café located in the shops of Yale Center for British Art for a snack or shopping.

DINING + NIGHTLIFE
 

116 CROWN
116 Crown St. | 203-777-3116 | www.116crown.com | American/Continental | $$
First and foremost, 116 is a gathering place.  A sophisticated environment that was uniquely New Haven, a place that could only be found at one address: 116 Crown.  Housed in an old hotel, the design at 116 at once feels modern & natural.  “Best Specialty Cocktails” & “Best Martini” – New Haven Advocate.

BAR
254 Crown St., New Haven, CT | 203-495-8924 | www.barnightclub.com | Pizza | Live Music | $

FIREHOUSE 12
45 Crown St., New Haven, CT | 203-785-0468 | www.firehouse12.com | Live Music | Bar

ZINC
964 Chapel St., New Haven, CT | 203-624-0507 | www.zincfood.com | American/Continental | $$$
Modern American Food.  Across from the historic New Haven Green, ZINC offers an innovative farm-to-table menu that celebrates the surrounding community.

THE NEXT MORNING

HEIRLOOM at The Study for a modern American breakfast.
1157 Chapel. St., New Haven, CT | 203-503-3900 | www.studyhotels.com

CRITERION CINEMAS
86 Temple St., New Haven, CT | 203-498-2500 | www.bowtiecinemas.com
Featuring: Movies & Mimosas – Theater series of classic movies shown every Saturday and Sunday at 11:30 a.m. Mimosas are available for $2.00 for enhanced movie viewing.

TRANSPORTATION

Directions to THE GLASS HOUSE

BY TRAIN
The Glass House Visitor Center is located across the street from the New Canaan Station. It is served by the New Canaan Branch of the Metro-North New Haven Line.

METRO-NORTH
From Grand Central Terminal to New Canaan Station Travel Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes
From Union Station, New Haven, CT to New Canaan Station Travel Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

AMTRAK
Arrive at Stamford, CT station. Transfer at the Stamford station to the New Canaan Branch of the Metro-North New Haven Line. The Glass House Visitor Center is located across the street from the New Canaan Station.

DRIVING
The Glass House is accessible from I-95 and Route 15 / Merritt Parkway.

For more info, visit www.philipjohnsonglasshouse.org.