What We Do
Age Well Across Connecticut
Age Well Across Connecticut recognizes places and programs that demonstrate age inclusivity — all across our state.
Each year, the Connecticut Age Well Collaborative asks Connecticut residents to tell us about the hidden gems in their communities — from the best accessible attractions, to the most welcoming local businesses, to the most inspiring programs and initiatives.
From those community nominations, we create our annual list of local picks of places and experiences, in-person and virtual. Find locations on our statewide list, or plan your route with our interactive Google map, organized by year.
Want to see your pick on next year’s list? Anyone can nominate and submissions are unlimited. Click here to submit yours! The nomination process can take under 5 minutes. Nominations are open year-round; submit your nomination by June 30 to be considered for that year’s list, released later in the summer.
Curious about previous lists? Scroll down for 2026, click here for 2025, or click here for 2024!
Our Selection Criteria
Local
Connecticut-based.
Established
Existing physical location or ongoing program (in-person or virtual).
Inclusive
Specifically designed with an inclusivity lens for older adults.
Visitable
Open to the public or a subset of the public.
Affordable
Free or low cost.
Community-Building
Strengthens community and part of community fabric; goes beyond individual opportunity.
Ideal nominations come from users who share personal experiences about what makes the nominee special. Preference is given to community nominations, rather than self-nominations.
Nominees are also expected to go beyond simple compliance. For example, if the nominee’s work is inherently aging-focused, they should be uniquely inclusive, compared to the industry standard.
This incredible network of paved trails gives nature access to folks with walkers, wheelchairs, or limited mobility. The trail is a linear park that begins in New Haven and wends its way north to the Massachusetts border and beyond. The trails that I have used are well maintained and have easy parking and access to get onto the paved, car-free trail. This trail has been such a miracle for me and my children. One of my kids is a wheelchair user and having so many access points for walking along the Farmington River or in the beautiful woods of Connecticut has been such a gift!
2026 Local Picks
Online resource
9 Jepson Drive
Milford, CT 06460
2 Renshaw Road
Darien, CT 06820
20-24 E Dolbia Hill Road No 1
East Haddam, CT 06423
Burnham Brook Preserve offers a new way to connect with nature through access to an all-terrain wheelchair. Visitors can reserve the chair through The Nature Conservancy’s system, providing a more inclusive opportunity to explore the preserve’s natural beauty. This innovative resource allows individuals with mobility challenges to experience features such as open grassy fields, a vibrant vernal pool, and stands of tall, mature trees. Existing trails have been adapted to accommodate the track chair, and additional accessible routes are being planned to expand access in the future. The introduction of the all-terrain wheelchair reflects a meaningful commitment to accessibility and inclusion, ensuring that more visitors can engage with the outdoors in a safe and supportive environment while enjoying the ecological richness of the preserve.
1000 Chapel Street
New Haven, CT 06510
57 Queen Street
Newtown, CT 06470
1288 Boston Post Road
Madison, CT 06443
42 Woodland Street
Hartford, CT 06105
Hartford Artisans Weaving Center offers weaving instruction to individuals who are blind, visually impaired, or age 55+, creating a welcoming environment rooted in acceptance, creativity, and support. Participants can become artisans, using the Center’s looms and materials to produce beautiful textiles that are sold to help sustain the program, with artisans receiving modest compensation based on their work. The Center brings together artisans, volunteers, students, and staff who value curiosity, inclusivity, and mutual respect. It fosters learning, encourages artistic expression, and challenges assumptions about disability and aging by highlighting each individual’s strengths and contributions. Known for its warm and uplifting atmosphere, the Weaving Center offers connection, purpose, and community. For many, it serves as a “happy place,” where creativity, conversation, and collaboration thrive. While accessibility accommodations are thoughtfully incorporated, the building’s structural limitations require the use of stairs, though safety features are in place to support participants.
Vernon, CT
As essential services — from healthcare portals and prescription management to transportation and benefits — have moved online, they often assume a level of digital familiarity that not everyone has. This creates a quiet but significant barrier, where services exist but remain out of reach. NeighborsNest addresses this gap through simple, in-person support focused on immediate, real-life needs. Rather than offering broad instruction, assistance is individualized and task-based — helping someone reset a password, navigate an app, access an account, or complete an online form. Each interaction is guided by patience and respect, creating a space where questions feel safe and progress feels achievable. By prioritizing clarity, dignity, and independence, NeighborsNest ensures that access is not just about availability, but usability — empowering individuals to fully participate in their daily lives.
299 Greenwich Avenue
Greenwich, CT 06830
The Open Arts Alliance Spring Follies, presented in partnership with the Wallace Center of Greenwich, is a joyful celebration of creativity, connection, and lifelong self-expression. Designed for adults age 55 and older, it reimagines the classic early 20th-century “follies” as an inclusive, no-pressure experience where participants explore and share their unique talents in a supportive environment. At its heart, Spring Follies is about possibility. It invites older adults—many of whom may not see themselves as performers—to take creative risks and rediscover passions set aside over time. Through singing, storytelling, poetry, painting, humor, or even magic, participants express what brings them joy, showing that creativity continues to grow with age. Over four weeks, participants build confidence, form meaningful connections, and experience the benefits of creative engagement. The program culminates in a final performance that celebrates both talent and community. Free and fully accessible, Spring Follies offers a powerful reminder that aging can be vibrant, creative, and deeply connected.
25 Prospect Street
Ridgefield, CT 06877
Prospector Theater is a nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with disabilities through meaningful employment. By operating a first-run movie theater, it demonstrates that individuals with disabilities possess valuable, in-demand job skills. Employees, known as “Prospects,” are empowered to sparkle, shine, and transform their passions into professions. Beyond employment, the Prospector provides a supportive environment that fosters confidence, independence, and personal growth. Prospects gain hands-on experience in customer service, food service, and theater operations while building transferable workplace skills. The organization also offers educational and training programs that support long-term success. Through its innovative and inclusive model, the Prospector Theater challenges outdated perceptions and shows that ability—not limitation—defines potential. It strengthens the community by creating opportunities, promoting dignity, and ensuring that everyone has a chance to contribute and thrive.
50 South Main Street, Suite 216
West Hartford, CT 06107
Seniors Job Bank is a nonprofit dedicated to connecting adults age 50+ with meaningful employment, volunteer opportunities, and community resources—at no cost to job seekers or employers. Its mission is rooted in the belief that experience is an asset, not a limitation. Through job matching, employer outreach, and workforce development programs like Next Chapter Success, SJB equips older adults with modern job search skills, digital tools, and renewed confidence. The organization also works to educate employers about the value of age-inclusive hiring, helping to address workforce needs with skilled, reliable talent. I have experienced the impact of Seniors Job Bank firsthand. After retiring, I used its services to find both part-time work and a volunteer role, and I have also hired help through the program. By helping older adults remain engaged, financially secure, and connected, Seniors Job Bank strengthens individuals, businesses, and the broader community — making it highly deserving of recognition.
1204 Main Street
Branford, CT 06405
933 Hopmeadow Street
Simsbury, CT 06070
The Simsbury Police Department has demonstrated a strong commitment to accessibility by combining education with enforcement. Through collaboration with local disability advocates, the Aging and Disability Commission, and public awareness initiatives, they have helped foster a community where accessibility is viewed as a shared responsibility. Their annual, month-long accessibility awareness campaign highlights this ongoing commitment and reaches the entire community. In addition, the department actively engages local businesses, encouraging them to maintain accessible parking areas and entrances for all. What truly stands out is their willingness to listen to lived experiences and respond with meaningful action. Rather than focusing solely on enforcement, the Simsbury Police Department embraces a proactive approach that values inclusion and community partnership. Their efforts reflect a genuine belief that everyone deserves to feel welcome and have full access to community spaces, making Simsbury a more inclusive place for all residents and visitors.
149 Farms Village Road
Simsbury, CT 06070
Stratton Brook State Park is a 145-acre park offering year-round recreation like swimming, fishing, hiking, and picnicking. Known for its accessibility, Stratton Brook is the first fully wheelchair-accessible state park in Connecticut, and offers all-terrain wheelchairs by reservation. It’s a go-to for me and my family in the summer. There is ample parking for disabled folks that is close to the sidewalk that brings you down to the boardwalk by the water. We also really enjoy the trails into the woods that are smooth enough for strollers and wheelchairs to traverse.
Trout Brook Drive
West Hartford, CT 06119
Trout Brook Trail is thoughtfully designed as an inclusive outdoor space for people of all ages and abilities. The paved, multi-use trail offers a smooth, level surface that is accessible to wheelchair users, individuals with mobility challenges, families with strollers, and older adults seeking safe and comfortable opportunities for recreation. With multiple access points, clear wayfinding, and connections to parks, neighborhoods, and community resources, the trail provides both convenience and independence for users. Benches and rest areas along the route offer opportunities to pause, socialize, and enjoy the natural surroundings, supporting both physical activity and social connection. Beyond its physical features, Trout Brook Trail fosters a welcoming environment where community members can engage with nature and one another without barriers.
600 Main Street
Hartford, CT 06103
The Wadsworth is the oldest continuously-operating public art museum in the United States. By combining innovative health-focused programs with thoughtful accessibility initiatives, The Wadsworth creates a welcoming environment where people of all ages and abilities can fully participate in arts and cultural experiences.
Through its partnership with SocialRx, a healthcare company, the museum helps address loneliness, social isolation, and well-being by connecting individuals to meaningful arts and cultural experiences through healthcare and community referrals. SocialRx recognizes the arts as an important component of holistic health, fostering social connection, self-expression, and a sense of belonging.
Other inclusivity initiatives include The Calm Corner, a sensory-friendly space designed for relaxation and self-regulation, and a First-Time Visitor Narrative that helps reduce anxiety by preparing guests for their museum experience. ]The Wadsworth also prioritizes communication access through ASL-interpreted docent tours, Verbal Imaging tours for visitors with vision limitations, an ASL Video Tour of the American Art collection, and a new partnership with Convo, which provides on-demand virtual ASL interpretation via QR code.
184 West Main Street
New Britain, CT 06052
The walk and bike trail at Walnut Hill Park in New Britain offers more than a recreational path—it provides a welcoming, accessible way for people to experience one of the city’s most treasured public spaces. Designed with usability in mind, the paved pathways allow individuals using wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility supports to move freely and comfortably through the park. The trail gently weaves through open green spaces, historic features, and shaded areas, creating an environment that feels both safe and inviting. Seating areas placed along the route encourage visitors to pause, rest, and take in the surroundings at their own pace, supporting a wide range of abilities and comfort levels.
What makes this trail especially meaningful is how naturally it brings people together. Individuals of different ages and abilities share the same space, engaging in everyday activity without barriers or separation. In doing so, Walnut Hill Park reflects a community-centered approach to accessibility—one that prioritizes dignity, independence, and the simple pleasure of being outdoors.
55 Woodland Springs Drive
Stafford, CT 06075
Woodland Springs Apartments provides more than affordable housing—it provides a vibrant, welcoming community where residents can thrive. Designed specifically for individuals with disabilities and adults age 62 and older, Woodland Springs offers 158 affordable and accessible one-bedroom apartment homes that combine comfort, independence, and quality living. Each apartment is thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of our residents. Spacious one-bedroom, one-bathroom units feature accessible walk-in or roll-in showers, full kitchens equipped with a stove, refrigerator, and dishwasher, generous cabinet space, and ample storage throughout. These features allow residents to maintain their independence while enjoying the comfort and convenience of a well-appointed home. At Woodland Springs, affordable housing is only the beginning. The residents enjoy a lifestyle built on dignity, independence, accessibility, and meaningful relationships. The combination of quality housing, beautiful surroundings, engaging community spaces, and an extraordinary sense of neighborly care makes Woodland Springs Apartments a community that truly stands apart.
140 Albany Turnpike
Canton, CT 06019
Valley Ballet in Avon offers dance and exercise classes designed to meet a wide range of ages and ability levels, making dance accessible to the entire community. The school provides a variety of classes that focus on movement, strength, and flexibility, all in a welcoming and supportive environment. All classes are led by Linda, an encouraging and talented instructor who creates a positive, engaging experience for every participant. I, along with others in my class aged 68 and older, truly enjoy these sessions. They not only bring us joy but also help us stay active by improving our mobility, balance, and overall well-being. What makes Valley Ballet especially valuable is its flexibility and affordability. Classes are offered on a walk-in basis and are reasonably priced, making them accessible to many. Linda ensures everyone feels included and supported, making this program a true hidden treasure in the Farmington Valley.
1120 Chapel Street
New Haven, CT 06510
Yale Repertory Theatre demonstrates a strong commitment to accessibility and inclusion, ensuring that the performing arts are welcoming and available to all members of the community. Through thoughtful design and programming, the theater provides accessible seating, assistive listening devices, and accommodations for patrons with mobility, hearing, and visual needs. In addition to physical accessibility, Yale Rep embraces inclusive practices through select performances that incorporate open captioning, audio description, Touch Tours and Relaxed Performances. Its dedication extends beyond the stage, fostering a culture where diverse voices, stories, and perspectives are represented and celebrated. The theater also prioritizes community engagement, creating opportunities for individuals of all ages and abilities to connect with the arts in meaningful ways. By removing barriers and actively promoting inclusion, Yale Rep ensures that live theater is an experience everyone can enjoy. Its ongoing efforts reflect a deep understanding that accessibility enriches not only individual audience members, but the entire cultural community.
Explore the Map
Plan Your Trip
Get out and explore Age Well Across Connecticut — right in your neighborhood or farther afield!
Use our interactive Google Map to explore locations and plan your route. (Pro tip: check the boxes next to the 2024 and 2025 layers to see previous picks!)
Get Involved
Share Your Visits
Share your visits to our local picks with the hashtag #AgeWellAcrossCT!
We also invite you to join the movement and build upon our list by using the hashtag to share other inclusive gems that you discover around Connecticut.
