Portland, Conn. was settled in 1652, it was at one time a thriving port with a variety of boatyards. Today, it still has several marinas to provide docking and storage for water crafts on the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound. This, however, is not Portland’s claim to fame. That honor goes to the brownstone quarries that provided most of the brownstone to build the famous brownstone townhouses in Boston and New York. Even the Cathedral in Charleston, S.C. was built with brownstone from Portland, Conn. The flood of 1936 ended this phase in the quarries existence.
For many years the quarries sat abandoned, used to dispose of stolen and unwanted vehicles and appliances and as a place to fish and swim without supervision. Times have changed and the quarries are again a very good reason to come to Portland. With the opening of Brownstone Exploration and Discovery Park the town is back on the map.
One of the first attractions to open was the scuba diving center.
Caves and other interesting things to explore in the north quarry make this a popular destination for divers. At the main water park, you can enjoy rock climbing, zip lines and a variety of inflatable floats. Life jackets are required for everyone. Much of the park is geared toward adventure seekers with cliff jumping, zip lines, rope swing, wake boarding, kayaking, swimming, and snorkeling. Areas that are designated for the younger children are also offered.
Food and bathrooms are available onsite. On a hot summer day expect the park to be crowded. Brownstone Exploration and Discovery Park opens in mid-May each year and remains open on weekends until the end of September. Check their website for details including opening times and prices.
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