Nature's Art Village - Oakdale, Connecticut

Maria M.

My late Mom and I would pass this place everytime she had a MD appt in Lyme and say, "let's go someday". We never got there together. I went today and it was GREAT. Not only an Antique Shop, but a Steam Engine. Exhibit, a Gift Shop filled with goodies, an Ice Cream shop and the Dinosaur Place!!!

Penny B.

Best Adventure Ever! I was surprised that it was open. We went on the first day. The grand kids had a blast digging for rocks! They get to fill a bucket with whatever they can find to take home. Even the teenagers had fun! It was nice and cool down in the mine. It's a great place to take the kids on a weekend to escape the summer heat. There is also plenty of shopping upstairs! I highly recommend stopping in.

Alex N.

The fossils wing is awesome! Their nature expert Brandon was super friendly and turned a cool shop into a science and history journey that I want to bring all my friends to.

Tracy V.

I took my kids here for one of my son’s birthday because it was his special request. I can’t even say how many times we have been back because it’s been too many. He loves digging for gems and panning for gold. This was his first time cutting a geode and he was very happy with what was inside. This place has everything to spend a whole day in the summer time and it’s a lot of fun for the whole family. They also have mini golf, splash pad, playground, walk around and see dinosaurs, and ice cream. We definitely will be back!

Krystal D.

The first place I ever encountered with sign for no photographery!!!!!!! And other stuff...Wish they labeled the stair way, saw a lot of people confused wondering down there for the gem mines were my kids bought the 10 min gem mines experience.. 🪨 🦖🦕 it's ok for a place to view unique gems and fossils( and also purchase them) . Large gift shop.

Jae G.

For the money, I was a little disappointed. First off the food shack was sold out if everything...less than an hour after opening. There were quite a few things closed which was upsetting. The train, pedal cars, etc were not open. The playground is fantastic and the trails and dinosaurs were very nice. The T Rex tower is awesome, although it's ages 2 and up and a 2 year old CANNOT navigate alone and adults cannot accompany them. One little girl got lost and scared at the top and my niece and another child had to go help her.

Anita H.

My favorite part of natures art is Brandon. He answers any and all of my child like excited questions with equal enthusiasm, can't beat that. His insight makes me insightful, and in a room full of fossils and organic specimens the outcome is limitless. Never knowing what I'll walk out with is that literal "kid-in-a-candy-store" feeling.
However, their prices do reflect the excitement of the place. Thousand year old items don't come cost effectively, but sometimes they do! My latest score was a pair of meteorite ear rings for $25 and a calcite clam chunk for $12!

If you can stay out of the tourist trap items, this place is a honey hole. I could wander around all day, albeit half of it conversing with Brandon about what I have found lol. Always a great time, and I will definitely be back. Summer is good for mini golf and splash pad for the kids. They have ice cream that I never sprang for because I couldn't justify the cost(i.e:tourist trap).

Lyn D.

Place is very nice and clean. Splash pad was exceptional and playground climbing area was enjoyed by our 8 year old. A think a little too pricy for what we got.

At $37 for the 8 year old and $32 for the 3 year old, the 3 year old didn’t really get to use the place that much. And of course, the parent’s ticket price was just as high and we weren’t even allowed on the TRex tower.

The main area opened at 9:30. The TRex tower not until after 10 and the same for the Splash pad. The splash actually didn’t open until after 10:30 that day. Food building didn’t open until 11:30. I would have liked to buy some more water because we had finished what we brought in.

The one thing I was very disappointed in is that the go carts were not open. As I was explained where we were going, the 8 year old was very interested in the go carts option. I don’t remember seeing anything that indicated this area would b closed on a week day, of course starting THIS week.

It’s about 45 minutes from my house, I would go more often if the price was a little more reasonable. There are cheaper options out there.