Antique store · Oakdale, Connecticut
Nature's Art Village
1650 Hartford New London Tpke, CT-85, Oakdale, CT 06370
41.4325° N 72.2227° W
Nature's Art Village is an antique store at 1650 Hartford New London Tpke, CT-85, Oakdale, CT 06370.
About the shop
Nature's Art Village is a sprawling family entertainment complex featuring two full floors of shops specializing in fossils, minerals, crystals, and gemstones, plus antiques and vintage collectibles. Beyond retail, visitors enjoy interactive experiences like gem mining, gold panning, and geode cutting. The complex includes museum exhibits with vintage barbershop, dental office, and farm implements, alongside a 60-acre dinosaur-themed adventure park with trails, splash pad, playgrounds, mini golf, and ice cream shop. Staff expertise, particularly Brandon's knowledge of fossils and minerals, enhances the shopping experience.
From directory research
What you'll find
Fossils & MineralsGemstones & CrystalsAntiques & Collectibles
Compiled by AntiqueStoresNearby from public listings and reviews
The particulars
- Shop format
- Multi-Vendor MallFrom directory research
- Shop size
- Larger StoreFrom directory research
- Price range
- $$$From directory research
- Typical visit
- Half-Day DestinationFrom directory research
- Multiple dealers
- YesFrom directory research
- Multiple floors
- YesFrom directory research
What reviewers mention
Praised
- Knowledgeable and friendly staff, especially Brandon
- Unique combination of shopping, museum exhibits, and outdoor activities
- Well-maintained facilities and beautiful grounds
- Excellent for families with children of various ages
- High-quality fossils, minerals, and crystals with good variety
Keeps people coming back
- Knowledgeable, passionate staff (especially Brandon)
- Unique combination of retail, interactive experiences, and outdoor activities
- Well-maintained, clean facilities and beautiful grounds
- Memorable experiences for children
- High-quality fossil and mineral selection
Worth knowing
- High pricing across all activities and attractions
- Many attractions and services frequently closed or limited hours
- Limited value for money, especially for younger children
- Long wait times at food service
- Confusing layout and signage in some areas
Our analysis of public reviews — a summary of what people wrote, not a star rating. Tone: Customers express enthusiasm and nostalgia about the experience, with particular affection for staff members. However, pricing frustration is a recurring theme, with some feeling it's a 'tourist trap.' Families appreciate the variety but debate whether it justifies the cost..
Make a day of it
- 1The PAST Antiques Marketplace at Nature's Art Village1630 Hartford-new London Tpke, Oakdale, CT 063700.0 mi
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- 3Another Man's Treasure Antiques22 Norwich Rd, Salem, CT 064203.8 mi
- 4Nutmeggers Antiques, LLC179 Boston Post Rd, East Lyme, CT 063334.5 mi
- 5Friedman Found33 Boston Post Rd, Waterford, CT 063858.3 mi
- 6Chadwick House Antiques2 4 Mile River Rd, Old Lyme, CT 063718.7 mi