The Bruce's main building sits on a hill in a downtown park, and its tower (not open to the public) can be easily seen by drivers passing by on Interstate 95.

A second location, the Bruce Museum Seaside Center, is maintained at Greenwich Point Park, focusing on beach-related exhibits, including a touch-tank.

Part of a Northeast woodland wigwam has been created as a seating area to learn about Native Americans, and there is a model of an archaeological dig.

The Bruce Museum was originally built as private home 1853 for lawyer, clergyman and historian Francis Lister Hawks.

In 1858, a wealthy textile merchant and member of the New York Cotton Exchange, Robert Moffat Bruce (1822–1908) bought the house and property.

In 1908, he deeded his mansion to the town of Greenwich for it to be used "as a natural history, historical and art museum, for the use and benefit of the public.