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Family days out in Connecticut

There are so many fun places to go with kids in Connecticut - great zoos and aquariums, museums, theme parks, water parks and swimming pools, places to visit outdoors (many of which are cheap or free), historical places of interest, activities and indoor play centres - just take a look below, plenty of things to do with the children in CT.

SPOTLIGHT ON CONNECTICUT

Historic Ship Nautilus

Groton
Historic Ship NautilusVisit the Submarine Force Museum and peer into the lives of the men who sail the ocean depths in their "sharks of steel."
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Lake Compounce Family Theme Park
Bristol
Lake Compounce Family Theme ParkWhether it's chills or thrills that make you happy, Lake Compounce has the best of both, and then some! Play all day on rides like Boulder Dash, Zoomerang and Thunder n' Lightning. Chill near the lake in Anchor Bay, Clipper Cove and Mammoth Falls.
The Maritime Aquarium
Norwalk
The Maritime AquariumThe Maritime Aquarium inspires people of all ages to appreciate Long Island Sound and protect it for future generations. A vibrant and entertaining learning environment, the Maritime Aquarium achieves this goal through living exhibits, marine science, and environmental..
Connecticuts Beardsley Zoo
Bridgeport
Connecticuts Beardsley ZooAnimals are amazing! And the folks at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo want to connect you with all the coolest animals facts around. We've got fact sheets and photos, scavenger hunts and wild web links, and exciting opportunities for you to make a real difference for wildlife,..
Mystic Aquarium
Mystic
Mystic AquariumAt Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, visitors encounter ocean animals in an exciting new way - no scuba gear required!
Action Wildlife Park
Goshen
Action Wildlife ParkAction Wildlife Foundation, Inc. offers residents of CT, MA and NY the unusual opportunity of observing and learning about animals from North America, Africa, India, New Zealand, Asia and the Arctic. Great idea if you are looking for fin places to go with kids in..
Dinosaur State Park
Rocky Hill
Dinosaur State ParkWe are one of the largest dinosaur track sites in North America. Beneath our geodesic dome, you will find an exceptional display of early Jurassic fossil tracks that were made 200 million years ago.
Gillette Castle
East Haddam
Gillette CastleIt looks like a medieval fortress, but a step inside the stone castle reveals the built-in couches, table trackway, and woodcarvings that all point to the creative genius that was William Gillette.
The Mark Twain House
Hartford
The Mark Twain House At The Mark Twain House, we want to make museums fun for kids and adults. A great way to get children excited about visiting The Mark Twain House & Museum is to better acquaint them with Mark Twain and his family.
Historic Ship Nautilus
Groton
Historic Ship NautilusVisit the Submarine Force Museum and peer into the lives of the men who sail the ocean depths in their "sharks of steel."
The DNA EpiCenter
New London
The DNA EpiCenter Welcome to the DNA EpiCenter, where promoting the understanding of the science of life to people of all ages is our mission.
Keeler Tavern
Ridgefield
Keeler TavernListed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Keeler Tavern Museum has been a farmhouse, tavern, stagecoach stop, post office, hotel for travelers, home of noted architect Cass Gilbert and, since 1966, a museum.
Connecticut Archaeology Center
Storrs
Connecticut Archaeology CenterThe Museum of Natural History and Connecticut Archaeology Center are home to the University of Connecticut's Anthropological Collections and repre- sents the single largest repository of Connecticut Native American, colonial and industrial artifacts in existence.
Ocean Beach Park Pool
New London
Ocean Beach Park PoolOcean Beach Park also boasts a 50-meter, Olympic-sized pool. We have changing rooms and token-operated lockers for your convenience In addition, there is a great waterslide for when simple "laps" just won't do!
Thunder Lagoon Waterpark
Fenwick Island
Thunder Lagoon Waterpark This themed waterpark with six slides, kiddie pool and a 2,800-sq.-ft. activity pool has something for everyone in the family. We feature a Black Hole body slide and one-of-a-kind water dumping Viking ship, along with twister slides and three kiddie slides.
Golden Age Of Trucking Museum
Middlebury
Golden Age Of Trucking MuseumThe Golden Age of Trucking Museum is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1998 by the late Richard Guerrera of Middlebury, Connecticut. Mr. Guerrera purchased the property shortly after, but passed away before any construction had begun.
The Military Musuem Of Southern New England
Danbury
The Military Musuem Of Southern New EnglandWe currently display a vivid cross section of 20th century American military history. Many of our vehicles are extremely rare, often the only example in the western hemisphere! The museum staff is composed primarily of unpaid volunteers who are responsible for designing and..
Timexpo Museum
Waterbury
Timexpo Museum It's about TIME for family fun. Timexpo® The Timex Museum tells the story of Timex and its heritage dating back to the 1850's. A Time Tunnel leads to ancient mysteries. Magnificent timepieces, hands-on activities and much more.
Danbury Railway Museum
Danbury
Danbury Railway MuseumThe Museum, located in the historic station and rail yard in downtown Danbury, Connecticut, offers railroad history, tours, train rides, a collection of original and restored rolling stock, and opportunities for ha
The Mattatuck Museum
Waterbury
The Mattatuck MuseumThe Mattatuck Museum Arts & History Center is known for engaging its community in an understanding of the past and providing vision and leadership for the future through its exhibits and collections of national significance that interpret the history of the region and the..
The Barnum Museum
Bridgeport
The Barnum MuseumOn January 1, 1842, P.T. Barnum opened his first museum on lower Broadway in New York City. Almost 166 years later, The Barnum Museum in Bridgeport, Connecticut carries on the extraordinary legacy of this great American icon.
The Bruce Museum
Greenwich
The Bruce MuseumThe Bruce Museum is an educational institution which, through its varied exhibitions and collections in the arts and sciences, provides programs for diverse audiences.
Bridgeport Discovery Museum
Bridgeport
Bridgeport Discovery MuseumFrom three floors of hands-on fun with science to daily Planetarium shows, all include with admission to the museum! Great idea if you are looking for fin places to go with kids in Connecticut.
Stepping Stones Museum for Children
Norwalk
Stepping Stones Museum for Children Fun - and lots of it! Learning and fun go hand-in-hand at Stepping Stones. Our exhibits and educational programs help expand a child's world by engaging them in fun, playful exploration. With four main galleries, a toddlers-only gallery and over 100 hands-on activities,..
Lutz Childrens Museum
Manchester
Lutz Childrens MuseumThe mission of the Lutz Children's Museum shall be to provide a multi-faceted museum for children to explore culture, history, and the natural sciences through internal and external exhibits, programs, and experiences.
New England Air Museum
Windsor Locks
New England Air MuseumVisit the cockpit of an airplane. Ride Dreamseeker - the Museum’s full-motion simulator. See your pre-schooler take flight in one of the Wright Flyer peddle pushers. Compete with family members for who has the best reaction time.
Connecticut River Museum
Essex
Connecticut River MuseumWhere the River comes to life. Located on the waterfront in historic Essex, the Connecticut River Museum is the perfect place to explore the heritage and experience the wonders of New England’s Great River.
The Childrens Museum
West Hartford
The Childrens MuseumThe Children’s Museum provides rich learning experiences in science and nature for all ages. Exploration of our multi-level museum captures imaginations and develops a sense of curiosity about the natural world.
Barker Character Comic and Cartoon Museum
Cheshire
Barker Character Comic and Cartoon MuseumMemories from childhood are some of the most precious we will ever possess, and even though we can't relive the past, at the BARKER CARTOON MUSEUM we can still see some of the things that made it so special.
Peabody Museum of Natural History
New Haven
Peabody Museum of Natural History From Egyptian mummies to saber-toothed cats to the once mighty dinosaurs — you can find it all at Yale’s Peabody Museum of Natural History!
New Britain Youth Museum
New Britain
New Britain Youth MuseumThe New Britain Youth Museum, founded in 1956, encourages children and families to explore the history and cultures of Connecticut and the world. Come explore with your child!
New Britain Youth Museum at Hungerford Park
Kensington
New Britain Youth Museum at Hungerford ParkThe New Britain Youth Museum at Hungerford Park appeals to children and adults. This family museum and nature center provides a unique opportunity to explore the world around us.
Kid's City Childrens Museum
Middletown
Kid's City Childrens MuseumThe mission of Kidcity Children's Museum is to celebrate a child's natural curiosity by offering a downtown hands-on playspace where children ages 1 through 8 come with parents and other significant adults to learn through play.
Stamford Museum and Nature Center
Stamford
Stamford Museum and Nature Center Seasonal fun awaits you at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center. Bring friends and enjoy a picnic on the Meadow, walk over 80 acres of nature trails, drop in to the Hecksher Farm and say hello the animals.The Stamford Museum & Nature Center is a place for families. Come..
National Helicopter Museum
Stratford
National Helicopter Museum The Museum contains hundreds of photographs and models tracing the history of the helicopter both in the United States and around the world. Stratford is the birthplace of the American helicopter industry.
New Britain Museum of American Art
New Britain
New Britain Museum of American Art The collections now number approximately 5,000 works of American art: 680 oils, 1,050 drawings (including watercolors and pastels), 860 graphics, 160 sculptures, 25 photographs, and 1,460 illustrations.
The Fire Museum
Manchester
The Fire MuseumThe Fire Museum is housed in a retired 1901 fire station with a unique atmosphere that saw the transition from hand drawn to horse drawn, then to motorized apparatus. our collection includes hundreds of fine examples of early American craftsmanship related to firefighting
Quassy Amusement Park
Middlebury
Quassy Amusement ParkQuassy celebrates 101 years of affordable family fun in 2009! In addition to the multitude of exciting and fun-filled attractions for the whole family to enjoy, we specialize in catering private parties for school, church, camp, sporting & corporate events.
Golf Quest Family Fun Center
Southington
Golf Quest Family Fun CenterA Family Afternoon at Golf Quest Start With a Round of Mini Golf... (by the way, everybody loves to play minigolf, whether you're 5 or 85!) Then take a couple of swings at the Batting Cage! Seven batting cages...If you are at our Southington facility, try our Bumper..
The Only Game In Town
North Haven
The Only Game In TownGo-carts, Batting cages, arcade, minature golf and more. Great idea if you are looking for fun places to go with kids in Connecticut.
Prime Climb Indoor Rock Climbing
Wallingford
Prime Climb Indoor Rock ClimbingOur mission is for folks of all ages to discover the fun and fitness benefits of climbing year-round in a safe, comfortable, and friendly state of the art indoor setting.
Railroad Museum Of New England
Thomaston
Railroad Museum Of New EnglandThe Naugatuck Railroad's scenic round trip excursions are an entertaining mix of relaxing river valley scenery and our rich transportation history. It’s an exciting and educational experience for riders of all ages!
Essex Steam Train and Riverboat
Essex
Essex Steam Train and RiverboatHere at Essex Steam Train we love kids! A ride on the Essex Steam Train and the Connecticut Riverboat offers many educational touchstones. Great idea if you are looking for fun places to go with kids in Connecticut.
Flanders Nature Center
Woodbury
Flanders Nature CenterFlanders Nature Center & Land Trust promotes the understanding and appreciation of nature, and supports the conservation, preservation and management of the natural resources. We offer a broad range of recreational and educational programs for the community.
New Canaan Nature Center
New Canaan
New Canaan Nature CenterThe New Canaan Nature Center is a not-for-profit environmental education center and sanctuary dedicated to helping people of all ages better understand, appreciate and care for the world of nature.
Roaring Brook Nature Center
Canton
Roaring Brook Nature Center We offer a year-round schedule of educational programs for all ages. These programs range from week-long summer experiences to our school-year Discovery Days series for students.
Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center
Mystic,
Denison Pequotsepos Nature CenterWe are a combination wildlife sanctuary, visitor attraction and educational facility. The Center features all-new exhibits highlighting the habitats and wildlife of southeastern Connecticut, as well as eight miles of trails that wind through a beautiful 300-acre wooded..
Sheffield Island Lighthouse tour
Norwalk
Sheffield Island Lighthouse tourVisitors can board the Seaport ferry at the Association’s dock, adjacent to Stroffolino Bridge, corner of Washington and Water Streets, South Norwalk, CT, for their trip to the island, the lighthouse or harbor cruises. Once on the island, visitors are treated to a tour..
Captain Bobs Thimble Island Tours
Stony Creek
Captain Bobs Thimble Island ToursSince the 1950's generations of families have returned each summer to Stony Creek for a relaxing boat ride around the Thimble Islands. Whether it's your first ride or your umpteenth ride, each ride will fill you with lasting memories!
Captains Cove Seaport
Bridgeport
Captains Cove SeaportSince 1982, Captain’s Cove Seaport has grown from a vacant lot and a handful of slips to one of Connecticut’s premier tourist attractions and seaport complexes. Located on Historic Black Rock Harbor, we are an active maritime and amusement center. There’s no..
Mystic Whaler Cruises
New London
Mystic Whaler Cruises Sail away on the Tall Ship Mystic Whaler for a one of a kind adventure!
The Garbage Museum
Stratford
The Garbage MuseumUnique attraction on recycling and garbage where you can walk through giant compost pile, stand next to the Trash-O-Saurus(a dinosaur made out of trash) as well as watching recyclables being dumped, sorted and sent off to be reused.