Fun for children and families, from riverboats to dinosaur hiding places

Family activities in Connecticut include things as diverse as tracking evidence of dinosaurs to exploring a shipbuilding village of 1830 to visits with Beluga whales. There is lots to do, indoors and out, in all seasons of the year.

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Submarine Force Museum Submarine Force Museum Groton CT

1 Crystal Lake Road Groton, CT 06340 Phone: 800-343-0079

Been on a submarine? Come explore the Nautilus!

Come aboard, you won’t be bored as you tour the world's first nuclear powered submarine at the only museum dedicated to the science, courage and history of the US Submarine Force. Whether you’re a kid or a history buff, there’s something here of interest for you.
  • Sit in the control room and experience hands-on what submariners had to manage.
  • Explore the memorabilia of historical interest about the submarines rich place in history.
  • Tour the world's first nuclear powered submarine and experience where the crew ate, slept, trained & played.
Live their adventure beneath the ocean’s waves. Our admission is always free. The experience is priceless!
 
Featured Listings
Hartford/Central top of listings

Robin Hood's Springtime Festival Robin Hood's Springtime Festival Guilford CT

Guilford Fairgrounds
Lovers Lane Guilford, CT 06437 Phone: 860-478-5954

Open Saturdays & Sundays from May 18 - June 2, 2013; 11am-7pm

The "Something Different" you’ve been looking for is closer than you might think. Escape to the past with family & friends to experience a romantic age lost to time at the 14th annual Connecticut Renaissance Faire. Thrill to a full day of continuous entertainment on eight stages including jousting, armored combat, fire eaters, comedy, magic, chivalrous knights, and the best variety entertainment of any New England Festival – all included with your admission! New acts and old favorites return to chase they cares away with smiles and laughter.

Explore New England’s LARGEST Medieval Marketplace featuring handcrafted and unique items you won’t find anywhere else. Dine on turkey legs, bread bowl stews, apple crisp and a variety of other delectable foods and desserts in our food courtyard. Learn about this enchanted period in time and perhaps even a bit about your own heritage. You’ll have so much fun you’ll be looking for reasons to come back again and again! And as always, costumes are encouraged but not required.

Mystic/Eastern top of listings

Argia Mystic Cruises Argia Mystic Cruises Mystic CT

Schooner Wharf - 15 Holmes Street Mystic, CT 06355 Phone: 860-536-0416 Fax: 860-536-0000

Haul Away! Bring the whole family sailing.

Sail away aboard the traditional sailing schooner Argia for a journey into the past. The adventure begins with a tour by water of the famous Mystic Seaport Museum and its Tall Ships. Join the crew, if you like, to raise sail the old fashioned way or lend a hand steering the ship. Pass through Mystic's Historic Bascule Bridge, a national historic landmark, as you slide down the Mystic River. Morgan Point Lighthouse and the quaint fishing village of Noank greet you at the river’s mouth, followed by islands and peaceful sailing. Snacks and iced tea or lemonade are provided.

May 1st through late October, choose a half-day or sunset cruise aboard ARGIA!

Connecticut College Arboretum Connecticut College Arboretum New London CT

270 Mohegan Avenue New London, CT 06320 Phone: 860-439-5020

Over 750 acres of beautifully preserved open space

Connecticut College Arboretum's 750 acres include the college campus, plant collections, natural areas, and managed areas. Its three major plants collections for public enjoyment are the Campus Landscape with 120 acres of trees and shrubs from around the world; the Native Plant collection, with 20 acres of woody plants and wildflowers indigenous to North America with a pond, and walking trails; Caroline Black Garden with an exquisite display of diverse woody plants in a garden setting. Open every day from sunrise to sunset. Free public guided tours every Sunday afternoon May - October at 2 p.m. Call 860-439-5060 for more information. Private group tours can be arranged upon request.

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Essex CT

One Railroad Avenue Essex, CT 06426 Phone: 860-767-0103 Toll-Free: 800-377-3987 Fax: 860-767-0104

Ride the Steam Train, Ride the Riverboat!

Gather family and friends for the adventure of a sightseeing journey... aboard the only steam train and riverboat connection in the country! Your 2½ hour narrated journey begins at the historic 1892 Essex Station. Meander through the countryside aboard vintage rail cars pulled by an authentic steam locomotive. At Deep River Landing, you’ll be escorted onto to the Becky Thatcher Riverboat for a 1½ hour cruise along the Connecticut River - bursting with lush scenery and historic attractions, such as Gillette Castle and Goodspeed Opera House. Upon Becky’s return to Deep River Landing, the steam train welcomes you for the return trip back to Essex.

Family Fun Mystic Family Fun Mystic Mystic CT

Mystic, CT 06355

The Coolest Places under the Summer Sun are in Mystic Country

Looking for family-friendly things to do and places to visit this summer? Check out Family Fun Mystic Country for the coolest getaway packages that promise great times and fun memories for all ages. Soak up the summer sun and build castles on the white sugar sand of Ocean Beach; All aboard for an engaging ride through the countryside on the historic Essex Steam Train and Riverboat excursion; Explore America’s first nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Nautilus, at the Submarine Museum; or Discover a prehistoric land before time at The Dinosaur Place.

Don't miss a moment of fun! Plan a great escape with exciting two-day package starting at just $225 and get more of what your family loves. For details on events visit Family Fun Mystic Country website and reserve an amazing overnight family package today. Mystic Country is located in Eastern Connecticut, a short drive from Boston and New York City.

Mystic Aquarium Mystic Aquarium Mystic CT

55 Coogan Boulevard Mystic, CT 06355 Phone: 860-572-5955

Enjoy Fall-Filled Weekends at Mystic Aquarium

Celebrate fall at Mystic Aquarium’s Fall-O-Ween Festival, the last two weekends in October. Visitors can take in an Aquarium-themed magic show and watch divers carve pumpkins underwater. Our playful sea lions will be getting in on the fun with a special show that celebrates the season. Guests can also enjoy fall-themed crafts and treats, set off on a Halloween scavenger hunt or wander the grounds to admire intricate designs by professional pumpkin carvers. Put on your favorite costume and come see how Mystic Aquarium has dressed up for fall.

October 20, 21, 27 and 28, only at Mystic Aquarium!

Ocean Beach Park Ocean Beach Park New London CT

1225 Ocean Avenue New London, CT 06320 Phone: 860-447-3031 Toll-Free: 1-800-510-SAND (7263)

C’mon in... the water’s fine... and so is that sand. Build a castle...

There’s family fun and more at Ocean Beach Park. New this year is our Splash Park for kids under 8. For more water fun we have the ocean, of course, an Olympic-size swimming pool and triple waterslide. Our award-winning lifeguard staff is on duty for your safety. For more fun we have rides, mini-golf, and a Family Fun Center with a video arcade. Kids can enjoy our playground and adults can work out in the health club. The nature walk and observation deck let you enjoy our natural beauty. When all the activity makes you hungry you can choose from our full-service restaurant, a food court, or ice cream stands. Ocean Beach Park can also accommodate picnics and corporate events. Our nightly entertainment schedule includes Classic Car Cruises on Mondays; kids movies on the beach Tuesday and Thursday; live magic on Wednesday; live bands on Friday; and family entertainment on Saturdays.

Submarine Force Museum Submarine Force Museum Groton CT

1 Crystal Lake Road Groton, CT 06340 Phone: 800-343-0079

Been on a submarine? Come explore the Nautilus!

Come aboard, you won’t be bored as you tour the world's first nuclear powered submarine at the only museum dedicated to the science, courage and history of the US Submarine Force. Whether you’re a kid or a history buff, there’s something here of interest for you.
  • Sit in the control room and experience hands-on what submariners had to manage.
  • Explore the memorabilia of historical interest about the submarines rich place in history.
  • Tour the world's first nuclear powered submarine and experience where the crew ate, slept, trained & played.
Live their adventure beneath the ocean’s waves. Our admission is always free. The experience is priceless!

The Dinosaur Place The Dinosaur Place Montville CT

1650 Route 85 Montville, CT 06370 Phone: 860-443-4367 Fax: 860-443-0253

Discover an interactive science and nature adventure

Join us at the “The Dinosaur Place” for an adventure of the prehistoric kind! Visit the indoor Activity Center and check out geodes- volcanic formations that are million of years old! Choose one for us to cut open and be the first to see inside this ancient gas bubble! Children of all ages enjoy digging for gems and crystals, panning for “gold” and excavating a dinosaur skeleton.

Spend the day enjoying Outdoor Adventure! Over 25 life-sized dinosaurs can be found along 1 mile of easy walking trails. Visit the “What am I?” touch and learn stations and romp in Monty’s Playground. Bring sunscreen and flip-flops and enjoy New England’s largest SPLASHPAD®! Monty’s SPLASHPAD® is a zero-depth, fully automated interactive aquatic play system that consists of over 30 dinosaur-themed features designed to stimulate and cool off children of all ages. Changing rooms available. Picnic areas, snack bar and ice cream shop on site. Visit our website for hours, rates, and directions.

The Florence Griswold Museum The Florence Griswold Museum Old Lyme CT

96 Lyme Street Old Lyme, CT 06371 Phone: 860-434-5542

Hours: Krieble Gallery and Griswold House open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Chadwick Studio and Rafal Landscape Center open mid-May through October.

Admission: Adults, $9; seniors, $8; students, $7; children age 12 and younger admitted for free.

This 11-acre riverfront campus calls itself the Home of American Impressionism, for its service in the 1910s as a summer boarding house to artists of the Lyme Art Colony. The Krieble Gallery hosts changing exhibitions of American art. The permanent collection includes works by Church, Cole, Twachtman, Hassam, and others. The Griswold House contains a remarkable collection of painted panels and doors left in their original places by the artists who stayed at the Florence Griswold House. Museum offers many seasonal events and activities for children.
Visitors today understand immediately the site's appeal to the artists who stayed with Florence Griswold. Her house, gardens and river view were favored subjects of her boarders. Walking the grounds, one is delighted by the same trees and gentle bend in the river. Visitors stand at the site of Childe Hassam's favorite spot, stroll Miss Florence's lovingly restored old-fashioned garden.

New Haven/South Central top of listings

Bishop's Orchards Bishop's Orchards Guilford CT

1355 Boston Post Road Guilford, CT 06437 Phone: 203-453-2338

Bishop's Orchards has its own fields for Pick Your Own strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, pears, apples, and pumpkins. A great activity for the whole family to do to get the freshest produce right from the farm. Open mid-June through October for the various crops. Call ahead, (203) 458-PICK, for the most up-to-date information. After a great time at Pick Your Own, bring the kids by our farm market to visit our Llamas, Alpacas and Goats! The kids also love to see and Watch our G Scale Train with cars from the NYNH Railroad circle above your head inside the market. It is a great family outing on the CT Shoreline!
Informational Listings Courtesy of VisitNewEngland.com
Fairfield/Southwest Hartford/Central New Haven/South Central
Fairfield/Southwest top of listings

Beardsley Zoo

1875 Noble Ave. Bridgeport, CT 06610 Phone: 203-394-6565

This zoo exhibits hundreds of animals, from tigers to monkeys and everything in between. Habitats for children to explore include a South American rainforest and a New England farmyard. For quite time, there is a picnic grove, carousel, Victorian greenhouse, and café. Summer programs include Animal Tales and A Day at the Ocean.

Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk

10 North Water St. Norwalk, CT 06854 Phone: 203-852-0700

Kids and parents can visit nose-to-nose with sharks, seals, river otters, wrinkly sea turtles, and stinging jellyfish. Educational public cruises, changing exhibits, a working boat shop, hands-on touch tanks, toddler play area, and an IMAX movie theater with a screen that’s six stories tall make this a place of seafaring adventure.
Hartford/Central top of listings

The Bushnell Park Carousel

Jewell Street at the Memorial Arch Bristol, CT 06010 Phone: 860-585-5411

Kids and adults both are entranced by this hand-carved carousel with 48 horses, two chariots, stained glass windows, mirrors reflecting 800 twinkling light bulbs, and a Wurlitzer band organ. Open May to October, Tuesday to Sunday; September and October, Thursday to Sunday. Call for seasonal changes in hours.

The Children’s Museum

950 Trout Brook Drive West Hartford, CT 06119 Phone: 860-231-2824

Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m.

The Children’s Museum provides rich learning experiences for children of all ages and their families. This science and nature museum has hands-on exhibits, more than 100 live animals, digital planetarium shows, and educational programs, the Wildlife Sanctuary and Roaring Brook Nature Center.
New Haven/South Central top of listings

Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center Ansonia CT

10 Deerfield Lane Ansonia, CT 06401 Phone: 203-736-1053

Once a small family-owned dairy farm, the park is laced with two and one-half miles of nature trails. The land encompasses 104 acres of wooded hills and grassy fields bisected by streams, a two acre pond, wet meadows, and an upland swamp. The site is a microcosm of a typical Connecticut landscape, providing sanctuary to many species of New England flora and fauna. A butterfly/hummingbird garden and an award-winning woodland wildflower and fern garden grace the visitor center. Also, soccer, baseball, and softball fields; several acres reserved for community gardening; and a large play scape for younger children.
Hours: Daily sunup to sundown; interpretive center open 9 a.m. t o 5 p.m. daily except on major holidays.
Admission: Free.
Information: ansonianaturecenter.org