Beardsley Zoo
1875 Noble Ave
Bridgeport, Connecticut 06610
Phone: (203) 394-6565
The Beardsley Zoo has a proud history of over 75 years as Connecticut’s only zoo and is committed to the preservation of endangered animals and actively developing strategies that will protect species and preserve their wild habitats. The majority of its exhibits are devoted to the rare and wonderful animals of North and South America. A stroll through the Zoo will introduce visitors to bears and bison, otters and ocelots and over 120 other species. Many of the Zoo’s South American animals make their home in the Zoo’s naturalistic New World Tropics Building, filled with lush foliage, rushing waterfalls and all the sights and smells of this exotic rainforest environment. Click here for directions.

Amy's Udder Joy Exotic Animal Farm Park and Nature Center
27 North Road
Cromwell, Connecticut 06416
Phone: (860) 635-3924
A great place for you and your child to explore Earths Nature. Visit 54 or more live Exotic and Native Animal, and "Hands on Interactive Exhibits" such as a Salt Water Tidal Pool (seasonal) and Object Table, Llamas, Deer, Antelope, Wallabies, Tropical Reptiles, Ostrich and other Avian species, Maras, Coatimundi, Native Wildlife and many other large and small animals.

Mystic Aquarium
55 Coogan Blvd
Mystic, Connecticut 06355
Phone: (860) 572-5955
500 of the most beautiful and exotic fishes in the world share a 30,000-gallon Coral Reef exhibit. Encounter the sensuous dance of hundreds of jellyfish, fascinating African black-footed penguins and magnificent Steller sea lions. The Mystic Aquarium has sixty feet of crystal-clear viewing so you can get up-close to magnificent beluga whales and spirited seals as they interact and play in this expansive outdoor habitat.

National Parks

Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Park
Putnam, Connecticut
Phone: 860-963-7226
Auto Touring, backpacking, biking, bird watching and hiking.

Dinosaur State Park
400 West Street
Rocky Hill, Connecticut
Phone: (860) 529-8423
An exceptional display of early Jurassic fossil tracks that were made 200 million years ago. Surrounding our Exhibit Center are more than two miles of nature trails and the Dinosaur State Park Arboretum, containing more than 250 species and cultivars of conifers, as well as katsuras, ginkgoes, magnolias and other living representatives of plant families which appeared in the Age of Dinosaurs.

Museums

Barnum Museum
820 Main Street
Bridgeport, Connecticut 06604
Only one man had so varied a career... P.T. Barnum. Entrepreneur, politician, journalist, impresario, museum owner and founder of "The Greatest Show on Earth".

Discovery Museum - Bridgeport
4450 Park Avenue
Bridgeport, Connecticut 06604
Phone: (203) 372-3521
Planetarium and exhibits.

American Clock and Watch Museum
100 Maple St
Bristol, Connecticut
Phone: (203) 583-6070
More than 3,000 clocks and watches in 1801 house on Historic Federal Hill. Not open year round, call ahead.

New England Carousel Museum
Bristol, Connecticut
One of the nation's largest collections of historic carousel art.

Submarine Force Museum
Groton, Connecticut
Phone: (800) 343-0079
Home of Historic Ship NAUTILUS (SSN 571), is the United States Navy's official submarine museum.

Mark Twain House
351 Farmington Avenue
Hartford, Connecticut 06105
Phone: (860) 247-0998
The creator of classics such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court.

Science Center of Connecticut
950 Trout Brook Drive
West Hartford, Connecticut 06119
Home to the Gengras Planetarium, the UTC Wildlife Sanctuary along with exhibit halls, summer camps, and educational programs full of fun and scientific discovery.

Science Center of Eastern Connecticut
33 Gallows Lane
New London, Connecticut
Phone: (860) 442-0391

Stepping Stones Museum for Children
Mathews Park
303 West Avenue
Norwalk, Connecticut 06850
Phone: (203) 899-0606
Stepping Stones Museum for Children invites children to explore, imagine, create and discover new experiences every time they visit! All of our exhibits, designed for children ages 1 to 10, encourage hands-on exploration and discovery, incorporating the themes of Science & Technology, The Arts, Culture and Heritage.

Theme Parks, Amusement Parks & Water Parks

The Haunted Graveyard
Lake Compounce, Bristol, Connecticut
Dozens of Hollywood-style scares await you! Acres of terrifying attractions beckon you into the macabre world of zombies, ghouls, and night stalkers. (Open for Halloween)

Lake Compounce (Theme and Water Park)
Lake Compounce, Bristol, Connecticut
More than 50 thrilling rides and attractions. Fun family water rides and much more.

Quassy Amusement Park
Lake Quassapaug, Rt. 64
Middlebury, Connecticut 06762
Phone: (800) FOR-PARK
Quassy offers a multitude of exciting and fun-filled attractions for the whole family. From the thrill of The Big Flush Water Coaster to a pleasant and leisurely ride aboard Quassy Queen II, there is literally something for everyone. Quassy's 24 rides, swimming and boating on beautiful Lake Quassapaug, karaoke and a petting zoo for the little ones make Quassy a high priority family destination for safe, affordable family fun.

Family Activities

Greenwood Glass Blowing Studio/Gallery
(Inside the Historic Union Church)
3 Robertsville Road
Riverton, CT 06065
Phone: 860-738-9464
Fun Glass Blowing Workshops and blow your own glass ornament birthday activity. Year Round on Tues. - Sat. Grades/ages 6 year old and up. Each child will blow their own glass ornament (which they will get to keep). Watch the amazement on the children's face as they see the glass expand into a ornament as they blow into the pipe. Two experienced instructors will guide the children through this fun process. All materials included. No experience necessary. Make your own paperweight, glass flower, simple blown objects. Depending on your interests we can accommodate workshops to fit your needs.

If you know of a family activity in Connecticut, let us know and we will add it here.

Summer - Family Vacation Hot Spots (Beaches, Lakes, etc.)

Mystic - Come to Mystic, Connecticut and experience history, view a world-class aquarium, and thrill at the excitement of the casinos. Dine at fine restaurants and stay in a convenient hotel, quaint inn or bed & breakfast. Enjoy boating, sailing, fishing, or just relaxing on the beach. Shop in the historic downtown, at Olde Mistick Village or Stonington. Mystic is ideal for your family vacation.

Stamford - Beaches, parks, golfing and many other recreation activities.

Attawan Beach - approximately 10 miles southwest of New London.

Colebrook River Lake - Boating, fishing and ice fishing in the winter. North of U.S. 202 and 44.

Lake Lillinonah - Fishing and boating. The lake is known for it's great fishing.

Candlewood Lake - Fishing, boating, swimming and picnicking. North of Danbury off of Route 39.

Lake Zoar - Swimming, Fishing, all types of boating activites and picniking. Located near Newton.

Zoos, Museums, National Parks listed above and Winter Parks listed below, many of which offer summer family activities. During summer months the Winter Park links below will show you summer activities that are available at the parks.

Winter - Family Vacation Hot Spots (Ski Resorts, etc.)

Mohawk Mountain
46 Great Hollow Rd
Cornwall, Connecticut 06753
Phone: (800) 895-5222
Mohawk Mountain features two dozen trails for skiing and snowboarding ... all groomed by state of the art snowmaking equipment, five chairlifts and amenities for all snow sport enthusiasts. There is also cross-country skiing in the adjacent Mohawk State Forest (conditions permitting). Since 1990 most terrain is fully lighted for night skiing. The Winter Sports Learning Center accommodates skiers and snowboarders of all ages and abilities with professional programs from Skiwee for children to group and private lessons.

Powder Ridge / Whitewater Mountain
99 Powder Hill Road
Middlefield, Connecticut
Phone: (877) SKI-RIDGE
Skiing, snowboarding and a variety of tubing runs, including New England's first multi-person family tube ride.

Ski Sundown
126 Ratlum Rd
New Hartford, Connecticut 06057
Phone: (860) 379-9851
Ski Sundown is a great family location with small crowds, romantic inns, restaurants, antique shops, museums, galleries and shops to explore.

Mount Southington
396 Mt Vernon Rd
Southington, Connecticut 06489
Phone: (860) 628-0954
Mount Southington has great snow, great prices, and a great family atmosphere. You'll find everything from gentle novice runs off the summit to steep, narrow cruisers through the forest. Special Mountain features include 2 Terrain Parks for the high flyers and "The Glacier" children's learning area.

Woodbury Ski and Racquet Area
785 Washington Rd
Woodbury, Connecticut 06798
Phone: (203) 263-2203
Woodbury Ski Area offers winter fun for the whole family with cross-country trails, a snowboard park and excellent downhill skiing serviced by three rope tows and a double chair.

Helpful websites and services

If you know of a website or company that is helpful to families traveling to Connecticut, let us know and we will add it here.

Travel Specials & Vacation Packages

(specials are updated weekly)
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