Wildlife - Nightlife

This is one of 20 pairs that ran in various types of out-of-home advertising in summer 2018. It ran in Columbus Circle station in NYC, on digital kiosks all over Manhattan, along the rail lines for Metro North and LIRR, on bus shelters in Boston, and on a few roadside billboards near the edges of Connecticut.

Featuring: Avalon Nightclub | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo

Out of Home Billboards

Featuring: Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum | Black Hall Outfitters - Old Lyme | City of Groton | Connecticut Science Center | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo | Essex Steam Train & Riverboat | Lighthouse Point Park | Mystic Aquarium | New England Carousel Museum | Saltwater Farm Vineyard | Supercharged Powered by Mohegan Sun - Indoor Karting & Trampoline Park | The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk | Town of Cornwall | Town of Plainville

Take Your Time, Connecticut — Play Tourist in Your Own Backyard!

Research shows that 7.2 million vacation days go unused in Connecticut every year. Now, with a new nationwide study touting the health benefits of taking more of your hard-earned Paid Time Off (PTO) days, we’ve got a few suggestions on how you can “take your time” — while playing tourist right here at home. 

Featuring: American Museum of Tort Law | Antiques on the Farmington | Argia Mystic Cruises | Ballard Institute & Museum of Puppetry | Barker Character, Comic & Cartoon Museum | Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library | Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden | Book Barn | Boothe Memorial Park & Museum | Breck Marshall at Mystic Seaport | Bruce Museum | Butler-McCook House & Garden | Cathedral Pines Farm | Collinsville Canoe & Kayak | Connecticut River Museum | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo | Cross Sound Ferry Lighthouse Cruise | Custom House Maritime Museum | Deacon John Graves House (c.1685) | Dinosaur State Park | Florence Griswold Museum | G Spa at Foxwoods | General David Humphreys House (c.1698) | Gillette Castle State Park | Glebe House Museum & Gertrude Jekyll Garden | Greenwich Historical Society | Harriet Beecher Stowe Center | Hempsted Houses | Henry Whitfield State Museum | Hill-Stead Museum | Historic Ship Nautilus & Submarine Force Museum | Hollister House Garden | Kent Falls State Park | Leffingwell House Museum | Lighthouse Point Park | Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum (c.1864) | Lyme Art Association | Mandara Spa at Mohegan Sun | Mayflower Inn & Spa | Mohawk Mountain Ski Area | Mount Southington Ski Area | Mystic Seaport Museum | Mystic Whaler Cruises | Nathan Hale Homestead | New Britain Museum of American Art | New England Science & Sailing | Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society | Ogden House & Gardens | Osborne Homestead Museum | Paddle Mystic-Mystic River Adventure Company | Phelps-Hatheway House | Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort | Project Oceanology | Quinebaug River Trail | Roseland Cottage Museum | S&P Oyster Co. | Saybrook Point Resort & Marina | Schooner Brilliant at Mystic Seaport | Sea Mist Thimble Island Cruise, LLC | Ski Sundown | Sleeping Giant State Park | Stamford Museum & Nature Center | Tanger Outlets at Foxwoods | The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum | The Glass House | The Glass House | The Mark Twain House & Museum | The Spa at Norwich Inn | The Spa at Norwich Inn | The Vanilla Bean Café | Town of Essex | Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art | Water's Edge Resort & Spa | Webb Deane Stevens Museum | Westbrook Outlets | White Flower Farm | White Memorial Foundation | Winding Trails Cross Country Ski Center | Winvian Farm | Yale Center for British Art

Not-So-Scary Halloween Fun in Connecticut

With historic graveyards and real-life haunted mansions, Connecticut has Halloween spirit to spare. But if you have a child spooked by things that go bump in the night, October could be a reason to hide under the bed! Have no fear, from slimy surprises to pumpkin patches, read on to discover the best events across the state that offer more treats than tricks.

Featuring: Adventure Park at Storrs | Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum | Beardsley's Cider Mill & Orchard | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo | Downtown Essex | Ellsworth Hill Orchard & Berry Farm | Flamig Farm | HighFlyer Zipline at Foxwoods Resort Casino | Historic Wethersfield | Lyman Orchards | Rogers Orchards Shuttle Meadow Farm | Shore Line Trolley Museum | Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center | Town of East Hampton | Town of Woodbury

25 Summer Day Trip Ideas in Connecticut

Meet the CT Ambassadors! CTvisit.com is proud to partner with some of Connecticut’s most popular bloggers for ideas, insights and inspirations from the people who are lucky enough to call Connecticut home. This article is from MommyPoppins.com.

Every summer weekend is an opportunity to create a mini family vacation, as easily as jumping in the car. Our friends at Mommy Poppins, a fantastic resource for families in Connecticut and beyond, make it even more compelling with a list of 25 events and attractions for some seriously awesome summer adventures. They’re grouped by area, so you can easily create your own itinerary.

Featuring: Action Wildlife Foundation | City of Milford | City of Norwalk | Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets | Connecticut Science Center | Connecticut Trolley Museum | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo | Dinosaur State Park | Historic Ship Nautilus & Submarine Force Museum | Jones Family Farms | Lake Compounce Theme Park | Mystic Aquarium | Mystic Pizza | Mystic Seaport Museum | New England Carousel Museum | Ocean Beach Park | Project Oceanology | Quassy Amusement & Waterpark | Railroad Museum of New England/Naugatuck Railroad Company | Southwind Farms | Stamford Museum & Nature Center | The Dinosaur Place at Nature's Art Village | The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk | The Only Game in Town | Town of Goshen

7 Wild Encounters in Connecticut

We've got places in Connecticut where you can interact with animals of every order.

Featuring: Action Wildlife Foundation | Burgis Brook Alpacas | Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Fairfield | Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Pomfret | Connecticut Audubon Society Coastal Center | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo | Creamery Brook Bison | Flamig Farm | Fort Hill Farms | Karabin Farms | Mystic Aquarium | Stamford Museum & Nature Center | The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk

Connecticut with Teens

Planning an outing with the family can be difficult if you’ve got a teenager to please. Thankfully, Connecticut has some great pain-free experiences that will be fun for the whole family. Here are a few safely reopened spots that even your teen will enjoy.

Featuring: Bicycle Tour Company | Black Hall Outfitters - Westbrook | Brownstone Adventure Sports Park | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo | Copper Creek Mini Golf at Nature's Art Village | Foxwoods Resort Casino | HighFlyer Zipline at Foxwoods Resort Casino | Lake Compounce Theme Park | Lucky Strike Charters | Mansfield Drive-In Theatre & Marketplace | Mystic Aquarium | Pleasant Valley Drive-In | Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort | Quassy Amusement & Waterpark | Sugar Factory American Brasserie | The Connecticut Pizza Trail

8 Spring Flings to Get You Out of the City

When the snow and ice finally thaw and things start to turn green again, that’s the perfect time to take a trip outside the city and experience springtime in Connecticut. Late March through mid-June, everything from flowers and fishing to farm animals and food trucks re-emerges from hibernation, ready to be experienced. Got a springtime fling we haven’t mentioned? Let us know @CTvisit.

Featuring: Action Wildlife Foundation | Belknap Preserve | Black Hall Outfitters - Old Lyme | Black Hall Outfitters - Westbrook | Brignole Vineyards | Buttermilk Lane Farm | Chamard Vineyards | City of Bridgeport | Collinsville Canoe & Kayak | Connecticut Audubon Society Deer Pond Farm | Connecticut College Arboretum | Connecticut Wine Country | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo | Earthplace, The Nature Discovery & Environmental Learning Center | Elizabeth Park Rose Gardens | Flamig Farm | Gillette Castle State Park | Haight-Brown Vineyard | Halfinger Farms | Hill-Stead Museum | Housatonic Anglers | Lavender Pond Farm | McLean Game Refuge | Middlebank II | Mine Hill Preserve/Roxbury Land Trust | Mountain Meadow Outfitters and Charters | Mystic Aquarium | Pachaug State Forest | Rum Runner | Scoot & Paddle | Stamford Museum & Nature Center | Taylor Brooke Winery | Town of Ridgefield | University of Connecticut Animal Barns Self-Guided Tours | Westmoor Park

Calling All Kids

There’s just no end to all the things kids can do in Connecticut, either just plain fun or attractions that engage their creativity and imagination. The best combine both.

Featuring: Connecticut Science Center | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo | Dinosaur State Park | Essex Steam Train & Riverboat | Historic Ship Nautilus & Submarine Force Museum | Lake Compounce Theme Park | Mystic Aquarium | Mystic Seaport Museum | New England Air Museum | Stepping Stones Museum for Children | The Dinosaur Place at Nature's Art Village | The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk

May: Mother’s Day, Memorial Day and More

Beyond all the blooming flowers, May is a month full of celebrations. From Mother’s Day to Memorial Day and all of the graduation ceremonies in between, Connecticut is filled with fun ways to mark these special occasions and make memories that last a lifetime. See below for creative ideas that will keep you busy all month long.

Featuring: Abbott's Lobster in the Rough | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo | Elbow Room | Elizabeth Park Rose Gardens | Empower Adventure Park at Nomads | Fresh Salt at Saybrook Point Resort & Marina | Lime Rock Park | Mystic Seaport Museum | OnTheMarc | RiverQuest | Shell & Bones Oyster Bar & Grill | Webb Deane Stevens Museum | West Street Grill

May: Mother’s Day, Memorial Day and More

Beyond all the blooming flowers, May is a month full of celebrations. From Mother’s Day to Memorial Day and all of the graduation ceremonies in between, Connecticut is filled with fun ways to mark these special occasions and make memories that last a lifetime. See below for creative ideas that will keep you busy all month long.  

Featuring: Abbott's Lobster in the Rough | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo | Elbow Room | Elizabeth Park Rose Gardens | Empower Adventure Park at Nomads | Fresh Salt at Saybrook Point Resort & Marina | La Plage | Lime Rock Park | Mystic Seaport Museum | RiverQuest | Shell & Bones Oyster Bar & Grill | Webb Deane Stevens Museum | West Street Grill

Follow the Clues - Scavenger Hunts in Connecticut

You can find special event scavenger hunts year round in Connecticut—some are tied to events and celebrations, others are just a unique way to discover a museum or attraction. They’re also perfect for school groups and a great team-building idea for businesses and organizations. Best of all, it’s a fun way to experience some of Connecticut’s best hidden treasures.

Featuring: Adventure Rooms | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo | Escape 101 | Escape New Haven | Forbidden Escape | Hill-Stead Museum | Mission Escape Games | Museum of Connecticut History | Mystic Aquarium | Mystic Seaport Museum | Mystified Escape Rooms | Panic Room | Pursue the Clues | Stamford Museum & Nature Center | Team vs Time - Premier Room Escape | White Memorial Conservation Center Museum | Wigwam Escape | Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History

Accessible Connecticut - Welcoming to All Abilities

Connecticut is filled with things to discover, from natural places to explore to cultural treasures to enjoy. And it’s important to our state that as many as possible of our hotels, attractions and experiences are open to as many visitors as possible. That’s why we’re working to reduce barriers and create new experiences designed to welcome visitors with disabilities, their families and friends.

Featuring: American Legion State Forest | Black Rock State Park | Bruce Museum | Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Fairfield | Connecticut Science Center | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo | Earthplace, The Nature Discovery & Environmental Learning Center | EverWonder Children's Museum | Greenwich Audubon Center | Hammonasset Beach State Park | Hartford Stage | Housatonic Meadows State Park | Kettletown State Park | Lake Compounce Theme Park | Lake Waramaug State Park | Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center | Mystic Aquarium | Mystic Seaport Museum | New England Air Museum | New England Science & Sailing | Rocky Neck State Park | Sacred Heart University’s Discovery Science Center & Planetarium | Ski Sundown | Stamford Museum & Nature Center | Stepping Stones Museum for Children | The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum | The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk | Town of Old Lyme | Town of Ridgefield | Yale Repertory Theatre

34 Things to Do in Connecticut This September

Looking for something to do in Connecticut in September? Whether you want something active or relaxing, cultural or nature-oriented, historic or trendy, there is always so much to do, and it’s all so close together. Here are some highlights for September.

For even more ideas check out CTvisit.com where you can search by type of activity under the “DO” navigation tab, or browse articles full of ideas under the “IDEAS” tab.

Featuring: Action Wildlife Foundation | Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum | Argia Mystic Cruises | Berkshire Balloons | Black Hall Outfitters - Old Lyme | Black Hall Outfitters - Westbrook | Connecticut Art Trail | Connecticut River Valley Inn | Connecticut Voyager Balloons | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo | Essex Steam Train & Riverboat | Ferris Acres Creamery | Fresh Salt at Saybrook Point Resort & Marina | HighFlyer Zipline at Foxwoods Resort Casino | Homestead Inn | Keeler Tavern Museum (c.1713) | Lee's Riding Stable | Lincoln Financial Sculpture Walk at Riverfront | Mansfield Drive-In Theatre & Marketplace | Onrust | Poet's Lounge Charters | R/V "Spirit of the Sound" | Rich Farm Ice Cream | Safari Golf | Salmon River State Forest | Saybrook Point Miniature Golf | Stonecroft Country Inn | Studio 80 + Sculpture Grounds | Tamarack Lodge & Indie Glamping Resort | The Mark Twain House & Museum | The West Lane Inn | UConn Dairy Bar | Vintage Radio & Communications Museum of Connecticut | Wall to Wall: The New London Mural Walk

38 Things to do in Connecticut this October

Looking for something to do in CT in October? Whether you want something active, relaxing, cultural or nature-oriented, we have you covered. Learn more!

Featuring: Action Wildlife Foundation | Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum | Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum | Antique & Artisan Gallery | Antiques Marketplace | Beardsley's Cider Mill & Orchard | Belltown Hill Orchards | Bishop's Orchards Farm Market & Winery | Burr Pond State Park | City of Hartford | Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Pomfret | Connecticut Science Center | Connecticut Trolley Museum | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo | Creamery Brook Bison | Dinosaur State Park | Edwin C. Ahlberg Antiques | Ellsworth Hill Orchard & Berry Farm | Empower Adventure Park at Nomads | Escape New Haven | Essex Steam Train & Riverboat | HighFlyer Zipline at Foxwoods Resort Casino | Hopkins Vineyard | Keeler Tavern Museum (c.1713) | Lincoln Financial Sculpture Walk at Riverfront | Lyman Orchards | Mansfield Drive-In Theatre & Marketplace | Mind Factory Escape Games | Mission Escape Games | Mystic Seaport Museum | Mystified Escape Rooms | New England Cider Company | Old Saybrook Antiques Center | PEZ Visitor Center | Pleasant Valley Drive-In | Roaring Brook Nature Center | Rogers Orchards Shuttle Meadow Farm | Roseland Cottage Museum | Rowanwood Farm | Salt Cave of Darien | Sleeping Giant State Park | Southington Drive-In | Spring Hill Vineyards | Stamford Museum & Nature Center | Strawberry Park Resort | Studio 80 + Sculpture Grounds | Tapping Reeve House & Law School | Taste of New Haven Tours | The Connecticut Pizza Trail | The Inn at Woodstock Hill | The Mark Twain House & Museum | The Wallingford Victorian Inn | Town of Cornwall | Town of Litchfield | Town of Wethersfield | Wall to Wall: The New London Mural Walk | Wolf's Den Family Campground | Yankee Cider Barn at Staehly Farms

31 Things to do in Connecticut this November

Looking for something to do in Connecticut this November? Whether you want something active, relaxing, cultural or nature-oriented, we have you covered. Learn more!

Featuring: Adventure Park at Storrs | Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum | Alice in the Village | Angevine Farm | Bigelow Hollow State Park | Bishop's Orchards Farm Market & Winery | Black Hall Outfitters - Old Lyme | Black Hall Outfitters - Westbrook | City of Hartford | Clark Farms at Bushy Hill Orchard | Clark Farms at Bushy Hill Orchard | Collinsville Canoe & Kayak | Connecticut Science Center | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo | Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center | Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm | Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm | Ellsworth Hill Orchard & Berry Farm | EverWonder Children's Museum | Fairview Tree Farm | Flamig Farm | Florence Griswold Museum | Greater Middletown Military Museum | Hogan's Cider Mill | IT Adventure Ropes Course | KidsPlay Children's Museum | Maple Bank Farm | Maple Bank Farm | Mattabesett Blue Trail | Miller Tree Farm | New Canaan Nature Center | Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society | Northwest Park & Nature Center | PEZ Visitor Center | Salt of the Earth Therapeutic Spa | Seaside Shadows Haunted History Tours | Shore Line Trolley Museum | Silverman's Farm | Spoke + Spy Ciderworks | Still Waters Retreat | The Mark Twain House & Museum | The Spa at Norwich Inn | Toyota Oakdale Theatre | West Haven Veteran's Museum and Learning Center | Wigwam Escape | Yankee Cider Barn at Staehly Farms

Great Ways to Use Your Vacation Days

No time to take time off? If you’re one of the 41% of Americans who didn’t take a single vacation day in 2016, you’re not alone. Half of working Americans don't use all their paid-time off. No doubt, you’re busy. But if your job pays you for days off, why not use them — and use them well? Take a short jaunt to Connecticut for these physically and mentally refreshing ways to make the most of your days off. 

Featuring: Barker Character, Comic & Cartoon Museum | Bruce Museum | Connecticut River Museum | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo | Downtown Essex | Lyme Art Association | Mystic Seaport Museum | New Britain Museum of American Art | Stamford Museum & Nature Center | Studio 80 + Sculpture Grounds | Tanger Outlets at Foxwoods | The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum | The Glass House | The Mark Twain House & Museum | The Spa at Norwich Inn | The Vanilla Bean Café | Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art | Westbrook Outlets | White Flower Farm | Yale Center for British Art

Cat Lovers' Connecticut

Traveling with dogs is a huge trend. But why should Fido get all the attention? What about those who want to travel with or otherwise celebrate cats during a getaway? Come to Connecticut! The state has perfect places for anyone traveling with Felix. Or, if Fluffy stays home, you can still get your feline fix at one of these great cat-celebrating attractions.

Featuring: Abbey's Lantern Hill Inn | Book Barn | City of Middletown | City of New Haven | City of Torrington | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo | Green Acres B&B | Harbour Inne & Cottage | Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham | Hotchkiss-Fyler House Museum | La Quinta Inn & Suites - Danbury | Mew Haven Cat Cafe | Railroad Museum of New England/Naugatuck Railroad Company | Residence Inn by Marriott - Mystic | Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa | The Farmington Inn | The Mark Twain House & Museum | The Study at Yale | Town of Avon | Town of Branford | Town of Cheshire | Town of East Haddam | Town of East Hartford | Town of Griswold | Town of Monroe | Town of Naugatuck | Town of New Milford | Town of Newington | Town of Waterford | Town of Westport | Town of Windsor | Town of Woodstock

Virtual Activities for Families

As the weeks of keeping our families safe at home continue, parents are looking for virtual activities to engage, teach, and add some structure to their kids’ day. 

Many popular Connecticut attractions are now offering a wide array of virtual experiences from live animal webcams, to arts and crafts classes, science demonstrations, yoga classes for kids and nightly bedtime story readings. Enjoy these as a family, or grab a little time away without feeling guilty about your kids’ screen time.

Due to the rapidly evolving situation, we encourage you to check back frequently for updates to this list and to verify offering details with individual properties.

Featuring: Ballard Institute & Museum of Puppetry | City of Bridgeport | City of Danbury | City of Meriden | City of New Haven | Connecticut Science Center | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo | Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center | Fairfield Museum & History Center | Gunn Memorial Library & Historical Museum | Imagine Nation, A Museum Early Learning Center | KidsPlay Children's Museum | Lake Compounce Theme Park | Mattatuck Museum | Meigs Point Nature Center | Mystic Aquarium | Mystified Escape Rooms | Quassy Amusement & Waterpark | Shubert Theatre | Stepping Stones Museum for Children | The Children's Museum | The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk | Town of Ashford | Town of Berlin | Town of Bethel | Town of Cheshire | Town of Cheshire | Town of Essex | Town of Guilford | Town of Hamden | Town of Madison | Town of Mystic | Town of Portland | Town of Salisbury | Town of Stonington | Town of Wallingford | Town of Wallingford | Town of West Hartford | Town of Westport | Westport Country Playhouse

What's Open Now: Family Fun

Been cooped up with the kids and tired of all the screen time? It’s time to get back out and it feels so good. The summer sun is out and Connecticut’s got family fun galore! From sailing to zoo-going, there’s so much to discover right in your backyard – and the kids will love it too.

Featuring: Branford River Paddlesports, Kayaks and Tours | Connecticut Science Center | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo | Mansfield Drive-In Theatre & Marketplace | Mystified Escape Rooms | PEZ Visitor Center | Poet's Lounge Charters | Quassy Amusement & Waterpark | Safari Golf | Slipaway River Tours

36 Things to do in Connecticut this October

Looking for something to do in Connecticut in October? Even with all the COVID-19 safety restrictions, there is still so much to see and do! Whether you want something active or relaxing, cultural or nature-oriented, historic or trendy, Connecticut's got you covered. Here are some highlights for October.

Featuring: Action Wildlife Foundation | Adventure Park at Storrs | Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum | Antique & Artisan Gallery | Antiques Marketplace | Beardsley's Cider Mill & Orchard | Bishop's Orchards Farm Market & Winery | Burr Pond State Park | City of Danbury | Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Pomfret | Connecticut Science Center | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo | Dinosaur State Park | Edwin C. Ahlberg Antiques | Ellsworth Hill Orchard & Berry Farm | Escape New Haven | Essex Steam Train & Riverboat | HighFlyer Zipline at Foxwoods Resort Casino | Hopkins Inn | Keeler Tavern Museum (c.1713) | Lincoln Financial Sculpture Walk at Riverfront | Lyman Orchards | Mansfield Drive-In Theatre & Marketplace | Mission Escape Games | Mystified Escape Rooms | New England Cider Company | Old Saybrook Antiques Center | PEZ Visitor Center | Roaring Brook Nature Center | Rogers Orchards Shuttle Meadow Farm | Roseland Cottage Museum | Rowanwood Farm | Salt Cave of Darien | Shore Line Trolley Museum | Sleeping Giant State Park | Stamford Museum & Nature Center | Strawberry Park Resort | Studio 80 + Sculpture Grounds | Taste of New Haven Tours | The Inn at Woodstock Hill | The Mark Twain House & Museum | The Wallingford Victorian Inn | Town of Cornwall | Town of Lebanon | Town of Litchfield | Town of Scotland | Wall to Wall: The New London Mural Walk | Wolf's Den Family Campground | Yankee Cider Barn at Staehly Farms

Safe, Merry & Bright: The Holiday Season in 2020

Walkin’ in a winter wonderland may look different this year, but we can still make the holiday season memorable. While the state’s holiday guidance calls for smaller or even virtual gatherings, Connecticut has many new and creative ways to keep your holiday spirits up.

Featuring: Abigail's Grille & Wine Bar | Action Wildlife Foundation | Allen Hill Farm | Angevine Farm | Bear's Smokehouse (Hartford) | Bernard's + Sarah's Wine Bar | Black-Eyed Sally's Southern Kitchen & Bar | Blue Back Square | Broken Arrow Nursery | Cafe on the Green | Castle Hill Farm | Cava Restaurant | Charlie Brown's Christmas Tree Farm | City of Bridgeport | City of Bristol | City of New London | City of Norwalk | City of Torrington | Connecticut Chocolate Trail | Connecticut Trolley Museum | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo | Copper Beech Inn | Da Capo | Divine Treasures | Dzen Tree Farm | Essex Clipper Dinner Train | Essex Steam Train & Riverboat | Evergreen Acres Tree Farm | Fairview Tree Farm | Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar | Fresh Salt at Saybrook Point Resort & Marina | Goodwin Park | Greiser's Coffee & Market | Griswold Inn | Hickory Ridge Tree Farm | Hubbard Park & Castle Craig | Jones Family Farms | La Trattoria | Madison Beach Hotel | Maple Hollow Christmas Tree Farm | Maple Row Farm | Mayflower Inn & Spa | Mill on the River | Miller Tree Farm | Mohawk Mountain Ski Area | Mount Southington Ski Area | Mozzicato DePasquale Bakery & Pastry Shop | Mystic Seaport Museum | Olde Mistick Village | Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort | River - A Waterfront Restaurant & Bar | Shell & Bones Oyster Bar & Grill | Sift Bake Shop | Ski Sundown | Staehly Tree Farm & Winery | Tavern at Graybarns | The Inn at Woodstock Hill | The Shops at Yale | The Whaler's Inn | Town of Avon | Town of Greenwich | Town of Hebron | Town of Sherman | Town of Southington | Town of Washington | Town of West Hartford | Town of Wilton | Town of Windsor | Toyota Oakdale Theatre | West Street Grill | White Memorial Conservation Center Museum | Wickham Park | Winding Trails Cross Country Ski Center | Winterberry Farm | elm Restaurant

Cut or Pick Your Own Christmas Tree & More in Fairfield County!

Exactly when does that joyful holiday spirit really kick in? That’s easy ­– when you bring home the Christmas tree! So why not make a memorable day of it by visiting a local tree farm and cutting your own? Find out which species provide the perfect color, branch strength, needle retention and aroma for your home. Each farm adds their own special touches – like cider and hot chocolate, hayrides and visits from Santa. So, bundle up, grab the kids and Rex (on a leash) and rev up the holidays at a Connecticut Christmas Tree Farm. 

Featuring: Bartaco - Westport | Brick + Wood | Connecticut Audubon Society - H. Smith Richardson Tree Farm | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo | Courtyard by Marriott - Shelton | Fairview Tree Farm | Jones Family Farms | Maple Row Farm | Sabia Tree Farm | Stamford Museum & Nature Center | Stamford Suites Hotel | Town of Greenwich

Family Fun for All Four Seasons

No matter the season, Connecticut is your one-stop spot for family fun. Here you can enjoy the distinct seasons and take in spring flower festivals, make a summer splash at the beach or a water park, admire the fall foliage or find downhill thrills at a winter ski resort. Whether you've got young kids or a teen that's hard to please, Connecticut offers adventures, year-round.

Featuring: Action Wildlife Foundation | Adventure Park at Storrs | Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum | Andrews Homestead (1760) | Angevine Farm | Ashford Dairy Bar | BAR | Bigelow Hollow State Park | Blue Jay Orchards | Bohemian Pizza | Buttonwood Farm Ice Cream | Campbell Falls State Park Reserve | Capital Ice Cream | Cheney Homestead (c.1785) | City of Milford | City of New Britain | City of New Haven | City of Stamford | Colony Grill | Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Fairfield | Connecticut Science Center | Connecticut Trolley Museum | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo | Crystal Lake | Devil's Hopyard State Park | Domenic's & Vinnie's - Southington | Elizabeth Park Rose Gardens | Escape New Haven | Essex Steam Train & Riverboat | EverWonder Children's Museum | Flamig Farm | Fort Stamford | Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana - New Haven | Giuffrida Park | Goodwin Park | Hidden Valley Preserve | HighFlyer Zipline at Foxwoods Resort Casino | Historic Ship Nautilus & Submarine Force Museum | Hollister House Garden | IT Adventure Ropes Course | Johnny Appleseed's Farm | Lutz Children's Museum | Lyman Orchards | Mansfield Hollow State Park | MindBreak Escape Rooms | Modern Apizza | Mohawk Mountain Ski Area | Mount Tom State Park | Mystic Aquarium | Mystified Escape Rooms | Nathan Hale Homestead | New England Air Museum | Niantic Children's Museum | Pachaug State Forest | Panic Room | Pizza Pete's | Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort | Quassy Amusement & Waterpark | Ray of Light Farm | Rogers Orchards Sunnymount Farm | Roseland Cottage Museum | Sally's Apizza | Sea Swirl of Mystic | Seaside Shadows Haunted History Tours | Sky Zone - Norwalk | Sugar Factory American Brasserie | Tankerhoosen Valley - Vernon's Green Valley | The Children's Museum | The Dudley Farm Museum | The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk | The Mark Twain House & Museum | Thorncrest Farm, LLC & Milk House Chocolates | Town of West Hartford | Tulmeadow Farm Store and Ice Cream Shop | University of Connecticut Animal Barns Self-Guided Tours | We-Li-Kit Farm | White Memorial Conservation Center Museum | Whittle's Willow Spring Farm | Wickham Park

Virtual Activities for At-Home Experiences

Connecticut attractions, museums and entertainment venues have temporarily closed in order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. But that doesn’t mean you can’t visit—virtually.

Here are a few popular attractions across Connecticut that have created special online experiences or projects to entertain, teach and engage you while you stay safe at home.

Due to the rapidly evolving situation, we encourage you to check back frequently for updates and to verify offering details with individual properties.

Featuring: Artspace | Avon Theatre Film Center | Ballard Institute & Museum of Puppetry | Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens | Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library | Bradley Playhouse | Bruce Museum | Cafe Aura | City of Bristol | City of Danbury | City of Hartford | City of New Haven | Connecticut Art Trail | Connecticut Historical Society Museum and Library | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo | Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center | Eli Whitney Museum | Fairfield Museum & History Center | Fairfield Theatre Company | Fairfield University Art Museum | Fitstyle Walking Tours | Florence Griswold Museum | Glastonbury Planetarium | Goodspeed Musicals - The Goodspeed | Harriet Beecher Stowe Center | Hartford Public Library | Hartford Stage | Henry Whitfield State Museum | Imagine Nation, A Museum Early Learning Center | Kehler Liddell Gallery | KidsPlay Children's Museum | Lake Compounce Theme Park | Lyman Allyn Art Museum | Lyme Art Association | Maritime Grille | Mattatuck Museum | Meigs Point Nature Center | Mohegan Sun | Mystic Aquarium | Mystic Seaport Museum | Mystified Escape Rooms | New England Air Museum | New England Carousel Museum | Niantic Children's Museum | Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society | Norfolk Chamber Music Festival | Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine | PEZ Visitor Center | Palace Theater | Pequot Library | Playhouse on Park | Quassy Amusement & Waterpark | Roseland Cottage Museum | Seaside Shadows Haunted History Tours | Slater Memorial Museum | Stafford Motor Speedway | Stamford Museum & Nature Center | The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum | The Children's Museum | The Glass House | The Mark Twain House & Museum | TheaterWorks | Town of Ashford | Town of Guilford | Town of Hamden | Town of Orange | Town of Salisbury | Town of Stonington | Town of West Hartford | Town of Westport | Town of Wethersfield | Town of Woodbridge | United States Coast Guard Academy | Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art | Wadsworth Mansion | Westport Country Playhouse | Westport Museum for History & Culture | White Memorial Conservation Center Museum | William Benton Museum of Art | Wilton Historical Society | Windham Textile and History Museum | Woodcock Nature Center | Yale Center for British Art | Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History | Yale University Art Gallery | Yale University Visitor Center

Running Wild

Where to go when the kids just need to run wild? Luckily, there are many places in the state where you and the kids can head out into the woods and fields. For example, there are dozens of nature centers, but the following offer some special pleasures:

Featuring: Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo | Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center | Mystic Aquarium | Oak Grove Nature Center | Roaring Brook Nature Center | Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area | Stamford Museum & Nature Center | The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk

Three Generational Travel in Connecticut

After so many of us missed beloved family events and holiday parties with loved ones, we’re ready to make up for lost time. And nothing says quality time like traveling together! From cozy accommodations and delicious dining to active adventures, arts & culture, outdoor fun, and beyond, we’ve gathered ways to get away with grandparents, grandkids, and everyone in between.

Featuring: 1754 House Inn, Restaurant & Tavern | 85 Main | Abigail's Grille & Wine Bar | Adventure Rooms | Ambler Farm | Arethusa Farm | Ashley's Ice Cream (Hamden) | Barker Character, Comic & Cartoon Museum | Bishop's Orchards Farm Market & Winery | Brignole Vineyards | Buell's Orchard | Chester's Barbecue | City of New Haven | Clark Farms at Bushy Hill Orchard | Club Getaway | Comfort Inn & Suites - Dayville | Connecticut Science Center | Connecticut Trolley Museum | Connecticut Voyager Balloons | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo | Consiglio's Restaurant | Custom House Maritime Museum | Denmo's Dairy & Snack Bar | DoubleTree by Hilton - Bristol | Fascia's Chocolates | Fire at the Ridge | Flamig Farm | Fort Hill Farms | Foxwoods Resort Casino | Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana - New Haven | Gouveia Vineyards | Guided Flyfishing Trips-Housatonic River Outfitters | Hampton Inn Shelton | Hank's Restaurant | Harbor View Landing | Hartford Yard Goats | Homewood Suites by Hilton Wallingford/Meriden | Interlaken Inn, Resort & Conference Center | J. Timothy's Taverne | Jesse Camille's Restaurant | Jones Family Farms | Lenny & Joe's Fish Tale Restaurant (Westbrook) | Louis' Lunch | Lyman Orchards | Madison Beach Hotel | Main Stream Canoes & Kayaks | Market Grille | Market Place Tavern | Max Burger | Max a Mia Ristorante | Mew Haven Cat Cafe | MindBreak Escape Rooms | Modern Apizza | Mohegan Sun | Mystic Aquarium | Mystic Diner | Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream | Mystic Marriott Hotel | Mystic Pizza | Mystic Seaport Museum | Mystified Escape Rooms | New Britain Bees | New England Air Museum | New England Carousel Museum | New England Science & Sailing | New Haven Village Suites | O'Neill's Pub & Restaurant | Ocean Pizza Restaurant | Olde Mistick Village | Olde Tymes Restaurant | Oyster Club | PEZ Visitor Center | Paradise Hills Vineyard & Winery | Parkville Market | Putnam River Trail | Ray of Light Farm | Rose's Berry Farm | Sally's Apizza | San Marino Restorante Italiano | Saybrook Point Resort & Marina | Shore Line Trolley Museum | Sift Bake Shop | Sign of the Whale | SpringHill Suites by Marriott - Milford | Steamboat Inn | StoneBridge Restaurant | Team vs Time - Premier Room Escape | The Courthouse Bar & Grille | The Essex Public Market & Food Hall | The Inn at Storrs | The Little Pub Restaurant | The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk | The North House | The Place | The Shops at Nature's Art Village | The Vanilla Bean Café | Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park | Town of Granby | Town of Woodbridge | Tyrone Farm | Water's Edge Resort & Spa | Webb Mountain Discovery Zone | Wells Hollow Creamery | Woodstock Orchards LLC

10 Reasons to Make Connecticut Your First Stop in New England

Connecticut is located halfway between Boston and New York City.  That’s what makes it such an easy place to visit. But what really makes Connecticut an amazing destination is how much you can do in this compact state — all year round! From hiking to sailing, cross-country skiing to designer outlet shopping, riding a roller coaster to being a high roller at the casino, there is so much to do in Connecticut, you won’t know what to experience first.

Featuring: B&B at Bartlett Farm | Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library | Blue Back Square | Bradley International Airport | Brownstone Adventure Sports Park | Candlelight Farms Inn | Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets | Connecticut Science Center | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo | Cross Sound Ferry Lighthouse Cruise | Dinosaur State Park | Downeast Lighthouse Cruises | Essex Steam Train & Riverboat | Foxwoods Resort Casino | Griswold Inn | Hard Rock Cafe at Foxwoods | Homestead Inn | Hopkins Inn | Inn at Stonington | Institute for American Indian Studies | Keeler Tavern Museum (c.1713) | Lake Compounce Theme Park | Lake of Isles Golf Course | Lighthouse Point Park | Mandara Spa at Mohegan Sun | Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center | Mohegan Sun | Mohegan Sun's Sky Tower and Earth Tower | Mystic Aquarium | Mystic Seaport Museum | New London Historic Waterfront District | Old Lighthouse Museum | Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale | Putnam Memorial State Park | R/V "Spirit of the Sound" | Riverwind Inn Bed & Breakfast | Scoot & Paddle | Sheffield Island Lighthouse and Harbor Tour | Silas W. Robbins House | Tanger Outlets at Foxwoods | Tanger Outlets at Foxwoods | The Fitch House B&B | The Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk | The Shops at Yale | The West Lane Inn | Webb Deane Stevens Museum | Westbrook Outlets | Wolf Den at Mohegan Sun | Yale Center for British Art | Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History | Yale University Art Gallery | Yale University Visitor Center

Creature Features of I-95

There's nothing like an animal to stir a kid's interest, and if they're big and maybe a little menacing, well that's okay, too. Just off I-95, Connecticut offers three such experiences, not only for kids but for their parents as well. And, by the way, not all of the creatures are beastly. Some are downright friendly.

Featuring: Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo | Mystic Aquarium | The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk

33 Things to Do in Connecticut this May

Looking for something to do in Connecticut in May? Whether you want something active or relaxing, cultural or nature-oriented, historic or trendy, Connecticut's got you covered. Here are some highlights.

Featuring: 1741 Pub & Grill at Lyman Orchards | Adventure Park at Storrs | Black Hall Outfitters - Old Lyme | Black Hall Outfitters - Westbrook | Bradley Mountain Farm | Branford River Paddlesports, Kayaks and Tours | By The Sea Day Spa | Chelsea Piers Connecticut | Clarke Outdoors | Cold Spring Farm | Connecticut Antiques Trail | Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Pomfret | Connecticut Wine Country | Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo | Empower Adventure Park at Nomads | Essex Clipper Dinner Train | Fairview Farm Golf Course | Flamig Farm | GastroPark | Gillette Ridge Golf Club | Golf Quest Family Sports Center | Harriet Beecher Stowe Center | HighFlyer Zipline at Foxwoods Resort Casino | Housatonic River Brewing | Lake Compounce Theme Park | Longshore Park | Lyman Orchards Golf Club | Mandara Spa at Mohegan Sun | Mayflower Inn & Spa | MoCA Westport | Mystic Aquarium | Nathan Hale Homestead | Quassy Amusement & Waterpark | Roaring Brook Nature Center | Rockledge Golf Club | Sea Kayak Connecticut | Skydive Danielson | Spa at Delamar Greenwich Harbor | Stamford Museum & Nature Center | The Beer Garden at Shippan Landing | The Connecticut Signature Cocktail Trail | The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk | The Mark Twain House & Museum | The Spa at Litchfield Hills | Town of Hamden | Wicked Tulips Flower Farm