Curating Art, History and Fun at Connecticut’s Museums

Connecticut is home to hundreds of museums and historic sites, showcasing everything from classical to contemporary artwork, ancient to modern history, dinosaurs to space exploration —and everything in between.

Featuring: American Clock & Watch Museum | American Museum of Tort Law | Ballard Institute & Museum of Puppetry | Barker Character, Comic & Cartoon Museum | Boothe Memorial Park & Museum | Bruce Museum | Connecticut Air & Space Museum | Connecticut Art Trail | Connecticut Children's Museum | Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum | Connecticut Freedom Trail | Connecticut Historical Society Museum and Library | Connecticut River Museum | Connecticut Science Center | Connecticut State Museum of Natural History | Connecticut Trolley Museum | Connecticut Women's Heritage Trail | Connecticut's Old State House | Custom House Maritime Museum | Danbury Railway Museum | Eli Whitney Museum | Eric Sloane Museum and Kent Furnace | EverWonder Children's Museum | Florence Griswold Museum | Genius Museum at Nature's Art Village | Henry Whitfield State Museum | Hill-Stead Museum | Historic Ship Nautilus & Submarine Force Museum | Housatonic Museum of Art | Imagine Nation, A Museum Early Learning Center | Institute for American Indian Studies | Kidcity Children's Museum | KidsPlay Children's Museum | Knights of Columbus Museum | Lutz Children's Museum | Lyman Allyn Art Museum | Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center | Mattatuck Museum | Museum of Connecticut History | Mystic Seaport Museum | National Helicopter Museum, Inc. | New Britain Museum of American Art | New England Air Museum | New England Carousel Museum | New England Civil War Museum | New England Motorcycle Museum | New Haven Museum | Niantic Children's Museum | Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine | PEZ Visitor Center | Prudence Crandall Museum | Railroad Museum of New England/Naugatuck Railroad Company | Sacred Heart University’s Discovery Science Center & Planetarium | Shore Line Trolley Museum | Slater Memorial Museum | SoNo Switch Tower Museum | Stepping Stones Museum for Children | The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum | The Barnum Museum | The Children's Museum | The Mark Twain House & Museum | Vintage Hi Fi Museum | Vintage Radio & Communications Museum of Connecticut | Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art | William Benton Museum of Art | Windham Textile and History Museum | Yale Center for British Art | Yale Collection of Musical Instruments | Yale University Art Gallery

Discover and Learn at Connecticut's Imagination Stations

Calling all kids: These Connecticut playgrounds were built for you.

Featuring: Connecticut River Museum | Connecticut Science Center | Connecticut Trolley Museum | Danbury Railway Museum | Essex Steam Train & Riverboat | New England Carousel Museum | Railroad Museum of New England/Naugatuck Railroad Company | Sacred Heart University’s Discovery Science Center & Planetarium | Shore Line Trolley Museum | Stepping Stones Museum for Children | Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History

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

Free for Our Military Families: Connecticut’s Blue Star Museums

Connecticut is proud to support Blue Star Museums, a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and museums across America. Each summer since 2010, Blue Star Museums have offered free admission to the nation’s active-duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard and Reserve, from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

See below for a list of Connecticut museums participating this summer.

Featuring: American Museum of Tort Law | Avery-Copp House | Barker Character, Comic & Cartoon Museum | Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden | Bruce Museum | Butler-McCook House & Garden | Canton Historical Museum | Connecticut Historical Society Museum and Library | Danbury Museum | Ebenezer Avery House | Eric Sloane Museum and Kent Furnace | EverWonder Children's Museum | Fairfield Museum & History Center | Harriet Beecher Stowe Center | Hempsted Houses | Henry Whitfield State Museum | Hill-Stead Museum | Hyland House Museum (1713) | Imagine Nation, A Museum Early Learning Center | Institute for American Indian Studies | Kidcity Children's Museum | KidsPlay Children's Museum | Leffingwell House Museum | Lyman Allyn Art Museum | Mattatuck Museum | Museum of Connecticut History | Nathan Hale Homestead | New Britain Museum of American Art | New Britain Youth Museum | New England Carousel Museum | New England Civil War Museum | Phelps-Hatheway House | Prudence Crandall Museum | Roseland Cottage Museum | Slater Memorial Museum | Stamford Museum & Nature Center | Stanley-Whitman House | Stepping Stones Museum for Children | The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum | The Mark Twain House & Museum | Tolland Historical Society | Town of East Granby | Town of Scotland | Town of Simsbury | Town of Southington | Vintage Hi Fi Museum | Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art | William Benton Museum of Art | Wilton Historical Society | Yale University Art Gallery

7 Spring Vacation Adventures

It seems as though the youngest members of the crew are most eager for entertainment as the weather warms up. In Connecticut, exciting, educational and awe-inspiring attractions that will keep them engaged are always just a short drive away.

Featuring: Connecticut Children's Museum | Connecticut Science Center | Mystic Aquarium | Sacred Heart University’s Discovery Science Center & Planetarium | Stepping Stones Museum for Children | The Dinosaur Place at Nature's Art Village | The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk

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

Fun & Festive New Year's Eve Celebrations

Ring in the New Year at one of Connecticut’s festive New Year’s Eve and First Night celebrations! Be sure to plan an entertaining outing of celebration and cheer with family and friends this year. Here’s what’s in store for welcoming in the New Year:

Featuring: Butler-McCook House & Garden | City of Hartford | Copper Beech Inn | Courtyard by Marriott - Cromwell | Fairfield Theatre Company | Foxwoods Resort Casino | Imagine Nation, A Museum Early Learning Center | Inn at Middletown | KidsPlay Children's Museum | Mohegan Sun | Saint Clements Castle | Saybrook Point Resort & Marina | Stepping Stones Museum for Children | Tamarack Lodge & Indie Glamping Resort | The Stamford Hotel | Water's Edge Resort & Spa

34 Things to Do in Connecticut This February

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

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: Central Rock Gym | Chatfield Hollow State Park | City Climb Gym | City of Danbury | Connecticut Art Trail | Connecticut Convention Center | Connecticut River Museum | Connecticut Science Center | Covered Bridge Electric Bike Rental | Edward L. Bennett Ice Skating Rink | Flight Fit N Fun | Imagine Nation, A Museum Early Learning Center | International Skating Center of Connecticut | Kidcity Children's Museum | KidsPlay Children's Museum | Lutz Children's Museum | Mohawk Mountain Ski Area | Mohegan Sun | Mohegan Sun Convention Center & Meeting Spaces | Monza World Class Karting at Foxwoods | Northford Ice Pavilion | On Track Karting | PEZ Visitor Center | People's State Forest | Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort | Sacred Heart University’s Discovery Science Center & Planetarium | Salt Cave of Darien | Ski Sundown | Sky Zone - Bethel | Sky Zone - Norwalk | Soulshine Salt Cavern | Stepping Stones Museum for Children | Town of Salisbury | Westport Museum for History & Culture | Winvian Farm

33 Things to Do in Connecticut This March

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

Featuring: Aer Blarney Balloons, LLC | Ambler Farm | Berkshire Balloons | Cheshire Coffee | Connecticut Science Center | Essex Paint & Sip | Fired Up | Florence Griswold Museum | Fresh Salt at Saybrook Point Resort & Marina | Greenwich Historical Society | Higher Grounds Coffee House & Art Gallery | Hill-Stead Museum | IT Adventure Ropes Course | JavaHut Cafe & Bistro | Keeler Tavern Museum (c.1713) | Lamothe's Sugar House | Lutz Children's Museum | Middletown Roller Skating Rink | Mind Factory Escape Games | Mission Escape Games | Molten Java | Muse Paintbar (West Hartford) | Mystified Escape Rooms | New Haven Museum | Nomads Adventure Quest | Painting with a Twist | Ron-A-Roll Indoor Roller Skating Center | Salt Cave of Darien | SoNo Nightlife | Soulshine Salt Cavern | Stepping Stones Museum for Children | Sweet Wind Farm Sugarhouse & Farm Stand | Thrillz High Flying Adventure Park | Town of Avon | Town of Griswold | Town of Kent | Town of Southbury | Town of Stonington | Wigwam Escape

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

Holiday Tidings - Christmas Fairfield County Style

Even during these challenging times, Fairfield County is brimming with safe holiday festivities and cheer for the whole family to enjoy!

Featuring: Crowne Plaza Hotel Stamford | Delamar Greenwich Harbor | Downtown Cabaret Theatre | Fairfield Museum & History Center | Hilton Garden Inn Norwalk | Inn at Fairfield Beach | Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum (c.1864) | Stepping Stones Museum for Children | Town of Greenwich

Great Places for Workcations in Connecticut

These days, we’re merging work and play more than ever before. If you’re looking to get away without using all your vacation days, Connecticut is a great place for a “workcation.” At these hotels, you can work remotely from your room, designated lounge spaces, or even your own private study – all while knowing the family has plenty to see and do nearby. The best part? When the workday ends, you can join in the fun!

Featuring: Artspace | Backyard Adventure UTV Tours | Ballo Italian at Mohegan Sun | Bear's Smokehouse (New Haven) | Bill's Seafood Restaurant | Black Hall Outfitters - Westbrook | Calf Pasture & Shady Beach | Carlo's Bakery Mohegan Sun | City Climb Gym | College Street Music Hall | Ellsworth Hill Orchard & Berry Farm | Escape New Haven | Firehouse 12 | Haywire Burger Bar | Hotel Zero Degrees Norwalk | Infinity Music Hall & Bistro (Norfolk) | Interlaken Inn, Resort & Conference Center | Johnny Rockets - Mohegan Sun | Joy Ride Charters of Connecticut | Kent Falls State Park | Mandara Spa at Mohegan Sun | Modern Apizza | Mohegan Sun | Mohegan Sun Arena | Mohegan Sun Golf Club | Mohegan Sun's Sky Tower and Earth Tower | Mount Riga State Park | O'Neill's Pub & Restaurant | Oak & Almond | Olives and Oil - New Haven | Panic Room | Pedego SoNo Electric Bikes | Pine & Iron Axe Throwing - New Haven | Seaview Bistro | Sharon Playhouse | Sheffield Island Lighthouse and Harbor Tour | Sky Zone - Norwalk | SoNo Collection | Stepping Stones Museum for Children | Sunset Bar & Grill | Supercharged Powered by Mohegan Sun - Indoor Karting & Trampoline Park | Taste of New Haven Tours | The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk | The Study at Yale | The White Hart | Town of Falls Village (Canaan) | Water's Edge Resort & Spa | Westbrook Outlets

7 Spring Vacation Adventures

It seems as though the youngest members of the crew are most eager for entertainment as the weather warms up. In Connecticut, exciting, educational and awe-inspiring attractions that will keep them engaged are always just a short drive away.

Featuring: Connecticut Science Center | Mystic Aquarium | Sacred Heart University’s Discovery Science Center & Planetarium | Stepping Stones Museum for Children | The Children's Museum | The Dinosaur Place at Nature's Art Village | The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk