Out and About

If you’re interested in being a part of this monthly directory of great places to go for
families, please call Megan at 203-483-1700, ext. 305, or Laura at ext. 301

ARENA AT HARBOR YARD
I-95, Exit 27, Bridgeport, CT (203) 345-2300
www.arenaatharboryard.com 
CT’s thriving sports and entertainment destination presenting the finest family entertainment along with the action of the AHL. Sound Tigers hockey and Fairfield University NCAA basketball. There are 26 rows from the floor to the top of the seating deck in the 10,000- seat arena; guests are close to all the event action.

BISHOP’S ORCHARDS
1355 Boston Post Road, Rte. 1, Guilford, CT
(203) 458-PICK
www.bishopsorchards.com
Since 1871, six generations of Bishop’s have been serving Connecticut with farm products. Our Guilford Farm is open all year. Pick your own apples, raspberries & pumpkins. Free Hay Maze. See llamas, alpacas and goats. I-95 to Exit 57.

CONNECTICUT’S BEARDSLEY ZOO
1875 Noble Avenue, Bridgeport, CT
(203) 394-6565
www.beardsleyzoo.org
A wonderful place for a family visit. See more than 300 animals representing primarily North & South American species. Come see our South American rainforest, then take a walk through the prairie dog exhibit. Visit the New England Farmyard, or stroll through Alligator Alley. Great events & activities planned throughout the summer.

HARTFORD BELLE CRUISES
Charter Oak Landing, Hartford, CT
(860) 665-9428
www.hartfordbelle.com
Welcome aboard the Hartford Belle — cruising the Connecticut River May-October. This beautiful 49-passenger riverboat is reminiscent of simpler times. There is ample seating in the salon or stand at the bow to get the best views of the trip and see great blue herons, red-tailed hawks and bald eagles.

LADY KATHARINE CRUISES
Charter Oak Landing or Riverfront Plaza, Hartford CT; Goodspeed Landing, East Haddam, CT; Harbor Park, Middletown, CT
(866) 867-4837
www.ladykatecruises.com
When you think of the good life, remember Lady Kate Cruises and make a memory — because everything is better on the water! Discover the endless possibilities of putting a splash of fun in your life by trying a Sunday brunch, jazzy lunch, sunset, fall foliage or entertainment cruise.

LAKE COMPOUNCE
822 Lake Avenue, Bristol, CT
(860) 583-3300
www.lakecompounce.com
Whether it’s chills or thrills, Lake Compounce has the best of both for a family ‘daycation’ destination. Play all day on rides like Boulder Dash, Zoomerang and Thunder n’ Lightning. Chill near the lake in Anchor Bay and Mammoth Falls. Little thrill seekers will enjoy Circus World for ages 3-10 and families can enjoy Zoomer’s Gas n’ Go!

THE MARITIME AQUARIUM AT NORWALK
10 North Water Street, Norwalk, CT
(203) 852-0700
www.maritimeaquarium.org 
Families will have a great time while learning about the vital natual resource just off our shore. Explore at your own pace. Thirty-four exhibits featuring more than 1,200 marine animals of 259 species. A Touch Tank and nose-to-nose interactions bring close encounters with our friends of the sea. Movies at IMAX Theater as well.

QUASSY AMUSEMENT PARK
Route 62, Middlebury, CT
(800) FOR-PARK
www.Quassy.com
Overlooking sparkling Lake Quassapaug, the park features rides, attractions, entertainment and food for a day of affordable family fun. There is an assortment of thrill rides including Saturation Station, the new Free Fall “N” Drop Tower and kiddieland areas for the little ones.

ROGER WILLIAMS PARK ZOO
1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI
(401) 785-3510
www.rwpzoo.org
One of the nation’s oldest zoos and dubbed “New England’s best zoo” by the Boston Globe. On your walk through the 40-acre zoo, encounter well over a hundred species of animals, including African elephants, Masai giraffes, zebras, red pandas, snow leopards, moon bears, gibbons, giant anteaters, reptiles, birds and more. Open 9-4.

THE BARNUM MUSEUM
820 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT
(860) 331-1104
www.barnum-museum.org
Featuring three floors of fascinating exhibits illustrating the extraordinary business and personal accomplishments of P.T. Barnum. This year offering many events celebrating the 200th anniversary of his birth. The museum is an outstanding educational resource and listed in the national Register of Historic Places.

BRUCE MUSEUM
1 Museum Drive, Greenwich, CT
(203) 869-0376
http://brucemuseum.org
Consistently voted the “Best Museum” by area media, the Bruce Museum is a regionally based, world-class institution highlighting art, science and natural history in more than a dozen changing exhibitions annually. The permanent galleries feature the natural sciences encompassing regional to global perspectives.

THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
950 Trout Brook Drive, West Hartford, CT
(860) 231-2824
www.TheChildrensMuseumCT.org
A one-of-a-kind science and nature museum providing rich learning experiences through hands-on exhibits, over 100 live animals, digital planetarium shows, science demonstrations and a variety of educational programs. We feature the only science-based preschool in CT and the Roaring Brook Nature Center in Canton.

CONNECTICUT SCIENCE CENTER
50 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, CT
(860) SCIENCE
http://ctsciencecenter.org
Resources from near & far have come together to create a truly unique and powerful experience with lasting educational impact. 150 brand-new exhibits that include everything from race cars to rocket ships and brainwaves in your head to life on Mars. Week-long summer camps begin in July and run until late August.

THE CRRA GARBAGE MUSEUM
1410 Honeyspot Road Extension, Stratford, CT
(203) 381-9571
www.crra.org
This is a great museum for children to understand recycling. Meet Trash-o-saurus, a 24-foot-long dinosaur made from a ton of trash — which is how much trash an average person throws away in a year. Walk through a giant compost pile and watch from a sky box as recyclables are dumped, sorted, and crushed.

The Discovery Museum
4450 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT
(203) 372-3521
www.discoverymuseum.org
A hands-on, brains-on interactive museum for kids of all ages, located on the Fairfield/Bridgeport border. The museum offers exciting exhibits, thrilling planetarium shows, the Challenger Learning Center, the area’s only CineMuse High Definition Theatre and the Kids at Work preschool activity area.

FLORENCE GRISWOLD MUSEUM
96 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT
(860) 434-5542
www.flogris.org
Located on an 11-acre site in the historic village of Old Lyme, the museum is known as the Home of American Impressionism. In addition to the restored Griswold House, where the artists of the Lyme Art Colony lived, the museum features a riverfront art gallery with new exhibitions, an artist’s studio, an education center and more.

MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT MUSEUM & RESEARCH CENTER
110 Pequot Trail, Mashantucket, CT
(800) 411-9671
www.pequotmuseum.org 
The Pequot Museum brings to life the Native American and natural history of New England through life-size interactive exhibits, films, cultural workshops, science programs and live performances. Gift shop, restaurant, parking, handicap accessible. Come explore with us!

NEW ENGLAND AIR MUSEUM
36 Perimeter Road, Windsor Locks, CT
(860) 623-3305
www.neam.org
At the museum visitors can see the landmark artifacts of aviation, which changed history; hear the stories of veterans firsthand; experience the principles of flight; and discover the impact Connecticut has had on aviation and space exploration from the earliest balloon launches to the design of space suits.

OLD STATE HOUSE
800 Main Street, Hartford, CT
(860)-522-6766
www.ctosh.org
People of all ages are drawn to the Old State House. More than a museum, this is a centerpiece of Connecticut’s history serving as the first state capitol in the 18th century. Today it is a beautifully restored architectural marvel, playing host to a variety of community and cultural events.

RAILROAD MUSEUM OF NEW ENGLAND
P.O. Box 400, Thomaston, CT
(860) 283-RAIL
www.rmne.org
Take a scenic one hour ride on the “Naugy” from the Brass Mills of Waterbury through Mattatuck State Forest onto the Thomaston Dam. June-November. Call or email info@rmne.org for fares, directions and further information or visit rmne.org. Ask about our charters.

SHORE LINE TROLLEY MUSEUM
17 River Street, East Haven, CT
(203) 467-6927
www.bera.org
Savor the atmosphere of the trolley era. Ride the historic Branford Electric Railway, the oldest continually operating suburban trolley in the United States. A national historic site. Days of operation: Memorial Day to Labor Day, Daily. Hours: 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sat. & Sun. in May, Sept., Oct. Abbreviated schedule in Nov. & Dec.

YALE PEABODY MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
170 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT
(203) 432-5050
www.peabody.yale.edu
Enormous dinosaur fossils dominate the Great Hall of this family-friendly venue housing 4 billion years of Earth history. See a dazzling array of gems, minerals and meteorites, learn about earthquakes and tsunamis, peer inside an Egyptian tomb and visit live creature exhibits in the Discovery Room. Exit 3 off I-91.

THE KATHARINE HEPBURN CULTURAL ARTS CENTER
300 Main Street, Old Saybrook, CT
(860) 510-0473
www.katharinehepburntheater.org
A historically restored venue presenting cultural arts performances for the enjoyment, enrichment and education of today’s and future generations of all ages. The range of cultural arts includes local and regional theater, concerts, dance, films, lectures, art exhibits, and other artistic endeavors.

NEW HAVEN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The James English Building, 105 Court St., Suite 302, New Haven, CT
(203) 865-0831, ext. 10
www.newhavensymphony.org
NHSO is a symphony of the highest artistic standards that performs a broad range of repertoire to a wide and diverse audience. They also provide quality educational experiences and perform regularly in the Greater New Haven Region, serving as a leader in the cultural life of the area.

PALACE THEATER
100 East Main Street, Waterbury, CT
(203) 755-4700
www.palacetheaterct.org 
Renaissance Revival-style theater showcases a performance schedule boasting professional Broadway performances, well-known comedy acts, top quality family entertainment and more.

STAMFORD CENTER FOR THE ARTS
61 Atlantic Avenue, Stamford, CT
(203) 325-4466
www.scalive.org
Presenting exciting entertainment that enhances and enriches the cultural, educational, economic, and social life of the community. The SCA season includes concerts, theatre performances, comedy, dance, musicals, opera and family entertainment. Their educational programs instill a lifelong appreciation for the performing arts.

TOYOTA PRESENTS THE OAKDALE THEATRE
95 South Turnpike Road, Wallingford, CT (203) 265-1501
www.livenation.com
A year-round, 5,000 seat performing arts center featuring world class entertainment. Great children’s shows as well as other events that make for a great night for Mom & Dad.

WARNER THEATRE
68 Main Street, Torrington, CT
(860) 489-7180
www.warnertheatre.org 
The Warner Theatre is a convenient entertainment destination featuring affordable pricing, diverse programs and revitalized facilities. The Warner is in operation year-round with more than 160 public performances including musicals, plays, comedy, concerts, opera, dance, professional touring productions, digital cinema and more.