Top 20 Places To Take Kids In and Around Hartford!
Connecticut's Best for Kids in Hartford, Connecticut - 2018
Hartford and the surrounding area is rich in fun events and exciting places. The venues listed below are wildly popular with kids and families in our area. But don’t miss out on ALL the other wonderful places as well! Browse through our site and discover lots more to do! To stay on top of ALL of the opportunities for kids in our area, please make sure to sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter!
Connecticut Science Center
With 150 hands-on exhibits the CT Science Center provides fun exploration of physics, forensics, geology, astronomy and much more! Your family will also enjoy a state-of-the-art 3D digital theater, four educational labs, plus daily programs and events! For the second year in a row, Connecticut Science Center is #1!
Mystic Aquarium
Mystic Aquarium has more than 300 species and an extensive collection of marine mammals, including New England’s only beluga whales. Mystic Aquarium has been a pioneer in offering guests a variety of up close encounters with a wide range of marine animals. Mystic Aquarium held the #2 position last year, too!
Imagine Nation Museum
The Imagine Nation, A Museum Early Learning Center, is a hands-on, interactive children's museum best suited for ages 2 to 8! Visit us on Facebook or at www.imaginemuseum.org for updates, info, hour additions, and event details!
Kidcity Children's Museum
A Children's Museum for Little Kids & their Favorite Grown-Up.
Quassy Amusement Park
Affordable family fun and home to the award-winning Wooden Warrior roller coaster. New thrill rides include Reverse Time and Frantic. Take a spin on the Grand Carousel or chug along on the Quassy Express train. Splash Away Bay waterpark has dozens of ways go get drenched from slides, fountains, a splash pad for kids and new Slide City. Birthday party packages are a fantastic value at Quassy as well. Visit our Web site or call 1-800-FOR-PARK for details.
Lake Compounce
New England’s Family Theme and Water Park! Featuring rides and entertainment for all ages. Connecticut’s largest water park, 20+ rides for kids 5 and younger, and new this year: Phobia Phear Coaster, perfect for thrill seekers.
Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo
Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo creates wonderfully wild experiences for children and families all year 'round. Located on 52 beautiful acres in Bridgeport, the state’s only zoo features more than 300 animals representing primarily North and South American species. Explore our South American Rainforest with free-flight aviary, the New England Farmyard, Victorian Greenhouse, and prairie dog exhibit with "pop-up" viewing areas. Visitors may enjoy a bite at the Peacock Café, eat in the Picnic Grove, and take a spin on the colorful indoor carousel.
Essex Steam Train and Riverboat
Run by the Valley Railroad Co. Essex Steam Train hosts CT River Valley tours, parties, mystery dinner trains, North Pole Express. Essex Steam Train & Riverboat’s 2½-hour journey begins at the historic 1892 Essex Station for a 12-mile, narrated round-trip into the heart of the unspoiled Connecticut River Valley – designated “one of the last great places on earth” by the Nature Conservancy.
Hammonasset Beach State Park
Connecticut's largest shoreline beach. Kids can swim in the salt water, collect shells, build a sandcastle, sunbathe, relax, and walk along the 3/4 mile boardwalk, gazing upon Long Island Sound. Launch a carry-in boat, take a canoe trip, or fish from the stone breakwater. Summer activities include nature talks, bingo, movies, horseshoes, bocce and volleyball. The children's play area offers a pirate ship, swings, and slides. Visit Meigs Point Nature Center and experience the hands-on saltwater touch tank or search for the hundreds of bird species present at the park.
AA Colorado Rockies
My local library
Of course, our local library system is not really ONE place, it is MANY places... but it's important to emphasize how valuable libraries are for family learning and fun. The libraries in our area are wonderful about posting their events to the KidsOutAndAbout calendar so you always can get ideas for free things to do with your kids that celebrate education and imagination. KidsOutAndAbout.com takes this opportunity to salute the wonderful children's librarians who serve our community with such dedication.
Hartford Wolf Pack
The Wolf Pack were the top player-development affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers, and play at the XL Center, managed by Northland AEG and the former home of the Hartford Whalers of the NHL and the New England Whalers of the World Hockey Association.
YMCA
The YMCA of Greater Hartford is a charitable association open to all and committed to helping people develop their fullest potential in spirit, mind and body. This commitment is reinforced by our belief in living out universal values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
Dinosaur State Park
We are one of the largest dinosaur track sites in North America. Beneath our geodesic dome, you will find 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.
Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History
A natural history museum at Yale University. From diamonds to dinosaurs! Come visit!
Discovery Museum and Planetarium
Our interactive STEM programs provide a chance for young learners to explore, collaborate, and solve problems. We encourage young learners to ask questions and engineer solutions today so they are better prepared to embrace the challenges of tomorrow. In addition to STEM learning experiences, dynamic exhibits, and hands-on learning programs, the Museum is also a unique venue for special events with special themed birthday party, wedding, and corporate event packages available.
Mystic Seaport
Mystic Seaport is the nation's leading maritime history museum whose 19 acre waterfront campus includes a 19th-century seafaring village, tall ships and small boats, exhibit galleries, a renowned planetarium and much more!
BounceU
At BounceU of Rocky Hill, we specialize in perfect party ideas. With our amazing inflatable structures, unbeatable customer service, and clean, climate-controlled environment, all you really have to do is show up and take pictures.
Lessard Lanes
Lessard Lanes is a family entertainment center complete with 18 holes of indoor miniature golf, 28 bowling lanes, arcade, snack bar, pro shop, & lounge.
Lutz Children's Museum
Lutz Children’s Museum provides a multi-faceted museum for children to explore culture, history, and the natural sciences through internal and external exhibits, programs, and experiences. Most exhibits and activities are designed for children aged two through ten.
Connecticut Children's Museum
This majestic and magical children's building features eight thematic and community-inspired rooms.
