50 Fall Things to Do in Connecticut with Kids
Taking hikes, picking apples, exploring corn mazes, finding that perfect pumpkin, and celebrating all things spooky and sweet on Halloween...there's so much fall fun in Connecticut! Here's a list based upon our ever-popular 100 Things to Do with Kids in Connecticut Before They Grow Up, but themed around busy, beautiful autumn. It's filled with great places to visit and fall activities for families across the state, even when keeping social distancing and mask guidelines in mind, of course.
For more seasonal family activities, check our Connecticut Fall Fun Guide.
1. Mystic
Visit Mystic—it's fun anytime of the year. The sea lion show at the Mystic Aquarium is particularly entertaining. 2021 note: Tickets must be purchased ahead.
Kids can get hands-on with Native American experiences in Washington. Photo courtesy of the Institute of American Indian Studies.
2. Institute of American Indian Studies
Experience a replica of an Algonkian Village at the Institute of American Indian Studies.
3. Connecticut Audubon
Take in some nature as the leaves turn at one of the Connecticut Audubon Society locations.
4. New Canaan Nature Center
Sample some fresh cider and other fall treats at Cider Saturday in New Canaan.
5. Pumpkintown, USA
Wave to some Jack-O-Lanterns from your car in Pumpkintown, USA—it's drive-thru style!
6. Roaring Brook Nature Center
Explore New England’s woodland environment at Roaring Brook Nature Center.
7. The Children’s Museum
Check out the exhibits at the Children's Museum in West Hartford. Timed tickets are required.
Get greeted by the giant whale at the Children’s Museum in West Hartford. Photo courtesy of Visit CT
8. Kent
Go for a mellow scenic 10-mile family bike ride starting at the Kent Boarding School and winding along an Indian Reservation and the Appalachian Trail before reaching Bulls Bridge, one of the few working covered bridges in Connecticut. Check out the beautiful and powerful waterfall while there.
9. Quassy Amusement Park
Take one last ride of the year and enjoy fall food and music at Quassy's Oktoberfest.
10. Go Apple Picking
Take an orchard tour of Connecticut at the best places to pick apples across the state.
11. Go on a Hayride
Take a hayride on a farm and see animals, pick pumpkins, or to get some Halloween thrills.
12. B.F. Clyde’s
See how cider is made and sample some of Connecticut's best apple cider doughnuts at B.F. Clyde's Cider Mill.
13. Apple Harvest Festival
Enjoy the fruit of the season at Southington's annual apple fest.
Apples, animals, pumpkins and more are waiting to be discovered at Karabin Farms.
14. Danbury Railway Museum
Visit the Danbury Railway Museum which offers history lessons, train rides (seasonal) and hands on learning. Fun for train fanatics and their parents! The museum is open Saturdays and Sundays.
15. Visit a Lighthouse
Take a driving tour and visit some of Connecticut's very own lighthouses, or go on a lighthouse cruise.
16. IT Adventure Ropes Course
Take the kiddos to It Adventure Ropes Course to burn off some steam from school.
17. Warrup’s Farm
Enjoy pumpkin season and a hayride at Warrup's Farm in Redding.
18. Go For a Hike
Take your preschooler for a short hike, and enjoy the smiles of pride when you reach a peak or the end of your loop.
19. Maritime Aquarium
Visit Pinniped Cove—the Maritme Aquarium’s new home for their harbor seals!
20. Visit a Vineyard
Visit a family-friendly vineyard for lovely walks, tastings, and food.
Stop and smell the last roses at Elizabeth Park. Photo courtesy of Connecticut Office of Tourism
21. Elizabeth Park
Smell the early-fall roses at Elizabeth Park’s rose garden.
22. Scott’s Yankee Farmer
Go pumpkin picking at Scott's Yankee Farmer in Gales Ferry.
23. Connecticut Renaissance Faire
Take a step back in time with a visit to the Connecticut Renaissance Faire in Lebanon.
24. Foxwoods
Spend the day playing in the Tree House Arcade while the parents win cash at Foxwoods Casino.
25. Dinosaur State Park
Learn about prehistoric times at Dinosaur State Park.
26. Beardsley Zoo
Go to Beardsley Zoo, Connecticut's only zoo!
Connecticut Science Center is all about interactive learning. Photo courtesy of Connecticut Office of Tourism
27. Connecticut Science Center
Check out a fun exhibit at the Connecticut Science Center.
28. Waterfalls
Take a hike and check out these scenic waterfalls.
Face painting at the Bristol Mum Festival. Photo courtesy of Youth in Journalism, CT
29. Go To A Fair
Indulge in caramel apples, funnel cake, and corn dogs at one of these fantastic Connecticut Fall Fairs.
30. Corn Mazes
Try not to get lost in one of Connecticut's awesome corn mazes.
31. Road Trip
Make a weekend trip to one of New England's prettiest towns in the fall.
32. Check Out a Jack-O-Lantern Display
Get in the Halloween spirit by going to one of these pumpkin festivals.
33. Fall Foliage Tour
Take a ride in the Nutmeg state to see the amazing fall foliage.
34. Mark Twain Museum
Learn all about Connecticut's most famous author at the Mark Twain Museum in Hartford.
You can get close to baby animals. Courtesy of Flamig Farm
35. Flamig Farm
See the chickens (lots and lots of chickens) and the other animals at Flamig Farm.
36. Connecticut Maritime Heritage Festival
Check out touch tanks and take a water taxi ride at the Connecticut Maritime Heritage Festival.
37. Go Camping
Take in the fall colors and warm up around the campfire at a Connecticut campground that's fun for families.
38. Try New Playgrounds
Venture beyond the neighborhood to one of Connecticut's best playgrounds.
39. Lyman Orchards
Go apple picking at Lyman Orchards, and then bake up some healthy apple muffins for school breakfasts.
40. The Shoreline Trolley Museum
Take a trolley ride along the Connecticut shoreline.
41. New Hampshire's White Mountains
Steal away for a quiet, outdoorsy family weekend in New Hampshire's White Mountains.
42. Muse Paintbar
Create a masterpiece together at Muse Paintbar.
Take a "ride" on Cockpit Day at New England Air Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum
43. New England Air Museum
Take your little pilot to the New England Air Museum to check out the amazing historical airplanes.
44. Collinsville Canoe
Jump in a boat with the whole family with Collinsville Canoe.
45. Connecticut Trolley Museum
Ride a trolley to the pumpkin patch at the Connecticut Trolley Museum.
46. Haunted Petting Zoo
Scream, laugh, and then see some cute animals at a Haunted Petting Zoo.
Most exhibits and activities at the Lutz Children's Museum are designed for children ages 2-10. Photo courtesy of the museum
47. Spend Time at a Museum
From hands-on historical activities to art appreciation, Connecticut Museums are the perfect place to get a little culture.
48. Farmers’ Markets
Pick out apple pie, pumpkin bread, or dinner ingredients fresh from a farmer at Stamford Museum and Nature Center Farmers Market, Downtown Bridgeport Farmers Market, or Harbor Point Farmers Market.
49. Rent a Kayak
50. Climb a Mountain
The view from the top is so sweet! Pick one of these 8 hikes that end with a spectacular view.
Originally published September 3, 2016