Feburary 2021 note: There are some notable family favorites that have not reopened yet. The Peabody Museum of Natural History and the Bruce Museum are currently closed for planned renovations. Three of Connecticut’s popular children’s museums -Stepping Stones, Imagine Nation, and Kid City- remain closed, as well as the Yale Museums and the Discovery Museum.

Family-Friendly Museums, Zoos, &  Aquariums Now Open in Connecticut

Both of Connecticut’s aquariums remain open, and advance purchase of a timed ticket is required for both attractions. Guests can take advantage of the outdoor paths through Mystic Aquarium’s exhibit spaces while The Maritime Aquarium just opened its brand new 4D Theater as part of a major renovation. 

Connecticut only has one zoo; fortunately for us, Bridgeport's Beardsley Zoo has successfully been open since May and has been able to remain open since then. Make sure you make a reservation online for your timed tickets prior to your visit. 

Three of our children’s museums have reopened their doors since closing in March: Niantic Children’s Museum, The Children’s Museum of CT in West Hartford, and EverWonder in Newtown.  The New England Air Museum is currently open and following a winter hours schedule. It's currently offering a socially distanced Flights of Fun Family Program available every weekend. 

Mystic Seaport invites guests to get outside and explore its shipyard, a historic seaport, and historic vessels. Some of their kids’ activities, such as the Children’s Museum and Discovery Barn, are currently closed. 

Many of the Nutmeg State’s art museums have also reopened following state guidelines and safety protocols. The Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art is currently showing Frank Stella’s Stars- which includes both indoor and outdoor exhibits.  

The new Genome in Me exhibit opens its doors on February 13th at the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford. It includes a Family Scavenger Hunt to start looking for characteristics and family traits. 

Rent snowshoes and give it trekking a try! Photo courtesy of Earthplace

Connecticut Nature Centers Now Open

Connecticut’s Nature Centers have been our family’s connection to the great outdoors throughout the pandemic. Many of these venues offer fantastic opportunities and programming to get outside and explore our natural surroundings. Many of the physical buildings remain closed, but the grounds, trails, and outdoor exhibits remain open to the public. 

New Canaan Nature Center, Stamford Museum & Nature Center, and Earthplace have a robust calendar of outdoor events and activities, ranging from Stamford’s popular Farm It Yourself programming to family campfires at Earthplace. 

Roaring Brook Nature Center  has a steady rotation of scavenger hunts around its property while Woodcock Nature Center and the Connecticut Audubon Centers have a fantastic series of guided hikes.