Field trips are a great way to reboot a bad homeschooling week, get out of the house when everyone has cabin fever, and learn about your local area. Before heading out, check out Jeanne's tips for improving homeschool field trips.
Our listing of Connecticut field trips for homeschoolers is ordered alphabetically by city. If you would like to submit a Connecticut field trip destination, you may do so using the red button above.
Avon Historical Society museumAvon
Includes the "Living Museum", "Pine Grove Schoolhouse", "Marian M. Hunter History Room"(great place for genealogists!)and the "Derrin House".
Healing Hoofbeats of CTBethlehem
Some may find it overloading to visit a busy farm or zoo but want to experience the joy and companionship of the farm animals. At Healing Hoofbeats we understand that need and want to offer these unique individuals or groups the opportunity to engage with our animals in a sensory-friendly way to avoid the overwhelm and foster natural learning opportunities. Facilitated by a mental health professional, this therapeutic experience allows participants to experience a true connection with our four-legged healers who come in all shapes and sizes!
Housatonic Museum of ArtBridgeport
The Museum consists of The Burt Chernow Galleries and a vast collection of works of varied mediums and styles that are displayed throughout the College. This provides a colorful and stimulating landscape and learning environment for our HCC students as well as visiting students from area schools.
Discovery MuseumBridgeport
From three floors of hands-on fun with science to daily Planetarium shows, all include with admission to the museum! Add to that our first class educational programs and Connecticut's only Challenger Learning Center and the Discovery Museum is a stop that can't be missed. A variety of programs are available to schools, camps, scout troops or any other group interested in an unmatchable experience!
Barnum MuseumBridgeport
The Barnum Museum fulfills P.T. Barnum's own mission: to inspire curiosity, creativity and confidence through instructive entertainment.
Beardsley ZooBridgeport
More than 300 animals representing primarily North and South American species. Come learn about our many endangered and threatened species, which include the Amur (Siberian) tiger, Andean condor, Ocelot, Red wolf, Andean (spectacled) bear, Maned wolf, and Golden lion tamarin.
American Clock and Watch MuseumBristol
Step back in time with a visit to the American Clock & Watch Museum, Inc. An authentic early American sundial garden complete with period herbs and flowers adds seasonal beauty to the museum's grounds. he ticking, striking and chiming of the timepieces will be a treat to your eyes and ears. Of particular interest is our gateway exhibit, "Connecticut Clockmaking and the Industrial Revolution," which tells the story of a young man's dream and its impact on the clock industry and the American system of manufacture. One of our visitors' favorite displays is our two-story tower clock that provides a close-up look at what makes a clock "tick". Recognized as the first museum in America to be devoted to horology, the American Clock & Watch Museum, Inc. houses the finest collection of American manufactured clocks on display.
Harry C. Barnes Memorial Nature CenterBristol
The Barnes Nature Center located in a picturesque setting on Shrub Road in Bristol offers nature displays and hiking trails. Of special interest is the diorama depicting New England habitat including live reptiles, amphibians, and fish. There are loop hiking trails and a trailhead of the Tunxis "Blue" Trail. Field Trips & In-School Programs, Scout Badge Workshops and Birthday Parties .
The New England Carousel MuseumBristol
Visiting the Carousel Museum is a window into an important time in our country's history. It provides a slice of Americana, and tells the story of hardworking Americans, many of them immigrants, whose entrepreneurial spirit founded shops and left a legacy that we at the Carousel Museum remember and celebrate today. These treasures from the past teach us about the history of these people and their world as they moved, worked, and played.
Imagine Nation MuseumBristol
The Imagine Nation Museum is a hands-on, interactive children's museum best suited for ages 2 to 10.
Canton Historical MuseumCanton
The Canton Historical Museum is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization displaying a record of life in the town of Canton. Our artifacts and information span from the time of the Native Americans through Canton's growth as a farming community, to its rich history at the forefront of the Industrial Revolution and as a thriving town during the Victorian era.
The Barker Character, Comic and Cartoon MuseumCheshire
Memories from childhood are some of the most precious we will ever possess, and even though we can't relive the past, at the Barker Cartoon Museum we can still see some of the things that made it so special. Do you remember your Roy Rogers Lunch Box? How about that Ronald McDonald Phone, Charlie McCarthy Puppet, Flintstones Band Toy, Lone Ranger Gun or Mickey & Minnie Hand-Car? They are all here to see along with thousands of other items of comic strip, cartoon, western, T.V. and advertising memorabilia personally amassed by Herb and Gloria Barker.
Bush-Holley HouseCos Cob Harbor
Located on the historic Cos Cob Harbor, home of Connecticut's first art colony, the Historical Society's facilities include the National Historic Landmark Bush-Holley House (circa 1730).
Xtreme Play Adrenaline ParkDanbury
Indoor park with activities for all ages with recreational challenges like a high ropes course, warrior obstacle course, lazer tag, ballocity, rock climbing, mini-bowling, spin zone, dark ride theater, Omni Virtual Reality, arcade and cafe with chef-inspired menu. Fun for the whole family. Call for special private group homeschool student hours.
Danbury Railway MuseumDanbury
The Danbury Railway Museum is a non-profit organization staffed solely by volunteers. The Museum offers railroad history, tours, train rides, a collection of original and restored rolling stock, and opportunities for hands-on railroad work at "12 inches to the foot" scale.
Osborne Homestead MuseumDerby
The Osborne Homestead Museum celebrates the life of Frances Osborne Kellogg, an accomplished businesswoman and conservationist who was dedicated to preserving land for future generations.
Osbornedale State ParkDerby
Within the park, Kellogg Environmental Center offers teacher workshops, art exhibits, family nature activities, and general public programs throughout the year.
Old New-Gate Prison & Copper MineEast Granby
Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine is nationally recognized as the first chartered copper mine (1707)and the first state prison (1773) in early America. After colonial mining ceased in the mid-1700s, the site was purchased by the government of Connecticut and used to inhumanely imprison people in the abandoned copper mine. Today, Old New-Gate operates as a history museum in East Granby, Connecticut. Comprised of a visitor center, outdoor prison yard, historic ruins/structures, and copper mine. Visitors are encouraged to self-guide through the grounds/exhibits and take a public tour of the abandoned mine. Additionally, the museum houses The Old New-Gate Museum of Art - a rotating exhibit of artwork from the Community Partners in Action's Prison Arts Program, as well as the first-ever Connecticut Hall of Change- honoring formerly incarcerated individuals for their contributions to their community.
Devil's Hopyard State ParkEast Haddam
Could the round holes in the falls really be the work of the devil? Or, just nature and water making their mark for future generations? Visit Devil's Hopyard and find your own answer to this age-old mystery.
Gillette Castle State ParkEast Haddam
It looks like a medieval fortress, but a step inside the stone castle reveals the built-in couches, table trackway, and woodcarvings that all point to the creative genius that was William Gillette.
Hugenot House/Historical Society of East HartfordEast Hartford
The Society maintains a three building complex in Martin Park in East Hartford for showcasing facets of the city's history: The 1761 Makens Bemont House (commonly called the Huguenot House) depicts the home of a fairly prosperous late 18th/early 19th century East Hartford workingman. The 1820s Goodwin Schoolhouse displays items as they might have been used in an early/mid 19th century school. The 1850s Burnham Blacksmith Shop displays late 19th and early 20th century tools and equipment used in the East Hartford area.
Shore Line Trolley MuseumEast Haven
Founded to preserve the unique heritage of an endangered species -- the trolley car -- it now boasts a collection of nearly 100 vintage vehicles as well as artifacts and documents from the trolley era.
Connecticut Trolley MuseumEast Windsor
It is the nation's oldest incorporated organization dedicated to the preservation of the trolley era. As a non-profit institution, its educational and historical aim is the establishment of a full scale operating street and interurban railroad system with the appropriate accessory equipment and buildings, to recreate an important phase of New England's business and social life from 1890 to 1945.
Enfield Historical Society MuseumsEnfield
The Enfield Historical Society, Inc. operates three museum, all open to the public free of charge. The Old Town Hall Museum, built as a church in 1774, which continues to serve the community after over two centuries, as both a museum and headquarters for the society. The Martha A. Parsons House Museum, built in 1782, houses two centuries of Parsons family possessions. The Wallop School Museum, built in 1800, and remained in service until 1949. Each location holds thousands of artifacts on display.
Pratt House MuseumEssex
For two centuries, Pratt House was home to the descendants of Lt. William Pratt, one of the three First Settlers of Essex. The house sits proudly on West Avenue, welcoming visitors to the Town. Its barn, traditional herb garden and lovely meadow complete the pastoral setting of a New England farm-house, beckoning us back to a way of life that has all but vanished. Since 1985, Pratt House has been owned and preserved by the Essex Historical Society, welcoming visitors to come hear its stories and be transported back to a bygone era.
The Museum of Fife & DrumEssex
The Museum of Fife & Drum is home to one the most unique collections of artifacts in the world; it is a visual and musical history of America on parade, from the Revolutionary War to the present. Theme displays feature drums, fifes, military swords, music, uniforms, medals, awards and photographs.
Connecticut River MuseumEssex
Programs are available for grades PreK-12 for public, private and homeschool groups. In each program students will participate in a variety of learning experiences that allow them to discover the River and its people through observation, experimentation and exploration.
Essex Steam Train & RiverboatEssex
The only steam train and riverboat connection in the United States. The Essex Steam Train and Riverboat transports people on exciting excursions through the unspoiled Connecticut River Valley, a place designated as "one of the last great places on earth" by the Nature Conservancy. The steam locomotive pulls vintage coaches through the quintessential New England towns of Deep River and Chester, and the Becky Thatcher riverboat takes visitors past historic landmarks.
Fairfield University Art MuseumFairfield
The Fairfield University Art Museum offers a wonderful educational opportunity for homeschool students of all ages, with a collection ranging from a Bronze age armband to contemporary Japanese ceramic sculptures. Visit the glory of ancient Greece with casts of Parthenon sculptures, or learn about “selfies” through European portraits. Remember to stop by the museum office for colored pencils and activity sheets. Special exhibitions only increase the fun! Explore the drawings of 19th-century Native Americans in Picturing History: Ledger Drawings of the Plains Indians (Bellarmine Hall Galleries, until Dec. 20), or dive into the colorful exuberance of a contemporary Connecticut artist in Richard Lytle: A Retrospective (Walsh Gallery, until Feb. 3). Whether you visit on a self-guided tour or on a group tour with a museum curator, the Fairfield University Art Museum is an adventure waiting to be discovered. The Bellarmine Hall Galleries are open Tuesday to Friday, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Walsh Gallery is open Wednesday to Saturday from 12 noon to 4:00 p.m. On select Saturdays, Family Day programs offer engaging child-friendly gallery talks and drop in craft activities for children ages 4-10! Learn more and register for upcoming events at www.fuam.eventbrite.com.
Hill-Stead MuseumFarmington
Hill-Stead Museum blends the charm of a historic house with the allure of an art museum. Set within 152 acres of breathtaking natural beauty, the museum boasts an extraordinary collection of Impressionist and decorative art, meticulously displayed within its original, in-situ domestic interiors. The fusion of historical architecture and world-class artwork creates an immersive experience that distinguishes Hill-Stead from other institutions. Its founder, Theodate Pope Riddle (b.1867)—one of the first licensed female architects in the United States—designed Hill-Stead as her family home in 1901 and transformed it into a museum upon her death in 1946.
Stanley-Whitman HouseFarmington
Stanley-Whitman House is a living history center and museum that teaches through the collection, preservation, research and dynamic interpretation of the history and culture of early Farmington. Programs, events, classes and exhibits encourage visitors of all ages to immerse themselves in history by doing, acting, questioning, and engaging in Colonial life and the ideas that formed the foundation of that culture.
Merwinsville Hotel RestorationGaylordsville
Located along the Housatonic Railroad in Gaylordsville CT was a meal and rest stop in the late 1800's. As you enter the Hotel today, you get a sense of what it was like over 163 years ago as passengers stepped off the railroad on their way from Bridgeport CT to Pittsfield MA.
Fort Griswold Battlefield State ParkGroton
The park includes the original fort ramparts, the restored Ebenezer Avery House, where wounded colonists sheltered after the battle, the Groton Monument, a 135-foot granite obelisk, and a Revolutionary War museum.
Dudley FarmGuilford
Dudley Farm was in the same family for about 350 years. In 1991 David Dudley willed the farm to the North Guilford Volunteer Fire Department who has worked to help create a private, nonprofit foundation to oversee the 10-acre farm, farmhouse and barn buildings as a working farm. Various events are held throughout the year including blacksmithing demonstrations, sheep shearing, wool spinning, crafters, quilters, archeological digs, and music jams.
Henry Whitfield State MuseumGuilford
Visitors may tour two buildings on the site. At the Visitor Center, you can pick up travel information in the lobby, browse through the gift shop, view changing exhibits in two galleries, or use the research library. In the Whitfield House, you can take a self-guided tour through three floors filled with 17th-19th century furnishings and artifacts. The introductory exhibit, The Old Stone House, details the house's history, and museum staff is available to answer questions. Educational game sheets are offered to children (but they're so interesting that many adults take them through the museum as well!). A stroll around the landscaped grounds, featuring extensive stonewalls, a bronze statue representing Henry Whitfield, and a ship's cannon from the War of 1812, completes the tour. Please allow approximately one hour for your visit. The Visitor Center is wheelchair-accessible.
Hyland HouseGuilford
The Hyland House is an historic house museum, named for George Hyland, the settler who purchased the land on which it stands in 1657. The two-story saltbox structure was built circa 1713 by Hyland’s son-in-law Isaac Parmelee. For more than a century, the Hyland House has been sharing Guilford’s rich colonial history through tours, events, hands-on programs, classes, and research.
The Guilford Keeping SocietyGuilford
"The Thomas Griswold House is a historic house on Boston Street in Guilford, CT. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. The Guilford Keeping Society operates the house as the Thomas Griswold House Museum. The museum includes the late 18th century period New England saltbox house, a historic blacksmith shop, a barn with farm tools and implements, two corn cribs and a Victorian era three seat privy. The museum is open seasonally from June through October. The Medad Stone Tavern is a Dutch gambrel style fourteen-room, ten-fireplace tavern built in 1803 by Medad Stone. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2010. The property includes ten acres, a barn, a corncrib, and a garage. The Len Hubbard Community Garden is located on the property. The Tavern never opened as a tavern, however, it has been restored to its tavern roots and welcomes many visitors at the Guilford Keeping Society's Memorial Day Picnic."
Haddam Historical SocietyHaddam
The Society operates the Thankful Arnold House Museum and the Wilhelmina Ann Arnold Barnhart Memorial Garden in the scenic lower Connecticut River Valley village of Haddam, Connecticut. Visitors hear the story of the Widow Arnold and that of her daughter and granddaughter. Representative of their time, these three generations of women were head of the household in the home that was built between 1794 and 1810. The house is open year round. The museum is a proud member of the Connecticut Women's Heritage Trail.
Eli Whitney MuseumHamden
The Eli Whitney Museum is an experimental learning workshop for students, teachers, and families. We collect interpret and teach experiments that are the roots of design and invention.
Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of ArtHartford
America's oldest public art museum, continues to thrive and grow. We continuously acquire new works to bring to the public. We invite you to be a part of the flourishing of art in Hartford. True to founder Daniel Wadsworth's vision, we continue to collect and share the world's greatest art. The best show in town, and the region for that matter, is our permanent collection of more than 45,000 works of art. Many fine paintings collected by Wadsworth from the Hudson River School are now considered masterpieces of American art, and are one of the highlights of any Wadsworth visit.
Charter Oak Cultural CenterHartford
Located in a historic building, we present multi-cultural arts programming that we make accessible for free or at a very low cost, we provide completely free classes in the arts to 1000 underserved Hartford young people, work extensively with the homeless community and present performances and exhibits that bring to light the burning issues of our day. Charter Oak Cultural Center lives in Connecticut’s oldest synagogue building, built in 1876.
Museum of Connecticut HistoryHartford
At the Museum of Connecticut History, you'll find exhibits that trace the growth of the State and its role in the development of the nation. The Museum focuses on Connecticut's government, industrial and military history.
Harriet Beecher Stowe CenterHartford
The Harriet Beecher Stowe Center preserves and interprets Stowe's Hartford home and the Center's historic collections, promotes vibrant discussion of her life and work, and inspires commitment to social justice and positive change.
Connecticut Historical Society MuseumHartford
A non-profit museum, library, and education center. Our mission is to inspire and foster a life-long interest in history through exhibitions, programs and Connecticut-related collections because examining and understanding the past, and connecting the past with the present, provides a guide for the future. Public programs and events for adults and families offer a fun way for individuals to think about history and learn from our collections. CHS also offers a wide range of educational programs for students in grades K through 12 and we are the State's host of National History Day.
Mark Twain House & MuseumHartford
A museum dedicated to the work, life and times of author Mark Twain.
The Bushnell Park CarouselHartford
It's a sweet surprise to find a vintage 1914 carousel standing in Bushnell Park. There, by the shadow of skyscrapers and a giant Turkey Oak, a 24-sided pavilion houses 48 hand-carved wooden horses and two lovers' chariots that swirl around a booming Wurlitzer band organ. This Carousel maintains the past, while the future buds all around it.
Connecticut Antique Machinery Association (CAMA)Kent
A non-profit museum dedicated to the preservation, restoration and demonstration of antique machinery from our rich industrial and agricultural past.
Cheney HomesteadManchester
Timothy Cheney, farmer, miller and one of America's famous clock makers, built the Cheney Homestead about 1785. A brook to the south of the home afforded water for the grist mill which he operated with his son George.
The Fire MuseumManchester
Located in the heart of the Cheney National Historic District, The Fire Museum is housed in a retired 1901 fire station with a unique atmosphere that saw the transition from hand drawn to horse drawn, then to motorized apparatus. In addition to a working Gamewell Fire Alarm System, our collection includes hundreds of fine examples of early American craftsmanship related to firefighting such as glassware, lighting, leather making, photography, textiles and paintings.
The Lutz MuseumManchester
Every corner is filled with exciting discoveries waiting to be made. From hands-on exhibits to interactive play areas, our museum is designed to spark curiosity, ignite imagination, and create lasting memories. Most exhibits and activities are designed for children aged two (2) to ten (10).
Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research CenterMashantucket
A new tribally owned-and-operated, state-of-the-art complex located in Mashantucket, Conn. Opened on August 11, 1998, it presents the rich history of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, the histories and cultures of other tribes, and the region's natural history through a series of innovative presentations.
QuassyMiddlebury
Quassy, which was once called Lake Quassapaug Amusement Park, sits on a beautiful lake in Middlebury, Connecticut. Quassy was not always the amusement park it is today. Native Americans once populated this large area. The Native Americans translated Lake Quassapaug to mean "Big Pond" or "Big Rock". Today, Quassy Amusement Park remains a unique family-oriented facility. We offer swimming, picnicking, a catering service, a huge family Redemption Arcade, "Saturation Station," and of course, more than 20 rides. Every year families can count on new attractions, new rides, and most importantly, quality service.
Davison Art CenterMiddletown
The Davison Art Center is the home of Wesleyan's art collection, which is focused primarily on graphic art and photography. The breadth of the collection is equaled by its outstanding quality; exceptionally fine impressions by Rembrandt van Rijn and Francisco de Goya, rare early engravings, and important contemporary artwork by artists including Kara Walker and Jasper Johns are only a few highlights. The Davison Art Center supports teaching, learning, and research in its study room, and presents public exhibitions in its gallery.
Mystic Aquarium & Institute for ExplorationMystic
Mystic Aquarium, one of America's leading aquariums, showcases the living collections, science, and conservation work of Sea Research through exhibits, demonstrations and educational programs, emphasizing hands-on, interactive, live animal contact experiences for all ages. The Aquarium is open year-round and is Connecticut's largest non-casino attraction. Mystic Aquarium is one of the few in North America housing Beluga whales and other rare and remarkable sea creatures.
Mystic Arts CenterMystic
Since its founding, MMoA has fostered the arts in southeastern Connecticut by exhibiting and collecting the works of prominent American artists. The works of Robert Brackman, Beatrice Cuming, and Henry Ward Ranger are included within the permanent collection. The collection ranges from the first quarter of the twentieth century to the early 2000s, representing the long history of Mystic Museum of Art. American Impressionism, Tonalism, and other forms of expression are among those styles represented within their collection. The collection provides a glimpse into the significant art-making practice that has existed in this region. They also offer classes for homeschoolers.
Mystic SeaportMystic
Mystic Seaport -- The Museum of America and the Sea -- is the nation's leading maritime museum. Explore American maritime history first-hand as you climb aboard historic tall ships, stroll through a re-created 19th-century coastal village or watch a working preservation shipyard in action.
New Britain Museum of American ArtNew Britain
The NBMAA offers student-centered interdisciplinary visits created to enrich curricula and engage students and families in dialogue and discussion while looking at works of art in the galleries and engaging in exploratory art projects. NBMAA offers tailored programs designed to introduce younger children to the museum experience all the way through High School engagement with thematically-rich stories, conversation prompts, and hands-on art projects. Topics covered include: Art Bones, Art, Architecture, Engineering, and Design, Artist in the Environment, Math-terpieces, Seasons.
New Britain Industrial MuseumNew Britain
Collections of manufactured products from New Britain, CT factories. Exhibits show development from invention to production. Known as the "Hardware City" from the mid-19th century until after WWII, New Britain at one time held the record for most patents issued.
New Britain Youth MuseumNew Britain
We are a non-profit educational institution that provides science and environmental programs, special events, interactive STEAM exhibits, a playground, a pond, 22 acres of forested habitat with walking trails and is home to over 50 live domestic, native, exotic, and farm animals.
Yale Center For British ArtNew Haven
Presented to the university by Paul Mellon, Class of 1929, the Yale Center for British Art houses the largest and most comprehensive collection of British art outside the United Kingdom. The collection of paintings, sculpture, drawings, prints, rare books, and manuscripts reflects the development of British art, life, and thought from the Elizabethan period onward.
Yale University Art GalleryNew Haven
Oldest college art museum in the western hemisphere. The Art Gallery was founded in 1832, when Yale College received over one hundred history paintings and portraits by and from the patriot-artist John Trumbull, and the Trumbull Gallery was built to house them. Since then the collections have grown to number more than eighty-five thousand objects from around the world, dating from ancient Egyptian times to the present.
Connecticut Children's MuseumNew Haven
The museum is housed in a historic and recently renovated building within the cultural 'corridor' of the city's Town Green District. This central location bridges the New Haven Green, the downtown business area, and the arts district of Audubon Street. It is easily accessible to all! Exhibits for the Connecticut Children's Museum were inspired by educators, artists, health care providers, scientists, community organizers, businesspeople, architects, and parents who worked together--meeting, dreaming, and drawing. Hundreds of people generated the reservoir of ideas that now shape the eight thematic and community-inspired exhibits.
Yale Peabody MuseumNew Haven
The Yale Peabody Museum was founded in 1866 with a gift from philanthropist George Peabody, at the urging of his nephew, Yale's O.C. Marsh, the first professor of paleontology in North America and the Museum's first director. Marsh built many of the Peabody's great collections, and today you can see some of his most famous finds -- the dinosaurs he named Triceratops, Stegosaurus and "Brontosaurus" -- in the Museum's Great Hall.
Lyman Allyn Art MuseumNew London
Housed in a handsome Neo-Classical building designed by Charles A. Platt, the permanent collection includes over 10,000 paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, furniture and decorative arts, with an emphasis on American art from the 18th through 20th centuries. Lyman Allyn Art Museum offers a wide range of family-friendly programs and classes as well as lectures and other events.
Custom House Maritime Museum - New LondonNew London
The mission of the New London Maritime Society's (NLMS) Custom House Maritime Museum is to preserve New London's U.S. Custom House and to promote and interpret the maritime history of the port of New London and the surrounding region through museum exhibitions and educational programs.
U.S. Coast Guard MuseumNew London
Tucked away on the grounds of the picturesque U. S. Coast Guard Academy, the Coast Guard Museum contains artifacts that span the two hundred year history of America's premier maritime service. Featuring everything from models of a series of early steamships to the 270-foot cutter that plies the waters of today, the exquisite craftsmanship captures the changes in ship design over the last two hundred years. Other fascinating things include one of the only first-order Fresnel lenses on display in the United States. This 10-foot tall set of prisms was initially installed in the lighthouse at Cape Ann, Massachusetts.
Fort Trumbull State ParkNew London
Fort Trumbull has a legacy of service spanning two and a half centuries, from the American Revolution to World War II to the Cold War. Along with serving as a federal military facility, the fort played a pivotal role in the country’s coastal defense system and as the original site of the U.S. Coast Guard. Visit the park for an interactive history, and explore the massive granite fort and its ramparts for a view of the Thames River and Harbor.
New Milford Historical SocietyNew Milford
The galleries, special exhibits and museum shop capture a slice of life that was our ancestors' and celebrate their contributions to New Milford today. Visit the 18th century cooking hearth to appreciate how our maternal ancestors prepared dinner without modern conveniences. The antique toy collection can help your children imagine what their ancestors played with when they, too, were young. Peruse portraits of New Milford's first families. Take a walk through historical gardens. Memorabilia of events, places and people, as well as industries of the region, will show you how New Milford has progressed through the centuries.
Homeschool Adventures at Pratt Nature CenterNew Milford
The Pratt Nature Center is a 205-acre wildlife preserve and environmental education center in Litchfield County, CT. The land is diverse - with a mountain, meadows, woods, wildlife, gardens, farm animals, a stream, a pond, and wetlands, providing wonderful opportunities for outdoor fun, discovery and adventure! Pratt Nature Center offers hiking, bird-watching, community garden plots and nature education for all ages including programs tailor-made for the classroom or scout troop as well as for family or community enjoyment and learning.
Newington Historical SocietyNewington
Operates two museum: The Kellogg-Eddy House and The Kelsey House.
Niantic Children’s MuseumNiantic
Niantic Children’s Museum (formerly Children’s Museum of Southeastern Connecticut) is an interactive, hands-on, educational place for children to try on new roles, let their imaginations soar, and feel safe while exploring the world around them. 5,000 square feet and all on one floor, the Museum is accessible to everyone. We engage, encourage, and challenge children from 9 months to 9 years in the arts, sciences, health, and world cultures.
Beckley Furnace Industrial MonumentNorth Canaan
The Beckley Iron Furnace once produced iron for the manufacture of railroad car wheels. It is Connecticut's best preserved example of a technology that has long since vanished. The structure is part of the National Register of Historic Places.
Natureworks Organic Garden CenterNorthford
Natureworks Organic Garden Center is one of the premiere organic gardening resources in the state of Connecticut. One of the most popular topics they cover for field trips is "All About the Monarch Butterfly". During summer months, the center raises hundreds of monarchs from egg to butterfly by finding eggs on their property. Natureworks educates the public about growing milkweed, pollinator gardens, and safe butterfly raising practices. Guides are flexible with topics and accommodate many different-sized groups.
American Mural ProjectNorthwest Connecticut
The Wow! Factor The minute your students walk in the door, they are greeted by the five-story, 120-foot-long Art of Work mural. Larger than life, each worker depicted in the mural has a compelling story to tell. Students explore the grand-scale artwork from three viewing levels. During their guided Tour & Explore, they will hear diverse workers’ stories and learn about the artist’s inspiration for the mural. Students discover how the mural came to be the largest indoor collaborative artwork in the world, involving more than 15,000 people—including students just like them—across the United States. Students discover the art in everything—with AMP field trip activities, interactive artmaking that inspires students to think more deeply. Using the mural as their springboard for discussion and creative responses, students develop their own interpretations and insights. With the guidance of AMP education staff, they’ll turn inspiration into art that is as personal as it is powerful!
Maritime AquariumNorwalk
The Maritime Aquarium inspires people of all ages to appreciate Long Island Sound and protect it for future generations. A vibrant and entertaining learning environment, the Maritime Aquarium achieves this goal through living exhibits, marine science, and environmental education.
Lockwood-Mathews Mansion MuseumNorwalk
The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum is one of the earliest and finest surviving Second Empire Style country houses ever built in the United States. It is our ongoing mission to conserve and faithfully restore this splendid 62-room mansion while expanding educational programs on the material, artistic and social culture of the Victorian era.
Stepping Stones Museum for ChildrenNorwalk
Features interactive exhibits, educational programs and fun for the whole family. With four main galleries, a toddlers-only gallery and more than 100 hands-on activities, Stepping Stones offers children ages ten and under plenty to explore and discover.
The Slater Memorial MuseumNorwich
For more than one hundred years, the Museum has displayed and interpreted the best examples of fine and decorative art, representing a broad range of world cultures of the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Africa.
Nature's Art VillageOakdale
With several destinations on site, Nature's Art Village has something for everyone. The Dinosaur Place is a 60-acre adventure park with over 40 life-sized dinosaurs. Hands-on activities can be found in Discovery Depot where you can pan for gold, dig and identify gems, and become a junior paleontologist. Educational classes available! Our Genius Museum is a village of progress with an original printing press, manufacturing steam engines, and much more!
Florence Griswold MuseumOld Lyme
Home of American Impressionism, the Museum features the restored Florence Griswold House, a gallery for changing art exhibitions, education and landscape centers, a restored artist's studio, gardens, and a half-mile nature trail.
Putnam Memorial State ParkRedding
Go back in time to the Revolutionary War with a hands-on history lesson at Putnam Memorial State Park, dubbed “Connecticut’s Valley Forge”. Established in 1887, the park is the site of the Continental Army's 1779 winter encampment under the command of General Israel Putnam. In 1778 and 1779, 3,000 soldiers camped in the strategic location to defend the Hudson River Valley and the Long Island Sound. Today’s site consists of the encampment’s remains, reconstructed log buildings, and a museum. Along with standing exhibits, the park hosts historical reenactments, guided tours, and more throughout the year.
Seth Low Pierrepont State Park ReserveRidgefield
Come see the many different habitats and excellent overlooks on the trails at Seth Low Pierrepont State Park Reserve.
Dinosaur State ParkRocky Hill
The park is one of the largest dinosaur track sites in North America. Beneath the geodesic dome, you will find an exceptional display of early Jurassic fossil tracks that were made 200 million years ago. Surrounding the 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.
Huntington HomesteadScotland
The birthplace of Samuel Huntington, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a distinguished statesman during the Revolutionary War and early Republic. The remarkably well-preserved site includes an eighteenth century house on its original foundation surrounded by acres of farmland, bordered by Merrick Brook. It includes old-growth trees, stone walls, an abandoned road, and other interesting features. The Huntington Homestead is a surprising discovery so late in the twentieth century, when most historic sites have already been enshrined or ravaged. It is a National Historic Landmark.
Sharon Historical Society & MuseumSharon
Visit the Sharon Historical Society & Museum to see exhibitions highlighting Sharon’s rich history, catch a talk or tour with the Curator and guest experts, and explore contemporary works by artists in Sharon and Northwest Connecticut.
cARTieShelton
Scaffolded as per best museum education practices, the museum provides a series of two highly interactive and participatory, developmentally-appropriate art museum field trips for your PreK-2 students during the academic school year that address a variety of learning goals. Students become familiar learning to look, think, and talk about art, while practicing their listening and collaboration skills in facilitated discussions and art-making activities. Unlike other museum, ours is housed inside a bus that drives directly to you.
Barnes MuseumSouthington
The beautiful Barnes Museum serves as a reminder of Southington's rich historic past. Step through its doors and you are transported to an era when ladies wore high-button shoes and elegant lace dresses and men donned top hats for social occasions.
BareburgerStamford
Bring your group to take a “behind the scenes” tour of your local Bareburger restaurant, learning about different staff positions and duties, food safety, following a recipe, why organic, all natural and more! Students, teachers and chaperones alike will then enjoy a delicious lunch and build your own burger covering your vegetarian, GF, Vegan, Beef & Chicken lovers. Designed for Grades 2nd to 12th, students pay just $10 each and chaperones pay $12 each and the teacher receives the adult lunch on us!
Stamford Museum & Nature CenterStamford
The Stamford Museum & Nature Center is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of art, the natural and agricultural sciences, and history. Seasonal fun awaits you at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center. Bring friends and enjoy a picnic on the Meadow, walk over 80 acres of nature trails, drop in to the Heckscher Farm and say hello to the animals, and bring the whole group to the amazing exhibition in the Stamford Museum Galleries.
Old Lighthouse Museum - Stonington, CTStonington
Stonington's lighthouse became the museum of the Historical Society in 1927. Now, six rooms of exhibits testify to the rich and varied history of this coastal region through exhibits depicting the lives of Stonington's fishermen and farmers, merchants and shipbuilders, pottery makers, blacksmiths, and many other trades. Each year, a special aspect of Stonington history is featured. One room with a large dollhouse is reserved for items of interest to children and adults. Visitors of all ages enjoy climbing the old iron steps of the tower for an exhilarating view in all directions.
The Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry (BIMP)Storrs
The Museum preserves and exhibits puppets from around the world as well as those created at the University of Connecticut. BIMP also provides research and educational opportunities to all who share the love of puppetry.
Boothe Memorial Park and MuseumStratford
The 32-acre Boothe Memorial Park and Museum in Stratford represents one of the most unique architectural displays in New England, comprising more than 20 historic structures, several interesting museums, and beautiful grounds featuring an exquisite Rose Garden, public picnic facilities, and more.
The Lock Museum of AmericaTerryville
The Museum boasts eight display rooms. The newest of these is an extensive lock collection that includes a Cannon Ball Safe, 30 early era time locks, Safe Escutcheon Plates and a large number of British Safe Locks, Door Locks, Padlocks, Handcuffs and Keys. Another display room, known as The Eagle Lock Company Room, contains over 1,000 locks and keys manufactured from 1854 to 1954.
Railroad Museum of New EnglandThomaston
The mission of the Railroad Museum of New England (RMNE) is to establish an interpretive facility where the story of the region's rich railroad heritage can be effectively told. We have an extensive collection of New England rolling stock, including locomotives of all types, passenger cars, freight cars, and cabooses. We have New England railroad artifacts dating from the 1840's to the present.
Xperiment Virtual RealityTrumbull
Xperiment VR is the newest place to experience the power of virtual reality. They host birthday parties, events, and free play whenever you're in the mood to step into another reality. Xperiment VR is a fully immersive virtual reality social play space that delivers the best VR experiences without hassle and expensive home setups. Prepare to jump into realistic worlds with explosive visuals as you step beyond reality and explore just about anything you can imagine. Whether you’re playing games, exploring the world, or unleashing your artistic talents, it’s fun for EVERYONE and a great way to stay active!
Tantaquidgeon Indian MuseumUncasville
The Tantaquidgeon Museum, built in 1931, is the oldest Native American-owned and operated museum in the United States. The museum offers free admission to all and tours are conducted by Mohegan Tribal members. Museum Hours: Tue - Sat from 10am to 5pm
Unionville MuseumUnionville
The Unionville Museum is dedicated to acquiring, preserving, displaying, interpreting, and promoting the unique history of the village of Unionville in the Town of Farmington, Connecticut. Our first exhibit, “You’ve Come a Long Way,” featured items from the suffrage movement. Over the last 39 years, the museum has presented over 90 exhibits. Topics have included Unionville in the Civil War, WWI, wedding gowns, local mills, the Flood of '55, Suburban Park, Restaurants, Transportation, New Horizons Village, and the latest - Farmington High School. It has also hosted and co-sponsored many special events and presentations, including the history of Hitchcock Chairs, the rededication of the Civil War Monument, Unionville Trolley Day, and the annual Jingle Bell Jubilee.
The New England Civil War MuseumVernon
Honoring and Preserving the Memory of Connecticut's Civil War Soldiers. The New England Civil War Museum is located inside the longest continuously used Civil War veterans hall in the country.
Vernon Historical Society MuseumVernon
We invite you to visit the Vernon Historical Society Museum. Admission is FREE (Donations accepted).
Institute for American Indian Studies Museum and Research CenterWashington
The Institute for American Indian Studies seeks to teach through educational programs based on unbiased historical research and interpretation. Programs are designed to be accurate and interactive, and to stimulate further interest in the wonder and diversity of the earth's many cultures, beginning with the indigenous peoples of the Americas.
Institute for American Indian Studies Museum and Research Center website
Gunn Memorial Library & MuseumWashington
The Gunn Memorial Library, Inc. is a non-profit corporation providing free public library services to Washington, CT and the surrounding communities. The mission of the Gunn Historical Museum is to collect, preserve, and share the objects and stories which illuminate the history of Washington. The Gunn Museum is open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm. Free guided exhibit tours are available every Saturday in October and November from 1 to 2pm.
Mattatuck Museum Arts & History CenterWaterbury
Featuring more than 12 exhibitions of art and history every year. There is always something to see @ The MATT! Changing exhibitions at the Mattatuck highlight our community’s diversity, address contemporary society issues, present emerging artists’ work, feature blockbuster shows of internationally renowned artists, and emphasize the strengths of our permanent collection. Changing exhibits of contemporary sculpture are featured throughout the Museum’s outdoor spaces.
Harkness Memorial State ParkWaterford
Eolia, the 42-room Harkness family mansion, is surrounded by 230 seaside acres of sweeping lawns, stately trees, magical gardens, and a sandy beach. Each of the estate’s six gardens has its own theme. Friends of Harkness volunteer docents lead guided tours of the Eolia Mansion and Formal Gardens on weekends and holidays between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
- Tours run from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (last tour begins at 1:30 p.m.)
- Group Tours available by appointment. Email Friends of Harkness for information and availability.
- Donations appreciated
The Children’s Museum in West HartfordWest Hartford
The Children's Museum provides rich learning experiences in science and nature to young children. The Children's Museum includes the Travelers Science Dome at the Gengras Planetarium, Roaring Brook Nature Center, the UTC Wildlife Sanctuary, and the only science-based preschool in Connecticut. We look forward to welcoming you to The Children's Museum, where we are igniting curiosity through science and nature.
The Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical SocietyWest Hartford
Webster's birthplace helps to tell the story of one man's vision and his impact on American culture. Through the promotion of education, laws, human rights, and language, Noah Webster helped to create a national identity for a fledgling nation.
The Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society website
Museum of Contemporary Art Connecticut (MoCa CT)Westport
MoCA CT is a museum and cultural arts hub. We offer compelling exhibitions, performing arts events, and educational experiences for all. Formerly MoCA Westport.
Earthplace, The Nature Discovery CenterWestport
Earthplace maintains a 62-acre wildlife sanctuary with trails, contains an interactive natural history museum, houses live wildlife for public viewing, and hosts many public nature programs and events. Other activities include a state-licensed preschool and summer camp, a wildlife rehabilitation program, and the Harbor Watch/River Watch water quality testing program.
Buttolph Williams HouseWethersfield
Originally thought to have been constructed by David Buttolph, it is now believed that the Buttolph-Williams House was built by Benjamin Belden, who purchased the property for 70 pounds in 1711 and sold it for 245 pounds in 1721. The structure was probably finished by 1714, when Belden married Anne Churchill and was licensed as a tavern keeper. The young couple would be expected to welcome travelers into their home and to offer them food and a place to sleep. Although the current interpretation of the interior captures the spirit of Pilgrim life in New England in the 17th century, its historic importance is more a testament to the work of an earlier generation of American collectors and preservationists than as an accurate recreation of early colonial life.
Webb-Deane-Stevens MuseumWethersfield
Our Museum is open to the public May through October and December. Admission to the Webb Deane Stevens Museum includes our exhibition galleries in the Holcombe Education Center, access to our 8-acre campus and gardens, and a guided tour of our three restored historic houses. Groups of 10 or more are by reservation only.
Connecticut Eastern Railway MuseumWillimantic
The collection includes locomotives and rolling stock, as well as vintage railroad buildings and a six-stall roundhouse reconstructed on the original foundation. Visitors can receive a guided tour of the museum and kids of all ages can operate a replica 1850's-style pump car along a section of rail that once was part of the New Haven Railroad's "Air Line".
Weir Farm National Historic SiteWilton
In June of 1882, painter J. Alden Weir boarded a train from New York bound for his modest farm among the hills of Branchville, CT. Once here, Weir and his family transformed their summer retreat into a creative refuge for friends and fellow artists. After Weir, artists Mahonri Young and Sperry Andrews lived and worked here, continuing the legacy of artistic expression that still inspires today.
Wilton Historical Society: The Heritage MuseumWilton
The Betts-Sturgis-Blackmar house (red house) was built on this site in 1739. The Sloan-Raymond-Fitch house (gray house), built in 1772, was moved to this site in 2001/2002 from its original home 1/4 mile north because of the road widening project. Together, they have 14 period rooms furnished to show the changes in home life, the economy, furniture and decorations from 1740 -- 1910. Most house museum are locked into one time period. But here, visitors get a glimpse of changes in rural New England homes from the early colonial to Victorian eras.
New England Air MuseumWindsor Locks
The New England Air Museum is dedicated to the teaching and preservation of aviation history and technology especially in regard to Connecticut's contributions.
American Museum of Tort LawWinsted
The American Museum of Tort Law is the perfect place for students who show an interest in civil justice and trial by jury! Founded by Ralph Nader, famed consumer advocate, this museum educates and inspires people about the benefits of trial by jury and tort law (the law of wrongful injuries). Visitors learn about the many ways that tort law and trial by jury protects freedom, health, products, and the environment. The museum is fun, creative, visually stunning and provocative. Explore interactive exhibits, see dangerous toys and the famous Corvair! Personalized tours can be arranged for groups with advanced notice.
Darling House Farmstead and History MuseumWoodbridge
Take a trip back in time at the Darling Family Farmstead and History Museum! We welcome groups of children (ideally ages 8 and older) for a tour of the Historic Darling House with stops in our historic kitchen, parlors, chambers, out buildings and gardens. Time travelers will learn all about what life was like back in the late 1700's and how their role was an important one. They will also learn about how the Darlings contributed to life on their farm and the history of Woodbridge and New Haven. Younger time travelers are also welcome (PreK through 1st grade) in a special area of the house with activities geared towards them. Each traveler receives a special snack and an activity book. All tours are given by our specially trained volunteers.
Glebe House Museum and Jekyll GardenWoodbury
Birthplace of the Episcopal Church in the New World and graced by the only extant American garden planned by England's most venerated designer.
