25 FREE Family-Fun Educational Day-Trips in CT
CTVisit.com was intregral in compiling this list. Thanks!
Break the Back-to-School Blues by promising a Family-Fun Day-Trip after school or during the weekends. Compiled is a list of 25 (+3 Bonus) area museums, farms and/or orchards that all offer free admissions (some select times & dates). Enjoy exploring CT, and please share your experiences below!
Free Admissions in CT All the Time
1. Eli Whitney
Wednesday–Friday: 12–5pm
Saturday: 10am–3pm
Sunday: 12–5pm
2. Submarine Force Library & Museum & Historic Ship Nautilus
Wednesday through Friday, 10 am – 4 pm.
Closed Saturday through Tuesday.
*Donations are appreciated.
3. Connecticut State Museum of Natural History
Wednesday through Friday, 10 am – 4 pm.
Closed Saturday through Tuesday.
*Donations are appreciated.
Route 7, Cornwall Bridge, CT
800-501-6545
Open year round on Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 am until 5:00 pm. Also open some week days throughout the year. Call for exact days and times.
5. Rocky Hill Historical Society
785 Old Main Street, Rocky Hill, CT 06067
860-563-6704
info@rockyhillhistory.org
September through June: Wednesday through Friday 12 noon to 4 p.m. July through August: Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Museum will be accessible on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday by appointment to university classes and scheduled tours.
Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 5pm. Sunday 12 noon- 5pm.
Tuesday–Saturday 10:00 am–5:00 pm, Sunday 1:00–6:00 pm
September through October: Thursday until 8:00 pm10. Norwalk Museum
Wednesday – Sunday from 1 pm – 5 pm
12. Jillson House Museum
627 Main Street
Willimantic, CT 06226
Phone: 860-456-2316
2nd and 3rd Weekend of every month.
1-4 pm
* This home was built in 1825 for a mill owner. The structure is made from stone taken locally from the banks of the Willimantic River. Exhibits include artifacts, antique furniture and local memorabilia.
13. Military Historians Museum
N. Main St.
Westbrook, CT 06498
Phone: 860-399-9460 Open: Tuesday-Friday, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and by appointment.
* The largest collection of American military uniforms in the country. Unit crest insignia, vehicles from World War II Weasel to a Desert Storm truck, music room, research center.
14. Mystic River Historical Society Museum
74 High Street at Old New London Road
Mystic, CT 06355
Phone: 860-536-4779
Open: Mid-May-mid-October, Tuesday, 9 a.m.-noon; Wednesday-Thursday, 1-4 p.m. Archives building is open year-round
* Visitors to the museum can see two sites, the Portersville Academy (built in 1839) and the William A. Downes Archives Building. The Academy contains a recreated 1840′s school room and changing exhibits relating to Mystic history. The Archives Building contains a growing collection of artifacts, printed material, maps and photographs.
15. New England Center for Contemporary Art
7 Putnam Place
Brooklyn, CT 06234
Phone: 860-774-8899
Open: Saturday and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.
* Three-story late Colonial converted to museum of 20th-century modern art, contemporary Chinese art. Changing exhibits, gift shop.
16. Ballard Institute & Museum of Puppetry
Weaver Road (off Route 44)
Storrs, CT 06269
Phone: 860-486-4605
Open: Late April-early November,Friday-Sunday, noon-5 p.m.
* Collection of more than 2,000 puppets from the world over. Each exhibition features a different view of the variety of styles and periods in puppetry. Admission: Free; donations accepted.
17. Brayton Grist Mill and Marcy Blacksmith Museum
Route 44
Pomfret, CT 06258
Phone: 860-928-0304
Open: Memorial Day to Labor Day, Sundays 2-5 p.m.
* This fine example of a one-man mill operation of the 1890′s has original milling equipment. The tool exhibit represents the craft of three generations of blacksmiths. Maintained by the Pomfret Historical Society. Admission: Free; donations welcome.
18. Chaplin Museum
1 Chaplin Street
Chaplin, CT 06235
Phone: 860-455-9209
Open: Mid-July–September 30, Sundays, 1-4 p.m.
* This one room museum features historic memorabilia and local artifacts. Themed exhibits are changed every year. Admission: free.
Free CT Farms & Orchards
483 Matson Hill Road, South Glastonbury, CT 06073
Phone: 860-633-2789
20. Ellsworth Farm
461 Cornwall Bridge Road, Route 4, Sharon, Connecticut 06069
Phone: 860-364-0025
21. Lyman Orchards
Apple Barrel Hours: Open 7 days a week | Sept/Oct: 9am -7pm. | Remainder of year: 9am – 6pm.
Free Admission Days each Week
22. Ocean Beach Park
Kids Spray Park open 10:00-5:00 Always free.
Daily parking $14. Nights are cheaper, free on Monday night, but spray park is not opened at night.
23. New Britain Museum of American Art
Saturday admission from 10 a.m. to noon is free to the public.
24. The Custom House Maritime Museum
Free admissions every Sunday.
25. Yale Peabody Museum
Free admissions on Thursday afternoons from 2:00 to 5:00 pm during the months of September to June.
Bonus: Free Admission Days each Month
Free admission on the first Sunday of every month.
27. Stepping Stones Museum
Free admission on the last Thursday of every month.
28. Wadsworth Atheneum Museum
Free admissions the last Saturday of every month.
We’d love to keep growing this resource list. So, if you know other places worth listing, please comment below! Share your reviews & experiences with us too.
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Category: Entertainment
