Family vacations in Connecticut can be rewarding experiences or absolute disasters -- it all depends on pre-trip homework. To make planning easier, we've done all the preparation. As part of a Huffington Post Travel series on traveling with children, here are recommended attractions for those planning Connecticut family vacations.
Calf Pasture Beach
Address: Calf Pasture Beach Road, Norwalk, CT 06851Phone: 860- 424-3034Hours: Calf Pasture Beach is open daily Memorial Day through September.Price: Free
Children's Museum Of Connecticut
Address: 950 Trout Brook Dr., West Hartford, CT 06119Phone: 860- 231-2824Hours: Spring Hours: Monday - Closed (with the exception of West Hartford District Monday holidays, when the museum will open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Summer Hours (beginning June 27): Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.Price: Children under 2, free; ages 2 to 62, $11; senior citizens, $10.
Connecticut Science Center
Address: 250 Columbus Blvd., Hartford, CT 06103Phone: 1-860-SCIENCEHours: June 27 to 30, July and August, daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Check the Web site for other times of the year).Price: General Admission: adults, $17; senior citizens, $15.50; youth 4 to 17, $6; kids 3 and under, free.
Yale University
Yale University is one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher learning in the United States, let alone the world. Visiting may inspire young learners to aspire to attend an Ivy League school. There are museums and galleries on the campus, and several festivals and events can be found on the school's calendar.
Address: 149 Elm St., New Haven, CT 06520Phone: 203-432-2300Hours: Guided Tours: Monday through Friday, 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 1:30 p.m.Price: Free
Beardsley Zoo
Address: 1875 Noble Ave., Bridgeport, CT 06610-1646Phone: 203-394-6565Hours: Open daily 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.Price: Adults (ages 12 and older), $12; children (ages 3 to 11), $10; seniors (62 and older), $10; children under 3, free.
Quassy Amusement Park
Address: 2132 Middlebury Road, Middlebury, CT 06762Phone: 1-800-FOR-PARKHours: Dates and hours of operation vary; check the Web site for details.Price: All-Day Ride and "Saturation Station" Passes are $23.50 for adults 45 inches and taller, $19 for kids under 45 inches. See Web site for more details.
Brownstone Water Park
Brownstone Water Park hosts all sorts of ways to enjoy water. Among the choices are swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. Those who prefer to stay dry can try rock climbing, hiking and biking.
Address: 161 Brownstone Ave., Portland, CT 06480Phone: 866-860-0208Hours: Dates and hours of operation depend on the park's current schedule. Check the Brownstone Water Park Web site for details. Price: General Swimming Daily Pass, $18 (includes swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, hiking and biking); Adventure Sports Daily Pass, $28 (includes cliff jumping, zip lines, water slide, wakeboarding, scuba diving).
Have you been to Connecticut? What's your favorite attraction?
Check out more FAMILY VACATION GUIDES.
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