Connecticut - Family Activities

CoCo Key Water Resort
at the Holiday Inn Grand Waterbury
3580 East Main Street
Waterbury, CT  06705
Phone: 203-706-1043

Every day is a bright, sunny 84 degrees at CoCo Key

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Wouldn't it be great to be able to get away to the tropical islands any time you want without having to leave Connecticut? Now you can, at CoCo Key Water Resort, Waterbury’s Newest & Largest Indoor Water Resort. CoCo Key combines the relaxation and enchantment of the islands with the wild excitement of a 55,000-sq. ft. indoor water park. Every day is a bright, sunny 84 degrees at CoCo Key, featuring a selection of signature attractions. A day in the tropics can create quite an appetite. Fortunately, CoCo Key has delicious dining options located within the water resort.

When you dry off and head on over to Key Quest Arcade, our interactive game room filled with state-of-the-art video games.

Mohawk Mountain Ski Area
46 Great Hollow Road
Cornwall, CT  06753
Toll-Free: 800-895-5222
Fax: (860) 672-0117

Every day is a snow day at the Mohawk Mountain Ski Area!

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Welcome to Mohawk Mountain, serving southern New England since 1947. Mohawk offers 24 trails for skiing and snowboarding - using state-of-the-art snowmaking equipment - five chairlifts, a “wonder carpet” for beginners and amenities for all snow sport enthusiasts. Cross-country skiing is available in the adjacent Mohawk State Forest. Join us for the best skiing and snowboarding in Connecticut.

Connecticut College Arboretum
270 Mohegan Avenue
New London, CT  06320
Phone: 860-439-5020

Over 750 acres of beautifully preserved open space

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Connecticut College Arboretum's 750 acres include the college campus, plant collections, natural areas, and managed areas. Its three major plants collections for public enjoyment are the Campus Landscape with 120 acres of trees and shrubs from around the world; the Native Plant collection, with 20 acres of woody plants and wildflowers indigenous to North America with a pond, and walking trails; Caroline Black Garden with an exquisite display of diverse woody plants in a garden setting. Open every day from sunrise to sunset. Free public guided tours every Sunday afternoon May - October at 2 p.m. Call 860-439-5060 for more information. Private group tours can be arranged upon request.

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat
One Railroad Avenue
Essex, CT  06426
Phone: 860-767-0103
Toll-Free: 800-377-3987
Fax: 860-767-0104

Ride the Steam Train, Ride the Riverboat!

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Gather family and friends for the adventure of a sightseeing journey... aboard the only steam train and riverboat connection in the country! Your 2½ hour narrated journey begins at the historic 1892 Essex Station. Meander through the countryside aboard vintage rail cars pulled by an authentic steam locomotive. At Deep River Landing, you’ll be escorted onto to the Becky Thatcher Riverboat for a 1½ hour cruise along the Connecticut River - bursting with lush scenery and historic sights, such as Gillette Castle and Goodspeed Opera House. Upon Becky’s return to Deep River Landing, the steam train welcomes you for the return trip back to Essex.

Florence Griswold Museum
96 Lyme Street
Old Lyme, CT  06371
Phone: 860-434-5542
Fax: 860-434-9778

Open: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m.

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The Home of American Impressionism gives visitors a glimpse of life in an artists’ colony not found elsewhere in America. At the heart of this historic site is the Griswold House, where the artists lived and worked. Their artwork can be seen in the famed dining room where they painted directly on the walls. The award winning Krieble Gallery hosts changing exhibitions and fun gallery games for children. Families will also enjoy scavenger hunts in the house and gardens. Free with your admission on Sundays, stop by the Hartman Education Center and pick up all the supplies you need (canvas, brushes, palettes, and paint) to make a painting down by the river or in Miss Florence's garden. All ages and skill levels welcome.

Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration
55 Coogan Boulevard
Mystic, CT
Phone: 860-572-5955
Fax: 860-572-5969

Get closer than you ever thought possible!

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Encounter ocean animals in an exciting new way – no scuba gear required! Reach in and touch a ray, go beak-to-nose with a penguin and feel the splash of a beluga whale. Through spring 2009, see the seven belugas (including two calves!) and four Pacific white-sided dolphins visiting from Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. Watch our California sea lions – including Boomerang, the sea lion pup – strut their stuff during a live show, and meet a variety of animals, from African penguins and Steller sea lions to sharks and blue-tongued skinks. Take a ride in the XD Motion Theater “Deep Sea 3D.” Explore the deep ocean with the world’s only exhibits on Dr. Robert Ballard’s fascinating expeditions, including his discovery of the R.M.S. Titanic and visit his newest exhibit, “Exploring Your National Marine Sanctuaries,” which takes you live into some of the country’s sanctuaries to discover shipwrecks and see colorful corals – all without ever leaving the aquarium!

Mystic Country
12 Roosevelt Avenue
Mystic, CT  06355
Phone: 860-536-1205
Fax: 860-536-1480

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Have you ever discovered Mystic, Connecticut? Mystic Country is defined by the three very different experiences that exist only miles from one another. These experiences take visitors from Adventure on the Coast to Entertainment at the Casino and back to Calm in the Mystic Quiet Corner. That contagious New-England hue that’s felt in Mystic comes from over 400 years of history and evolution. The Mystic locals, the landscapes, and the culture brim with life that still remains untouched – definitely something worth seeing! Rediscover New England and check out all Mystic has to offer for your family getaway here at MysticCountry.com

Mystic Seaport
75 Greenmanville Avenue
Mystic, CT  06355-0990
Phone: 860-572-5315
Toll-Free: 888-973-2767

Open: Daily April through October, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and November through March, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed Christmas Day.

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Mystic Seaport – The Museum of America and the Sea – encourages every child to discover their connection to the sea. Kids of all ages roll up their sleeves and find out what keeps a boat above water in our new interactive exhibit, How Boats Float. The Discovery Barn gives older children hands-on experience with nautical knots, signal flags and more, while the Children’s Museum encourages younger sailors to explore a lobster boat, cook in the galley and swab the decks. Help set a tall ship’s sails, participate in a traditional “dead horse” sailor’s ceremony and create nautical crafts at Inspiration Station.

Ocean Beach Park
1225 Ocean Avenue
New London, CT  06320
Phone: 860-447-3031
Toll-Free: 1-800-510-SAND (7263)

New England's Finest Beach and Boardwalk

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There’s family fun and more at Ocean Beach Park. New this year is our Splash Park for kids under 8. For more water fun we have the ocean, of course, an Olympic-size swimming pool and triple waterslide. Our award-winning lifeguard staff is on duty for your safety. For more fun we have rides, mini-golf, and a Family Fun Center with a video arcade. Kids can enjoy our playground and adults can work out in the health club. The nature walk and observation deck let you enjoy our natural beauty. When all the activity makes you hungry you can choose from our full-service restaurant, a food court, or ice cream stands. Ocean Beach Park can also accommodate picnics and corporate events. Our nightly entertainment schedule includes Classic Car Cruises on Mondays; kids movies on the beach Tuesday and Thursday; live magic on Wednesday; live bands on Friday; and family entertainment on Saturdays.

The Dinosaur Place
1650 Route 85
Montville, CT  06370
Phone: 860-443-4367

Discover an interactive science and nature adventure

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Join us at the “The Dinosaur Place” for an adventure of the prehistoric kind! Visit the indoor Activity Center and check out geodes- volcanic formations that are million of years old! Choose one for us to cut open and be the first to see inside this ancient gas bubble! Children of all ages enjoy digging for gems and crystals, panning for “gold” and excavating a dinosaur skeleton.

Spend the day enjoying Outdoor Adventure! Over 25 life-sized dinosaurs can be found along 1 mile of easy walking trails. Visit the “What am I?” touch and learn stations and romp in Monty’s Playground. Bring sunscreen and flip-flops and enjoy New England’s largest SPLASHPAD®! Monty’s SPLASHPAD® is a zero-depth, fully automated interactive aquatic play system that consists of over 30 dinosaur-themed features designed to stimulate and cool off children of all ages. Changing rooms available. Picnic areas, snack bar and ice cream shop on site. Visit our website for hours, rates, and directions.