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Spring Summer 2026

Work the kids' muscles and imaginations at outdoor adventures in Connecticut

Connecticut > State > Outdoor Activities > Outdoor Adventures

Wear out those kids (and adults, too) on your vacation in Connecticut with a day at an outdoor adventure park where they can play Tarzan, Spiderman, or whatever heroic image they love. Experts will get the family suited up with harnesses, pulleys and carabiners and send everyone out on a zip line and ropes course that folks will be talking about well after vacation is over. You can call this educational if you like. The bigger point is that kids and adults get to use their muscles, wits, and imaginations up in the air. Combine the day with a second day at a traditional amusement park. Make this a family outing to remember.

Webb Deane Stevens Revolutionary War encampment credit--Charles-Lyle
Gybe at Baptist Church - Argia Mystic Cruises - Mystic, CT
Argia Mystic Cruises

75 Steamboat Wharf Mystic, CT, 06355 Phone: 860-536-0416

Sail into the past aboard the Mystic-based schooner Argia

Aboard the 81-foot sailing vessel Argia, a modern replica of a 19th century packet schooner, you can travel back into the past – gliding by history-rich Mystic, helping the crew hoist and trim the sails – or just enjoy the view of islands, lighthouses and scenic coastlines from the vessel’s spacious wooden deck. The Coast Guard licensed schooner sails protected waters during the day and, for those seeking the romance of the sea at twilight, at sunset. Pack a picnic and a bottle of wine (or order snacks from us when you book) to make this excursion truly memorable. There are seats for all 49 passengers and a lovely little main salon down below.
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Bluefish Girls 500x250 - Black Hawk Party Boat - Niantic, CT
Black Hawk Sport Fishing

Sailing from Cini Memorial Park Niantic, CT, 06357 Phone: 860-448-3662 Toll-Free: 800-382-2824

Have an adventure at sea and bring home that night’s dinner, all in one exciting trip

Have an adventure out on the water — and come home with dinner! That’s the perfect combo they’re offering you when you book a fishing cruise at Black Hawk Sport Fishing. With a vessel specially designed for the party boat fishing industry, you’ll head out to fish for porgy, bluefish, striped bass or sea bass. Bring your own gear, or rent a rod and reel at the dock. And, yes, kids can fish, too — sometimes they can even honk the boat horns! Keep what you catch (as long as it’s legal in terms of size and season) — a mate will fillet and clean it for a nominal charge. Or, you can release the fish back into the water or have it contributed to a local soup kitchen or food bank.
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Atractions Outdoor Adventure - The Dinosaur Place at Nature's Art Village - Oakdale CT
The Dinosaur Place at Nature's Art Village

1650 Hartford-New London Tpke. (Rt. 85) Oakdale, CT, 06370 Phone: 860-443-4367

Exciting adventures at dinosaur-themed amusement park are around every corner

The only thing The Dinosaur Place at Nature’s Art Village has more of than dinosaurs is adventures — they are everywhere! In addition to meeting up with over 60 life-sized dinos along an easy-to-walk nature trail, you can work your way through the A-MAZE-asaurus maze (sliding through the giant mouth of a T-Rex!); or climb, jump and slide your way through Monty’s Playground. Over at the Splash Pad, there are dueling T-Rex water cannons among other great features, and the T-Rex Tower is a 2 1/2-story playscape with dozens of challenging features like a balance-beam bridge. The park also has an 18-hole mini golf course, a Jackpot Mine where you can dig for crystals and minerals and, over at Lapilli Landing, an equestrian-themed pedal-car track and Lucky Leroy train ride.
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Lyman Orchards
Lyman Orchards

32 Reeds Gap Road Middlefield, CT, 06455 Phone: 860-349-1793

From Pick-Your-Own Orchards to Mazes, Markets, and More

For over 275 years, family-owned Lyman Orchards in Middlefield, CT has blended history, flavor, and outdoor fun into one unforgettable destination. From mid-June through late October, visitors can pick nearly 100 varieties of fruits, from juicy strawberries to eco-certified apples grown with care. Seasonal Sunflower and Corn Mazes add adventure (and Instagram-worthy views), while the Apple Barrel Farm Market tempts with pies, baked goods, and fresh sandwiches. After exploring, refuel at the 1741 Pub & Grill or tee off at three award-winning golf courses. With year-round events and festivals, it’s no wonder Lyman Orchards was named Connecticut’s Best Pick-Your-Own Farm for 2024.
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Spring Summer 2026