The arrival of spring brings high spirits and motivation to explore new places. We are planning trips to local museums for family fun. We are lucky to live in Fairfield County, where there are abundant opportunities to explore. Here is a list of recommended museums to visit in Fairfield County and the surrounding areas.
1. Bruce Museum
1 Museum Drive, Greenwich, CT
Explore the website for the various events and exhibit options. There are family gallery tours and events appropriate for children. For example, in March, there is a free drop-in rainbow art activity for kids. Bruce Park playground is right across the street so that you can plan a great family day trip.
2. Greenwich Historical Society and The Bush-Holley House Museum
47 Strickland Road, Cos Cob, CT
Plan a tour of the Bush-Holley House, a historical landmark built circa 1790. As you tour the home, you are introduced to a home set during two time periods: 1) The New Nation: when it was home to the wealthy mercantile Bush family and; 2) the Art Colony Era: when the Holley family operated the house as a boarding house.
The house is set up with furniture and household items from the appropriate time periods, and you can imagine the families living there as you walk through. It is a great learning experience for children and adults, and we all greatly enjoyed our visit and the excellent and knowledgeable staff.
Also, plan a tour of the museum gardens, art, library, and cultural exhibitions. There is a great museum gift shop as well.
3. Stamford Museum and Nature Center
39 Scofieldtown Road, Stamford, CT
A great place for families to spend the day outdoors and explore nature and the many animals on the property. Some highlights include the 10-acre Heckscher Farm, The Knobloch Family Farmhouse, Overbrook Nature Center with hiking trails and a great playground with lots of fun outdoor activities. A visit to the otter pond is a must, and Heckscher Wild offers an interactive experience with exotic animals and plants.
4. Stepping Stones Museum
303 West Avenue, Norwalk, CT
A family-friendly museum with many exhibits and activities. The highlights are the Energy Lab, Light Gallery, Multimedia Gallery, “Tot Town” (play area for toddler-age children), and the outdoor Celebration Courtyard.
5. Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum
295 West Avenue, Norwalk, CT
Visit this beautiful mansion from the Victorian Era. The website provides information about tour schedules and pricing. There is also information about upcoming events and current exhibits.
6. Boothe Memorial Park and Museum
5774 Main Street, Stratford, CT
This museum is free, and visiting is like stepping back into the 1860s. The museum is located on a 32-acre site in Stratford and was the estate of the Boothe family for many years. The surrounding park is open year-round, and there is a playground on the property.
7. Connecticut Science Center
250 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, CT
While a little outside of Fairfield County, the Science Center is worth the trip. It’s multi-leveled with a water area on the first floor and a rooftop garden! There’s also a 3D movie theater. Check out the various permanent exhibits, including Science Alley, KidSpace, Butterfly Encounter, Engineering Lab, Exploring Space, and many more. The museum also offers STEM in a box, a do-it-yourself project with all the necessary materials.
8. Danbury Railway Museum
If your family is into trains, this is a must for you! You can build, ride, and play with trains all day here. They also have seasonal events, so be sure to check their calendar.
9. Discovery Museum and Planetarium
4450 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT
This museum is super hands-on and fun for preschoolers to middle schoolers, a hidden treasure near the Sacred Heart campus. If you time it right, you can also check a show in the planetarium. For those with older children, The Adventure Park is open seasonally.
10. Eli Whitney Museum
915 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, CT
This hands-on learning space allows you to explore factory life. There’s a water lab, maker spaces, and they even host birthday parties!
11. Everwonder Children’s Museum
31 Pecks Lane, Newtown, CT
Tinker Stations, magnet wall, Lego table, and dinosaur dig are just some of the amazing exhibits this museum has to offer.
12. Imagine Nation
1 Pleasant Street, Bristol, CT
Designed for ages 2-8, this museum has art, water, design and engineering workshops, light and reflection, wildlife, a kinetic play area, and more. This museum was created using the Reggio Emilia philosophy, and it’s one-of-a-kind, not to be missed.
13. Pez Museum
35 Prindle Hill Road, Orange, CT
For those whose kids are candy obsessed, this is a must. It’s over 4,000 square feet of PEZ to explore, including manufacturing these legendary candy dispensers.
14. The Children’s Building: Connecticut Children’s Museum
22 Wall Street, New Haven, CT
There are eight thematic and community-inspired rooms with books to enrich each exhibit and a template of textures and languages to support absolute accessibility. The museum’s rich and playful color palette is complemented by a unique set of murals emerging from the arts community and children’s art.
15. Westchester Children’s Museum
100 Playland Parkway, Rye, NY
One of the newer museums in the area, children get to build rollercoasters, enjoy the indoor beach, create in a maker space, engage in a wind tunnel, and construct with blocks. They also have rotating exhibits and a full calendar of events.
16. Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History
170 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT
For dinosaur lovers, this is your ultimate destination. There are also exhibits about insects, plants, minerals, gems, birds, and the development of human culture. This museum is also part of the CT Dino Trail and has a robust events calendar.
17. Yale University Art Gallery
1111 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT
The Yale University Art Gallery is free and open to the public. Check out the website for a list of current and upcoming exhibits, as well as information about the museum’s permanent collection. The website states that the museum features over 4,000 works and has a rooftop terrace and sculpture garden. Also, the artwork spans from ancient times to the present.
18. New England Air Museum
36 Perimeter Road, Windsor Locks, CT
Although a bit far for many living in Fairfield County, the New England Air Museum is worth a trip, especially for those interested in aviation. Families can learn about the history of aircraft and view various aircraft exhibits and displays. Check out the Flights of Fun Family Programs available on the weekends, including museum admission. The programs offer scavenger hunts, flight simulators, and open cockpit experiences, among others.
19. Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum
258 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT
The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum is one of the oldest contemporary art museums in the United States. The website lists the various exhibits, including current, upcoming, and past. There is a sculpture garden, and the museum is within walking distance to a Revolutionary War battlefield.
20. The Glass House
199 Elm Street, New Canaan, CT
Reopening on April 22 after closure for the winter season, The Glass House is located on a 49-acre property with 14 structures, including The Glass House, which was built between 1949 and 1995. In addition to exploring and learning about the interesting architecture of the house, there is a permanent collection of 20th-century paintings and sculptures. There are also temporary exhibits. Tours are available, and reservations are recommended.
