Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest
Should your travels ever bring you to Connecticut C the southern most state in New England C youll find that there are lots of activities that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Of course, some of these activities are seasonal, which needs to be kept in mind when making those vacation plans. New England, for instance, is noted for autumn events, so this may be a good time to schedule your yearly family excursion. It would be a shame to miss the foliage, which is so emphasized in this region of the country. Dont know much about the attractions and activities in Connecticut? Here are some suggestions to assist you in your vacation planning.
Aviation enthusiasts will love the New England Air Museum. There are currently eighty military and civilian exhibits on display C one of which is a flying boat! History buffs will be happy to know that the B-29 which dropped the bomb on Hiroshima is also on display at the Air Museum. Perhaps one of the nicest features of this attraction is that its constantly growing, making it the largest in the northeast. Located in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, the New England Air Museum is just beyond Bradley International Airport on I-91 North.
Goshen, Connecticut is the home of Action Wildlife C a safari and petting zoo which features exotic animals from all over the world. This 116 acre farm offers safaris by foot or car, allowing you and your children to visit with zebras, llamas and many more foreign animals. The younger ones will appreciate the petting zoo, which gives them the opportunity to interact with baby animals.
The Connecticut Trolley Museum, located in East Windsor, Connecticut, is a working museum which features streetcars from days gone by. Visitors are offered a three mile ride on a trolley, narrated by a guide who gives an excellent presentation of the history of streetcars. After the ride, you and your family can take a walk-around tour of the old trolleys at the Museum. During the Christmas season, the Trolley Museum is beautifully decorated, which is a real treat for nighttime visitors.
In Rocky Hill, Connecticut, youll find Dinosaur State Park. This wonderful facility has been dedicated to the preservation and exhibition of over 500 dinosaur prints from the Jurassic era. The exhibits are housed in a large domed structure and include dioramas to express the climatic conditions during the time that the dinosaurs walked through the area. As an extra treat for the kids, the Dinosaur Park allows you to make your own dinosaur foot impression to take home with you, as long as you bring your own materials C plaster of paris, vegetable oil and paper towels.
If you find yourself driving down Chamberlain Road in Middletown, Connecticut, youll come upon what look like ordinary corn fields. Not so! These fields comprise a two mile maze of corn C simply referred to as The Maze C which visitors attempt to wind their way through until they reach the end. Throughout this living maze, youll be given clues to help find your way down the correct path to the end. This is a truly interactive labyrinth which provides lots of fun C and some laughs - for the entire family.
Pan for gold and gemstones at Natures Art in Montville, Connecticut! Family members can pan through 1 ? feet of soft gravel in an attempt to uncover these hidden treasures. Suitable for both adults and children, this facility is dedicated to teaching an understanding and appreciation of history. Natures Art also offers a full section thats devoted to dinosaurs C called the Bone Zone C which features a reproduction of a 45-foot-long Tylosaur, as well as other dinosaur bones. As if thats not enough, the Bone Zone also includes a greode from 40 million years in the past.
Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, located in Mystic, Connecticut, is one place that you and your family will love to explore! Walk down a path through the building with life-sized aquariums flanking you on both sides. Youll feel as though youre walking on the ocean floor as every imaginable sea creature swims by throughout the duration of your watery journey. Among the many sights and activities is an interactive classroom for kids, as well as a touch pool which allows children to have a hands-on relationship with cownose rays. Special exhibits and activities are always being added, so the fun never ends. Dont leave Connecticut without first making a visit to Mystic Aquarium!
Bristol, Connecticut, is home to The Discovery Museum and Planetarium. This provides a great learning experience for children who are interested in astronomy. Not only are there interactive exhibits throughout the building C three full floors of them! C but theres also a large planetarium which seats 120 people, offering a magnificent tour of the night sky. From sports to sound waves, this marvelous museum and planetarium will delight your entire family, and makes a great indoor activity for those days when the weather isnt conducive to outdoor fun.
If youve got an active family whose members are into sports or fitness activities, youll enjoy Mountain Fun in Wallingford, Connecticut. While wearing harnesses, kids (from three years old and upward) and adults can scale 25-foot rock climbing walls. Theres plenty of room to climb and play in the various rooms C theres even a beginners room for individuals who have never been rock climbing! For those who are quite experienced, they can visit the facility next door (Prime Climb) for more challenging climbing scenarios. Since these environments are both indoors, weather is never an issue!
The Trampoline Place - in Pomfret, Connecticut - is another unique way to treat your family to fun and exercise at the same time. This facility boasts six world class Olympic style trampolines and will accommodate visitors as young as age four. Being the only exclusively trampoline training facility in the U.S., its recommended that you call ahead for a lesson in order to avoid scheduling challenges. Tourists are encouraged C and most welcome C to call for a lesson. This is an exciting option for those vacationing families who will be in the area for more than just a day or two.
A visit to Old New-Gate Prison in East Granby, Connecticut, is a must for travelers. Originally, this was the location of a copper mine C the first American chartered copper mine, in fact! C and was later utilized as the first state prison in Connecticut (1776-1827). Today, you can tour the prison and then explore the mine, which never gets above 50 degrees. This is a national historic landmark and will make a great day out for you and your family.
For more information regarding activities and events in Connecticut, or for a listing of seasonal events, contact the Tourism Department. New England is a wonderful place to spend your vacation!
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