Kids Can Visit CT Museums For Free This Summer, Here's Where

GUILFORD, CT — With a long holiday weekend upon us, and a weeks long summer ahead, not everyday is a beach, or pool or camp day. But with the announcement from Gov. Ned Lamont that from now until Sept. 6, Connecticut kids - with an accompanying adult, can visit museums across the state for free as part of the Connecticut Summer at the Museum program.

The program is part of Lamont’s “larger plan to use recovery funds to provide students and families with engaging summer enrichment and learning experiences in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic,” it was announced.

From art and children's museums and historical sites to zoos, aquariums, and science centers, there’s a long list of participating museums to check out. It should be noted that before heading out, it’s wise to check the museum’s website to see if advance tickets or reservations are required.
The summer museum program is geared towards families exploring together, not large camp groups, it’s noted.

The Connecticut Summer at the Museum is made possible through an investment from the federal COVID-19 recovery funding Connecticut is receiving from the American Rescue Plan Act. The program is administered by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s Office of the Arts in partnership with Connecticut Humanities.

Here’s a list of art and children's museums, historical sites, zoos, aquariums, and science centers nearby to explore:

In Guilford

• Dudley Farm
• Guilford Keeping Society
• Henry Whitfield State Museum
• Hyland House Museum

A short road trip from Guilford

• Cheshire Historical Society, Cheshire
• Mattatuck Museum, Waterbury
• New Haven Museum, New Haven
• Shore Line Trolley Museum, East Haven
• Wallingford Historic Preservation Trust, Wallingford
• Ward Heitmann House Museum, West Haven
• Chester Museum at the Mill, Chester
• Connecticut River Museum, Essex
• Deep River Historical Society, Deep River
• Gillette Castle State Park, East Haddam
• Kidcity, Middletown
• Middlesex County Historical Society, Middletown
• Pratt House Museum, Essex

A little longer ride, but worth it

• Avery-Copp Museum, Groton
• Colchester History Museum, Colchester
• Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, Mystic
• Florence Griswold Museum, Old Lyme
• Fort Trumbull State Park, New London
• Hempsted Houses, New London
• James Merrill House, Stonington
• Leffingwell House Museum, Norwich
• Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London
• Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center, Mashantucket
• Mystic Aquarium, Mystic
• Mystic Museum of Art, Mystic
• Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic
• New London Maritime Society, New London
• Niantic Children's Museum, Niantic
• Stonington Historical Society, Stonington

For the full list of all the art and children's museums and historical sites to zoos, aquariums, and science centers free for kids this summer, click here.