CT Summer Bucket List 2024
Summer is one of my top 4 favorite seasons here in Connecticut (I really do love them all!) Between the Splash Pads, Farmer’s Markets, Carnivals, Summer Reading, Outdoor Concerts and other fun events, it is definitely a good time to be a Nutmegger.
We’ve been hard at work creating our 2024 Guide to Summer Fun In Connecticut. We found so many fun events that we actually put together a whole bucket list’s worth: Check below or Click here to print your own.
Between the linked articles and also the list below, there are nearly 1,000 ideas on here. In every category, there is an alternative for free access.
Outdoor Concert/ Drive in Movie
Tis the season for tons of free family concerts! Free concerts on the town green are a quintessential Connecticut tradition- and it’s always such fun to get a chance to pack a picnic, relax outside, and listen to some local hits.
Just a small sample of what’s out there:
- July 5, 11, 18, 26: Summer Concert Series at the Florence Griswold Museum*
- Thursdays June 10- Aug 8 Sounds of Summer at East Hartford’s Great River Park*
- Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts, Westport*
- Fridays in July: Hamden Summer Concert Series*
Another fun tradition? Drive in Movies! Our favorites:
- Mansfield Drive In
- Southington Drive In
Spend a Day at the Beach
Connecticut is sort of the perfect young child beach destination. Small waves, sand to dig in, and best of all- all state park beaches are FREE for CT Residents!
Some of our favorites:
Head out to the Ball Game
Summer Baseball is a favorite tradition- and here in CT we have a TON of fun opportunities to watch the game!
Yard Goats Games are among our favorite – with tons of special promotions and family-friendly activities, they are about as Kid-Friendly as it gets. Want to go for free? Do our math challenge to win tickets!
Some other fun games:
- See a Free Game with the Bridgeport Barnums*
- Watch the New Britain Bees
Visit a Children’s Museum
What better place to beat the heat than at our state’s many children’s museums? Best of all? Many of these museums can be accessed for free/extremely reduced cost. Check out our guide!
- New Britain Youth Museum/Hungerford Nature Center (Free with a Library Pass)
- Lutz Museum, Manchester (50% off with Library Pass)
- The Children’s Museum, West Hartford (BOGO with a Library Pass)
- Everwonder Children’s Museum, Newtown (50% off with a Library Pass)
- Stepping Stones Museum for Children (BOGO with a Library Pass)
- KidsPlay Children’s Museum, Torrington (Half off with Library Pass)
- Kidcity Museum, Middletown
- Niantic Children’s Museum ($5 with a library pass)
Cool off at the Splash Pad
Connecticut has a TON of Splash Pads statewide- and many of them are free! We did a round up above, but here are some highlights:
Summer Reading/Math Challenge
It may not sound like the most exciting thing in the world, but there are some truly great summer learning challenges for people of all ages. Libraries are AMAZING (see below for that list) and offer literally hundreds of opportunities.
See the list above for all the challenges, but some of our favorites:
Head to the Library
Connecticut Libraries do a truly incredible amount of summer events – we’re talking cooking classes, art projects, bubbles, concerts, and SO MUCH MORE. They go ALL OUT.
We’re almost done with a list of hundreds of events, but some of our favorites, so stay tuned for the full list! In the meantime, check your local library calendar because they are AMAZING.
Summer Fair/Festival/Carnival
It’s summer, and you know what that means: it’s Carnival/Fair/Festival Season! Whether you want to eat cotton candy on the boardwalk, sample oysters at a festival, head back to the medieval ages, or just take part in a good old fashioned Carnival, there is something for everyone.
The full list is above, but here are some highlights:
- May 18-June 30: Robin Hood’s Medieval Faire
- July 6th: Norwalk NICE Festival*
- July 13-14 Sailfest New London
- August 17: Milford Oyster Festival*
- August 23-24: Plainville Hot Air Balloon Festival*
Fireworks
What says “Summer fun” more than fireworks? It’s a Fourth of July tradition that often starts in June and extends into August. There are 60+ displays statewide (I’ve linked them above), but some highlights:
Spend the Day with Dinos
Take a trip WAY back in time and see some Dinosaurs! CT has some VERY cool geological highlights from the past- and there are tons of ways to explore them!
Take a Boat Ride
There are tons of ways to get out on the water here in Connecticut- including some FREE options (have I mentioned how much I LOVE libraries?!?!)
- Clinton’s Henry Carter Hull Library: Check out a pass for the Indian River Marina- all totally free with your Connecticut Library Card!
- Mystic Seaport Museum: (Check this list for discounts): Head to the boat house to rent a Sailboat, Paddle Boat, or Row Boat, all included with admission.
- Catch Some Fish with Black Hawk Sport Fishing
- Sheffield Island Tours/ Clambakes
Ice Cream Outing
Connecticut has some of the best Ice Cream in the US- and we’ve been working on a whole Ice Cream Trail.
Also, many summer reading programs are doing ice cream making classes/ other freebies!
Get Creative with a Cool Art Project
Did you know that there are TONS of art museums and activities around CT- there’s no better time to get creative!
- Discovery Sundays at Florence Griswold Museum (Free Library Pass; Art Trail Passport)
- Candle Making at Natural Annies Essentials
- Art Classes at NBMAA
- Make Slime at VR Vault Lab
- Free Art Programs at Connecticut Libraries
Spend a Day at a Science Center
The Connecticut Science Center is always a family favorite (they’re also a sponsor for this blog, but they were a favorite before they became one!)
Not only do they have an incredible indoor water play area for young kids, and about a billion other super fun exhibits, but they’re also constantly putting on family fun events.
Looking for more Science Fun? Try heading out to:
- KidsPlay Children’s Museum, Torrington
- Eli Whitney Museum, Hamden (Free!)
- Discovery Museum and Planetarium, Bridgeport (Library Pass: Free Kids with a Paying Adult)
Head to the Farmers Market
I have a thing for Farmer’s Markets. I blame all the years spent in CT’s Quiet Corner. Sundays strolling through the Coventry Farmer’s Market were basically a way of life.
We’re working on a guide, but some of our favorites:
Spend Some Time with Animals at the Zoo, Nature Center, or Aquarium
It’s not summer without a visit to see some animals, and there are TONS of options here in CT!
- Mystic Aquarium
- Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk
- Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, Bridgeport
- Meig’s Point Nature Center (Free)
- New Britain Youth Museum/Hungerford Nature Center (Free with Library Pass)
- Stamford Museum and Nature Center (Free with Library Pass)
- Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center (Free with Library Pass)
Eat at an Outdoor Food Spot
Outdoor eating is one of my favorite parts of summer- largely because my kids can usually find a place to play which means I get to eat in peace!
Several local places offer kids spots to play:
- Jessica’s Garden, Marlborough (Small Play area, lake, rope swing)
- Lenny and Joe’s, Madison (Carousel for everyone to ride)
- Hank’s Dairy Bar, Plainfield (Small play area, arcade games)
- Dog Watch, Mystic (Play Area)
- Sandpiper, East Haven (Splash Pad Adjacent)
Some of the best (or just unique) outdoor food:
Cool off in the Pool
There is no shortage of pools around the state- which is great news, considering that the summer heat waves are heading our way with a vengeance!
There’s a long list above, but some of our favorites:
Explore CT’s State Parks
One of the best parts about being a Nutmegger is free access to every state park! Beaches, waterfalls, lakes, fabulous hikes- it’s easier than ever to get outdoors.
This year, CT State parks is piloting bus trips to state parks- if you’re interested, check the link.
They also offer tons of amazing events via the No Child Left Inside Program!
Some fun things to look forward to:
- June 22: Meigs Point Nature Center Anniversary Celebration
- June 29, 2024: Boating Day at Lake Waramaug State Park in Kent
- July 27: Boating Day, Bigelow Hollow State Park
- August 3, 2024: Dino Day at Dinosaur State Park
- August 9-11: Perseids Campout, Pachaug State Forest
Adventure/Theme Park
Connecticut is home to a variety of theme/adventure parks- and they are so much fun!
- Best Rides: Lake Compounce
- Best For Young Kids: The Dinosaur Place at Nature’s Art Village
- Best for Families with Multiple Generations: Quassy Amusement and Waterpark
- Best Water Park: Brownstone Adventure Park
- Pay as you Go: Sonny’s Place (Pro Tip- Buy each child all day admission to Sonny’s Playland for $10. It definitely kept our kids happy for a good part of the day!)
- Free Amusement Park Replacement: Ride the Carousel at the Carousel Museum in Bristol. Follow it up with a visit to Rockwell Park in Bristol- amazing playground, great Splashpad!
- Other great outdoor park options include Storrs Adventure Park!
Picnic at the Playground/Park Day
Connecticut has some SERIOUSLY amazing parks. We have been working on a map of all of them, and it’s incredible to see just how many there are.
Some of our favorites:
- Jonathan’s Dream, West Hartford (Free; Fully Fenced in and Free Access, Accessible, some shade)
- Nevers Park, South Windsor (Free; Great Accessible playground, brand new splash pad, fun hiking trails)
- Macie’s Place/Connor’s Place, Somers (Free; Fenced in SplashPad, accessible playground)
- Williams Beach Park, Mystic (Free beach access next to the playground!)
- Stonington Playground (Fully Fenced in, next to the fishing pier, super scenic)
- Kids in Motion Playground, Cheshire (Fenced in)
Mini Golfing
A summer fun tradition- and there are tons of CT places to visit!
- Hidden Valley Mini Golf
- Safari Mini Golf, Berlin
- Copper Creek Mini Golf
- Saybrook Point Mini Golf, Saybrook Point
- Sonny’s Place, Somers
- The Cave, Bethel- Indoor Option!
- Library Summer Events- some have mini golf!
Photo Credit: Fun In Middletown
Beat the Heat (or the Rain!) with some indoor fun options
Tons of places to beat the heat or head inside on rainy days- and many of them are free!
Farm Day
It’s the season of Pick-Your-Own everything, and we are here for it!
Explore CT History
Tons of Museums Statewide, and there are so many ways to explore them! Don’t forget to check out our guide to accessing them for free/reduced cost!
- Connecticut Museum of History and Culture
- Connecticut Trolley Museum, Windsor
- New England Air Museum, Windsor Locks
- Danbury Railway Museum
- Peabody Museum, New Haven (Free)
- Railroad Museum of New England (Ice Cream train; kids ride free on certain excursions)
Bonus: Our Favorite CT Summer Camps:
Looking for a fun place for your kids to spend their summers? There are SO MANY options for camps here in Connecticut. Our Summer Camp Guide has so many academic, arts, outdoor adventure, and overnight camps for everyone.
Click the link above to explore!
