Three Great Connecticut DayTrips for Rainy Days with Kids

Just because the sun is tucked deep behind rain clouds doesn't mean you and your kids can't have a great day with a fun day-trip. And here in Connecticut, there are many options for a rainy day day-trip with kids. Just pack some snacks, choose the day-trip destination and head out on your way. Whether your kids are interested in clowns, fish or literature, each day-trip is sure to brighten up the rainy day blues without having to travel far in Connecticut.

Day-Trip 1: The Barnum Museum, 820 Main Street; Bridgeport

A day-trip to this museum is more than just clowning around. Named for circus mogul P.T. Barnum, the Barnum Museum chronicles the industrial and social history of Bridgeport in addition to a healthy dose of circus paraphernalia. Are your kids into the big top? This day-trip is a great way to use their interest as a catalyst to spark curiosity in history.

Wait a second? Want to know who we're talking about before you take this Connecticut day-trip with your kids? P.T. Barnum (the P.T. stands for Phineas Taylor) was an entertainment mogul in the 1800s, producing an immensely popular three-ring circus and so-called "freak" shows. Read more about him in Entertainment of the Late 1800s.

Hours: Open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Sunday 12 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Closed Mondays and major holidays.

Admission: Adults $5.00; Students/Seniors $4.00; Kids 4-17 $3.00; Members and kids 3 and under are free

Phone: (203) 331-1104

Day-Trip 2: The Maritime Aquarium, 10 North Water Street; Norwalk

Fishies!!! Get up close and personal with marine life with a day-trip to the Maritime Aquarium. Exhibits include Jellyfish Encounter, Harbor Seal Pool and River Otter Habitat. In the Rocky Intertidal Zone Touch Tank kids can actually touch and hold creatures from the Long Island Sound like green crabs, sea stars and horseshoe crabs. You can also add an IMAX movie to your day-trip experience.

Looking for more information about this Connecticut day-trip destination? Check out this article, which gives a detailed description of all the exhibits.