40 Things To Do in Connecticut Before School Starts

Before school starts again, explore all the things to do in Connecticut while the kids are still on vacation. Summer is ticking right along, and back-to-school time is looming for Connecticut kids. Use the last 5 weeks of summer to get out and experience some of the fun things to do for Connecticut families. You can meet alpacas, pick your own bouquets, go on a train ride, see hot air balloons and so much more.

Our Connecticut Summer Fun Guide has even more ideas for making the most of the shortest, but sweetest, season of the year.

Bring a blanket, grab a bite, and watch the sunset on Social Thursdays. Photo courtesy of South Farms

3. Pack a blanket and enjoy Social Thursday, where there will be food trucks, music, and drinks for sale.

4. Pick your own peaches, plums, and more for a late-summer pie at one of these PYO farms.

5. Gaze into the eyes of tigers, howl with a wolf, or swing with the monkeys—its all happening at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo.

Things To Do Before School Starts – Connecticut Beaches

6. Get up close and personal with coastal creatures while exploring a natural tide pool. 

 

Forget about impending school at Connecticut’s state beaches. Photo by Ally Noel

7. Explore coastal Connecticut at one of our favorite state beaches. 

8. Grab a rake and dig up some seafood. Recreational shellfishing is allowed in many of the state’s shoreline communities.  

9. Head to the shoreline town of Branford, one of our very favorite day trips.

Things To Do Before School Starts – Connecticut Lakes and Ponds

10. Drop a line in one of Connecticut’s fishing holes, from hidden lakes to the Sound.

11. If your local inland beach is still closed, take a road trip to one of these spectacular northeast swimming lakes.

Things To Do Before School Starts – Connecticut Parks and Playgrounds

12. Take a camping trip! These Connecticut campgrounds are open this summer and still taking reservations.

13. Cool off close to home at one of these Hartford spraygrounds and splash pads or Fairfield- and New-Haven-area spraygrounds and splash pads.

14. Get fresh air for you in a little one on one of these stroller hikes. 

15. Explore more at one of Connecticut’s State Parks. Make sure you follow CT DEEP on Twitter for daily closures and information on hidden gems.  

Tree climbing is a magical experience at Glow in the Park in Bridgeport. Photo courtesy of The Discovery Center

16. Take advantage of State Museum Sundays – FREE entrance to these four state museums.

Boat and Train Rides in Connecticut

This Norwalk Harbor Lighthouse Cruise goes past Sheffield Island Lighthouse. Photo courtesy of Newport Seaport Association

17. Take a ride on the trolley and take part in either Storytime, Dinosaur Train or a STEM activity at the CT Trolley Museum.

18. Rent a kayak and paddle rivers, streams, and the Long Island Sound.  

19. Take a ride on the Essex Steam Boat and Train ride. 

20. Raft down the Housatonic with Clarke Outdoor River Guides.

21. The Thimble Islands are an archipelago of more than a hundred islands. Take a cruise on the Sea Mist and learn all about their history (hint: it involves pirates!) 

22. Visit the reopened Shoreline Trolley Museum and take a ride on America’s oldest, continually operated street-level railway line.

Summer Live Festivals and Events in Connecticut

23. See a live production of Shakespeare in West Hartford at St. Joe’s.

24. See in-person jousting, birds of prey, and more while you play the part of king, queen, princess, or brave knight in the kickoff to the Connecticut Renaissance Faire on Labor Day weekend.

25. Back in 2023! Watch amazing hot air balloons at the Plainville Hot Air Balloon Festival. 

26. Try some amazing food and see beautiful performers when you attend the Taste of the Caribbean Jerk Festival.

Summer Entertainment and Theme Parks in Connecticut

Zip line across the water at Connecticut’s natural outdoor water park. Photo courtesy of Brownstone Exploration and Discovery Park

27.. Jump off cliffs and zoom into the water at Brownstone Exploration and Discovery Park or another New England water park.

28. Pack that car and head to the movies! In addition to our three drive-ins, there are a ton of pop-up outdoor movie theaters all around the state. 

29. If you have the need for speed, take a spin in a go kart.

30. Plan ahead, and reserve some splash time at Chelsea Piers.

31. Bounce it out at one of many Connecticut locations of bounce houses and trampoline parks. 

Summer Outdoor Dining in Connecticut

32. Make it a goal to gobble up one of these insane, locally made ice cream creations. 

33. Tacos aren’t just for Tuesdays anymore. Our Taco Roadtrip will take you on a culinary journey all around the Nutmeg State. 

34. Take a break from the kitchen and reserve a table at one of these family-friendly outdoor restaurants.

Museums and Aquarium Fun

Grab a little piece of summer fun before school starts! Photo courtesy of The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk 

35. See an octopus or ray or jellyfish up close: From Norwalk to Mystic, Connecticut has some of the best Aquariums in the country.

36. It is almost school time (sigh): Get kids thinking about art, culture, and history again with a visit to one of these now-open Connecticut museums.

38. See the performers from the  Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry for one of their kids shows. 

39. Get tickets to see the immersive King Tut experience coming to Hartford.

40. And if you’re still looking for something to do, check out our massive 50+ Free List of Things to Do in Connecticut.