[hvexpatinct]

Originally Posted by reslinal

This is very interesting, what attractions in New Haven do you guys go to when kids are older?

It’s easier to do the Yale museums and Jordan’s with older kids IMO. Mine also liked the Eli Whitney museum in Hamden - then hiking through East Rock Park. We usually leave New Haven for meals, but maybe we just haven’t found the right scene - my kids like board games and arcades, but they’re too young for places like Barcade.

[WestRiverTraveler]

Originally Posted by SteveM85

New Haven and Hartford standalone are great for a one time museum browse and scarfing down some food after, and that’s it, cross it off the list, check the box. You’re not driving an hour or more for multiple CT science and Peobody visits, there’s no time for that. Locals might get memberships but not from afar.

We drive 45 minutes to the CT Science Center regularly. We are on our second year of membership. Older kids, probably not, but with a 4-7 year old, the entertainment there is endless. Rainy day or freezing weather and need to get the kid out of the house? Totally worth 45 minutes to the Science Center. My kid can play on that ambulance or outer space room for hours. If you are a member, you go for 2 hours, grab lunch somewhere in Hartford or West Hartford, and head back.

Re: Yale Art Gallery - it's definitely not one and done, especially not with it being free. We haven't hit the Wadsworth yet. We need to hit Whitney, too.

[SteveM85]

Originally Posted by WestRiverTraveler

We drive 45 minutes to the CT Science Center regularly. We are on our second year of membership. Older kids, probably not, but with a 4-7 year old, the entertainment there is endless. Rainy day or freezing weather and need to get the kid out of the house? Totally worth 45 minutes to the Science Center. My kid can play on that ambulance or outer space room for hours. If you are a member, you go for 2 hours, grab lunch somewhere in Hartford or West Hartford, and head back.

Re: Yale Art Gallery - it's definitely not one and done, especially not with it being free. We haven't hit the Wadsworth yet. We need to hit Whitney, too.

Eh okay I guess, more power to you then.

It's a one an done for most, I get there are genuine enthusiasts who will go more. I know that.

[smarcus]

Not sure if mentioned for New Haven kid stuff that we can easily forget about: Skate New Haven for ice skating and milk shakes through April, climbing the giant steps to the top of East Rock, summer at Lighthouse Park for the carousel, Arts and Ideas in June has kids weekends the whole month. Plus riding the trolleys and museum at Shoreline Trolley and the PEZ candy factory place.

[WestRiverTraveler]

Originally Posted by WestRiverTraveler

We drive 45 minutes to the CT Science Center regularly. We are on our second year of membership. Older kids, probably not, but with a 4-7 year old, the entertainment there is endless. Rainy day or freezing weather and need to get the kid out of the house? Totally worth 45 minutes to the Science Center. My kid can play on that ambulance or outer space room for hours. If you are a member, you go for 2 hours, grab lunch somewhere in Hartford or West Hartford, and head back.

Re: Yale Art Gallery - it's definitely not one and done, especially not with it being free. We haven't hit the Wadsworth yet. We need to hit Whitney, too.

Disagree. We have several friends who also have memberships and go regularly.

[WestRiverTraveler]

Depends on how many. We are a family of three. It's $180. I think it's If you go 3x in a year it pays for itself, plus you get reciprocal months with Mystic Aquarium, Maritime Aquarium, Pequot Museum, and New Britain Museum of American Art. So far, we've only done it with Mystic. You also get $5 parking.

I don't know if we will do it again next year. This is our second year and I have a feeling my daughter will be bored of it after a few more times, but it's certainly been money well spent for these two years.