Connecticut Science Center

The Connecticut Science Center offers five floors of both permanent and temporary exhibits—so even the most hardcore science-minded folks are sure to learn something new, as topics range from alternative energy sources and human genomes to outer space missions. Open seasonally, the rooftop garden has an array of native plants, while visitors can encounter local wildlife during a virtual tour of Connecticut River. These are all included in general admission tickets; 3D films and the butterfly greenhouse cost extra.

• If you go to the butterfly greenhouse, be prepared for an interactive experience, as butterflies flutter around and even land on visitors’ shoulders.

• Many places claim “fun for all ages,” but here they mean it. There’s a special KidSpace discovery zone for children aged 3–11, while the museum also hosts programming for teens and adults. Keep in mind that kids under 16 need adult supervision.

• In addition to 3D films, the on-site movie theater also hosts live events. Be sure to check the calendar ahead of your visit to see what’s on.

• The Science Center has a Subway sandwich shop and a Blue Chip Creamery location. Just be mindful that food and drinks—except for bottled water—are strictly forbidden within exhibit spaces.

• Seating and benches are available throughout the exhibits for anyone who needs to rest while visiting, and wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Licensed service dogs are welcome within the museum. Many other accommodations for visitors with disabilities are available on request.

If you’re driving, take I-91 and get off at Exit 29A toward the Capitol Area. Merge onto Whitehead Highway until the Columbus Boulevard exit. Lot parking is available near the museum. By public transportation, the Connecticut Science Center is Stop 1 on the free Hartford dash shuttle and just 0.7 miles (1 kilometer) away from Hartford’s Union Station for commuter rail connections. There are also bicycle racks nearby.

The Connecticut Science Center is typically open from morning to early afternoon and closed for major holidays. It’s usually open daily in July and August, and from Wednesday to Sunday during the rest of the year, when the weekdays often get crowded with field trips. For a quieter experience, aim for a weekday in the summer or a weekend morning during the school year.

About a 40-minute drive from the Connecticut Science Center, the Connecticut River Museum—located over on the shore in Essex—explores the history of the Connecticut River, from its role in early Indigenous communities all the way to the present day. Even better, the museum’s riverside location means that visitors can also nab a scenic cruise, either by eco-boat or on board a replica of a 17th-century ship.