
Hot or cold, wet or dry, nature is a wonderful way to spend quality time together. Enjoy the great outdoors with these free ideas.
Have Fun With Nature
On a trail or in your own backyard, it's easy to have fun with nature. Turn an excursion into a scavenger hunt and search for specific plants, animals, and more. Pick a color and see how many things in nature you can find in that color. Or gather up colorful leaves, acorns, pinecones, feathers, stones, and other natural trinkets to make a collage or craft project.
Walking, Hiking and Biking Trails
Public Beaches
(be advised that some locations may charge for parking between Memorial Day and Labor Day)
More Fun Outdoors Ideas
When the weather warms up, check out these ideas!
Play Areas with Splash Pads
(be advised that some locations may charge for parking)
- Rockwell Park, Jacobs St & Dutton Ave, Bristol
- RecPlex Spray Park, 215 Old Hebron Rd, Colchester
- Roger's Park Playground, Lion's Way, Danbury
- Cosey Beach, Cosey Beach Ave, East Haven
- Lake Mohegan, 960 Morehouse Hwy, Fairfield
- Colt Park, 92 Wethersfield Ave, Hartford
- Goodwin Park, 1130 Maple Ave, Hartford
- Keney Park, 280 Tower Ave, Hartford
- Willow Street Park, 43 Willow Street, New Britain
- Lighthouse Point Park, 2 Lighthouse Rd, New Haven
- Kavanagh Park, Trask Rd, Old Saybrook
- Beachland Park, 847 South Quaker Lane, West Hartford
- Fernridge Park, 567 Fern Street, West Hartford
- Kennedy Park, 160 Oakwood Ave, West Hartford
- Wolcott Park, New Britain Ave, West Hartford
- Lauter Park, 625 Jackson St, Willimantic
Animal Farms and Petting Zoos
- March Farm, 160 Munger Lane, Bethlehem
- Robb's Farm, 91 Wassuc Rd, South Glastonbury
- Brooksvale Park, 524 Brooksvale Ave, Hamden
- UConn Animal Barns, Horsebarn Hill Rd, Storrs
- Westmoor Park, 119 Flagg Rd, West Hartford
Click Here for a List of All Connecticut State Parks
With the Passport to the Parks program, all Connecticut-registered vehicles now get free parking at state parks!