Connecticut has so much to do! Connecticut has plenty of museums to fit every fancy. From Children’s museums to open-air museums and some impressive art museums. But the best thing about CT museums is that many of the best museums are FREE! Here are some of our favorites.

This summer, most museums are offering free admission to CT residents under the age of 18.

Free Connecticut Museums

 

The Peabody Museum of Natural History

The Yale Peabody Museum is located at 170 Whitney Avenue in New Haven, Connecticut.

The Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History is one of the world’s significant collections of natural history specimens and objects. Founded in 1866, the museum houses more than 13 million items, including an estimated two million vertebrate fossils. The museum’s research programs are internationally recognized, and visitors from around the world enjoy its exhibitions and educational programs.

 The museum is undergoing an extensive renovation, and upon reopening, admission will be FREE.

Stepping Stones Museum for Children

Stepping Stones Museum for Children is a hands-on museum in Norwalk, Connecticut, geared towards children ages ten and younger. The museum features interactive exhibits on art, science, and cultural heritage, as well as educational programs and events.

Stepping Stones Museum for Children is located at 303 West Ave in Norwalk, Connecticut. The museum is open Monday through Sunday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

You can get free admission through each CT towns’ public library museum pass system.

Connecticut Science Center

The Connecticut Science Center is located at 250 Columbus Blvd in Hartford, Connecticut.

The Connecticut Science Center is a 184,000-square-foot museum devoted to the exciting world of science and technology. The Science Center features more than 165 hands-on exhibits, a planetarium, an IMAX theater, and educational programs.

Admission to the museum is FREE for all Connecticut kids under 18 from July 1st- September 4th. Must include one paid adult admission.

Library passes are available for the Connecticut Science Center as well.

Wadsworth Atheneum

The Wadsworth Atheneum is located at 600 Main Street in Hartford, Connecticut.

The Wadsworth Atheneum is the oldest public art museum in the United States. Founded in 1842, the museum houses more than 50,000 works of art, ranging from ancient Egyptian artifacts to contemporary paintings. The museum’s collection includes works by European masters such as Rembrandt, Rubens, and Van Dyck, as well as American artists such as John Singleton Copley and Georgia O’Keeffe.

The Atheneum is FREE from 4 pm-5 pm Thursday-Sunday.

Plus, arrive between noon and 2 pm on the second Saturday of each month and enjoy complimentary daily admission. 

Yale University Art Gallery

 

The Yale University Art Gallery is one of the world’s leading university art museums, with a renowned collection of paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, photographs, and archaeological objects. The Gallery’s collections span over 5,000 years of history and include works by such masters as Vincent van Gogh, Rembrandt, Pablo Picasso, and Jackson Pollock.

It is a very impressive collection that is part of Yale University’s art galleries.

The Gallery is FREE and open to the public Tuesday through Sunday.

Find out fun things to do in New Haven near the Art Gallery.

New Britain Museum of American Art

The New Britain Museum of American Art is located at 56 Lexington Street in New Britain, Connecticut.

The New Britain Museum of American Art is the first museum in Connecticut devoted exclusively to American art. Founded in 1903, the Museum houses more than 19,000 works of art, ranging from colonial-era portraits to contemporary paintings. The Museum’s collections include works by such American masters as John Singleton Copley, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Andrew Wyeth.

Children under 18 are FREE.

Submarine Museum

The Submarine Museum is located in Groton, Connecticut, and is the world’s largest submarine museum. The Museum features exhibits on the history of submarine warfare, interactive displays, and hands-on activities for kids. The Submarine Museum is also home to the USS Nautilus, the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine.

The Submarine Museum is located at 1 Crystal Lake Road in Groton, Connecticut. The Museum is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. and is entirely FREE.

Knights of Columbus Museum

The Knights of Columbus Museum is a Catholic museum in New Haven, Connecticut. The Museum features exhibits on the history and work of the Knights of Columbus and a collection of religious art. The Museum is also home to the Father Michael J. McGivney Center for Faith and Culture, which offers educational programs and events.

Exhibits revolve often and often feature kid-friendly displays like creches from around the world.

The Knights of Columbus Museum is located at 1 State Street in New Haven, Connecticut. The Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Admission is free for all visitors.

In Conclusion

Many museums in Connecticut offer free or reduced admission. These museums include the Stepping Stones Museum for Children, the Wadsworth Atheneum, the Yale University Art Gallery, the New Britain Museum of American Art, and the Knights of Columbus Museum. Each of these museums has something unique to offer visitors, so be sure to check them out next time you’re in Connecticut!