meb123's Passport
 | Been to 244 Attractions |
 | 199 Reviews |
 | 114 First to Review |
 | 518 Photos |
 | 69 Helpful Votes |
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Send a ComplimentAbout Me & My Family
We are a family of 5. We love to travel and to see new things. We look for a educational experience in everything we do and my we do a lot. Our kids are so used to being on the go that they have tremendous stamina. We try to plan 2 large trips every year and supplement them with weekend get-aways, staycations and a day jaunt now and again. Our kids are always wondering what the next spot will be.
Our Family's Travel Personality
adventurous, energetic
We Just Got Back From
White Mountains New Hamsphire
Our Favorite Vacation Spot
Rhode Island beaches
A Place We'd Love To Visit
Africa
Favorite Vacation Memory
Watching the kids lug their car seats through the airport on their first plane ride.
Worst Travel Moment With My Kids:
Two of my kids got lost at a campground in Yellowstone. My 9 year old son took his 6 year old sister on a walk to the restroom 4 sites down and couldn't find their way back. We ended up reporting them missing at the camp check in and then the search began. I was afraid of them being abducted, but also of the Grizzlies which were out in full force that summer due to the late melt. It was the worst 45 minutes of our lives. A fellow camper overheard my husband relay the story to the camp personnel and she recognized them as she returned to her site 7 loops away from ours. The ranger was called and returned them safely to us. The employees were great and it was a happy ending to a potential disaster.
Websites I Like:
Indoor family fun in Connecticut
When the weather gets cold and you have cabin fever, take your children to one of these local spots to burn off some energy!!!
409 Main Street
Niantic, Connecticut
Comment:
An indoor hands on kids museum. Mostly for the younger ages set. They have a winter deal through March 31st allowing for $6 admissions. Children 1 and under are free.
950 Trout Brook Drive
West Hartford, Connecticut
Comment:
A hands on kids museum with live animals, demonstrations, science activities, a permanent dino-dig and an awesome planetarium which older kids can appreciate. No onsite food, but vending machines and tables are provided if you bring your own.
reviewed on: January 07 2010
"Great learning for little people"
We also are members at his local museum and have really enjoyed both the museum and the reciprocity the membership allows to other museums across the country. The kids all enjoy the hands on exhibits especially the bubble blowing ones. Additionally we all like the wildlife sanctuary where exotic animals that have been rescued from the area are cared for. Daily they provide opportunities to watch feedings as well as animal demonstration where the children can get a close encounter with a lizard, snake, ferret or chinchilla. The planetarium is great and has ever changing shows and one really great star gazer who is very informative and knowledgeable. We are forever in awe when we go there and get to imagine the vast scope of the universe!!!Our only disappointment with this museum is the lack of the the changing exhibit. As members we used to enjoy going the to museum to see the ever evolving changing exhibit. They have now made it a permanent exhibit about dinosaurs and this is rather lackluster.
119 Washington St
Middletown, Connecticut
Comment:
A hands on kids museum designed for the younger set with active play and learning exhibits. They recently doubled their space.No food is served, but there are spots nearby.
reviewed on: April 09 2010
"Pretend play all day"
We have been to Kidcity several times and have finally sprung for an annual pass. My 5 year old daughter loves the hands on activities here. I feel that she will soon outgrow them...I think by 7 you have reached maximum age. We have bought a pass through the Childrens museum that allows entrance to several childrens museums in Connecticut and more out of Connecticut. She really loves the hands on play areas including a restaurant, a farm, a fishery and more. The fishing area seems to be the most popular with brightly colored fish to "process". There are also more quiet areas for reading and snacks as well as a theater with costumes and cameras. A good half day excursion
Children's Building 22 Wall St.
New Haven, Connecticut
Comment:
This hands on spot is designed around the "Theory of Multiple Intelligences' by Howard Gardner. Mostly for the younger set.
170 Whitney Avenue
New Haven, Connecticut
Comment:
A super natural history museum. There are tons of dinosaur bones, dioramas and other hands on exhibits in the heart of downtown New Haven. Professors from Yale are sometimes on hand to answer questions.All ages enjoy!!No food is available on site, but the desk can provide a map to local spots.
303 West Ave.
Matthew's Park Norwalk, Connecticut
Comment:
A hands on learning museum but with tons of fun. Designed for kids 10 and under.A cafe is available.
CoCo Key Water Resort Hotel & Convention Center - Waterbury
3580 East Main St. Waterbury, Connecticut
Comment:
Come and get wet in the tropics in nearby Waterbury during the winter. An all-ages fun spot with arcade games and food available.
815 Pine Street
Bristol, Connecticut
Comment:
As the name suggests you can jump here in the indoor inflatables house. Parents jump for free. Middle schoolers 10 and up can be left on their own if you have errands to run, or prefer not to jump. Sessions are 2 hours long and socks must be worn.Food can be brought in. Pizza is served for parties and special events only.
32C PROGRESS AVE
Seymour, Connecticut
Comment:
A parents bounce free inflatables place. Socks must be worn. Designed for ages 2-12. $10/session.Tables available for you own snacks.
56 Costello Road, Berlin Turnpike
Newington, Connecticut
Comment:
Bowl duckpin (small ball) here with tons of lanes and bumpers. There is also an arcade area and laser tag. School age and up is best for tag, but bowling is for everyone. A snack bar is on site.
reviewed on: December 06 2010
"Bowling and Laser tag"
Fun Squared is a bowling and laser tag facility on the Berlin Turnpike. Our kids love the duckpin bowling because it is easier for them to handle these balls than the larger balls. They also have bumpers and fantastic lighting.Additionally they have laser tag. My son loves to this this with his friends. They have a score tracker outside so you can see how your group is doing. There is also a small arcade area which of course the kids cannot escape. We have had birthday parties there and they are very organized. Unfortunately as we have twins they have difficulty coordinating the parties to our liking due to the busy atmosphere of the laser tag area. On a weekend the games can fill up and there is generally a rotating factory feel to the games. I am not sure the children notice this, however the adults do. Additionally the children are not allowed to have a parental chaperone in the laser tag area. Although it is enclosed and 'monitored' by employees, the children from your group may be mixed with other people including adults and young adults. Although the participants are read the 'rules' before entering my children did hear some foul language from members of a young adult group and this was not addressed by the monitor. When I brought this information to the manager she said that it is the expectation that the children would let the monitor know that there was an issue. I do not think a 8 or 9 year old should be given this responsibility. If you do not have a group of 30 than I suggest you pay and go in with your child(ren). This is my only serious issue with an otherwise well-run fun facility.
1 Pleasant Street
Bristol, Connecticut
Comment:
A hands-on spot designed for ages 2-10. Check out the ESPN newsroom for your budding broadcaster.Admission is $7/pp.There is a soda fountain on site.
56 Buena Vista Rd
West Hartford, Connecticut
Comment:
Yes skating is a winter sport, but here you can do it inside, although it still is a bit cold. As you skate you warm up anyway. Check with the rick for best open skating times as hockey leagues and lessons are sometimes going on. Concessions on site.Fun for any age.
reviewed on: February 11 2011
"Ice Skating "
Before we got sick of the cold here in the Northeast we enjoyed some indoor skating at Veterans memorial rink in West Hartford., CT.You can check out their website for open skate times as otherwise they have classes, hockey games and parties scheduled. The open skate usually runs an hour. There is music played and it brings me back to the roller skating days of my youth, except colder. Make sure you arrive earlier than free skate time to rent your skates if you need to as it takes some time to get the little ones geared up and you don't want to to miss time. They run specials like buy 4 passes get one free and offer discounts to West Hartford residents. If your child really likes it you can sign up for lessons. It's always amazing to see what some of these kids can do on ice. Although the rink is indoors, it still needs to be cold enough for the ice, so dress appropriately.
15 Cheryl Drive
Canton, Connecticut
Comment:
The Jump Zone is an inflatables park for families designed for active play for kids 2-12. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. A separate toddler area for safety. Snacks and drinks available. Always wear socks.Food is available, you cannot bring your own.Rates $10-12/pp for 3 hour session.
100 Bidwell Rd
South Windsor, Connecticut
Comment:
A 65,000 sq.ft. Mayan themed adventure. Play indoor mini-golf, bowling,climbing wall, ride a bull and mush more. A separate small children soft play area is available. There is a restaurant on site. Designed for the entire family. Pay as you play.
984 North Colony Road
Wallingford, Connecticut
Comment:
This one is for the older child and adult. You must be at least 7 years old and 48 inches tall to ride on these carts.Junior carts go up to 25mph and 12 racers are allowed per junior race. An exhilarating time.
370 West Main St
Stamford, Connecticut
Comment:
A multi-level play area in western Ct designed for kids with laser tag,arcade soft play area for younger kids etc. A snack bar is on premises
55 Coogan Blvd.
Mystic, Connecticut
Comment:
When it's cold outside head to the aquarium for sighting fish in the tropic. There is also a sea lion show. Some of the exhibits are outside, but you can always head inside to the hands on touch pool when you get too chilly.
reviewed on: January 07 2010
"Great day trip for CT residents"
We have 3 animal lovers in our family and they love to spend the day at the aquarium. We have been members here for a couple of years, and for a family of 5 or greater if you visit 2 or more times it pays for itself. It is a smaller aquarium, but there is much to see both indoors and out. Indoors there is a touching pool which all the kids love. You can pick up crabs, starfish, clams etc...and there is always a docent on hand to answer questions.Additionally indoors is the only show the aquarium has regarding sea lion training. In a semi-outside covered spot is a ray feeding area. For a $2.00 fee you can feed cow nosed rays (stingers removed). Our kids would spend all day doing this if we let them. Outside you can see rescued seals(a pet project of the aquarium), penguins, beluga whales, sea lions and seals. Seasonally for the past 2 years there has been a Birds of the Outback exhibit where you can feed free flying parakeets and related birds. We parents are not too keen on this one as the birds are easily spooked, seem to never be hungry and of course always seem to be looking for a clean head of hair to do there business on. The kids really enjoy it however and it becomes a test of wills to see if we can get them out of there or if they will get a bird to land on their food stick before we shoo them out!!! There is also a fantastic display about underwater exploration and a 3d movie ride. Our kids (ages 5,8,8) ask to go here all the time and expect to go during our annual shore vacation as it is close to where we stay. The aquarium has recently added some new, not to be missed attractions including a Sponge Bob 4-D movie with thrills and aromas!!! Kids will get a kick out of this. They have also added Titanic 12,450 under the direction of Dr. Robert Ballard the discoverer of the Titanic wreck. This is an interactive exhibit that really expands on the previous offerings. There are replicas of relics from the deep, a seek and find technology game and hands on exhibitions for the smallest of explorers. The aquarium is never the same place twice!!!!
250 Columbus Boulevard
Hartford, Connecticut
Comment:
A beautiful brand new building in the center of Hartford with tons of hands on and learning exhibits for learners of any age, from pre-school to adult.Kids 4-17 are $14.Kids 3 and under are free. Adults are 17. The3D theater is extra. They also have additional programming avaiable like 'design you own computer game' by registration on Saturdays and school vacation weeks.
