Menu Close

Connecticut Summer at the Museum Means FREE Admission for Kids

Connecticut is giving you a way to save money this summer and take your kids out to local museums for FREE as part of the Connecticut Summer at the Museum program

Governor Ned Lamont announced that Connecticut Summer at the Museum – the popular state program that enables Connecticut children to receive free admission at dozens of museums across the state during the summer months – is returning for 2023 with more than 120 museums statewide participating.

Connecticut Summer at the Museum Means FREE Admission for Kids

Anyone taking advantage of this program is encouraged to share their experiences on social media using the program hashtag, #CTSummerMuseums.

Under the program, Connecticut children ages 18 and under – plus one accompanying adult – can receive free admission to any of the participating museums, including historic house museums, historic sites, historical societies, art museums, children’s museums, science centers, special-interest museums, natural history museums, university museums, arboretums/botanical gardens, and zoos.

  • The children and the accompanying adult must reside in Connecticut.
  • Proof of residency may be required (i.e. CT driver’s license or ID card) by a participating museum.
  • Not for large groups

The 2023 program begins on Saturday, July 1, 2023, and concludes on Monday, September 4, 2023.

Some of the notable attractions include:

  • Connecticut Science Center, Hartford
  • Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, Bridgeport
  • Hill-Stead Museum, Farmington
  • Institute for American Indian Studies Museum & Research Center, Washington
  • Kidcity Children’s Museum, Middletown
  • Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Norwalk
  • Mystic Aquarium, Mystic
  • Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic
  • Prudence Crandall Museum, Canterbury

While any museum in Connecticut can choose to participate in the program by offering free admission, eligible properties had an opportunity to apply for grant funding. More than 120 grants were awarded, calculated based on the applicant’s average revenue from children’s admissions over the same period for multiple years, plus a base award tied to operating budget. The minimum grant award is $1,000.

Full list of participating museums provided by the state of Connecticut’s tourism website

Fairfield County

Hartford County

Litchfield County

Middlesex County

New Haven County

New London County

Tolland County

Windham County

Participating museums have discretion to administer the Connecticut Summer at the Museum program to the best of their ability and according to their needs. Certain restrictions may apply, and capacity may be limited (e.g., limit to one adult per household, block-out dates, exclusions for special events, etc.). Connecticut residents should check each museum’s website to learn of any restrictions before visiting.

“Museums and other arts and cultural institutions play an important role in our local communities and economies, plus they are rich canvases for socio-emotional development in young people,” Liz Shapiro, director of arts, preservation, and museums at the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, said. “This is the only program of its kind in the United States. We applaud all participating museums and encourage everyone to take advantage.”