(updated 05.11.22)
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Visitation
What are your new hours? Currently, the museum is open Wednesday through Friday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm; Saturday & Sunday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Tickets must be reserved for everyone in your party, including free tickets (ie tots). Once admitted, there is no time limit to your visit. Stay as long as you want! However, there is no re-entry after exiting at this time. Timed tickets are available for purchase online and in person. Tickets may be purchased one week in advance.
What time should I check-in? You can check-in anytime within your time slot entry window. Please do not arrive before your scheduled visit time. Your visit length is not limited. You may stay as long as you like. On weekends, the last entry time is scheduled between 2:00 and 4:00 pm and the museum closes at 4:30 pm. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, the last entry slot is between 12:00-2:00, and the museum closes promptly at 2:00 pm. No re-entry at this time.
What is the cost for non-members? The cost of admission for non-members is $15 for adults, seniors, and children (ages two and up). Children under 2 are free but must be registered.
Are coupons accepted? Family Four Packs, Be Our Guest Admission and Membership Guest Passes are now redeemable! Library passes, reciprocal memberships, and coupon recipients please call 860.231.2824 to see if your coupon is valid and to process your tickets.
Which exhibits are open? Amazing Amphibians, Wildlife Sanctuary, Dinosaurs in Your Backyard, Lizard Lair, Conny the Whale, Kids Can Compost, Early Childhood Learning Lab, Critter Crossing (4 years and under)
Is the Planetarium open? Currently there is no regular schedule for planetarium shows but it may open for special events and holidays. Any updates will be on our website and social media.
Can adults visit without children? Even though we are The Children’s Museum, we understand adults may be interested in seeing our animals or planetarium shows. Upon Check-in, adults visiting without children will be asked for a photo ID and will review our policy in more detail with Visitor Services staff before exploring the museum.
How much time should I allow for a visit? We have seen visits last from 1 hour to 6! Your visit is not limited and you are welcome to stay as long as you like. Visit time is dependent on your engagement level. But please allow at least 1-2 hours to experience all we have to offer.
Are masks required? As of March 1, 2022 face masks are not required. However, The Children’s Museum group still strongly recommends and encourages all students, visitors and employees to continue wearing masks to support the highest level of safety, even with this new policy in place. Our staff will continue to encourage and maintain ample distancing during programs and activities. To maximize the safety and health of our employees, animal demonstrations and other hands-on activities that require close contact with our staff may be limited or reduced. We require frequent hand-washing/sanitizing for all staff, and encourage guests to do the same. The Children’s Museum reserves the right to reinstate masking requirements at any time if the level of positive COVID test results within our employees or student population increases, or the risk of exposure to COVID transmission poses a high risk to our employees, our visitors and our continued business operations. Museum staff reserve the right to ask non-compliant visitors to leave the facility.
How are you maintaining a safe environment? Cleaning schedules and procedures have been heightened and will be done throughout the day. Some of these measures include reducing our capacity (done by using timed tickets), one-way museum flow, removal of some high-touch exhibit spaces, and encouraging masks. Staff members perform a health check starting each shift to ensure they are not sick and are highly encouraged to wear a mask throughout the day.
Can I bring a stroller? No. Because of space and safety concerns, strollers are not allowed in the museum. We are also an older building which has been grandfathered into accessibility laws and we do have a number of stairs.
Is food allowed? At this time, the vending machines and indoor eating areas are closed. You are still welcome to bring a snack and eat it in the courtyard, at the picnic tables, weather permitting. Proper social distancing must be maintained. You are required to distance yourself and your family at least six feet away from another family while in the picnic table area. There will be no reentry so if you have a snack please bring it with you when you arrive.
Is water provided? Water is available in our Gift Shop.
Is the gift shop open? Yes, our gift shop is open! We carry a wide selection of science and animal-related goods. Did you know that you can visit the gift shop without visiting the museum? Stop by and let our Visitor Services staff know you are here to shop!
What time are animal demos? At this time, in order to follow safety precautions and reduce the chances of crowds gathering, there will be limited animal demonstrations.
Are you doing any virtual/online programming? We are! Please follow our Facebook page for current information about the online offerings we have available. Are you a school teacher or program coordinator? Please visit our Online Resources Guide for all the programs we can virtually bring to your classroom.
Timed Ticketing
What is timed ticketing? To limit the capacity of guests in the museum, entry is permitted only through timed tickets, reserved online, even for members. This will help ensure everyone can access the museum in a safe way. MEMBERS: Please note you will have to sign in and/or register when you click the timed tickets link in order to get your discounts.
Further instructions for members can be found here.
Do I need to register for the site? If you are not a member, you do not need to register for our site but we suggest you do. Members will need to register to get their discount.
Further instructions on how to register can be found here.
I am a member- do I need a ticket? Yes, everyone needs a ticket so that we may maintain our capacity limits. Admission for members is always free but you must reserve your visit time! Please have your timed ticket available upon check-in.
Follow these instructions on how to get your member ticket!
I have ACM/ASTC reciprocity, how do I get my discount? Reciprocal tickets ARE available in person. However, walk-up tickets are not guaranteed. Please call the Museum at 860.231.2824 before you travel! One of our staff members will be happy to confirm if we have space available for your trip today!
I have a library pass, how do I get my discount? Library admission is available in person. However, walk-up tickets are not guaranteed. Please call the Museum at 860.231.2824 before you travel! One of our staff members will be happy to confirm if we have space available for your trip today! Please bring your library pass for check-in at the museum.
Do children need tickets? Yes, everyone in your party needs a timed ticket, with the exception of infants, if they are being worn.
Do I have to print my tickets? You do not need to print your tickets but please have the email with the ‘printable’ timed tickets available to be scanned on your mobile device prior to arriving at the front desk. If you are not able to access your email on your mobile device, please print your tickets.
How do I use a coupon with timed ticketing? Family Four Packs, Be Our Guest Admission and Membership Guest Passes are now redeemable! Library passes, reciprocal memberships, and coupon recipients please call 860.231.2824 to see if your coupon is valid and confirm if space is available for your visit today.
Registering for an Account
Why should I register for an account? If you are a member, registering is required to receive your discount when reserving timed tickets. For non-members, registering will simplify the process for your next visit, camp sign-up, program registrations, and making donations online.
How do I register? Click here for instructions on how to register.
What are the password requirements? There are no password requirements to register for the site. We suggest you use something that will be easy for you to remember.
What happens if I forget my password? If you forget your password, click ‘sign in’ on the top of any ticketing, programming, or donation purchase page (these pages will start with the URL ‘blackbaud.com’). At the bottom of the sign-in popup box click ‘Forgot your password?’ You will be instructed on how to reset your password.
Members
Do members need a timed ticket? Yes, everyone needs a ticket so that we may maintain our capacity limits. Please have your timed tickets available at check-in.
How do I use my guest passes with timed ticketing? Please call a sales associate today! Guest pass reservations must be made over the phone. This discount can not be used online. Please call 860.231.2824 to talk to an associate. Bring your green guest pass on the day of your visit.
What do I need to bring on my visit? Please bring your e-ticket (either on your mobile device or a printout), masks for all guests in your party over two years old, your membership card, and your photo ID. You may wish to bring a water bottle since our fountains have been shut off for safety reasons. Water is available for purchase in our gift shop. Library members must bring a valid library pass and their photo ID. Reciprocal members must bring their participating museums valid membership card and their photo ID.
Are reciprocal memberships accepted? Yes, we accept ACM/ASTC reciprocal memberships but those tickets cannot be reserved online. Please call to see if we have space available before you visit. Be sure to bring your card when you check-in for your visit. Note: ASTC’s 90-mile rule still applies. You must travel outside a 90-mile radius ‘as the crow flies’ from your museum to be able to use the ASTC reciprocal program.
If you have more questions, please email info@thechildrensmuseumct.org or call 860.231.2824
