Culture
Barnum Museum Uncover the mysteries about the man behind the "Greatest Show on Earth;" marvel over a replica Fiji Mermaid; learn the truth about Tom Thumb, Barnum's diminutive protégé. 820 Main St., Bridgeport, CT; +1 203 331 1104. Fee.
The Children's Museum Try on a shell in Turtle Town, construct a gravity-powered Lego car, surround yourself in a giant bubble, learn about the animals in the wildlife sanctuary. 950 Trout Brook Dr., West Hartford, CT; +1 860 231 2824. Fee.
Gillette Castle State Park Channel your inner Sherlock Holmes in the home of the actor who portrayed the famous sleuth; search for hidden nooks and crannies; see bizarre space-savers like built-in couches and tables that slide into the wall; walk the Artist Viewpoint trail to see where the Impressionists painted. River Rd., off Rte. 82, East Haddam, CT; +1 860 526 2336.
Kidcity Children's Museum Hoist the sails on the clipper ship from the 1800s, sort the mail in the miniature Post Office, watch your own puppet performance on a monitor. 119 Washington St., Middletown, CT; +1 860 347 0495. Fee.
New England Carousel Museum Survey one of the largest collections of antique carousel relics in the country, watch master carpenters and artists restore carousel horses, participate in an arts and crafts session. 95 Riverside Ave., Bristol, CT; +1 860 585 5411. Fee.
Stepping Stones Children's Museum Build your own bug; find out how water flows by building dams and creating new rivers; mix a hilarious body soundtrack of burps and gurgles. 303 West Ave., Norwalk, CT; +1 203 899 0606. Fee.
Stratford Garbage Museum Meet Trash-o-saurus, a dinosaur made from trash; guess how much the average person throws away in a year; watch recyclables as they are sorted before being turned into new items. 1410 Honeyspot Rd., Hartford, CT; +1 203 381 9571.
Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art Study thousands of pieces of artwork at the country's first public art museum; take a guided tour of the costumes, contemporary paintings, and traditional crafts on display; attend a performance, film showing, or gallery talk in the evening. 600 Main St., Hartford, CT; +1 860 278 2670. Fee.
