Kids can plan their very own space shuttle mission to Mars at the Discovery Museum (4450 Park Ave., Bridgeport, 203/372-3521, www.discoverymuseum.org [1], hours scheduled weekly, $8.50 adults, $7 seniors, students and children 5–17, free for children under 5), a children’s museum full of interactive exhibits that teach about science and teamwork. The museum also includes art exhibits for both adults and kids and a planetarium with two shows daily.
More animals are on display at the Connecticut Audubon Birdcraft Museum (314 Unquowa Rd., Fairfield, 203/259-0416, www.ctaudubon.org/visit/birdcraft.htm [2], 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Tues.–Fri. year-round, $2 adults, $1 children under 14), the country’s first nature center, established in 1914. The dioramas and dinosaur footprints inside the small museum are showing their age a bit, but still make an engaging trip into the way Nutmeggers saw their wildlife 100 years ago. The museum sits on six acres of sanctuary teeming with avian species.
Fairfield’s [3] namesake liberal arts college, Fairfield University (1073 North Benson Rd., Fairfield, 203/254-4000, www.fairfield.edu [4]) doesn’t have much in the way of formal attractions, but the gorgeous tree-lined campus will have you sighing for the days when you could spread out on the quad with a good book. While you are there, sit awhile in the peaceful Japanese Garden, or check out the small but significant Kress Foundation Collection (DiMenna-Nyselius Library, Room 302, Fairfield University, Fairfield, 203/254-4000, ext. 2215, www.fairfield.edu/arts/art_kress.html [5], by appt., restricted hours, call for information) of paintings by Old Masters from Italy.
Links:
[1] http://www.discoverymuseum.org
[2] http://www.ctaudubon.org/visit/birdcraft.htm
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/connecticut/western-connecticut/fairfield-county/bridgeport-and-fairfield
[4] http://www.fairfield.edu
[5] http://www.fairfield.edu/arts/art_kress.html