Just over the New York border 35 miles (57 kilometers) from Manhattan, lies a destination that�s been delighting kids and adults since the days of P.T. Barnum�s three-ring circus. Connecticut�s Coastal Fairfield County offers something to please every family member � all just a tank of gas away from midtown Manhattan.

Perched atop a hill overlooking Greenwich, the Bruce Museum of Arts & Science offers a dynamic mix for children of all ages. Of special note for kids is weekend storytelling, interactive art and mask-making workshops.

Located on 118 acres, the Stamford Museum and Nature Center includes a small New England farm with barnyard animals and picnic area. Kids love Overbrook Natural Science Center, the hub of the Center's nature activities, with a pond-life exhibit in simulated habitats, otter pool, and a winding boardwalk by a stream flowing to woodland nature trails. Visit in March for maple sugaring or October for apple cidering.

One of Connecticut�s largest attractions, the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, combines an aquarium, maritime history hall, and IMAX Theater in one. Dedicated to providing an education and appreciation for Long Island Sound, the Aquarium features interactive displays, ever-changing exhibits, harbor study cruises, and many special programs. More than 125 species of marine life, including harbor seals and sharks indigenous to Long Island Sound, live in re-creations of their own habitats.

Just north of the Aquarium, the Stepping Stones Museum for Children invites children and their families to explore, imagine, create and discover new experiences with each visit. Designed for children ages 1 to 10, the interactive learning environment is built on the principle that children learn best by doing. Hands-on exploration and discovery are encouraged utilizing the themes of science, technology, arts, culture and heritage.

Science, art and culture are the threads that connect many of the area�s attractions. Experience adventure in art & science at The Discovery Museum with more than 100 hands-on art and physical science exhibits, and planetarium shows. The Challenger Learning Center, a sophisticated computer-simulated space mission to Mars for adults and children 10 & over, is available by reservation.

Bridgeport is known as �the city that P.T. Barnum built�. Here, the Barnum Museum pays tribute to the varied career of this noted entrepreneur, politician, journalist, impresario, museum owner, founder of "The Greatest Show on Earth" and, perhaps, father of family entertainment. Families will marvel at exhibits devoted to such Barnum show business legends as General Tom Thumb and Jenny Lind, the "Swedish Nightingale". A complete scale model of Barnum's best-known creation -- the Three-Ring Circus � and unique memorabilia and exhibits on Barnum's life and times will amuse kids of all ages. Dedicated to the rare and wonderful animals of North and South America, Connecticut�s Beardsley Zoo, on 33 park-like acres, began as a place to exercise Barnum's circus animals when they wintered in Bridgeport. Today, special features include an indoor South American Rainforest exhibit, New England farmyard, greenhouse, carousel museum, and seasonal programs.

At the Children�s Garbage Museum, an environmental education facility, demonstrate the recycling process and its importance to the future. Located in Stratford's Southwest Connecticut Regional Recycling Center, the Museum offers a unique variety of hands-on exhibits, a learning laboratory, and an amphitheater for videos and lectures. A 125-foot enclosed skywalk allows a tour of the recycling plant to view how recyclables are delivered, processed and prepared for sale.

What better ending to a perfect day than a baseball game in a state-of-the-art ballpark. At Harbor Yard, the entire family can experience Fairfield County's only professional baseball team in full "swing", The Bridgeport Bluefish. As the home field for Sacred Heart University and the University of Bridgeport baseball teams, there is always something happening in town.

Farmyards to space missions, tigers to sharks, there�s something for every family member in Connecticut�s Coastal Fairfield County. Families will enjoy making memories to last a lifetime.

Created in 1993, the Coastal Fairfield County Convention & Visitor Bureau represents all travel & tourism related organizations in the fifteen communities of southwestern Connecticut. These communities include the cities of Stamford, Norwalk, Bridgeport and Shelton, and the towns of Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, Wilton, Westport, Weston, Fairfield, Easton, Monroe, Trumbull and Stratford. The Bureau serves as the primary contact point in the region for leisure travelers, meeting planners, tour operators, sporting event organizers, the film industry and media/travel writers.

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Media Contact: Mary Lukens +1 203 853-7770 x314 maryl@coastalCT.com