NOTE: This Post was written in 2016. As such, the content and exhibits in the review below may be outdated. Please look out for updated content on this location in the near future!
So, we’ve been stuck in the house with the plague for a good two weeks. Thankfully, before that happened, we had the chance to do a few fun activities (which actually really helped prevent cabin fever). One of those fun things was finally getting to visit the Lutz Children’s Museum in Manchester!
We actually visited the week before Halloween – remember when it was crazy warm for those few days… and then it snowed? Well, we went on a rainy, dreary, humid day. It was kind of nice to find an indoor activity with air conditioning. What a strange thing to search for at the end of October: air conditioning.
I ended up choosing this museum for two reasons: (1) we had never been and (2) our library had a museum pass for free admission! I love the library museum passes!
We visited on a Friday morning. We headed over around 11 a.m.. It was not at all busy. I was a little bummed at my timing because we actually missed out on one of their free classes they offer during the week. It never fails with a two year old, no matter how much time you allow to leave the house… it’s never enough.
The Lutz Museum is located in Manchester. It’s pretty easy to get to from I-384. From the exit, it’s right down South Main Street in Manchester, as you head towards Glastonbury.
While there is parking in front of the museum, you’ll find even more parking in the rear of the museum.
If you turn down Comstock Road, just before the museum, you’ll find additional parking.
The entrance to the museum is in the front, facing South Main Street.
The front doors are so pretty! You can’t miss them!
When you enter the museum, you’ll see the admission desk right in front of you. Children and adults are $7.00. Babies under 1 are free. Since we had the library museum pass, we both entered the museum for free!
Also, right when you enter you’ll see this guy! GRRRRR!!
Additionally, right at the front, they have a gift shop area.
And they also sell snacks and coffee right near the entrance! The coffee is only $1!!
To the left of the admission desk is the main play area of the museum. It’s a big open room, with lots of places to explore, seating for the parents and a few hidden areas that you’ll want to make sure you don’t miss!
There is a miniature town set up, complete with a post office, grocery store and school house.
Across from the little town, there is a trolley- complete with a bell!
There is a pretend farm stand with vegetables.
You can even weigh them!
Around the corner, you’ll find a small nature center with a few animals to check out!
There is a barn, with a milking cow, chickens and a loft to climb up!
There is also a second loft near the barn with a bird’s nest mural and facts about birds.
Underneath that same area is a little puppet theater for the kids to put on a show!
The big hit of the main room (for my child at least) was the area above the little storefronts. You had to climb some stairs to get up there, and it was not a high ceiling, so the parents were doing a lot of ducking, but there is a lot to do up there, and it’s not something you’ll want to miss!
The little room is a pretend home from the old days – complete with a fireplace. vintage radio, rotary telephone, kitchen area and a bedroom.
He had important phone calls to make.
And he had to dance to the jazz music!
Then he really needed a nap!
I loved the little windows upstairs, and so did my boy!
Of course, the real reason we had to stay up here about 2/3 of the time? The train. There were a few other boys up here at the same time, and all they did was stand and watch for that choo-choo. It goes around most of the main area of the museum, and they had to watch for it every time it passed by. It was definitely the highlight of our morning!
When I was able to pry him away from the train, we were able to check out the rest of the museum. Right near the main room, they have a classroom which is where you’d find their weekly classes going on.
There is also a shadow room right off the stage in the classroom, where kids can pose and take pictures on the wall. I may or may not have gotten really into that…
Down the hall from the main entrance you’ll find even more to check out, including the very awesome animal room!
They had quite a variety of animals here- birds, reptiles, fish, snakes, bunnies and more.
And of course, Nemo! 
I was impressed with their animal room! It really had a great variety!
Also down the hallway by the animal room you’ll find the bathrooms. The family restroom and the girl’s bathroom is right near by. The boy’s room is around the corner in the main room (by the produce stand exhibit). The girl’s room is smaller, since it is intended for kids. So the stalls were tight with a little one in tow. Of course, after we made our stopover there, I discovered the family bathroom, complete with a changing table!
We stayed at the museum for a couple hours. I think if we had arrived earlier, we would have stayed even longer but alas, lunch and nap time called, and all good things must end, with a meltdown! So, we quickly escaped the museum and headed home!
I did enjoy this children’s museum. It is small, I’ll admit, but it packs A LOT of fun things into that space! The train alone was a huge hit and made my boy’s day. I would love to visit again, and maybe try to incorporate one of their classes into our visit!
I hope you get the chance to visit the Lutz Children’s Museum!
This about sums it up…
247 South Main Street – Manchester, CT
Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday-Friday: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Saturday & Sunday: 12:00am to 4:00pm
Costs:
Adults & Children: $7
Under 1 is Free
If you live in Connecticut, make sure to check with your local library for a museum pass to The Lutz Children’s Museum!
Features:
- Stroller accessible!
- Few stairs- to upper loft exhibits
- Free Parking!
- Bathrooms & changing tables
- Snacks and Coffee Available for purchase in gift shop
- Some seating for parents throughout
