Climbing trees, completing fun obstacles, and zip lines; what more could any family ask for? We got to spend a beautiful Sunday morning at the Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum, and we had a blast! This adventure park in Connecticut is a perfect outing for families, even with kids as young as 5! We loved our experience at the park and wouldn’t hesitate to return. Keep reading to learn more about this fantastic aerial adventure park!
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We received complimentary admission in exchange for our review. As always, all opinions are our own.
Location, Admission, and Hours of the Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum
Location
Located at 4450 Park Avenue in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum is about 30 minutes from New Haven, and less than a two-hour drive from Manhattan. Our Philadelphia friends can easily make a long-weekend out of a visit to this fun park as well!
Admission
The cost to climb ranges from $38-$54, depending on age. Discounted tickets are offered for their twilight climb. It is recommended to make a reservation ahead of time online. You can book groups of 10 by calling (203) 690-1717.
Hours
The Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum is a three-season park. Climbing is available during the spring, summer, and fall months. Visit their website for the most up-to-date information.
What to Expect at the Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum
Waivers and Check-In
If you have not completed a waiver online before arrival, there are tablets by the entrance to the park where can fill them out. You must complete a waiver before checking in to the Adventure Park. Currently, check-in for the Adventure Park is inside the Discovery Museum, as soon as you walk inside.
Safety Briefing
After arriving at the Adventure Park, you will complete a series of steps to ensure your safety and knowledge before climbing the trails. The first step is a safety video, about 10 minutes long, that goes over how to use the carabiners and tweezles, as well as many safety tips. Don’t ever un-clip the D-Ring!!
After the video, you will be fitted for your gloves and harness. The staff members are incredibly knowledgeable in every aspect of the harnesses, carabiners, and tweezles. Ask them anything if you feel concerned!
The last step is the trial course. Here, close to the ground, you will practice using the tweezle to lock and unlock your clips. You will also practice setting up the zipline trolley. As someone who learns hands-on, I really appreciated this step.
Ready to Go!
After you go through all of the steps, you are allowed to use the aerial courses! Keep in mind, you must start with a yellow or green course before you can attempt a blue, black, or double black courses. And don’t worry; you are not out there on your own. Staff members are everywhere! They popped up for us when we needed them, and even when we thought we didn’t!
A Family-Friendly Aerial Adventure Park in Connecticut
One of the best things about the Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum is the multiple trails they offer. From the easiest trail to the toughest, there is a challenge for every member of the family!
Our six-year-old was able to complete the Purple trail, though it was still challenging. Adults must complete the course with their young children to make sure they can safely move their carabiner from one line to the next.
As you complete one trail level, you can move up to the next; if you choose to! I found the Green trail to be challenging enough for me, even though it is rated one of the easier levels. Dan and Liam (our nine-year-old) pushed themselves and completed a Blue Trail. That was their limit though!
Liam is already talking about returning and attempting a Black Diamond. I love that there are so many options to choose from. Your family will NOT be bored!
Some of the Obstacles Offered at This Treetop Adventure Park in Connecticut
There are many different types of aerial obstacles on each trail. Some required using a single tightrope to cross. Others required swinging on ropes. Many were wood-based obstacles, that moved enough to try to throw you off-balance! Of course, our favorites were the zip lines; There is nothing like flying high through the trees!
While some of the aerial obstacles required mostly balance and patience, others required a lot of leg and arm strength. Keep that in mind when preparing for your visit!
Things to Know Before You Visit the Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum
Footwear
As stated in their rules, you must wear closed-toe shoes. Even though I had sneakers on, I think a different sole would have been better to wear. If you have sneakers with a rubber sole (like Vans or Converse), wear them. The Adidas I wore had the white foam soles and didn’t offer as much grip as I would have liked.
Personal Belongings
You can bring things into the park, such as your purse, backpack, water bottles, etc. There are lockers available, or you can leave your belongings at the benches by the start of the course.
Food
You are allowed to bring food into the park. We saw many people with coolers and bags full of snacks and lunch items. There are picnic tables in a couple of areas of the park that are available to anyone.
Restrooms
Restrooms are located inside the Discovery Museum, close to the check-in area. We were allowed to use them before heading down to the Adventure Park. However, there are porta-potties at the Adventure Park, should an emergency arise while you are at the trails!
Paths
The paths in the park are meant for climbers to return to the starting point. However, we found them useful to be able to track family members while they were in the trees! When Bailey was done climbing, she was able to watch us and stay close to us while we were on the course. It made it easier for us to stay together.
Parties, Events, and Discounted Climbs
Birthday Parties
Are you considering a birthday party or a get-together? The Adventure Park offers various packages that will suit your needs. You learn more about the party packages here.
Discounted Twilight Climb
If you are interested in a short climbing period, this may be a good deal for you! Twilight Climb tickets are discounted off the regular price. They are offered up to three hours before closing time. It is good to note that the harder trails start to close an hour before the scheduled closing time. This ensures you can finish the course before the park closes.
Glow In the Park
On select nights during the month, the Adventure Park glows! The trees are lit up, and there are glow lights, lasers, and music to make the event really special. You learn more about the event and learn upcoming dates here.
Additional Adventure Park Locations
We visited the Adventure Park in Bridgeport, Connecticut. However, there are five other locations scattered across the country. Adventure Parks can be found in Connecticut, New York, Virginia, Tennessee, and Minnesota.
Our Thoughts on the Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum
Our first time at the Adventure Park was awesome! We really enjoyed ourselves! The obstacles were fun. We loved the varying skill levels. And who doesn’t love a zip line?
In addition to the above, the staff was very knowledgeable and responsive, two things you want from an employee at an aerial adventure park. We never once felt unsafe!
Overall, we would highly recommend a day out at the Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum. We are already trying to plan a return trip!
Have you been to an Adventure Park? Do you think your family would enjoy this park? Let us know in the comments!
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