Or, check out the Action Wildlife Foundation in Goshen. More than 350 exotic animals live in this 100-acre park, which also has a petting zoo, museum, picnic area and hay rides on the weekends. Call 1-860-482-4465 for more information.

For a different sort of sightseeing adventure, call Mooney Time Hot Air Balloons in Woodbury at (203) 263-0167. Or visit the Danbury Railway Museum to see vintage locomotives and catch a train at the restored 1903 station. Call them at (203) 778-8337, or log onto Danbury.com.

At North American Outdoor Adventures, families can go rafting over rapids or they may opt for the more scenic route. Call 1-800-727-4379, or NaWhiteWater.com.

In Cornwall Bridge, take a guided fly-fishing trip with Housatonic River Outfitters at 1-860-672-1010. Or in Cornwall, try the Housatonic Anglers at 1-860-672-4457.

In Middlebury, kids will love the Quassy Amusement Park. This 20-acre family playground on Lake Quassapaug offers over 30 rides and games.

Also check out Saturation Station, an interactive water attraction. The park has a petting zoo, carousel, swimming, boat rides and food concessions. For details, call (203) 758-2913, or visit Quassy.com.

For more Connecticut fishing information, call 1-860-424-3474, or visit Dep.state.ct.us. For travel information, call 1-888-288-4748, or visit www.ctvisit.com.

For information on camping throughout the state of Connecticut, visit Dep.state.ct.us/stateparks/.

MAINE
It's hard to come much closer to the ideal family fishing destination than Maine's Sebago Lake in Casco. The big lake is legendary for its excellent fishing for togue, landlocked salmon and bass.

Covering 28,771 acres, Sebago is the second-largest lake in Maine as well as the deepest, with a maximum depth of 305 feet. The Muddy, Sticky and Songo rivers, along with the 11-mile Long Lake, can all be accessed from Sebago by way of the Songo Locks.

Boaters must be mindful of the weather on Sebago. When the winds come from the south, there can be up to four feet of chop between you and the shore!

Stop by Naples Bait and Tackle and ask Dave Garcia where the fish are biting. He's been in business here for 25 years.

Point Sebago Resort covers 800 acres on Sebago Lake. There are tent sites, RV sites and trailer rentals, plus a wide variety of vacation rental homes. A typical home has plenty of room to spread out -- a master bedroom on one end, a bedroom with two twin beds on the other end, a bathroom, kitchen and living area (with futon).

Protected coves provide anxiety-free wading and swimming for children at five beaches, with space to paddle around in kayaks. A well-equipped marina provides rental boats and slips of various sizes. Because the big lake's coves are sheltered from the wind, the water is warmer, too!