Discover Your Inner Explorer
at Discovery Depot

Experience unique indoor adventures in Montville, CT
and bring those discoveries home with you!

OPEN for Spring Break:
Monday, April 14 to Friday, April 18, 2025
1 to 5 pm

Normal Hours:
OPEN EVERY SATURDAY & SUNDAY!
1 to 5 pm

indoor activities for kids
kids activities
fun things to do
Jackpot Mine
Jackpot Mine
Image is not available

Dig for crystals and minerals hidden in our one-of-a-kind replica silver mines! Yes, you get to keep everything you find!

Use your hands to dig for crystals and minerals hidden in our one-of-a-kind replica silver mines!
Dig for gemstones in Southeastern Connecticut’s only replica silver mine. Yes, you get to keep everything you find!

READ MORE
previous arrowprevious arrow
next arrownext arrow

Fun Educational Activities For Kids

Gold Panning at Thunder Creek:
STANDARD: $11.99 per prospector
🪙Ages 2 and up
🪙 Relive California Gold Rush
🪙10 minutes to pan
🪙 Keep everything you find!

DELUXE: $18.99 per prospector
Deluxe: 20% more panning time/Take home your own oversized gold nugget and your own gold pan!

Gem Digging at Jackpot Mine:
(The child must be potty trained — for sanitary purposes)
STANDARD: $14.99
💎 Dig for over 50 kinds of gems & crystals
💎 10 minute dig
💎 Keep everything you find!

DELUXE: $27.99
Deluxe: 20% more digging time/Take home your own miner’s helmet and dig in the dark mine like a real miner!

SAVE BY COMBINING PACKAGES!
Standard Combination Package (Jackpot Mine & Thunder Creek): $22.99
Deluxe Combination Package (Jackpot Mine & Thunder Creek): $42.99

Great VALUE & PARKING is always FREE!

Enjoy indoor educational fun for kids at Discovery Depot with unique science activities.

Check our hand-on attractions:

Jackpot Mine Digging for Gems,

Thunder Creek Gold Panning

and the only Geode Center in New England!


Kids will learn about geodes — Nature’s Lottery Tickets (you never know what you will find when you cut them open).

Learn the fun technique of panning, and dig for more than 50 different kind of gemstones. And yes, you can keep everything you find!


These family-friendly adventures are available with Standard, Deluxe, and Combinations packages.

In addition, Discovery Depot offers other fun activities, so be sure to check it all out!


Discovery Depot tickets are purchased at the door only,

NO RESERVATIONS REQUIRED!
Follow us on Facebook to get updates on promotions and best deals.

Planning a Birthday Party? We provide you with a private space in the Discovery Depot area with tables and kitchen appliances.

You are welcome to bring your own food and drinks. Please call (860) 443-4367 for more information, or e-mail events@naturesartvillage.com.