Things to do in New Haven County? (Hartford, Waterbury: houses, vacation)

[Rockinkiwi]

If you have read any of the posts I've made today, I have finally moved back to Connecticut from Pennsylvania, and I am so happy to be here!!!

I grew up in Fairfield County, and honestly haven't travelled much further out of that county for any reason. I'm now living in Meriden, and am trying to find places of interest to explore on the weekends. I've checked out the local malls and movie theathers, but was looking to see what any of the "locals" have as suggestions of entertainment. (I do remember visiting Mystic, CT a few times, and also taking the Essex Steam Train as a kid, but that's about it!)

For example, I like museums, really good restaurants, and I'm a big fan of microbreweries too. Also, any concert halls/theaters in the area?

If anyone has any suggestions as to what they enjoy doing (not just what's around my town), I'd appreciate it.
Thank you. :-)

(Even if it's not in New Haven County, I'd be interested to see what places in CT you find to be fun!)

[CTlibrarian]

Welcome back to CT! I also grew up in Fairfield County but now live in central CT and am loving this part of the state. There are so many places to see, here are just a few cultural things, not New Haven County but close to Meriden:

The New Britain Museum of American Art is a gem of a place with a superb collection. The recently expanded/renovated museum now includes a nice little cafe. Here's the website:
New Britain Museum of American Art

The Palace Theater in Waterbury is a beautifully renovated place that attracts some national acts.
Palace Theater - Waterbury, CT

And a couple of community theater organizations in New Britain:
Trinity On Main :. Arts Education Community Center :. Performance Hall :. Private Events :. Receptions :. New Britain Connecticut
Hole In The Wall Theater

As far as restaurants, you can't go wrong with the Carmen Anthony chain of steak and fish houses and the Max Group of restaurants.

[skytrekker]

If you venture out of New Haven county, the state has some wineries
see CONNECTICUT WINE TRAIL - WINERY TOURS - Connecticut wine tasting, vacations, CT Wine Trail most are in western and eastern CT- some including Sharpe Hill in Pomfret have excellent award winning wines and a gourmet restaurant.

Connecticut's 'Quiet Corner' in Tolland & Windham Counties offer much
Quiet Corner & Norwich

Putnam- in the extreme north east corner has much, a traditional Main street, antiques and good restaurants.
Putnam CT - The Heart of Connecticut's Quiet Corner

[Rich Lee]

Originally Posted by Rockinkiwi

(Even if it's not in New Haven County, I'd be interested to see what places in CT you find to be fun!)

You should venture outside of New Haven County considering Meriden touches Hartford (at Southington) and Middlesex (at Middlefield and Middletown) Counties. There are parts of New Haven County that are significantly farther away than these two counties.

[nico7]

Originally Posted by Rockinkiwi

I'm now living in Meriden, and am trying to find places of interest to explore on the weekends. I've checked out the local malls and movie theathers, but was looking to see what any of the "locals" have as suggestions of entertainment. (I do remember visiting Mystic, CT a few times, and also taking the Essex Steam Train as a kid, but that's about it!)

For example, I like museums, really good restaurants, and I'm a big fan of microbreweries too. Also, any concert halls/theaters in the area?

The largest and arguably best source of culture in New Haven County is Yale University. Check the web site to see what's going on.

Museums in New Haven (just plug any of these into Google for directions):
Yale Center for British Art (largest such collection outside of Britain)
Yale University Art Gallery (notable artists include Van Gogh)
Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History

New Haven has a some restaurants that are "very good" or "excellent." Of course, you'll pay extra for eating there. Here's what I recommend:
Union League Cafe (French-American)
Ibiza (Spanish)
Bentara (Malaysian-American)
Frank Pepe's Pizzeria Napoletana (widely cited as the best pizza anywhere; you usually have to wait in line)

Yale has concerts and performances of all kinds, all the time. Many of them are free, and others are very inexpensive. Woolsey Hall is a beautiful venue for a concert, complete with enormous pipe organ. The New Haven Symphony Orchestra plays there. There are also many free recitals given by the School of Music, open to the public, typically in Sprague Hall. The Yale Repertory Theater is a great place to see a show.

Long Wharf Theater also puts on excellent shows, often with known actors.

Hope some of that is helpful. There's a lot of info on the Web about any of those things.

[Rockinkiwi]

Thanks to everyone for their input. I've looked up some information online, but I like to hear from actual people, not just read items on a website. The wineries and museums sound great, and I'll actuall have to venture forth into New Haven at some point and explore.

It's a big change living up here compared to Philadelphia, but as I said, I'm glad to be back home closer to my family. Now it's only a 60 minute drive to see them, instead of a 3 1/2 hour drive.

I appreciate it feedback from everyone, it's been a big help!

[JayCT]

I would check out Gillette Castle and Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam. Also the Mark Twain House and Harriett Beecher Stowe House in Hartford. The Wadsworth Anthenium in Hartford is wonderful too. Hartford also has Hartford Stage and Theaterworks. There are a lot of great restaurants in these areas as well. I would check the New England Boards on Chowhounds.com for restaurants. A lot of great information there. Jay

[kampoverj]

Check out http://www.myconnecticutkids.com there is a lot of info on there about things to do in all of CT

[boushwam]

Originally Posted by Rockinkiwi

I'm a big fan of microbreweries too. Also, any concert halls/theaters in the area?

If anyone has any suggestions as to what they enjoy doing (not just what's around my town), I'd appreciate it.
Thank you. :-)

(Even if it's not in New Haven County, I'd be interested to see what places in CT you find to be fun!)

There are some Microbreweries to visit - New England Brewery in Woodbridge is one of them. I only went once and it was a while ago, but I believe they do a special on the last Friday of every month where you can come, pay like $10 to drink all you want (they have their beers on tap obviously) and there is food they sell too (to absorb all you drink).

As for stores to buy beer at, I recommend Mountview Wine & Liquors in Naugatuck. They have the widest beer selection in CT, the owners are great guys, and they put on alot of tasting events (wine as well) throughout the year; many of which the proceeds go to charity, which makes attending even better. They cohost a big tasting in Waterbury sometime in the summer (i forget exactly when) and it's the best beer tasting you'll ever go to - complete with 4 tents of microbreweries, distributors, etc. music and food)

Finally, for places to hit up for a wide variety of beer, depending on the atmosphere you like some good places to go are: Eli Cannon's in Middletown, Bru Room at BAR (GREAT AMbAR Ale) in New Haven, and Eli's on Whitney in Hamden. Hope this helps....