[JViello]

Hello everyone. In the spirit of the picture thread I wanted to start a thread for things to see and do in CT since we get asked all the time "where can I take my x" while visiting etc. It can be a museum, restaurant, state park, walking trail, festival - whatever you like.

I think it would be nice to have a thread to point to and collect the info we all have shared over the last years here.

I'll start with the New England Air Museum. If you have never been GO.

Many do not realize how large the aerospace and aircraft influence in the Hartford region is. The museum is hands on, interactive and run by all volunteers. You will find retired Pratt and Whitney workers spending their days restoring a VS-44 Flying Boat or a WWII glider plane or WWII B-29 in real time in front of your eyes.

You can walk up to and touch these planes (And go inside many). The place is truely a gem that IMO does not get enough recognition in the Hartford area as a "place to go".

You can spend most of a day there with your family for sure and will not be disappointed. We took my 60 year old mother a couple years back and she got teary eyed walking by a Vietnam era huey chopper as she lost a dear friend on a Huey in that war. It's really emotional at times and a big piece of our history as a nation and state in real time, right in front of you. Some of the displays feel frozen in time almost.

The museum is located near the Bradley Internation Airport in Windsor Locks and is very affordable.

Adults (age 12 & up) $9.50
Children Ages 6 - 11 $6.00
Children Age 5 & under Free
Seniors (age 60 & up) $8.50

New England Air Museum Home Page

New England Air Museum - Major Exhibits

That's my first addition, share your favorite places to go in CT!

[KH02]

Most of theses are kid friendly. All the places I've gone in my travels.
Enjoy!!

Trolly Museum in East Windsor, CT
KidCity Middletown, CT
Dinosaur state park Rocky Hill, CT
The dinosaur place Montville, CT
Essex Steam train & boat ride Essex, CT
Mystic Aquarium Mystic, CT
Beardsley Zoo Bridgeport, CT
Maritime Aquarium Bridgeport, CT
Stepping Stones Children Museum Norwalk, CT
Hammonasset State Park/ Beach Madison, CT
New Gate Prison East Granby, CT (call for hours)
New Britain Rock Cats Baseball Game

[CrissCT]

Great idea for a post - thanks! We're moving to CT this summer and have two kids in elementary school.

[Aibutiej]

I'll add to the list:

Mystic Seaport, Mystic
Maritime Aquarium, Norwalk

[kidyankee784]

Great thread.

Kent Falls State Park in Kent is great for a hike or a picnic, and during the fall, the foliage is beautiful.

Also I know most people already know about them, but the casinos in southeastern CT make a great day trip (Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods).

[skytrekker]

For kids over 10 the submarine museum and USS Nautilus in Groton are very interesting- both are adjacent to one another and can be seen after a visit to the Seaport & Aquarium.

Also in Windsor Locks- the Air Museum is sure fun for all ages as JV fleshed out so well.

For adults and those over 21- the various wineries throughout the state are also fun- and the tastings even better!

[CrissCT]

Could this thread be made a "sticky" by one of our wonderful moderators?

[skytrekker]

done- lets post more

[JViello]

Thanks for the replies and Sky for making this a sticky!

When I started this, my vision was for a jump off point for CT lifestyle activities.

When you post, please try and provide a link or some additional information and/or details, review etc as well. It helps to learn more to have a link or something relevant too.

If you can't still post the info though!

Thanks again for the replies. I hope this can become a well worn thread.

I would also like add a small stop/destination East of the River in Metro Hartford.

Fish Family Dairy Farm in Bolton.

The Fish farm is a small run family farm that sells milk and icecream made right on the property. You can do a barn tour, grab a cone and sit overlooking the pasture or stop the gift/craft store on the way in.


A small quote from their website:

At Fish Family Farm we pasteurize and bottle the milk from our own Jersey Cows, which were born on the property. We have a self-serve farm store that is open from 8 am - 6 pm, Monday through Saturday. During the Summer, you can get scoop ice cream until 8 pm. All of our Ice Cream is made at the farm. We have self barn tours all day long. We also have guided large-group tours free to the public; please, call to make arrangements (860) 646-9745.

Fish Family Farm

To get there is super easy. Just take I-384 East and get off Exit 5. At the end of the ramp go right on RT85 and the farm is about a 1/2 mile on the left.

[KH02]

If you google any of the ones i list their They will come up, as most have websites..