Tag: #NewHavenista;

Vacay in CT

Have you ever heard the saying, It’s hotter than July?   Well, that’s how most of us feel right now in Connecticut.

 

 

It’s Hot, Hot, Hot!   And we no longer have the the luxury of complaining about the slow start to Summer because the 3 H’s –  Hazy, Hot and Humid – have officially arrived!

 

 

Another thing:  it’s About That Time Of The Year to think about where to vacate – so here’s the good news – you don’t have to hop on a train, a bus or a plane – you can simply gas up your ride and go!   With these super high temps, your vacation destination can be found right here in Connecticut!

 

 

The following are some suggested “StayCations” for you and your family in some (but not all) of Connecticut’s counties:

 

New London County

Beat the heat at Ocean Beach Park in New London, CT.  Ocean Beach Park has a spectacular beach, a boardwalk, activities, a pool, a Spray Park, a cafe and event space.  Parking can get pricey especially on the weekends but if you pile up your car and stay all day, it will be worth your while.

 

New Haven County

Lighthouse Park in New Haven, CT is always an affordable option for good, clean, family fun.  Nice beach area, picnic area, Spray Park, concessions, and that famous Carousel (smile).  There are parking fees but they are pretty reasonable.

 

Middlesex County:

Go to Lyman Orchards in Middlefield , CT and Pick Your Own Fruit – great family fun.  And visit the Corn Maze while you are there – it is always appropriately themed…And catch the hayrides, visit their bakery and try the kettle corn – you’ll be back for more!

 

Right after Golf Fore Women, me and my girlfriend Ginger made a day of it

 

Hartford County:

Why not catch a minor league baseball game at Dunkin Donuts Park in Hartford, CT.    The Hartford Yard Goats season runs from June through September and tickets start at just $10.00.  Perfect for singles, couples and families.

 

Fairfield County:

Have the time of your life on a day trip to Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport, CT.  It’s priced right and a great way to enjoy the day with the kiddos.

 

Lions and Tigers and Bears…oh my!

 

So remember it’s Summertime so there’s no need to go away on vacation.  Your Summer Staycation Vacation starts right here in Sunny Connecticut!

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

TVFL

 

Winter in CT

It’s officially Winter in Connecticut which for the most part makes me feel low-key SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) as it means the weather is extremely cold, the days short and the nights, super dark on my drive home from work…

To compensate, I try my darndest to look for fun, free, enlightening and/or educational things to do just to keep me from participating in my favorite pastime, i.e.,  sitting in my La-Z-Boy to watch TV and eat snacks (smile).

 

So here (in no particular order) are some of the ways (in the past) I have kept myself occupied (and far, far away from the snacks) during the dark, dreary days of Winter in CT:

 

Ice skating – Since I enjoyed this activity so much as a child growing up in Groton, CT  I figured I would try it out again as a full-grown adult – I must admit it was easier said than done (smile).

 

We spent the afternoon at Northford Ice Skating rink – what surprised me the most was the noise level, the coldness of the rink and the fact that I could not easily stop myself from falling (smile).

 

This is a fun and easy activity, especially in the Winter:  taking a hot bubble bath after a long day of work:  Check out my blog post:  Put your slippers on…

 

 

Visiting a local museum – this free activity is not only educational but truly enlightening.

 

Visiting a salt cave – this activity was so enlightening I had to write a blog about it – check out my blog post:  Cave Girl

 

Going to a live taping of The View in NYC – a truly magical day from beginning ’till end:  Check out  my blog post:  The View (from Lajeune)

 

Going to a free lecture at the local university.   I recall the event we attended at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT – Margot Lee Shetterly – the author of Hidden Figures – quickly becoming “standing room-only.”    To me this proved the staying power of the written word…

 

Spending a relaxing day at the spa – this never gets old…

 

Skiing  at a local ski resort – Super fun and exhilarating!  Check out my blog post:   Ski Date

 

Spending time (and money) at the casino…in Connecticut we are lucky enough to have two:  Mohegan Sun Casino and Foxwoods Resort Casino.

 

That’s it.  So whatever activity you choose to participate in this Winter in Connecticut, do try to make it memorable 🙂

 

Sincerely,

 

 

TVFL