School is out and summer is in! This month we’ve been scouting all kinds of great places to beat the heat, keep your cool, seek adventure, and savor the season. And if you’ve missed even a minute of the fun, you’re in luck! Because we’ve got a recap of all our June outings, all in one place. So read on, and then fill your summer calendar with our best bets.
Best view: Clinton Town Beach. A playground at the beach? What a perfect summer destination! You can enjoy the salt air and sea breezes while the kiddos explore this sprawling playscape. Add in a little shopping and lunch nearby, and you’ve got the makings for the perfect summer day trip.
Best place for a playdate: Mikey’s Place Playground. This incredible Wethersfield playground has a fenced-in preschooler playground AND a larger playscape for older kids, so it’s a great place to meet up for summer playdates. There’s also a lovely park with lots of shade. Perfect for a picnic!
Best for baking: Strawberry Picking at Rose’s Berry Farm. The strawberries have come and gone, but fortunately Rose’s has lots more pick-your-own opportunities this season. Look for PYO blueberries and raspberries at the main farm on Matson Hill Road. Then dust off those recipe books and make some yummy summertime treats.
Best for keeping cool: Wolcott Park Spray Pad. When the temperature soars, spray pads are super for cooling off with the kiddos, especially since they tend to open hours earlier than area pools (the Wolcott Park Spray Pad sensors turn on at 10:00 a.m.). Sure beats a sprinkler in the backyard, don’t you think?
Best animal encounter: Mystic Aquarium. Beach season is the perfect time to introduce your little one to the wonders below the ocean surface. From flashy fish to flipping sea lions, you can get up close and personal with all kinds of sensational sea creatures at Mystic Aquarium.
Best energy burner: Waddlers Class at West Hartford My Gym. Bouncing, sliding, tumbling, swinging–just a few of the new moves your little one will learn at this pint-sized fitness class. And don’t forget about the special offer just for Out and About Mom readers: the West Hartford My Gym will waive the membership fee (a $75 value!) when you mention our site.
Best summer meal: Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough. This seaside seafood restaurant may be named after a famous comedy duo, but they take their lobster seriously. Try their famous hot lobster roll with a side of shrimp and corn chowder and enjoy a relaxed dining atmosphere with sea breezes and ocean views. Summer doesn’t get much better than this.
Best place to relax: Fernridge Park Pool. Visit this newly renovated West Hartford destination and you may think you’re swimming at a resort pool. With an expansive zero-depth entry area that’s perfect for little ones, a remodeled bath house, and a fun new spray pad, it’s a staycation the whole family will enjoy.
And when the temperature rises, don’t forget about our OAAM Guide to Hartford County Community Pools.
If you thought June was a blast, just wait until you see all the summer fun coming your way in July. And as always, if you have a suggestion for a place we should visit, please let us know by commenting below or sending an email to outandaboutmom@gmail.com. Whether it’s a place you always go or a place you’ve always wanted to go, we’d love to hear about it!
COMING UP:
We are so excited to announce that next Tuesday we will be bringing you our very first guest post! We’ve got a local mom and fitness expert who will be here to tell you all about a very special workout class where your wee one is part of the action. Then on Thursday, have you been searching for a swimming destination that’s shallow, shady, AND open in the a.m.? We’ll tell you where to beat the heat before naptime.
Want to keep up with all our Out and About Mom adventures?
Check back every Tuesday and Thursday as we dish up more Momsense for getting out and about with your little ones. Don’t have time to check back in? Let us send you an automatic notification of new posts straight to your email inbox by signing up here. Also, you can like us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with the latest posts and get some extra tidbits we share only through those sites.
