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This past winter was brutal. We had so many snow days that my older son will still be in school next week making them up. Typically, our first outing of summer vacation is strawberry picking, but this year, I don’t even know if strawberry season will last until the last day of school!
But just because our summer vacation got put on the back burner for a couple extra weeks doesn’t mean I haven’t been busy making plans! And as we do every year, we want to help you make some plans too– with our 5th annual Summer Bucket List for the Connecticut Mom!
Once again, we have put together a list of over 50 destinations, activities, and events in and around Connecticut that we think your family will enjoy this season. This year’s Summer Bucket List includes exciting new activities and destinations that have never been on our list before, as well as plenty of old favorites (because it just wouldn’t be summer without a seafood dinner from this place, now would it?).
And of course, this list isn’t just for moms– it’s also for dads, grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles, nannies and anyone else who is staring down two months of summer vacation with a kiddo in tow 🙂
Just like in previous years, these are all places that we have personally been to with our families and written about on our blog. So not only do we provide you with this great list of ideas, but we’ve also included a link to our blog post about each destination so you can get all the details you’ve come to expect from Out and About Mom.
All these activities have been stamped with that exclusive Out and About Mom seal of approval. Because we’ve been there. We’ve done that. We’ve loved it. And we know you will too!
Before you dive into our list though, be sure to check out this blog post from our sponsor, Nicole Bedard Photography for some easy tips on taking better pictures of your kids, so you’ll be ready to capture all those sweet summer memories!
Summer may have been cut short this year, but that doesn’t mean we can’t make up for lost time! And whether you’re sticking to our summer outing list or you’ve made one of your own, let us know about your summer adventures with the hashtag #OAAMSummer on Facebook and Instagram.
Let’s get out there and enjoy it while it lasts 🙂
(Listed in no particular order)
- Discover one-of-a-kind ice cream flavors at Grassroots in Granby.
- Keep a lookout for wildlife (and the hot dog boat) along the beautiful Connecticut River on a RiverQuest Kids Cruise in Haddam.
- Fly on the zip line at the brand new Jonathan’s Dream playground in West Hartford.
- Pet friendly chickens and make mud pies in the outdoor “kitchen” at Open Farm Day at Common Ground in New Haven.
- Pick up some seeds for your garden and a sweet treat at Heirloom Market in Wethersfield.
- Make a DIY bouquet at Petersen Farm in South Windsor or Gutt Farm in Glastonbury.
- Putt alongside giraffes and elephants at Safari Golf in Berlin.
- Roll in for Cruise Night at Ocean Beach Park in New London.
- Cool off in the AC with free movies at Bow Tie Cinemas in Hartford and Stamford.
- Play some tunes in the Music Garden at the newly renovated Charter Oak Park Playground in Manchester.
- Investigate the tidal pools at Harvey’s Beach in Old Saybrook.
- Hike to the waterfalls at Wadsworth Falls State Park in Middletown.
- Indulge in burgers, fries and ice cream at the 97-year-old Harry’s Place in Colchester.
- Cool off in the pond at Chatfield Hollow State Park in Killingworth.
- Sign up for “Kids Bowl Free,” then hit the lanes (and arcade) at Spare Time in Vernon.
- Visit with engine friends from Sodor in Thomas Land at Edaville USA amusement park in Carver, MA.
- Ride the Glastonbury-Rocky Hill Ferry to get a mountainous fried clam roll at Shad Row in Rocky Hill.
- Drop by for feeding time (every day at 3:00!) at The Children’s Museum in West Hartford.
- Search for shells at East Beach after visiting the Nature Center at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport.
- Spend a rainy day checking out the new animated (indoor) sandbox at Imagine Nation Museum in Bristol.
- Watch the Pez candy factory in action at the PEZ Visitors Center in Orange.
- Meet Monty the T-Rex and 40 other life-sized dinos at The Dinosaur Place in Montville.
- Enjoy seafood and sea views at Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough in Noank.
- Escape the sun in the enormous indoor playscape (and trampoline park) at Jump Off in Manchester.
- Take a quick trip through Switzerland at Matterhorn Mini Golf in Canton.
- Hang out with Sting (the mascot, not the musician) at a New Britain Bees baseball game.
- Watch the trains whiz by as you dine trackside at The Steaming Tender restaurant in Palmer, MA.
- Have a movie night under the stars at the Southington Drive-In.
- Check out the new dinosaur exhibit at Mystic Aquarium.
- Encourage your pint-sized impressionist with some outdoor art activities at The Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme.
- Enjoy a fresh scoop while the kids climb on the tractor playscape at The Collins Creamery in Enfield.
- Frolic in a spray park (like the ones in Bristol, Colchester, Cromwell & West Hartford).
- Race in the go karts at Sonny’s Place in Somers.
- Take a picnic dinner to a Wednesday night summer concert at Elizabeth Park in Hartford.
- Spend the night in a tipi at Bear Creek Campground.
- Have the book, “Make Way for Ducklings” come alive with a ride on the Swan Boats in Boston’s Public Garden.
- Check out the model train layouts while you await your gourmet pie at Pizza Works in Old Saybrook.
- Visit with animals and let the kids play on the natural playground at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center in Stamford.
- Have Christmas in July at Santa’s year-round workshop at Yankee Candle Village in South Deerfield, MA.
- Devour a lobster roll at Lobster Landing in Clinton.
- Spot a leopard at the Zoo in Forest Park in Springfield, MA.
- Let the kids have fun while you relax at the fully fenced-in playground at Brodie Park in New Hartford.
- Mark your calendar for the beautiful and delicious fundraising event, Sunflowers for Wishes at Buttonwood Farm, from July 21-29 in Griswold.
- Find delicious fruit and vegetable picking opportunities on the shoreline at Scott’s Yankee Farmer in East Lyme.
- Saddle up for a pony ride at Ray of Light Farm in East Haddam.
- Take a spin on the Bushnell Park Carousel in Hartford.
- Have a beach day at Hammonasset State Park followed by dinner at Lenny and Joe’s Fish Tale Restaurant in Madison.
- Explore a 19th century whaling ship at Mystic Seaport in Mystic.
- Watch ice cream being made (and then order a homemade scoop!) at the UConn Dairy Bar.
- Find fresh produce and local flavor at the South Windsor Farmers’ Market.
So there you have it! 50 items on our Summer Bucket List for 2018. We hope it has inspired you to start planning your summer adventures!
Need more inspiration? Check out all our Summer Bucket Lists HERE!
And don’t forget to let us know about your summer adventures with the hashtag #OAAMSummer on Facebook and Instagram.
Pssst! Love exploring but feel like your summer could use a little more structure? Check out these amazing summer camp programs for kids ages 3 and up from our sponsors, the Mandell JCC and Renbrook School Summer Adventure.
Have fun out there!
Shawna & Mandy
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Don’t forget to check out events for children and families at your local library!
Agreed!