Hartford

Indulge at the Southington Apple Harvest Festival

Submitted by Clementina Verge on Mon, 09/18/2017 - 10:00am

If you’re looking for a small-town fair big on entertainment, mouth-watering foods, and scrumptious desserts, the Southington Apple Harvest Festival, celebrating its 49th year and mentioned in our 30 Fun Things to Do This Fall in Connecticut is sure to deliver. Nestled around the charming Southington Town Green, this family-oriented event attracts about 100,000 visitors annually. Add free admission and free parking to the fact that purchases benefit local community organizations and businesses, and you have an all-around feel good experience.

Get Lost... in a Corn Maze in the Hartford Area

Submitted by Tania Pesce on Thu, 09/14/2017 - 9:35am

Fall is a great time of year for families to spend time together outdoors enjoying the brisk weather and beautiful foliage in Hartford County. The autumn season is filled with so many activities like pumpkin picking, spooky Halloween events, fairs and you can’t forget corn mazes! Why not get together with another family and have a "Family Corn Maze Challenge"? Which family will get out of the maze fastest? Here's a list of places to do just that in the Hartford area.

Grab a Pumpkin Spice Coffee and Check out These Fall Fairs in Connecticut

Submitted by Jacqueline Miller on Fri, 09/08/2017 - 8:00am

Fall is an amazing time to be in Connecticut, with wonderful fairs and festivals nearly every weekend, celebrating the many aspects of Nutmeg life, from apples to pumpkins and beyond. Most of these have free admission, but charge small fees so you'll want to check that before heading out. Check out our complete Fall Fun Guide too for more ideas on how to enjoy the season!

Haunted Halloween Happenings for Everyone in the Hartford Area

Submitted by Tania Pesce on Mon, 09/04/2017 - 7:32am

There's something about fall that lends itself to haunted happenings. Maybe it's the first chill in the air or the rustle of dying leaves that stir up the spirit of the season. If your family is looking for some spooky (or not so spooky) fun in the Hartford Area, we have rounded the seasons best bets for kids of all ages. Read on and read carefully as some of these are really not intended for the smaller set.

Cornfest, Hay Day, and Parks Galore: 25 Things to Do This Fall in Hartford County

Submitted by Erin McNamee on Wed, 08/23/2017 - 12:38pm

Fall is my favorite season: there are so many fun activities available in the greater Hartford region in that short stretch of comfortable weather punctuated by New England foliage. Inevitably, by the time November rolls around, there are at least ten things that I wished I’d done but either I didn’t think of them, or I didn’t get around to them. To help you make the most of this fall season, we've compiled a list of fall favorites (including some indoor activities for those rainy days). If you get around to all of them, you’re my hero.

Courage and Compassion at Harriet Beecher Stowe's House

Submitted by Clementina Verge on Sun, 08/20/2017 - 11:00am

Children love superheroes, those powerful people whose good deeds defeat evil, and leave the world a better place. Once kids start hearing about the amazing life of Harriet Beecher Stowe, they'll realize she totally qualifies as one. A tour of Hartford County's Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, which features her home and a museum, offers the opportunity to learn about this beloved author, and how she helped change history.

A Visit to Auerfarm in Bloomfield

Submitted by Clementina Verge on Sat, 08/19/2017 - 4:28pm

Sprawled on 120 acres in Bloomfield, Auerfarm is a pastoral oasis in the Hartford area. From the moment you turn on the dirt road, you feel the freedom and peace of farm life. Children will be more than happy to explore for a couple of hours, romping in meadows, spotting dragonflies, and greeting farm animals.

Six Insane Ice Cream Creations You Must Try in CT

Submitted by Makayla O'Keefe on Wed, 08/16/2017 - 9:52am

From fried to frozen, cone to cookie, these ice cream places offer some pretty crazy confections. Crazy delicious. We've rounded up some of the top contenders (through rigorous research, of course) for the craziest ice cream creations in Connecticut. And don't stop here. Check out our favorite ice cream parlors in New Haven, Fairfield, New London and Hartford.

Connecticut's Best Sunflower Patches and Places to Cut Your Own Flowers

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Fri, 08/11/2017 - 5:23pm

One thing I always look for forward to is the blooming of tall, fresh-faced sunflowers, peering over me, bringing the sunshine a little bit closer to earth. My family loves to be surrounded by fresh flowers as well as bring them into our home, and there is nothing better than cutting your own (forget grocery store bouquets!). If flowers make your day like they do mine, then you will want to check out the great places you can dance amongst the daisies here in Connecticut. And, of course many of these places offer pick your own berries, veggies and fruit too.

End of Summer Bucket List: 25 Things To Do in CT Before School Starts

Submitted by Clementina Verge on Fri, 08/04/2017 - 10:00am

Before pool noodles and beach towels get stored away for another season, and late summer nights are replaced by bedtime curfews and homework, (at least) 25 must-do activities await in Connecticut, a great place to raise kids. So don't pack up the flip flops or exile the picnic basket to storage. There are still a few weeks before school buses begin to line at the curb, allowing us to capitalize on the time left and give summer a proper send-off, making more memories sure to keep hearts warm in the cold days to come.