Connecticut Science Center - Hartford
Enjoy a day in this amazing science center full of interesting and fun information and activities for the entire family. The usually-tropical Butterfly Encounter will be transformed into a winter wonderland through mid February, and you can also enjoy the Sock Skating Rink until then. 

Winterfest Ice Skating - Hartford
Head over to Hartford’s Winterfest for free outdoor ice skating (including free ice skate rentals!) from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you work up an appetite, you can grab something to eat at the Channel 3 Kid’s Camp Candy Cane Café.

Holiday Light Fantasia - Hartford
Take a drive through Connecticut's annual sparkling attraction at Goodwin Park and feast your eyes upon more than a million lights. Last day open is January 1, 2019! 

Talcott Mountain State Park - Simsbury
Go for a hike with your family on New Year's Day and see amazing sites from the top of this mountain.  Maybe there will be a fresh coating of snow to make it sparkle.  Don't forget to check out these other places to hike as well.

East

Winterfest at Mystic Aquarium  - Mystic 
Have bubbly with the belugas while watching talented artists chisel away to create ice sculptures. The Mystic Aquarium has a full day of activities on tap including meeting a sea princess and and an ice princess, crafts, face painting, and musical fun. 

Image courtesy of Mystic Aquarium

New Year's Day Open House at Wadsworth Mansion - Middletown 
The Wadsworth Mansion has you set for a day filled with family fun: docent tours, horse-drawn carriage rides, and a concert featuring singer Steve Cleary.

Rocky Neck State Park Hike - East Lyme
This one-hour New Year's Day hike makes for great family bonding time, while allowing sweeping views of Long Island Sound. Suitable for young children. No dogs allowed.

Fairfield County

Maritime Aquarium - Norwalk 
Spend the first day of the New Year with the fish at this Fairfield County family favorite. Watch the sharks being fed and witness a seal-training demonstration. As an extra special treat, don’t forget to check out Pandas in the IMAX Theater. 

Wonderland at Roseville - Fairfield
If you haven’t checked out the Wonderland of Roseville, today is your LAST chance! This home is decorated with thousands of lights, nutcrackers, and other collectibles. Lights go on around 5:00 p.m. 

Westport PAL Rink at Longshore - Westport
Skate in to the New Year with a view. Enjoy panoramic views of the Sound while gliding cross the ice at this outdoor rink. Open skate starts at 12:45 p.m. and runs until 3:45 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Westport PAL Ice Rink

Litchfield County

First Day Hike - Burlington 
Meet at the kiosk in the Sessions Woods parking lot at 10 a.m. for this 5.5 mile hike through the Great Wall and Beaver Marsh. 

New Year’s Day Hike - Ansonia 
This free program will give you a healthy start to the new year and teach you a little history trivia along the way. Pre-registration is required.

New Haven Area

Festival of Silver Lights - Meriden
This is the last day to enjoy more than 350,000 twinkling white lights wrapped around more than 200 figures and buildings. 

First Hike Day - Killingworth
​Start the new year off right with a moderate 2.5 mile hike through Chatfield Hollow State Park. Brings snacks and water. Friendly dogs are welcome, but must be leashed.

Happy New Year!

Cover photo courtesy of Mystic Aquarium.

Originally published 12/21/7.

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