Susan Isaak

Latest posts by Susan Isaak

Haunted Houses in Connecticut: Scary Halloween Fun for Big Kids

Submitted by Susan Isaak on Sat, 09/14/2019 - 1:09pm

Halloween isn't all pumpkins and hayrides. There are also thrills and chills to be had right here in Connecticut at some of the scariest haunted houses you'll ever find! These frightful attractions are geared towards older children, teens, and adults and not recommended for very young children. If you're looking for the real deal, check out our post on the Real Haunted Houses of Connecticut. For those who just want to have a spooky-good time, then a haunted house attraction is just the thing. From amusement parks filled with zombies to empty summer camps and abandoned school buildings, there is something to scare the pants off of everyone. We've rounded up the scariest haunted houses across the state, and a couple that are right over the border, for all of your frightful fun this Halloween season. Check it out...if you dare!

Day Trip to the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield

Submitted by Susan Isaak on Sat, 08/10/2019 - 1:31pm

Fairfield County, why not spend the day taking your family to the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield? Tucked away on Main Street, the Aldrich is Connecticut’s only museum dedicated to contemporary art. It's on our list of 120 Things to do With Your Kids in Connecticut Before They Grow Up and for good reason. The Aldrich is in a beautiful setting, offering exhibitions, artist talks, family programming, and classes. I recently took my kids to the Aldrich for the day and we loved walking through the exhibitions, making crafts together and checking out the town of Ridgefield when we were done.

The museum is located just 2 blocks from Ridgefield's wonderful shops and restaurants, so I've also got some great suggestions for family-friendly restaurants, sweet treats and even a historic tavern museum for you to explore. With all of these things within walking distance of each other, you can bet the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum makes a great destination for a day trip.

Best Pick-Your-Own Orchards for Toddlers in the Fairfield County Area

Submitted by Susan Isaak on Sat, 09/08/2018 - 7:20pm

Come September, New England’s most beloved season marks the start of those autumnal traditions we all live for here in Connecticut. Apple picking is a family favorite fall activity for so many and lucky for us, Connecticut has dozens of wonderful apple picking orchards and farms and some are more toddler friendly than others. In Fairfield County, you have only a small selection to choose from, which may be why all of the orchards get busy on the weekends. We suggest heading out first thing in the morning to beat the crowds on the weekends. We've included a few of our favorites for younger children, including a few in case you're up for venturing outside of Fairfield County. And. for even more orchards, be sure to check out our Apple and Pumpkin Picking Guide.

Get Lost in Fairfield County's Best Corn Mazes

Submitted by Susan Isaak on Sun, 08/05/2018 - 6:24am

Corn mazes are a favorite fall adventure for many families: the scent of autumn, the wind swooshing through golden stalks, and the opportunity to safely hand over the reigns to your children and let them be in charge of where to go and how to find the way out. What better way to bond than to band together and head straight into a place where you know you can get lost and the only way out is to concentrate on the map, read the clues, and work together to get to the other side. Combine your trip with a pumpkin patch and cider mill and you've got yourself a pretty excellent fall day to make lifelong family memories. For more fall fun, check out our CT Fall Fun and Halloween Guide. These corn-y masterpieces are only around for a few weeks each fall, so don't miss your chance. For even more ideas in your inbox, sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Pumpkin Patch or Spooky Train Ride? You Decide!

Submitted by Susan Isaak on Mon, 08/07/2017 - 12:22pm

Updating for 2018.

There are two types of Halloween Train rides: those that are cute and take you on a scenic tour to a fun pumpkin patch and those that are spooky. Depending on the age of your children (and your "scary" tolerance) you will probably be choosing one or the other. We've rounded up some great Halloween Train Rides of both varieties here... and you can also check out our CT Halloween and Fall Fun Guide, which is filled with great information, activities and events throughout the season.

Great Playgrounds in Stamford

Submitted by Susan Isaak on Wed, 10/28/2015 - 7:14am

Stamford is a big place with lots to see and even more to do. With over 125,000 residents, this Fairfield County city is the third largest in Connecticut and the seventh largest in New England. From the woods and rolling hills of North Stamford to the beaches and marinas in the South End, Stamford is urban, suburban and even a little rural depending on where you go. In a city of this size, you can bet that it's full of kids.

My kids love to get out there and play. They always like to check out different parks to see if they can find an old friend or make a bunch of new ones. This is a list of our favorite playgrounds in the city, but by no means a list of every single playground. For instance, Stamford's elementary school playgrounds are open to the public after school and on weekends, which make for a convenient, neighborhood option. When you're ready to look for things to do beyond the playground, check out 40 Things to Do in Stamford With or Without Kids. If you have a skater in the family check out these Skateparks in Fairfield County. No matter what, I hope you'll get out there and explore some of these places.

Good thing there are so many great parks and playgrounds for all these kids to choose from. I've rounded up some of the best playgrounds in Stamford, with descriptions of what you'll find when you get there. Check it out!

10 Food Trucks Your Kids Will Love in Fairfield County

Submitted by Susan Isaak on Sat, 09/26/2015 - 9:10am

Food trucks are all the rage and, luckily for us, they are popping up all over Fairfield County. You might have already spied one in a parking lot while running errands or saw a few trucks by your favorite farmer's market. Just because you're out with the kids doesn't mean you can't get in on the game! Kids like things with wheels and you like good food, so there's no reason to settle for the same old stuff when you're eating out.

There are a lot of great trucks out there, so we've rounded up a few that are sure to be a hit with kids and grown-ups alike. Check it out!

Tween Shopping Roundup in Greenwich

Submitted by Susan Isaak on Sun, 08/23/2015 - 9:47am

It's not easy being tween, especially when you're looking for something cool to wear. Luckily, Greenwich has a lot of choices that are just right including Splendid, which has their only Connecticut retail location right on Greenwich Avenue in Fairfield County. The Splendid store is in great company with all of the other boutiques and restaurants that make Greenwich a world class shopping destination, even if you're just doing some world class window shopping. It's time for a journey up and down the avenue to check out all of the best tween shopping in town.