Erin McNamee

Latest posts by Erin McNamee

Family-Friendly Restaurants in Connecticut (Hartford County)

Submitted by Erin McNamee on Sat, 03/21/2015 - 9:52am

Going out to eat with kids can be a daunting task. No one wants to be the family with that child, the one who doesn’t want to sit in a seat, makes loud noises or keeps asking, "When will the food be ready?" (In other words, a normal kid.) We've put together a list of restaurants in the Hartford area that feature fun themes, children's meals and activities sure to occupy your little one so you can relax and enjoy a night out with the family. We've also rounded up some of our favorite family-friendly restaurants in New Haven County here. Bon appétit!

Kids Hair Salons in the Hartford Area

Submitted by Erin McNamee on Thu, 02/19/2015 - 10:54pm

While some kids are just fine getting a quick trim at your stylist or the local Supercuts, others need major cajoling and distractions if anyone is going to get near their tresses with scissors (or it won’t be a pretty sight). For these little ones, a salon that specializes in kids services is the way to go. These stylists know how to get the job done, with some serious help from bubbles, toys, cool chairs, and fun shows on TV. It’s amazing the difference sitting in a car-themed chair versus a regular salon chair can make when you’re 3! Some of these salons also offer birthday party packages and, for the older set, kid spa services. The following kid-friendly hair cutting places in the Hartford area should make getting a haircut a fun experience that your child looks forward to.

Outdoor Ice Skating in the Hartford Area

Submitted by Erin McNamee on Tue, 01/27/2015 - 9:00am

There is something incredibly New England about skating on a frozen pond. And refreshing. And exhilarating. And magical. Yet, important questions always lurk in the back of our minds. Who has checked the thickness of the ice? Is the surface free of debris? Ultimately, is it safe? Luckily, at Winding Trails in Farmington, 6 miles from Hartford, you can have the best of both worlds: an old-fashioned pond skate in a setting that is well-maintained and tested for safety.The pond is open daily for skating once staff has determined that the ice is at least 6 inches thick (skating itself is unsupervised), and the ice is resurfaced on a regular basis. While you’re there, scope out the gigantic hill (on our sledding hills worth driving to list) and trails for snow-shoeing and cross-country skiing for your next winter escapade.

Restaurants Open on Christmas Day in Hartford County

Submitted by Erin McNamee on Mon, 12/22/2014 - 10:21am

On Christmas Day, as I wipe sweat from my brow while basting a turkey and multitasking pots of various accompaniments, I will exude holiday cheer. Inwardly, I will be silently envious of my friend’s family who, each year, relaxes at Great Taste restaurant, their Christmas mainstay, after getting the heavy lifting over with on Christmas Eve. For those of you who, after a full season of holiday festivities, choose to take it easy on Christmas Day, or who do not celebrate the holiday and are looking for a meal out, there are definitely some options in the greater Hartford area. If you like Asian fare, you can find several delicious choices at various price points. For more traditional holiday fare, you can find restaurants east and west of the river that offer a prix fixe menu. And if you care to travel, check out these restaurants that are open in Fairfield County. Happy holidays!

Honoring Veterans on Veterans Day in Hartford County Area

Submitted by Erin McNamee on Sat, 11/08/2014 - 6:17am

As Veterans Day approaches, you may be thinking about ways to teach kids about the importance of the day. There are many ways that they can pay tribute to America’s veterans, such as making cards and distributing them to relatives who are veterans or veterans at nursing homes and VA medical centers, or putting together care packages (a good use for excess Halloween candy!) for veterans stationed overseas. In addition, there are several events and memorial celebrations in the Hartford area beginning the weekend of November 8-9, and on the actual day, November 11. Use your discretion, as some of these activities may be more suitable for older children.

Family Friendly Bike Paths in the Hartford Area

Submitted by Erin McNamee on Thu, 10/16/2014 - 9:40pm

Our family loves biking but doesn't live in a neighborhood with sidewalks. In fact, the road is very busy and would be dangerous on two wheels. Because of that, we travel from home to bike and get out and nature and explore. It can be boring going to the same place over and over again, so, If you're like us, you might like to see Mommy Poppins' list of family friendly bike rides in and around Hartford.

Family Friendly Bike Baths in Greater Hartford

Submitted by Erin McNamee on Mon, 10/13/2014 - 9:48pm

In between hayrides to pumpkin patches, Halloween-themed events, and other fun, fall activities, this is my favorite time of year to bike -- warm enough so that you don’t need gloves, cool enough not to melt into a sweaty mess. A bonus is the beautiful foliage you will take in on most of these rides. Now that my oldest daughter has shed her training wheels and mastered her two-wheeler, we are ready to venture out of the neighborhood and try an adventure on a scenic bike path. Listed below are some options for a family friendly bike ride in the Hartford area, depending on how skilled your child is.

Guide to Back-to-School Shopping in Greater Hartford

Submitted by Erin McNamee on Sun, 08/24/2014 - 1:26pm

It’s that time of year -- suddenly the nights are a bit crisper, vacations are wrapping up, and school is right around the corner. Suddenly you realize that your child, who has been running around barefoot in bathing suits all summer, can’t stuff his feet into his sneakers and her pants are up to her ankles. While the idea of shopping with kids is not always appealing, luckily there are several retail establishments in the greater Hartford area that were designed with parents in mind. At the following locations, it is possible for back-to-school shopping to be both a fun experience for the kids and productive for mom!