With about 200 antiques dealers under one roof, the Stratford Antique Center on Honeyspot Road is a place where antiques buffs can become blissfully lost. The center is located off I-95 in Stratford and is locally known as the “big blue building.” It houses 16,500 square feet of antiques and collectibles. Whatever you are looking for in antiques or collectibles you can probably find it here. Browsers will enjoy the numerous dealer floor spaces and lighted display cases. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. except holidays. Phone: 203-378-7754

African Penguins: Not Just for Africa

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Fish. Sea mammals. Reptiles, then more fish. It’s a fishy world at the Maritime Aquarium on North Water Street in Norwalk, where visitors can examine sharks nose-to-nose, and enjoy close-up visits with seals, river otters, sea turtles, jelly fish, sponges, crabs, sea stars, reptiles and more. Special attention is given to the ecosystem of Long Island Sound. New in 2009, the public is welcome to come fall in love with the new exhibit of African Penguins. They waddle comically on land but swim gracefully in the water, all while dressed semi-formally in black-and-white attire. The penguins will be stealing hearts daily in an outdoor display on the Aquarium’s riverfront courtyard, with plenty of viewing windows above and below the water line.Phone: 203-852-0700.

Antique Shopping Is a Dream in Stamford

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Stamford, just a hop and a jump from the New York border, is a beehive of antiques stores, and a place where antiques lovers could get lost and put a grave dent in the checkbook. Among the places that are named in the upper strata of Stamford antiques shops are the Accessory Store on Jefferson Street; Harbor View Center For Antiques on Jefferson Street; Mid Century Antiques on Pacific Street; Greenwich Living Antiques-Design on Canal Street; Hamptons Antique Galleries on Canal Street; Hiden Galleries on John Street; Connecticut Antiques Center on Canal Street; and John Street Antiques Center.

Artwork Down on the Farm

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Weir Farm National Historic Site on Nod Hill Road in Wilton is one of only two national historic sites that preserves and displays a place for the visual arts. (The other place, also in New England, is the Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site in Cornish, New Hampshire.) From 1882 to 2005, Weir Farm was the home and workplace of three generations of painters, starting with painter J. Alden Weir. Over the decades, Weir and his family transformed their summer retreat into a creative refuge for friends and fellow artists. Visitors today can view the Weir home and studios, walk and watch birds on the 60-acre property, take guided walks of stone walls and painting trails, and enjoy the rotating art exhibits at the Visitors Center. The grounds are open year-round; hours at the Visitor Center vary from summer to winter. Phone: 203-761-9945

Beautiful Babies of Beardsley

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Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo on Noble Avenue in Bridgeport is a wonderful place to visit; your hosts are more than 300 animals from North and South America. Among the great exhibits are the South American rainforest with free-flight aviary, a prairie dog residence with pop-up viewing areas, a New England Farmyard, and a walk along the hoofstock trail, featuring bison, pronghorn, deer and more. Before you leave grab a bite at the Peacock Café or take a ride on the carousel. Phone: 203-394-6565.

Fast Pups

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Shoreline Star Greyhound Park & Entertainment Complex on Kossuth Street in Bridgeportcalls itself home to the best thoroughbred, harness, greyhound and jai-alai simulcast action in the country, offering live greyhound racing (seasonal) and year-round simulcast wagering on Thoroughbred and harness, greyhounds, and jai alai. The complex opens daily at 11:30a.m. Watch and wager on the best thoroughbred, harness, greyhound and jai-alai action in the country. Watch and wager on jai-alai in the Cancha Theatre with stadium-style seating. At mealtime, action moves to the complex’s two restaurants. Free admission and parking. Phone: 203-576-1976.

History, Art, and Natural Beauty,
Indoors and Out

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Enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors on 118 woodland acres at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center on Newfield Avenue in Stamford. The property includes a New England working farm, hiking trails, picnic area, Nature's playground, boardwalk, galleries for interactive exhibitions with hands-on area for children, two stores, special events, planetarium. Lots of special events, including Spring Family Festival, wine tastings, antique car shows. Exhibits in 2009 include Baseball's League of Nations: A Salute to Native American Baseball Players from June 20 through October 18. Phone:203-322-1646

Off-Broadway Is Onstage at Fairfield

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Fairfield Theatre Company is a place to watch for an astounding variety of live stage entertainment. Since it opened StageOne on Sanford Street in Fairfield, Fairfield Theatre Company has presented over 200 performances of eight theatrical plays directly from their original Off Broadway runs. FTC is also becoming known as an intimate venue for concerts. Among the performers slated to appear in 2009 are Altan, Al Di Meola, Aztec Two-Step, Enter the Haggis, Dwele, Richie Havens, Graham Parker, Lucy Kaplansky, Jewel, Manhattan Transfer, Caravan of Thieves, BeauSoleil, Art Garfunkel, Edgar & Johnny Winter, Tower of Power, David Sanborn, The Doobie Brothers. The theater also hosts a periodic cabaret series, when New York City's cabaret scene hops the train to StageOne to offer a night of stellar entertainment. Phone: 203-259-1036.

Sanctuary Is Home to Birds of Many Feathers (and Species)

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Connecticut Audubon Society’s Birdcraft Museum on Unquowa Road in Fairfield is an intimate natural history museum with its own songbird sanctuary. This family-friendly museum offers first-class natural history programs and exhibits to bird lovers of all ages. Planted in 1914 as a refuge to attract, and harbor migratory and resident birds, the six-acre site has sheltered more than 120 species of birds. A bridge over a pond on the property allows close-up views of the sanctuary and its inhabitants. Visitors can observe a honeybee hive, a collection of African animals, and other changing exhibits, and attend scheduled demonstrations of bird-banding in spring and fall. Phone: 203-259-0416.

Sports in All Seasons

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The SportsCenter of Connecticut on River Road in Shelton doesn’t give a darn about the weather. This covered and weather-protected facility offers a golf practice range, 18-hole miniature golf course, baseball and softball batting cages, laser tag arena, bowling, and the world’s only double-decker ice arena. You like sports? Now, increment weather doesn’t need to slow you down. Phone: 203-929-6500.

Trail of Artwork Traverses the State Trail of Artwork
Traverses the State

Here is a project that can keep you busy year-round: explore the 15 world-class museums and historic sites that comprise the Connecticut Art Trail. The trail meanders among historic sites, bucolic farms, art studios and former artists' boarding houses to grand and modern art museums in vibrant downtowns. Discover diverse, quality collections rich in history and heritage, including European masterpieces, American Impressionism, ancient art and contemporary culture. The trail includes a feature called Trail Getaways that presents recommended itineraries, organized by region, along with helpful suggestions for nearby places to visit and to dine.

The entire trail includes, in the Fairfield region, the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, the Bush-Holley Historic Site in Cos Cob/Greenwich, the Weir Farm National Historic Site in Wilton/Ridgefield, and the Center for Contemporary Printmaking in Norwalk. In the Greater New Haven region: the Yale Center for British Art and the Yale University Art Gallery in New Haven. In the Litchfield region, the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield and Mattatuck Museum Arts and History Center in Waterbury. In the Mystic region, the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, the Lyman Allyn Art Museum in New London, the Slater Memorial Museum in Norwich, the William Benton Museum of Art in Mansfield/Storrs, the Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington, and the New Britain Museum of American Art in New Britain. In the Hartford / Central region, the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford.

Treasures of Nature; Treasures by Man

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The truly beautiful and inspiring Bruce Museum in Greenwich offers a first-class mixture of exhibitions in the arts and sciences. A Connecticut gem’s holdings include 15,000 objects in fine and decorative art, natural history and anthropology. Special features include environmental galleries, a marine touch tank, educational workshops, museum store.Phone: 203-869-0376

HARTFORD/CENTRAL top of listings

Big News for Science Guys and Gals

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Fly to Mars. Forecast a blizzard. Test your own inventions. Harvest solar energy. Become a work of art. Control your brainwaves. Construct wind turbines. Diagnose sports injuries. Live in 4D. This is a list of experiments you can learn and try at the brand-new Connecticut Science Center on Columbus Boulevard in Hartford. The new center opens in June 2009. A visit to the Center is a high-impact learning experience in a green, clean, bright, and stimulating environment. Adults and children alike will find entertainment and educational value in hands-on, engaging, and exciting exhibits and programs that emphasize current science and science you can use every day. A new science museum! Don’t miss it. Phone: 860-SCIENCE

Coffeehouse Concerts and Lots More Fun
Are in Store at this Nature Center

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Located on Lang Road in Windsor, Northwest Park & Nature Center is a 473-acre multi-recreational facility with an interpretive nature center, 12 miles of trails, maple sugaring, a Coffee House Concert Series, gift shop, and more. Among the annual events are a Country Fair, a pancake breakfast, and maple sugaring demonstrations. Ongoing fun on your own schedule can include hiking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. This is a place where the whole family can enjoy various outdoorsy activities (or even shopping), suitable for every age and taste. Phone: 860-285-1886

Connecticut Art Trail

Copernican Observatory Will Bring Stars to Your Eyes Copernican Observatory
Will Bring Stars to Your Eyes

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Stargazers, pay attention. The Copernican Observatory & Planetarium on Stanley Street is on the grounds of Central Connecticut State University in New Britain is home to one of the largest public telescopes in the United States and it hosts special programs for the public throughout year. For planetarium shows, seating is first come, first served. The planetarium is located in Copernicus Hall and there is convenient parking in the Copernicus garage. Phone: 860-832-3399

Covered Bridge Is the Hidden Jewel
in This Serene Forest

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Comstock Covered Bridge in East Hampton, one of Connecticut’s last remaining covered bridges, crosses the Salmon River and is limited to pedestrian traffic. The bridge is located within the Salmon River State Forest , which covers over 6,000 acres in Hebron, Colchester, East Hampton, and Marlborough. The forest includes the Airline Trail, which follows an old railroad bed and features the 137-foot-high Lyman Viaduct, providing a wonderful view of the Dickenson Creek valley; a handicap accessible fly-fishing area; and a letterbox hike. The hike is less than a quarter of a mile on easy terrain. There is a solitary grave on this forest – a memorial to a soldier. The gravestone is weathering away, but you can still see the soldier’s name, the date, cause of death, and his age. Phone: 295-9523

One Tower and a 1,200-Square-Mile View

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Walking a one-mile trail through beautiful woods is an easy price to pay for a visit to Heublein Tower, which sits atop Talcott Mountain, a long, precipitous wooded ledge at Talcott Mountain State Park in Bloomfield. The 1,000-foot high promontory provides splendid views of Connecticut, Mount Monadnock in New Hampshire, the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, and Long Island Sound to the south. Hikers and birdwatchers may encounter a variety of wildlife and May brings out many wildflowers among the rocks. Phone: 860-242-1158.

State History in a Magnificent Landmark

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Begin your visit to Hartford with a tour of the Old State House, a 1796 National Historic Landmark and one of the nation’s oldest state houses. Visit the dynamic, 6,800 square foot multi-media exhibit, “History is All Around Us,” which tells the story of Hartford and the importance of history in our lives and experience “Hartford Begins Here: Connecticut’s Old State House,” a fascinating audio tour exploring the magnificent historic room. Phone: 860-522-6766.

Trail of Inventiveness

Here is a great day trip or multiple day trip for a family that is fascinated with inventiveness. Connecticut boasts an “Inventors Alley,” with stops at places where creativity flourished. The following places, if taken in order, begin at the New Haven area, and continue northward toward Hartford and then west into Litchfield. Start at the New Haven Green, where, in 1920, Yale students tossed empty pie plates from Mrs. Frisbie Pie, and invented the Frisbee. At Louis’ Lunch, in New Haven, enjoy a burger at the place where the hamburger was first made. Moving on, in the town of Hamden, visit the Eli Whitney Museum, honoring the inventor of the cotton gin. In the town of Cheshire, visit Lock 12, one of Farmington Canal’s original locks. The site includes a museum of the history of the waterway. In the town of Terryville, stop at the Lock Museum, devoted to locks that come on doors and safes. In nearby Bristol, visit the American Clock and Watch Museum. You’ll learn the history of Connecticut clockmaking and see 1,400 clocks and watches. In Hartford, stop at the Museum of Connecticut History to see the Colt Firearms Collection. Finish your tour in Manchester at the Cheney Homestead (1785), the birthplace of the brothers who founded the silk industry.

Twain's House Delights With Its Architectural Whimsey Twain's House Delights
With Its Architectural Whimsey

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Even if you are not stunned by the thought that this is where Mark Twain wrote his stories about Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn, and their adventures, you will be captivated by the Mark Twain House & Museum on Farmington Avenue in Hartford, where Twain lived with his family from 1874 to 1891. This elegant Victorian mansion, with interiors by Louis Comfort Tiffany, charms visitors with its whimsy and unpredictability. Simply put, the house is fun to the eye and pleasing to the soul. The Museum Center features a gift shop, cafe, and exhibition galleries. Phone: 860-247-0998

LITCHFIELD/NORTHWEST top of listings

All Aboard at the Thomaston Station

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The Railroad Museum of New England on East Main Street in Thomaston tells the story of the region's rich railroad heritage. The museum has an extensive collection of New England rolling stock, including locomotives of all types, passenger cars, freight cars, and cabooses, and artifacts dating from the 1840s to the present, from tickets to signal towers. A major restoration of the Thomaston Station is underway. The restoration project includes the station building, display tracks, an operating control tower, pedestrian walks, parking lots, and a picnic area.
From late May to October, the museum offers train rides restored vintage 1920s coaches. Rides begin at the historic 1881 Thomaston Station, travel south along the banks of the Naugatuck River, pass through the Mattatuck Forest, pass the massive brass mills of Waterville, and skirt the face of the spectacular Thomaston Dam, high above the spillway and the river valley below. Be sure to visit the gift shop at the station before or after your railroad trip. Phone: 860-283-7245.

Alpaca, Not Llama

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Take a break from the hectic world around you with a visit to the gently rolling countryside of western Connecticut and a world-class alpaca farm in Watertown. Learn why the curious gentle alpaca's fiber is comparable only to cashmere. You'll relax and maybe laugh a bit at the antics of these wonderful animals. As you tour South Wind Farms, get to know the alpaca family, and peruse the many different types of yarn and other alpaca products the farm has to offer. From late fall until the Christmas holidays, you can purchase alpaca clothing, teddy bears, and gift items on the farm. Alpaca yarn, in 15 natural, undyed colors and 70 dyed colors, is for sale throughout the year. South Wind Farms welcomes visitors, but please call ahead to schedule. Phone: 860-274-9001.

American Indian Museum Presents
Authentic Native History

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Located just off Route 199 in the town of Washington, the Institute for American Indian Studies museum and educational center focuses on the indigenous peoples of northwestern Connecticut, the Woodland Indians of New England. Changing exhibits highlight Native American culture from across America, while permanent exhibits focus on American Indian living traditions of the northeast. Outdoor exhibits include a replicated Algonkian Village and simulated archeological site. Spend the afternoon and enjoy four hiking trails, healing plants garden and picnic areas. The Museum Gift Shop offers the best in Native American jewelry, crafts, pottery, books and more. Open year-round. Phone: 860-868-0518.

Art From West to East

Here is a project that can keep you busy year-round: explore the 15 world-class museums and historic sites that comprise the Connecticut Art Trail. The trail meanders among historic sites, bucolic farms, art studios and former artists' boarding houses to grand and modern art museums in vibrant downtowns. Discover diverse, quality collections rich in history and heritage, including European masterpieces, American Impressionism, ancient art and contemporary culture. The trail includes a feature called Trail Getaways that presents recommended itineraries, organized by region, along with helpful suggestions for nearby places to visit and to dine.
The entire trail includes, in the Fairfield region, the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, the Bush-Holley Historic Site in Cos Cob/Greenwich, the Weir Farm National Historic Site in Wilton/Ridgefield, and the Center for Contemporary Printmaking in Norwalk. In the Greater New Haven region: the Yale Center for British Art and the Yale University Art Gallery in New Haven. In the Litchfield region, the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield and Mattatuck Museum Arts and History Center in Waterbury. In the Mystic region, the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, the Lyman Allyn Art Museum in New London, the Slater Memorial Museum in Norwich, the William Benton Museum of Art in Mansfield/Storrs, the Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington, and the New Britain Museum of American Art in New Britain. In the Hartford / Central region, the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford.

Awesome Setting; Cool Tunes

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Built in 1883 in picturesque Norfolk in northwest Connecticut, Infinity Hall, on Route 44 in the center of town, is an intimate music, dining and entertainment destination. The music hall seats 300, ensuring that each seat provides front row entertainment. Newly renovated, the hall hosts more than 200 music and entertainment shows by quality national and regional artists annually. Infinity Bistro, the music-themed restaurant and bar opening May 1, 2009, will serve gourmet delights and spirits and also feature the best local and regional music acts around. In addition to popular music shows of many genres, both the music hall and bistro offer other forms of entertainment including comedy, magic, poetry slams, and shows for youngsters. Recent performers include Richie Havens, Livingston Taylor, Leon Russell & Bo Bice. Phone: 860-542-5531.

Glory of Art Deco Dazzles at Warner Theatre

In 2002, thousands of people gathered celebrate the gala reopening of Torrington’s Warner Theatre.The lobby’s eye-popping art deco designs, murals, rich mahogany, and vintage etched glass chandeliers are gorgeous, just as when the theater opened in 1931. The auditorium was returned to its gilded splendor, featuring new seats, velvet draperies, a ceiling constellation surrounding a giant star chandelier. The 2009 season opens with Momix, The Laramie Project, and Capitol Steps, with more grat entertainment to come. For top-notch live entertainment, don’t miss a trip to the Warner. Phone: 860-489-7180.

Handy Signs Point to the State's Blooming Wineries

Connecticut’s mild climate makes the state a fruitful place for growing grapes, and the state’s wine-making industry has bloomed in the past three decades. A delightful way to sample Connecticut vintages is to take a drive along the Connecticut Wine Trail , a route that bypasses 15 vineyards (and some beautiful countryside). The trail consists of two sections, in the eastern and the western parts of the state. Blue highway signs mark the trail and the state produces a colorful brochure. Connecticut's wineries produce a wide variety of wines, ciders, and fruit wines. All the wineries have tasting rooms and all offer at least one tour daily. Many host festive special events. Call ahead for tour schedules. Phone: 860-267-1399.

Lourdes in Litchfield

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Inspired by the rolling countryside of western Connecticut and its similarity to that of Lourdes, France, a group of Catholic seminary students in 1958 constructed in Litchfield a re-creation of the grotto in France where a young girl named Bernadette met an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1858. Lourdes in Litchfield , a mission of the Montfort Missionaries, welcomes the public for quiet reflection, prayer, and sacraments. People are welcome to visit the property and Montfort House any time of the year; outdoor Mass in the grotto is celebrated beginning May 1. It is a beautiful, prayerful place that the missionaries like to think of as a cathedral without walls. Phone: 860-567-1041.

Peaceful Corner of Connecticut
Is a Hotbed for Great Antiques

The Litchfield region is a magnet for antiques and the people who cherish them. Here is just a sampling of places to visit on an antique hunt through Litchfield: Abrash Galleries, Rugs & Antiquities in Woodbury, with a collection of Persian, Indian, Chinese and Turkish rugs; Bittersweet Shop in Gaylordsville, displaying furniture both country and formal, paintings, and quilts in many colors and patterns; Bradford House Antiques and Lawrence Jeffrey Estate Jewelers in Litchfield, with antique, period and signed jewelry; Sigma Design Studio, Antiques and Jewelry in Norfolk, which specializes in antique silver; Charles M. Haver, Inc. in Roxbury, with Americana displayed in a restored carriage house. Check the website of the Northwest CT Convention & Visitors Bureau for many more fascinating antique shopping tips.

Pewter Says “New England”

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Few art objects say “New England” more than fine pewter items, and one place to find these is Woodbury Pewter Factory Outlet on Main Street in Woodbury. Woodbury Pewter pieces are available in both traditional and contemporary designs. If you are looking for a gift or a remembrance of your day in western Connecticut, this company creates decorative accessories; tabletop, baby, and holiday items; lamps; mugs; tankards; tableware; candlesticks, tea and coffee services, and hundreds of other items. Woodbury Pewter is all hand-crafted in Connecticut and made from the highest quality, lead-free pewter. The company offers a pewter making demonstration and also sells factory second pieces at reduced prices. Open daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Phone: 800-648-2014.

Shopping Chauvinism Ain’t a Bad Thing

The Connecticut Store on Bank Street in Waterbury is the flagship outlet for Made in Connecticut products. Particularly if you are searching for great gifts or luxuries for the home for a Nutmeg State expatriate who has wandered afar, visit the Connecticut Store. The store offers products by Wiffle Ball, Bovano, Woodbury Pewter, Waterbury Button, PEZ, Liberty Candle, Alynn Neckwear and many more.

Sushi of Your Dreams

The region has many wonderful places to dine, but the word in the town of Litchfield itself is that 3W & the blue bar on West Street across from the town green has it all. 3W & the blue bar is a high-energy restaurant and a sophisticated bar. New American favorites like lobster bisque and crab-topped salmon create an eclectic mix cheek-by-jowl with sublime sushi. Top ratings from Yankee Travel Magazine and the Hartford Advocate.

Waterfall and a Covered Bridge Create a Dreamy Walk

Southford Falls State Park in Oxford offers all the pleasures of a wooded, hilly New England park with the addition of two crown jewels: a wonderful waterfall and an authentic covered bridge. The waters of Papermill Pond tumble down Southford Falls then continue through the woods as Eightmile Brook. The Larkin Bridle Trail takes walkers over the pond and along the banks of the brook. A beautiful walk in all seasons.

Which Way to the Brass Ring?

Whether you love art, American history, woodcraft, or the beauty and artistry of the carousel, the Carousel Museum of New England of Bristol is a treat. The museum contains one of the largest collections of antique carousel pieces in the country. Visitors can experience the Golden Age of the Carousel by browsing on their own or with the help of tour guides who describe the colorful history of this piece of America's folk art history.

MYSTIC/EASTERN top of listings

Airborne Eagles Make This a Soaring Expedition

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Connecticut Audubon Society sponsors a boat tour to view eagles wintering along the Connecticut River aboard the RiverQuest , which departs from the foot of Main Street in the town of Essex. On a cruise aboard RiverQuest, you will the beauty and solitude of the lower Connecticut River, home to dozens of migrating bald eagles, occasional golden eagles and harbor seals. A naturalist will talk about eagle biology and ecology, and point out other birds and wildlife that may be seen on this cruise. RiverQuest has a fully enclosed heated cabin. Phone: 860-767-0660.

Artistic Ceramics in a Victorian Setting

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In Chester, 19th-century shops huddle the town's curved Main Street like a collection of gingerbread houses, home to art galleries, elegant shops and boutiques. One such shop, the aptly named Ceramica, peddles Renaissance-inspired Italian majolica ceramics, hand-painted by artisans in Tuscany and Umbria and amounting to an extraordinary collection of tableware and decorative accessories. Find the perfect Italian ceramic kitchen accessories, like canister sets, clocks, biscotti jars, salt and pepper sets, garlic pots, butter dishes. Other wonderful products include vases, lamps, wall plates, umbrella stands and more. Phone: 800-270-0900. In addition to the main shop in Chester, there are affiliate locations at 981 Farmington Avenue in West Hartford and at 9 Ferry Wharf in Jamestown, Rhode Island.

Asian Flair Adds Sizzle to This High-Energy Nightclub Asian Flair Adds Sizzle
to This High-Energy Nightclub

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Shrine, the new restaurant / lounge / nightclub at MGM Grand at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, is a sizzler, offering a Vegas-style nightlife experience with an Asian flair. The lush interior has a steamy, uptown feel with its Chinese red lacquer panels, golf-foil columns, red lantern, carved Buddhas, innumerable lit candles and spare, elegant stands of orchids. The ground-level dance floor is visible from a sweeping staircase and the second-floor dining area and it is equipped with a state-of-the-art Funktion One Sound System and DJ booth. Also on the ground level are three semi-private beds for guests surrounded by semi-sheer drapes. Resident DJ Chachi is on hand every Friday, and guest DJs entertain every Saturday. Tuesday is Industry Night, welcoming people in the hospitality business from miles around. In the warm weather, two outdoor fire-pit terrace spaces overlook MGM’s luxurious fan, shaped pool. For hot nightlife, this place cannot be beat. Phone: 860-312-8888.

Atelier Is Open to Art Lovers

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Gilbert V. Boro is a sculptor, architect, educator, and international design consultant. He welcomes the public to visit him and watch him work at his Studio 80 + Sculpture Grounds on Lyme Street in Old Lyme. Born in New York City, Boro and has been involved in the arts since his boyhood. He has received two traveling fellowships and had numerous visiting teaching positions and has invested much of his time in nonprofit arts groups. Studio 80 is open to the public by appointment. Come and see the artist at work in his 3,500-square-foot custom-designed studio on four acres next to the Lieutenant River. Large and small scale works are on display. The Sculpture Grounds are open to the public Monday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Phone: 860-304-3359.

Beach, Boardwalk, Playground, Pool... This Place Has It All –

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Ocean Beach Park in New London boasts Connecticut’s most beautiful beach – a half-mile crescent of sugar sand beach with an interesting shallow lagoon at the far end that is good for wading and snooping on the lives of small sea creatures. Back at the center of the action is a spacious boardwalk, a nature trail, picnic area, playground, sprayground, a pool and waterslides, a gift shop, miniature golf, and plenty of classic, fun, summertime foods and beverages. At the amusement rides, young kids will enjoy old-time kiddy rides. The rides for grownups include those old favorites, The Scrambler, The Octopus, and The Bullet. Live music is scheduled many nights of the week. Plan to spend the whole day – this is old-fashioned family beach fun of the highest caliber.

Beauty, History of Connecticut River
on Display at This Museum

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If you are drawn to the Connecticut River by the beauty of its unspoiled marshlands, the Connecticut River Museum on Main Street in Essex offers an exceptional vantage point in any season. From its docks you can see bald eagles, migratory birds, and a wide variety of waterfowl. The tidal wetlands that surround the Connecticut River Museum are an environmental treasure. If you are intrigued by the rich history of the River and its peoples, there is no better starting point than the museum’s galleries. Designed to appeal to children as well as adults, the family-friendly exhibits are filled with art and artifacts that link the river’s stories to our lives today. From dinosaurs to Dutch explorers, from native American canoes to the first American submarine, there is something here to capture every visitor’s interest. Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Phone: 860-767-8269.

Borough of Dreams

New England is not short of beautiful villages, but Stonington Borough, on a small peninsula in the Fisher’s Island Sound, is special. A walk through its tight streets is a joy by itself. Colonial-era houses rich with fine architectural details and dripping with flowers from window boxes are packed cheek-to-cheek along Water and Main streets, where you can find many intriguing antique shops. A handful of well-used fishing boats cluster at the town docks, which thrum with music and flags and cheer during the annual Blessing of the Fleet. All you need here is the power to stroll, gaze, and enjoy.

Bright Copper Kettles and Warm Woolen Mittens

People who love to shop for unusual and artistic things of lasting beauty have crossed the finish line when they get to Olde Mistick Village in Mystic. The replica of a 19th-century New England village is packed with interesting stores: children’s clothing, kites, jewelry, fine cookware, Native American arts, Oriental ceramics, silver, wine, angels and pajamas. The village also offers lots of special and fun public events with an eye to the delights of each season.

Buffalo Do Roam at This Expansive Playground Buffalo Do Roam at This Expansive Playground

You don’t need to mosey out to the Dakotas to enjoy the sight of free-roaming buffalo. Creamery Brook Bison Farm in Brooklyn offers guided walking tours where visitors may observe groups of animals, make ice cream and butter, or eat lunch at a picnic area. There is also a 40-minute wagon ride through a working dairy farm and out to the fields to where the buffalo live. Watch the buffalo cows and calves come to the wagon for a snack of hay and grain. Other fun for families includes a farmyard petting area, a stand serving gourmet ice cream, and a gift shop. Call ahead for public hours. Phone: 860-779-0837.

Burgis Brook's Alpacas Offer a Friendly Welcome Burgis Brook's Alpacas
Offer a Friendly Welcome

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Burgis Brook Alpacas on North Canterbury Road (Route 169) in Canterbury is a full-time farm for raising, showing, and breeding alpacas located on 43 acres of rolling hills and forest. The farm store carries farm-raised alpaca yarn and roving milled in Connecticut as well as hand-woven and knitted scarves and accessories and high quality Peruvian imported garments and gifts for the family. Visitors are always welcome, but call in advance to let the farm hosts know you're coming. The farmers want to make sure they are available to answer all your questions about these beautiful animals. Free admission. Phone: 860-546-6828

Farm Makes Wishes Come True

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Buttonwood Farm on Shetucket Turnpike in Griswold began as a dairy operation a little more than 30 years ago, and its history has continued to evolve. Which brings us, without further delay, to the farm’s home-made ice cream, served daily from noon or 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. from a modest storefront on the farm that often has lots of eager customers waiting at the “order” window. The waffle cones are made from scratch on the farm, too. Then, in 2003, the farmers planted an acre of sunflowers, which became an enormous attraction for flower lovers and photographers. This led to the farm’s “Sunflowers for Wishes” program. The farm gives a bouquet of sunflowers to anyone who asks in exchanger for a $5 donation, which does directly of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Sunflowers are sold July 19 to 27. How does that sound for a fine day on the farm? Phone: 860-376-4081.

First Nations

The Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center, which is the world's largest Native American museum, offers experiences for young and old, from life-size dioramas that transport visitors into the past to changing exhibits and live performances of contemporary arts. Four acres of permanent exhibits depict 18,000 years of Native and natural history, while two libraries offer materials on the histories and cultures of all Native peoples of the continent.

Ladies of the Court

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For professional women’s basketball action, step out to the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville to watch the Connecticut Sun . The team is owned by the Mohegan Tribe, and the spirit is powerful. The regular season is May 22 to September 13, with many home games. For an extra bit of excitement, note that the Women’s National Basketball Association All-Star 2009 will take place at Mohegan Sun Arena this summer. The game will be nationally televised on ABC on July 25. This marks the second time that the WNBA All-Star Game will be played at Mohegan Sun, which also hosted the 2005 All-Star festivities. Phone: 860-862-4000.

Luck, Be a Lady Tonight

This region of Connecticut is home to not one but two massive casinos owned and operated by Native American tribes: Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, operated by the Mashantucket Pequot tribe, and the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, operated by the Mohegan tribe. Gamblers can look forward to thousands of slot machines and hundreds of table games, but that is only part of the story. The rest includes fine dining, shopping, golf, live entertainment, professional sports, and plenty of excitement.

Paintings Lighter Than Air

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Nicknamed the Home of American Impressionism, the Florence Griswold Museum, along the Lieutenant River in Old Lyme, exhibits colorful, lighter-than-air paintings from the Impressionist period. The museum includes a shop with the finest selection of art books on the Connecticut shoreline as well as posters, postcards, and notecards displaying some of the best-loved images in American art. Phone: 860-434-5542.

They Call It the Silent Service

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There’s no getting around it: submarines are eerie and, to many of us, fascinating. At the USS Nautilus & Submarine Force Museum on Crystal Lake Road in Groton visitors can board the world's first nuclear-powered submarine and peer into the lives of the men who sail the ocean depths in their "sharks of steel." The museum recounts the development of the silent service from Bushnell's Turtle, used in the Revolutionary War, to modern submarines. Working periscopes, mini-theaters, gift shop. Phone: 800-343-0079

Trail of Art Museums Traverses Connecticut

NEW HAVEN/SOUTH CENTRAL top of listings

All You Need Now Is a Shove Off the Sofa

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The hiking committee of the Sleeping Giant State Park Association has devised a series of guided hikes through this magnificent park throughout 2009. Themes of the hikes are identified, such as Winter Tree Identification Hike, Spring Hikers' Hike (warning: strenuous!), History-of-the-Giant Hike, Spring Earth Day Ceremony and Hike, Spring Wildflower Hike, Early Bird Watchers' Hike, First Annual Beginners' Hike, Geology-of-the-Giant Hike, Fall Foliage Hike, and Holiday Hike and Social. The public is welcome to all hikes. The entrance to Sleeping Giant State Park is opposite Quinnipiac University on Mount Carmel Avenue about one-half mile east of Whitney Avenue (Route 10) in northern Hamden. With this much encouragement, why are you still sitting there?

And They're Off!

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NASCAR auto racing is on the ticket from early April to late October at the Stafford Motor Speedway -- Home of the SK Modifieds – on West Street in Stafford Springs. Races take place every Friday on the paved, semi-banked, half-mile oval track. The speedway opened in 1870 at the Stafford Springs Agricultural Park, hosting horse racing. At the end of World War II, automobile racing took the place of the trotters and pacers of the pre-war period. The speedway schedule for 2008 begins April 6 with Connecticut Motorcycle Swap Meet; opening night is May 1, 2009, and the racing action – and special events – continue through autumn. Phone: 860-684-2783.

Astroids Are Just the Opening Act
at Leitner Family Observatory

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Leitner Family Observatory and Planetarium at Yale University opened in early 2009 to the delight of star lovers and planet chasers in New England. Located at 355 Prospect Street, the observatory and planetarium is open to the general public on Tuesday nights (October-March at 6 p.m.; April-September at 8 p.m.). The shows will include a live presentation highlighting planets and constellations visible in the night sky, as projected onto the planetarium's 30-foot dome, followed by Passport to the Universe, a digitally projected tour through the solar system, galaxy and beyond. Shows will last approximately 35-40 minutes and, weather permitting; telescopes will be set up for observing afterwards. Phone: 203-285-8840.

Barns, Books, and Time for Browsing

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Old books, old maps, old postcards. People who can browse for hours among this type of treasure should beat a path to Whitlock's Book Barn on Sperry Road in Bethany. The business is, in fact, a barn and a former turkey house stuffed with many thousands of used books, maps, and prints. Much of the material comes from estate sales and people reducing their libraries. The business has been operating since 1948, receiving a steady stream of buyers and sellers of books, maps, and ephemera. Fans of maps will savor the selection of maps from the 1800s, including hundreds of maps by town and by county from 21 states. The collection includes maps by Mitchell, Colton, Tilden & Baker, and the Beers family. There also is a selection of international maps. The barns are open Tuesdays through Sundays. Phone: 203-393-1240.

Burger Was Born Here, at a Moment’s Notice

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Louis' Lunch on Crown Street in New Haven could be a holy shrine for many Americans: it is the place where the hamburger was invented. According to legend, one day in the year 1900 a man dashed into a small New Haven luncheonette and asked for a quick meal that he could eat on the run. Louis Lassen, the establishment's owner, hurriedly stuffed a broiled beef patty between two slices of bread and sent the customer on his way, so the story goes, with America's first hamburger. If you want to visit Louis' for the first time, yet not appear to be a novice, you may want to learn a little of Louis' Lingo, such as " two cheese works, a californian, a salad, and a birch" [two original hamburgers with cheese, tomato and onion, cooked medium rare and served on toast, a hot dog with cheese, relish and onion, an order of potato salad, and a birch beer.” Get it? Got it? Good! Phone: 203-562-5507

Cats and Dogs Need Vacation Mementos, Too

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You may be on vacation, but you still may be carrying thoughts of your furry companions back home. Stop by Paws on the Green on Water Street in Guilford for dog and cat luxuries. With the motto “Dogs are not our whole life but they make our lives whole” (we will allow the same sentiment for cats, too). Paws by the Green sells all-natural dog and cat food, a colorful selection of dog and cat bowls, a rainbow selection of ribbon collars and leads, pooch wear and comfy and tasteful beds, and much more. You can also commission a portrait for your pet. Phone: 203-458-7298

Drifting Among the Thimbles

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Captain Michael Infantino of Thimble Islands Cruise & Charters welcomes guests to board his boat, Sea Mist, for a fascinating, dreamy voyage around the Thimble Islands, off the Connecticut coast near New Haven. First discovered in 1614 by Adrien Block, these 25 islands were used for everything from farming to quarrying granite, from bootlegging to pirating. Captain Kidd sailed here in 1665...you can still feel his presence today. Today, Sea Mist will motor its guests slowly along the coastline of Branford and up the Branford River, the Thimble Islands and coastal Guilford to Sachems Head. Get away for a 45-minute tour or a two- to three-hour private charter. Catered party and dinner cruises are also available. Phone: 203-488-8905

Educational Walk

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For the sake of architecture, history, of the love of academia, a walking tour of Yale University on elm Street in the city of New Haven will inspire and enlighten. Visitors on the tour will hear about Yale's rich 300-year history and see the Gothic Sterling Memorial Library and the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, which is home to a preeminent collection of rare materials, including a Gutenberg Bible. Guided tours, self-guided tours, and even an MP3 tour are offered. Phone: 203-432-2300

High-Tone Shopping in Outlet Form

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Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets with 70 upscale stores features an impressive collection of the finest designer labels and brands for you, your family and your home. Located on Killingworth Turnpike in the town of Clinton, an easy stop directly off of I-95, this is Connecticut's only upscale outlet center. A VIP Shopper Club offers exclusive savings, like 50 Plus Shopper Perks. Lots of individual in-store promotions are happening all the time. Seasonal entertainment for shoppers and even for the children. Phone: 860-664-0700

Paleontology Place

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The Yale Peabody Museum at Whitney Avenue and Sachem Street in New Haven was founded in 1866 under the direction of O.C. Marsh, the first professor of paleontology in North America. Marsh built many of the Peabody’s great collections, and today you can see some of his most famous finds — the dinosaurs he named Triceratops, Stegosaurus and Brontosaurus — in the museum’s Great Hall. The museum is also home to Rudolph F. Zallinger’s murals The Age of Reptiles and The Age of Mammals. You can step into the world’s cultures in the Hall of Native American Cultures and Daily Life in Ancient Egypt, learn the story of human evolution in Fossil Fragments: The Riddle of Human Origins, and explore the solar system in the new Hall of Minerals, Earth, and Space. Phone: 203-432-5050.

Shubert Is the Prologue to Broadway Hits

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Opened in 1914, the Shubert Theater on College Street in New Haven earned the title Birthplace of the Nation's Greatest Hits, by staging more than 300 shows that later opened in New York. Best known for its Broadway presentations, the Shubert also hosts artists of ballet, opera, classical music, jazz, big bands and popular solo artists. From Ladysmith Black Mambazo to the Moscow Festival Ballet, the Schubert covers the arts around the globe. Among the 2009 shows are CSI: Live!, k.d. lang, John Prine, Girls Night: The Musical, and Dido & Aeneas. Phone: 203-624-1825

Trail of Art Museums Traverses Connecticut

Here is a project that can keep you busy year-round: explore the 15 world-class museums and historic sites that comprise the Connecticut Art Trail. The trail meanders among historic sites, bucolic farms, art studios and former artists' boarding houses to grand and modern art museums in vibrant downtowns. Discover diverse, quality collections rich in history and heritage, including European masterpieces, American Impressionism, ancient art and contemporary culture. The trail includes a feature called Trail Getaways that presents recommended itineraries, organized by region, along with helpful suggestions for nearby places to visit and to dine.
The entire trail includes, in the Fairfield region, the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, the Bush-Holley Historic Site in Cos Cob/Greenwich, the Weir Farm National Historic Site in Wilton/Ridgefield, and the Center for Contemporary Printmaking in Norwalk. In the Greater New Haven region: the Yale Center for British Art and the Yale University Art Gallery in New Haven. In the Litchfield region, the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield and Mattatuck Museum Arts and History Center in Waterbury. In the Mystic region, the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, the Lyman Allyn Art Museum in New London, the Slater Memorial Museum in Norwich, the William Benton Museum of Art in Mansfield/Storrs, the Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington, and the New Britain Museum of American Art in New Britain. In the Hartford / Central region, the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford.