Community Corner
Try A Connecticut Staycation
If you're looking to getaway in August, but don't want to break the bank, Patch has some tips on some fun and interesting day trips.
High gas prices and a lousy economy have many families taking a hit this summer when it comes to vacation destinations. Instead of heading out of state and paying high hotel prices, why not enjoy a staycation? Spend your days rediscovering Connecticut and what makes our state so wonderful.
By saving money on hotels and pricy restaurants you can make your dollar go further. What is there to do in Connecticut besides hitting the beaches? A lot! A visit to the town of Mystic will keep you busy without breaking your budget. Mystic offers (among other things) Mystic Aquarium and Mystic Seaport.
Mystic Aquarium (website: www.mysticaquarium.org)
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The Aquarium is currently featuring its new “Birds of Prey Summer Series” (check website for specific times) along with Beluga whales, African Penguins, sea lions, jelly fish and more.
Hours: 9 AM – 5 PM daily summer hours
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Pricing: Adults $29, Seniors $26, Kids $21 – Parking is free.
Mystic Seaport (website: www.mysticseaport.org)
Enjoy a day walking in this 17 acre indoor and outdoor maritime museum. Stop by the 19th Century Seafaring Village while you shop and admire the historic tall ships like the C.W. Morgan. The Morgan is the last wooden whaleship in the world and you can go aboard to experience this National Historic Landmark. There are also assorted interactive exhibits for you and your family to enjoy.
If you can’t take it all in, have your entrance ticket validated and you can come again within 7 days for FREE!
Hours: 9 AM – 5 PM daily summer hours- Parking is free.
Pricing: Adults $24, Seniors & college students with ID $22, Kids $15 – children 5 and under free.
Water Tubing
Looking for something cool and relaxing? How about tubing down the Farmington River? I can personally vouch for this one; it’s great fun and a perfect way to spend a hot summer day.
Farmington River Tubing is located on Main Street in New Hartford. Tube the 2.5 miles of the Farmington River, enjoying some rapids and some tranquil spots as you float along the way. You must call before you come because tubing availability is dependent on the weather and river conditions (phone 860-693-6465).
Pricing: Weekends/holidays $20 per person, weekdays $18 per person.
Animals
Does your family enjoy animal parks? You can’t beat Action Wildlife in Goshen, Ct. Action Wildlife sits on over a hundred acres of farmland. My family has been visiting this wildlife park for several years, it’s become a summer staple for us. Some of the animals you will see are Zebra, Reindeer, American Bison and Elk, Fainting Goats, Wild Boar, Emu, Ostrich, Donkey, Scottish Highland Cattle, Pygmy Goats, Potbellied Pigs and Water Buffalo just to name a few. You can take their hayride around the park and listen to stories of the animals or you can drive your own car through a 50 acre wildlife safari. I suggest both, you won’t be disappointed.
Action Wildlife – (website: www.actionwildlife.org)
Hours: 10 AM – 5 PM weather permitting (summer hours)
Pricing: Adults $10, Children under 12 $8
Want to get out of Connecticut for the day to enjoy more animals? How about visiting ‘The Zoo in Forest Park’ located just over the Connecticut border in Springfield, Mass.?
The Zoo in Forest Park (website: www.forestparkzoo.org)
Fantastic place to spend the day viewing assorted animal exhibits.
Hours: Daily (weather permitting) 10 AM – 5 PM
Pricing: Children up to age 4: $2.50, Children ages 5 - 12: $4.75. Adults: $6.75, Senior Citizens: $4.75
New Haven
Want to spend the day inside a cool climate controlled museum while you admire exhibits this summer? Check out what’s new at the Peabody Museum or the Knights of Columbus Museum in New Haven!
Peabody Museum (website: www.peabody.yale.edu)
Peabody boasts dinosaur exhibits and galleries along with rock and mineral exhibits, Native Indian exhibits and more. Currently the museum is hosting “Invasion of the Bloodsuckers: Bedbugs and Beyond” exhibit. This maybe more than you ever wanted to know about bloodsuckers but it’s fun and educational!
Hours: Monday – Saturday 10 AM – 5 PM, Sundays noon to 5 PM.
Pricing: Adults $9, Seniors $8 and kids $5. **There are a few ways to visit the museum for FREE, check their website for details**
Want everything for free? Try the Knights of Columbus Museum!
Knights of Columbus Museum (www.kofcmuseum.org)
The Knights of Columbus is a completely free museum that showcases religious and nonreligious artwork from around the world. Catholic art like a life sized replica of the Pieta, bronze statues of Saint Peter and art on loan from the Vatican can be enjoyed alongside a cross of twisted metal from the rubble of the 911 World Trade Center attacks. Currently on exhibit are the “Crowned Madonna’s from the Vatican Basilica”, these are amazing replicas of the artwork held at the Vatican. There are 70 different artworks in this exhibit- photographing this exhibit is not allowed.
Hours: Open daily 10 AM – 5PM
Pricing: Free Admission, Free Parking
Tip: Before you head out to enjoy a local day trip, check with your local library for museum and park passes. You will save more money to be used for another day in your Connecticut Staycation!
