2026 Best of Summer

ROAD TRIPS

HitUpSome of NewEngland’sHitUpSomeofNew

by Susan Shultz SusanShultz

While Connecticutcertainly hasits destination staycationappeal, the WhileConnecticutcertainly has itsdestination staycation appeal, warm weather andsometimes slower scheduleurgesometravel. While weatherand sometimesslowerschedule urgesometravel. takinga flight mightbeanoption, hoppinginthe carseems likea much taking aflightmight be an option,hopping in the more hassle-freeway to gettoa funweekendtrip and see the sights funweekend tripand seethe alongthe way. Connecticutisconveniently locatedtobeclose enough to Connecticutisconvenientlylocated to be closeenough thetri-statearea, upstate NewYork,and NewEngland, making a NewYork, andNew England, makinga getawayeasy. Read on forsome funweekendtrips forall ages. forsomefun weekendtrips

TAKING FL HT

Summer Bird Watching in w Eng Li s the Spir

ng Sp

bySusan Shultz

Givenits coastline location, Connecticut offers avarietyofhabitats encouraging birdsofall feathers and flockstovisit, or stay and raise their young. NewEnglandbirdingexpertChris Bosak haswritten his column,“Forthe Birds,” syndicatedthroughout newspapers in the region, forovertwo decades

Bosak noted some typesofbirds most commontolookout forinthe areaduring the summer.Theyinclude:

COMMON LOONS Thebirds with the lonesome evening cries arefound mostlyinmiddle andnorthern NewEnglandlakes butmay be foundonsome southern New England lakesorreservoirs.

OSPREY Osprey arenow very common throughout NewEngland (lakes,rivers,Sound,ocean) andConnecticutAudubon offers an ospreymonitoring projectfor volunteers

GRAY CATBIRDS Smallish songbirds named after their call, which sounds like acat meowing. By mid-summer, theyare oneofthe mostcommonly seen birdswhenbirdwatching

COLORFULSONGBIRDS Some of the mostfun for birdwatchers, theseincludeBaltimore orioles(bright

orange),scarlet tanagers (bright redand black), rose-breastedgrosbeaks(black andwhitewithrosy red triangle on breast,and indigobunting (bright blue). Theseare perhaps themost sought-after songbirdsinthe summer, andtheyall nest throughoutNew England.

PUFFINS While technically in NewEngland, to find the elusive Atlantic Puffin,you need to visitislands off thecoast of Maine—but it’s worthit. Bosaksaid they are “beautiful, amusing ocean birds.”

BALD EAGLES Always athrill for the casual birdwatcher andexpertalike, the bald eaglepopulation is growingrapidly throughout New England in coastal and inland areas. While you can see theminsummer,they maybemorepopularasa winter birdinNew Englandwhen they congregate alongrivers >>

>>

HUMMINGBIRDS Ruby-throatedhummingbirdsare theonly hummingbirds that nest in New England, Bosaksaid. Theyarrive in May and leaveinSeptemberorOctober, so summer is the best time tosee them.For manypeople, hummingbirds arethe bestthing about summerbirdwatching.

SHOREBIRDS suchas Americanoystercatchers, piping plovers,sanderlings,and sandpipers

WARBLERS Small, colorful migratory birds that pass through or stay in NewEngland during the spring

WADERS Long-legged skinny birdswho hang outbythe water. In NewEngland, you can findgreat blue herons,green herons,black-crowned night

herons,yellow-crowned nightherons, great egrets, snowyegrets,and glossy ibis.

Foryear-round bird fans,there are many to spot by your feeder or in thewild.

These NewEngland birdsincludeAmerican robins, blue jays,mourningdoves, northern cardinals, tufted titmice, black-capped chickadee, white-breasted nuthatch, andAmerican goldfinch

MERLIN BIRD ID

For thosestarting out on their bird-watching journey, theCornell Labcreated an app, MERLINBIRDID available on Appleand Google Play that helpsidentifybird species by sound andsight.Sound ID listenstothe birdsaround youand shows real-timesuggestions for who’s singing. Compare your recording to thesongs and calls in Merlin to confirm what youheard. Sound ID works completelyoffline,soyou can identify birds youhear no matter whereyou are. Availablefor birdsinthe US, Canada,Europe, withsome common birds of Centraland SouthAmerica,and India You can also identify birds using PhotoID. Snap aphotoofabird, or pull one in from yourcamera roll, and Photo ID will offerashort list of possiblematches.Photo ID workscompletelyoffline, so youcan identify birdsinthe photos youtake no matter where youare.Merlin is designed to be abirdingcoach for bird watchers at every level.Ittakes yearsofexperienceinthe field to know what species areexpected at a givenlocation anddate. Merlin shares thisknowledgewithyou based on more than 800 million sightings submitted to eBirdfrombirders around theworld.

BEST NEWENGLAND SPOTSFOR BIRDING

With Bosak’slonghistory of bird watching in New England,hehas afew tips forthoseeager to seeall the featheredfriends the area hastooffer.

Here is hispersonal guide tothe bestplacestosee yourfavorite summerbirds:

HAMMONASSET BEACH STATE PARK in Madison. Great forshorebirdsalongwater andsongbirds in surrounding wooded areas.“Hammo” is knownasa placetofind rare birdstoo

The AUDUBON CENTER AT BENT OF THE RIVER in Southbury.Goodyear-round birdingspot. In summer, lookfor warblersand othercolorful songbirds nesting

The COASTAL CENTER AT MILFORD POINT in Milford. Greatplace for shorebirds including nesting oystercatchers,piping plovers andleast terns

BLOCKISLAND,off thecoast of Rhode Island,isa popular summertime destination forbeachgoers and birdwatchers

MACHIASSEALISLAND,off thecoastofMaine,for puffins andother seabirds. Visitors need to hirea licensedtour company.

PARKERRIVERNATIONALWILDLIFE REFUGE ON PLUM ISLAND in Newburyport, Mass. Another coastal spot with nearby woodsfor songbirds.

VERMONT INSTITUTEOFNATURAL SCIENCE in Quechee, Vermont. Agood placetofind nestingsongbirds as wellasbald eagles and osprey. Thisincludes Forest CanopyWalk, which puts youintothe canopytosee songbirdseye to eye.

It’s always fun to findthe ones thatnestin southern New England like yellowwarblers,common yellowthroats,Americanredstarts, ovenbirds, and blue-wingedwarblers.

ACADIA NATIONALPARK near BarHarbor, Maine

This offers seabirds,shorebirds,songbirds,eagles, osprey, ducks, andmore.

WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST in NewHampshire, offers nesting songbirds,loons, eagles, and ruffed grouse

For thosewho want an up-close and personal birdingexperience, THEWOODSTOCK INN &RESORT in

Vermontoffers afalconry experienceinpartnership with NewEngland Falconry. Guests caninteract with aHarrisHawk, an Aplomado Falcon,aBarnOwl, and aBurrowing Owl. They canalsolearnabout aEurasian EagleOwl on site.These programsare available for resortguestsand those who preregisterat www.woodstockinn.com

BENEFITSOFBIRDWATCHING

Beyond the simplejoy it canbring, birdwatching can alsoimprove ourhealth. The National AudubonSocietyreports that bonding withnature canbenefit ourmoods, well-being,mentalhealth, and cognitivefunctioning.

Reasons forthat include that it counters sensory overloadand reducesstress

In addition,Bosak pointedout that since summer is nesting time,itispossibletosee young birds grow in nests and seeparent birdsteachingtheir young how toeat from feeders.

“This time of yearisalsothe best timetosee waders like herons andegrets. Andospreysightings have become muchmorecommon to spot around the coastal areaswhere they wereararityonly afew decadesago,” Bosak said

“This way, youcan combine birding with other activities such as beach days,fishing, hiking,oreven your backyardBBQ,” Bosaksaid.

JULY 3 THROUGH OCT18 2026

WinslowHomer turned to etchinginthe 1880s,revisiting iconic subjects from hisstudioatProutsNeck, Maine. This summer, visitthese rare prints alongsidepaintings, drawings,and proofs—revealing theprocess behind some of hismostcelebratedwork.

Turnthe page

Tby Susan Shultz

Tickthemall off your passport by Labor Dayfor some bigprizes!

here is no better placetobrowsefor your next read thana small, independent bookstore. Thestaff is knowledgeable thepaceisleisurely,and it oftenincludescurated gifts for yourfavorite booklover as well.

To make it easierfor you to findone of these treasures nearest to you, look no further than the Connecticut Book Trail.

The ConnecticutBook Trial is agroup of independently owned bookstores in >>

>> Connecticut workingtogethertobring more book lovers—bothlocals andtourists—into all of theirshops.

The Trailhighlightsthe unique character andcharm of eachbookstore, whilealsohighlightingthe diverse literary communityinConnecticut

Eachyear, on independent bookstore day, usuallythe third weekendinApril, the Book Trail issues apassport that participants canhavestamped at all29 stores or as many as theycan From all29 down to visiting5or more, each levelearnsgiftcards prizes andothers.

You cantakethe “Slow and Steady” challenge throughout the summer.Visitors toall 29 independentbookstores by LaborDay will earn agiftcardbundleof$25 to each shop, a$725value. Print your ownpassportat www.ctbooktrail.org

ParticipatingBookstores

ATHENA BOOKS

228 Sound Beach Ave OldGreenwich, CT 06870 (203)990-0295 www.athenabooksog.com

By working together, theseindependent bookstores hope to create agreater sense of community andto foster alove of reading andbooks across thestate Whether you’re looking forahard-to-find book or the latest bestseller, you’re sure to find it at one of the participating stores on the Trail.

THE PASSPORT

BANKSQUAREBOOKS

80 Stonington Road Mystic, CT 06355 (860)536-3795

www.banksquarebooks.com

BARRETT BOOKSTORE

5Corbin Drive Darien, CT 06820 (203)655-2712

www.barrettbookstore.com

BLACK ROCK BOOKS

3030FairfieldAvenue Bridgeport, CT 06605 (203)549-8144 www.blackrockbooks.com

THE CURIOUS CATBOOKSHOP 386 Main Street Winsted,CT06098 (860) 909-1014

www.curiouscatbookshop.com

GOODS &CURIOSITIES, THEGRISWOLD INN STORE 47 Main Street Essex, CT 06426 (860)767-0210 www.store.griswoldinn.com

THEHICKORYSTICK BOOKSHOP 2Green Hill Road WashingtonDepot, CT 06794 (860)868-0525 www.hickorystickbookshop.com

MERMAID BOOKS 22 BroadStreet Milford, CT 06460 (475)549 –8315 www.mermaidbooksct.com

POSSIBLE FUTURES 318 Edgewood Ave NewHaven,CT06511 (203)446-2070 www.possiblefuturesbooks.com

RJ JULIA BOOKSELLERS 768 Boston Post Road Madison, CT 06443 (203)245-3959 www.rjjulia.com

Don’t forget to stopbyConnecticut’slocal bookstoresfor your next beachread!

,

SomeofBosak’sfavorite summerbirdwatching moments includewatchinga hummingbirddrink nectar from flowersinhis owngarden, seeingand hearing common loonsduring acamping trip up north, and seeing Americanoystercatchers along theshore.

“The highlightofsummerbirdwatching, to me, is discoveringa nest or watching nestingbehavior,” Bosak said.

“Theparents worksohardprotectingand feeding theiryoung birds,and it’s amazing to watch. It’salso niceseeing the nextgenerationofbirds, knowingthat, hopefully, thespecies will remain strong,” he said

To learn more aboutthe birdsof New England, visit www.birdsofnewengland.com l

Birds canbe found anywhere you chooseto spendtime—whetherit’s the beach, the woods, or even yourown backyard.

Mike DeLuca PUBLISHER

AshleySanderson SPECIAL SECTIONS DESIGNER SusanShultz SPONSOREDCONTENT PRODUCER

ON THECOVER:

Barnegat Lighthouse, Long Beach Island,New Jersey AdobeStock.

FESTY SEASON

From OldCountry Fairstothe CelebratedOyster, CT’s Festival Season hasSomethingfor All

by SusanShultz

There is much to celebrate during thesummerinConnecticut, andluckily, thereseems to be avarietyoffairs,fests and fun to choosefrom.

The weekend after Labor Day meansits time to enjoya Norwalk tradition at the 2026 NORWALK OYSTER FESTIVAL.Hosted by theNorwalk Seaport Association at the 35-acreVeteran’sMemorial Park in Norwalk, thefestival, on Friday, Sept. 11 through Sunday, Sept.13 is presented byMohegan SunOnline Casino. Enjoy the food,the music andthe fun, allfor a goodcause.

The event includesfamilyfun with face painting, carnival games andrides, anda Kids’Cove.Inadditiontooysters,the InternationalFoodCourt will offer Mexican,Columbian andItalian cuisine andmore Traditional NewEnglandfare likelobster rolls and lobster dinners will notdisappointattendees.

To learn more, visit www.seaport.org/norwalkoyster-festival

CONTINUE Fairs&Festivals Fairs& Festivals ON PAGE 12

SPECIALTYFAIRS

Step back in timetoa vibrant 16th-century harvest festivalat the CONNECTICUTRENAISSANCE FAIRE’S 27thanniversary celebrationinLebanon at thefairgroundsat122 Mack Road. Thefairtakes placeon Saturdays andSundays from Aug. 29 throughOct.25. ExploreNew England’slargest MedievalMarketplace, featuringoverahundred artisan shopsoffering unique treasures youwon’t findanywhere else.Savor delicious turkeylegs, indulge ina widevarietyof affordable food options,and siponcraftbeers while enjoying aday of adventure.Costumes encouraged but not required!Visit www ctfaire.com formore information

Celebrate your Irish heritageatthe MILFORDIRISH FESTIVAL on Sept.18and 19 at 1Shipyard Lane, or at theDanburyIrish Festival on Saturday, Sept. 20 and Sunday,Sept.21. Both promise to be acelebration of Irish food, music, danceand cultureand leaveyou witha little luck when youare on your way.

In August,the annual CT HORRORFEST takesplace at the DoubleTreeby Hilton Stamford.OnAug.22and 23, meet famoushorror legendslikeGinaPhilips and Jonathan Breck, thecreeper himself, as theycelebrate

the 25th anniversary of “Jeepers Creepers.” Also on hand will be Will Sandon, whoplayed young Michael in theoriginal“Halloween,” along with SandyJohnson, whoplayed hissister, Judith.And don’tmissNicholas King, whostarred as the evil face behind one of the biggesthorrorhitsofthe last decade,“Sinister,” and many many more.The eventincludes an adultand children’s costumecontest, specialty vendors, photo opportunities with your favorites, discussion panels andmore. Formoreinformationortobuy tickets,visit www.horrornewsnetwork.net

GLASTONBURY APPLE HARVEST ANDMUSIC FESTIVAL will return for its 50th yearonFriday, Oct.17through Sunday,Oct. 19 at Riverfront Park in Glastonbury.This carnival features food vendors, ridesand more. There is afulllineup of musical entertainment and of course,apple festeats! These includesignature applepies from Grannie’s PieFactory, farm market apples, apple frittersbythe Marlborough CongregationalChurch, and applecider donuts from Dude’s Donuts. Visit www.crvappleharvestandmusicfestival.com for tickets andmoreinformation. >>

asummerofimmersive experiencesthatplace visitors

11,the CT

>> Vampires need notapp the GARLIC &HARVEST FEST in Bethlehem,CT. Held annu on ColumbusDay weeken yearonOct.10and 11, thisfamily-friendly eventincludesl cookingdemonstrations an tures aboutgrowing garlic fun events forkidsincluding pumpkin decorating, afun petting zoo, face paintinga rides. Livemusic is also inc well as agarlicthemedfoo Visit www.garlicfestct.com more info.

not apply to & HARVEST FESTIVAL Bethlehem, CT annually on Columbus Day weekend—this year on Oct. 10 and 11 this famievent includes live cooking demonstrations and lecabout growing It also has for kids including slides, a fun house, a face painting and pony Live music included as as a garlic themed food curt. for is a celebration bursting with flavor, and fun for all will be held in Norwalk 11 through 13. Get ready for rides, games, and live music that’ll get everyone dancing It’s a weekend filled traditional will attendees to Greece, accompanied lively music that will have you dancing along.

The KEFI GREEK FESTIVAL celebrationburstingwithf r, culture, and funfor kids of ages willbeheldinNorwa Sept. 11 through13. Getread thrilling rides, kid-friendly games, and live musictha geteveryonedancing.It’ weekendfilled with traditio dance performances that transport attendeesto the heart of Greece, accompa nied by livelymusic thatw have you dancingalong. Indulge in mouthwatering Greek cuisine,offering everything from savory souvlaki tosweetbaklava Theevent willbeheld at theSt. George Greek Orthodox Church, 238 WestRocks Road, Norwalk. Formore information,visit www. stgeorgect.org l

to sweet baklava.

COUNTY FAIRS

that apple and start crimping those pie crusts for your Best in Ribbon—County fair season hasarrived!

those your Best in Show

WOODSTOCK FAIR

Sept. 3-7. 2026

FOUR TOWN FAIR

Sept. 18-20,2026

LIONS AGRICULTURAL FAIR

Sept. 17-20,2026

HILLSTOWNGRANGE

AGRICULTURAL FAIR

Sept. 14, 2026

WALLINGFORDGRANGE FAIR

Sept. 13, 2026

GUILFORDFAIR

Sept. 18-20,2026

ORANGECOUNTRY FAIR

Sept. 19-20, 2026

DURHAM FAIR

Sept. 24-27, 2026

HARWINTONFAIR

October2-4, 2026

PORTLAND FAIR

October2-4, 2026

RIVERTON FAIR

October9-11, 2026

ABEACH AND ALAKEINNEW HAMPSHIRE

Enjoy thesun andsandaswellasthe cool calmingof lakewater with twodifferentoptions in NewHampshire.

In HAMPTON BEACH,there is endlessfamily funto behad.Stay in awaterfronthotel, or rentacottageon thebeach

The beachboastsa walkablenearly oneand half milesofsandybeach with avibrantboardwalk, featuring an arcade with old-fashioned Skee-ball and video games

Visitors canenjoybeachyoga, take asunset cruise go whale watching, andparasailing. During thesummer months,families canenjoy Monday nightmovies on thebeach andfireworksevery Wednesday. There isalso asummer concertseries to enjoy

In addition to Hampton Beach, there is also HAMPTON STATEBEACH,and NORTHBEACH,known as The Wall,aswell as NORTH HAMPTON STATE BEACH and WALLIS SANDSSTATE BEACH to discover

The HAMPTON BEACH PLAYGROUND,establishedin the 1920s, stilldraws children offthe beach andsparked theChildren’sFestivalthatcontinuestothisday

In more recentyears,the HamptonBeach Master Sand SculptingCompetition,HamptonBeach Talent Competition, an annual CountryMusic Fest, the “Cirque” du Hampton Beach, andmany other events have been addedthatmakethisthe perfectsummer vacationdestination forfamilies.

For thosewho prefer thelakesidesideofvacationing—the NewHampshire LakesRegion provides just as muchfamily fun.

Rent acottage or stay inalakesidehotel near LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE,one of thelargest lakes in NewHampshire.Rentjet skis or takea rideinold-fashioned woodenlake cruisers. Nearby,the Marketplace at MILLSFALLS offersseveral upscale diningoptions, ahotelpopular forweddings, andanelevatedshopping experience.

If you prefer aquieter stay,rent ahouse or stay at one of the charminghotelsand cottageson SQUAM LAKE,the inspirationbehindthe movie“On Golden Pond.” Manyreferencestothe movie still exist, with the Golden Pond Country Store andpopular restau-

rantWalter’s Basin, namedafter the fish HenryFonda attempted to catchthroughout the movie.

The kids will love theSquam Lake NaturalScience Center, which offers manyanimalexhibits to enjoy as well as awildflower meadow and agiftshop.

Forchurchgoers, there is no more blissful worship experience than avisittoChurch Island, whichisa non-denominational chapel locatedonChocorua Island,Squam Lake.

Abeautiful and peacefulplace forworship and meditation. All arewelcome to join worshipservices on Sunday morningthroughout thesummer. Sunday services are held from the last SundayinJune through the first Sunday in September. The islandis reachable by private boat or by apublic pontoon shuttle from the science center.

Theclear water of Squamisone of thecleanest in the country,perfect for arefreshing swim,for canoeing, and fishing. Visitors canenjoy thelone sound of loons in the evenings andsleep underthe brilliantly starred sky at night >>

Squam Lake wasthe inspirationbehind the movie “OnGoldenPond.”

LONG BEACH ISLAND,NEW JERSEY

>> This crown of the JerseyShore is about four hours south of NewHaven.While Nutmeggers like their rocky beaches full of character, LBI, as it is known by its fans and locals, hassilky smoothsand on its manybeaches.Thislongand narrowislandismade up of six individualtowns andmanyoptions foraccommodations, fromthe charming small motels, like theSurf CityHotel,toluxury resorts,likethe HotelLBI

Rent abikeand cruise to theend of theislandto Barnegat LightState Park,one of themostpicturesque spots on thisbeautifulisland.Spendthe day at the beachand thenquench your thirst andappetite at the Black Whale,the neighborhood bar in Beach Haven.

WOODSTOCK, VERMONT

There is no quainter placetostay in picturesque Woodstockthanthe historic Woodstock Inn &Resort

Set in theheart of the Green Mountains, thehotel invites you to wander alongawelcoming main street, browserestaurants andcharming boutiques, and relish an arearichinrecreation andabundantin adventure in the surrounding Green Mountains

Indulge in its award-winning spa, culinary creations, themed,luxurious rooms, andenjoy theoutdoors. The Inn offers exquisiteadventureslikefalconry where you caninteract with hawks and owls, hiking, golf,and fly-fishinglessons

About two and ahalfhours away fromHartford, Woodstock’scharming colonial characterisenhanced by thelocal artists,craftsmen,farmers, and purveyors whoharness the spirit of Woodstock’s village. Awonderful collectionofcountry stores,boutiques,bookstores,and artgallerieslinethe village stroll, enticingvisitors to wanderits charming streets

CONTINUE Road Trips ON PAGE 24

TAKE IN THE OUTD S TDOO

CT Offers HikingTrailsfor All Abilities

by Susan Shultz

Thereisnomorebeautifulareaofthe country duringautumn than NewEngland which is why leaf peepers tend to crowdroadwaystofind that perfect scenicvista. Butliving in CT youhaveitinyourown backyard—no matterwhat shape youare in. Hikingismorethan justphysicallybeneficial.

Benefits of Hiking

Walking or low-impacthiking daily produces a huge benefit. Accordingtothe American Association ofRetiredPersons (AARP), walkingcan reduce mortality riskand help seniors lose weight.Italso increases your exertion during theday to help tire youout andget abetternight’s sleep. Regular exercise also increasesbrain power.

For hiking especially, thereare both physicaland mental benefits. There’sa reason“forestbathing” exists—a practicetoincreasemental well-beingby visiting naturewithameditative approach.

The National Park Service reports thatspending qualitytime in the greatoutdoors reducesstress, calms anxiety, and leads to alower riskofdepression, according to astudybyresearchers at Stanford University.

There arealsosocialbenefits to hiking, as opting to join aloved one, friend,orevena hiking group increases thestrengthofthese relationships

Low-impact &Scenic Hikes

According to www.alltrails.com,hereare some low-impact hiking trailsinConnecticut.Notethat while most parks allow dogs,all arerequiredto be on leash.

SLEEPING GIANTTOWER TRAIL This popular destination forhikers is located close to Quinnipiac University.The 3.1-mileinand out trail takes about 90 minutes.Dogsare welcomebut they must be on aleash. The college town makes it an enjoyable day trip with many optionsfor aquick lunch or dinner after

WADSWORTHFALLSLOOP Located in Middletown, Wadsworth Falls StateParkoffers a3.6-mile loop thattakes about 90 minutestocomplete.It’s also verypopular for birdingand biking

CONTINUE Hiking ON PAGE 20

BLUFFPOINTSTATEPARK&COASTALRESERVETRAIL

Because CT is ashoreline state,ahikethatmakesthe most of thestunning water viewscan’t be missed. The Groton-basedparkoffersthis trail, which is aclassic 3.6-mile loop thattakes just overanhour to complete on average.It’s averypopular area for birding,fishing, and hiking

WESTHARTFORDRESERVOIR#6TRAIL Forwater view lovers, you can’t beat this3.8-mile loopnearAvonthat circles apeaceful reservoir. It’s ahike thattakes justover anhourand is also apopular birding and bikingarea

KENT FALLS On theRed andYellow loop trails in the historicareaofKent, thisless than amile hike should take an averageofhalfanhourand includes awaterfall view This is easy to makeintoaday trip givenit’s locationinthe stunning Litchfield County area,which hasmany shopping and eating destinations nearby.

HUNTINGTONSTATEPARK (White,Blue, and Green loop trail)Furtherdown south, this 4.5-mile loopinRedding isgenerallyconsidered an easy loop. This is apopular area for birdingand hiking

HAMMONASSETBEACH STATE PARK This is yetanother opportunity to turn ahike into aday trip.This 3.8-mile in andout trailinMadison is considered an easy route and generally takesabout one hour. The park includes acampground as well as alarge public beachtoenjoy. In nearby Madison, atrue shore town, there are manyshopping anddining options.

NORWALKRIVERVALLEYTRAIL This 3.7-mile in and out trail near Wilton is considered an easy route, andis popularfor hiking, running,and walking.Parkingisn’t far from Wilton TownCenter, whichincludes several diningoptions for apost-hike lunch or dinner.

BLUE ANDPARKS POND LOOP This 1.7-mile loop trail near Danburyisconsidered easy and takes about 48 minutestocomplete. It is located in Tarrywile Park,a722-acre municipal parkopen to all residents of thegreater Danbury area. The park, once an active dairy farm and fruit orchard, is now home to 21 milesofhiking trails, two ponds, alake, and several picnic areas.

SHERWOODISLANDSTATE PARK This 2.9-mile inand-outtrail in Westportoffers stunningwater views asfar as the eyecan see along avery easy route It takesabout an hour tocomplete.When done, there are manyshoppingand dining optionsin andaroundthe area

Fees

Worthnotingfor state parks, CT hascreated aPassporttoParks program that enablesthosewithregistered vehicles in the state to automatically earn admission to theparks as part of their vehicle registration fees. If you havea CT licenseplate, youcan enterfor free.Out-of-state license plateswill have to pay thefee to enter.

Be Prepared

Regardless of the ease of the hike, accidents happen andrisksare involved. It is easytoget lost and cell servicecannot always be relied on forGPS. If possible, print the mapofyourhike in advance anduse the checklist below to help you pack

Wear appropriatesunscreen andinsectspray.

Packwater andsnacksjust in case.

Wear brightly coloredclothes.

Make sure, especiallyifgoing alone,you tell a loved onewhenand where you’re going

Packanextra layer of clothing and pairofsocks.

Make sure your phoneisfindable in settingsin caseyou get lost

Packa fully-batterypowered flashlight.

If you require medications, packthem, especially any sortofinhaler, andbring aminimal first aid kit for cuts andbruises l

NEWPORT,RHODEISLAND

Yet another funlocationtovisit forbeachgoers, foodies, and shoppingaddicts,Newportoffersa stunning andhistoricalbackdrop withattractions for all ages.

Whileparents enjoya tastylunchofoysters on the half shell in town, thekidscan enjoythe nearby Ryan Amusementsarcade. Everything is within walking distance. Nearby, justbeyondthe beach, takeafamily stroll down theCliffWalk,a 3.5-miletrail which offers breathtakingviews of thewater

Forhistory andarchitecture buffs, thereare mansion tours, which includeThe Breakers, built by theVanderbilts in the late 1800’s,Chateausur Mer,and more.

Sportsfanswill enjoy theInternationalTennis Hallof Fame andMuseum, located on historicgrounds in Newport’s BellevueAvenueHistoric District.

Or take in agameatthe historic CardinesField, home to the classicwooden bat,summer collegiate baseball team theNewport Gulls.Thischampionship teamplays home games on (most)Mondays Wednesdays, andFridaysthroughout themonthsof Juneand July.

Visitorscan also take in achartered sail or reserve aspot on the Coastal Queen forsightseeingaround NewportHarbor.

This summer, discover whyFairfieldissummer,discoverwhy Fairfield is Connecticut’sfavorite coastaldestination. Connecticut’s favorite

om and brant street fairs

From live music andvibrantstreetfairs to farmers musicand vibrantstreetfairs markets, outdoordining, andfivemiles of beautiful beaches, there’ssomethingbeautifulbeaches,there’s something happening allseason long. allseasonlong.

ALLSUMMERLONG FAIRFIELDBEACHES

SpendthedayatJenningsBeach, PenfieldBeachandFairfield’sbeautiful LongIslandSoundshoreline.

THURSDAYS,SATURDAYS& SUNDAYS SUMMERCONCERTS ONSHERMANGREEN

Enjoyfreeoutdoorconcertsintheheart ofdowntown.Bringachair,grababite andenjoy!

WEEKENDSALLSUMMER FAIRFIELDFARMERSMARKETS

Fresh,localproduce,artisangoods, flowers,bakedtreats,andmore.

FAIRFIELDSIDEWALKSALE &STREETFAIR

OneofFairfield’sbiggestannualevents featuringshopping,entertainment,food, andfamilyfun JULY18

AUGUST24-SEPTEMBER6 FAIRFIELDRESTAURANTWEEK

This tippity tip of Cape Cod maybeabit of ahaul, almost five hoursfromWilton—buttosay it is worth it isanunderstatement.

Traversingthe entirety of Cape Codoffers stunning views and fun placestostopoff forrefueling of human and car, andupon arrival,the simple spoils of beach andhorizon everywhere.

It is so farout into the ocean, 60 miles,tobeexact, thatwhales areoften spotted from the beach during the season—whichconveniently occursfrom April through October. Whale watch cruises nearlyguarantee asighting.

Beyond its stunningnaturallandscape,Provincetown is awelcomingand inclusivecommunityclearly acceptingofall and communicatingequality and

respect. Its artistsare uniqueand funky,its charming architecture is afeast for theeyes,and its eateries and bars entertainlocal sun-drenched seafarersand tourists alike

Accommodation options includethe SurfsideHotel &Suites,right on thebeach, theProvincetown Inn, also on thebeach,orthe luxurious Land’sEnd Inn.

Set highatopGull Hill andjust steps from the beach in Provincetown’scharming West End, Land’s End Inn offers exquisite accommodations, expanded continental breakfast, andalively wine &cheese hourdaily.

Wherever your road trip takes you, youare more thanclocking in miles; you are clocking in memories for familyand friends for years to come. l

Spend the day enjoying

•thrillingcarnival rides

•delicious fair food

•children’s activities

•farm animals

•shopping

•exhibits

•entertainment

• and so much more !

TIMELESS TOWNS

Celebrate America’s 250thAnniversary at These

Historic NewEngland Towns

by Susan Shultz

Given thatNew England, aptlynamed,was thefirst of the U.S. to be settled at the start of America’s future,manynearbytowns areperfect fortaking a journey back in time.

SALEM, MASS.

You don tneedtobeinterested in its history or its witchcraft-themedsites andshops to fallunder Salem’s spell. Just aboutfourhoursfrom Darien, the stunningshoreline, delicious eateries andneighborhoods steepedinthe nation’s history have something for everyone. The PEABODYESSEXMUSEUM offers aview into the town’s history,while THEHOUSEOFTHESEVENGABLES allowsvisitors toexperiencethe site of Nathaniel Hawthrone’s famous novel.Booknerds canalsotake a photoofMr. Hawthorne’s statuesque likeness. Visit historic RED’SSANDWICHSHOP,whichislocated on thesiteofthe historicLondonCoffeeHouse ca. 1698, which was themeetingplace of thePatriots

before the American Revolution. Takea sail on the SCHOONERFAMEOFSALEM and make sure to stopbythe “Samantha” statue,Salem’s tribute to Samantha Stevens, thebelovedwitch of the classic show “Bewitched.”

If witches are your thing, examine theactual heartbreakinghistory in the vintage but stillpowerful SALEM WITCHMUSEUM.Afterward, make astopatthe SALEM WITCHTRIALSMEMORIAL where mourners leave giftsof respect at each name.

Placestostay includethe SALEMWATERFRONT HOTEL,whichoffers parkingand is walkabletoeverywhere, or the historic HAWTHORNEHOTEL,also in the center of town.

sleeping under the Stars

by Susan Shultz

Thestate of Connecticuthas an ongoingdatabaseofstate parksand forests with campinggrounds that canbefound at WWW.PORTALCT.GOV

One of the most popular over the summer is HAMMONASSETTBEACH STATE PARK,where campers can enjoy aconcessionstand, bathrooms andshowers, saltwater swimmingand fishing, andmore.

Anotherpopular statecampground withwater accessis LAKEWARAMAUG STATE PARK.The campgroundoffers76campsitesand sixrustic cabins, many ofwhichoverlook the nearbylake.

COZY HILL CAMPGROUND in Bantam offersafull gamut of family funfor thosewho wish to bring their tent or RV. Forconvenience, thereisa full-service store anda café open on weekends. Otheractivities include bathrooms andshowers, an inground swimmingpool, lasertag, an arcade, adog park,playgrounds, aslide,weeklythemedevents, and much more. Visit www.cozyhills.com for moreinformation.

HIDDEN ACRES FAMILYCAMPGROUND,located in Prestononthe QuinebaugRiver, hasbeenfamily owned andoperated since1972.Itoffers tent sites as

well as cabinsfor rent thatsleep four. Activities include aswimming pool, playground, bingo, bocce, volleyball, shuffleboard andmore. Visit www.hiddenacrescamp.com for more information.

LAKE COMPOUNCE FAMILY CAMPGROUND is the perfect solution forthose whowant to make afull amusement park weekendout of theircampingtrip. There are options for allpreferences from a two-bedroom cottagewithfullkitchen, bath, TV and parking to tent sites, if roughing it is more yourstyle ThecuteCub Hut cabin offers aglampingapproach to camping with amini fridge, TV, andtwo full size beds,and nearby bathroom facilities.Those whostay at the campground are offered discounted park tickets, and there is ageneral store open dailyfor suppliesduring theseason. There arealsofamily friendly outdoor activities like abasketball andvolleyball court, andaswing andplay area.Visit www. lakecompounce.com for more information.

BEYONDCONNECTICUT

If youare lookingtoheadout of state,there are severalfun campgroundsworththe trip

In theWesternWildsof NewYork, TROUT RUNCAMPGROUND in Wellsville offers funfor the whole family. Whetheryou are bringing yourRV, or your tent, or renting acabin, TroutRun offers swimming andnight swimming, rivertubing,aplayground, ahayride a splashpad,cornhole,a dog park,trout fishingand muchmore. Visit www.troutrun.com to learn more.

Forthe Deadheads outthere, GRATEFUL ACRES in Windham, Vermont offers aGrateful Dead-inspired camping destination in the heartofthe GreenMountains. It offers tentsites, cabins andmotel-type tents Visit www.hipcamp.com for more information

NORMANDYFARMS inFoxborough, Mass.isa luxury camping destinationnestleddeepinthe woods

betweenBoston andCapeCod.Campsites and cabins of varied sizes and yurtsare availablefor rent Thecampground includes awellnesscenter, apool,a dogpark, barn animals, horseback ridingand much more. Visit www.normandyfarms.com for more information.

SCENIC VIEW CAMPGROUND on theBaker Riverin Warren,New Hampshire offers waterfront family fun It offers campsites, cabins, andglampingstream front cabins for accommodation. It offers avariety of family activities including apool, aplayground, horseshoes,basketball, gem panning, andmore. It is also convenientlylocated near manyNHtourist attractions suchasClark’s TradingPost, theHobo Railroad, the LostRiverGorge, andthe PolarCaves Visit www.cenicviewnh.com for more information. l

Make Memories On TheFarm

Spenda day wherekidscan be kidsand families can make memoriesthatlasta lifetime.

Feed theanimals, ride apony and meetfriendly goats, alpacas, pigs,donkeys, sheep,and more Whetherit’sa firstvisit to the pettingzoo, aspecial birthday celebration, or afun-filled family outing,there’s alwayssomething to discover at Flamig Farm. Forgenerations,Connecticut families have madeFlamig Farm a favorite destinationtoconnect withanimals, enjoy the outdoors and experiencethe simple joys of farm life

Come see whyFlamig Farm has been abeloved Connecticut traditionfor generations.

MYSTIC, CONN.

Settled in 1654,Mystic wasoncea shipbuilding seaport village anda safe harborfor tall shipstoweather astorm Today, theshorelinecommunity with iconic BASCULEBRIDGE is reminiscent of it’s rich maritime past, but cladwithquintessential NewEngland charm. Oldsea captain’s homesdot thescenic roads along the

Mystic River just outside of Downtown’s boomingfoodand drink scene. Mystichas National Historic Landmarks like the CHARLESW.MORGAN, THEEMMAC.BERRY,schooner L.A. DUNTON,and steamship SABINO allat MYSTICSEAPORTMUSEUMOFAMERICA ANDTHESEA

STURBRIDGE, MASS.

Celebrate America’s 250th birthdayat OLDSTURBRIDGEVILLAGE.Immerseyourselfinthe beauty and charmofearly springasyou explore the richhistory of 19th-century NewEngland.Explore the Village and enjoy theuniqueblendofhands-onlearning,participatory demonstrations, and engaging conversation.

Chat with costumedhistorians, step insidehistoric homes and shops,meet our heritage breedanimals, andsomuchmore.

AMERICANREFLECTIONS: This exhibit will explore the landscapeofAmerica—both real and ideological in the fifty yearsafter theRevolution. >>

Whether on stage, on thepicniclawn, or beneatha Hudson Riversunset, this is whereimagination becomesa cherishedmemory.

Dine at Folio, gather beneaththe opensky,and redefine what “more than”means to youwithyournextvisit to Hudson Valley Shakespeare. Letour performancecarry yousomewhere unexpected.

>> Featuringthe storiesof eleven different Americans the exhibitwillconsider theimpactoffactors like economic growth, innovationsintransportation and communication, geographic expansion,education, and votingrightsonnot only everyday life,but also the nation’s trajectory

INDEPENDENCEFOREVER: Celebrating America’s 250th atOld SturbridgeVillage: Named after atoast by John Adams,IndependenceForever will explorethe lives of farmers, families, artisans,and tradespeople who made difficult choices, took significantrisks,and helped definethe early United States

DEERFIELD, MASS.

An Authentic18th-Century NewEnglandVillage, HISTORICDEERFIELD INC.,founded in 1952, is an outdoormuseumthatinterprets thehistory and culture of earlyNew Englandand the Connecticut River Valley.

Visitors cantourtwelvecarefully-preservedantique houses dating from 1730to1850, andexplore worldclass collections of regional furniture, silver, textiles, and other decorativeartsondisplay in the authentic periodhouses and in theFlynt Center of Early New EnglandLife, astate-of-the-art museum facility featuring exhibitions andavisible storage area. Its researchlibrary, theHenry N. FlyntLibrary, includes more than 21,000 volumes(reference works,microfilm and newspapers)onthe history andmaterialculture ofthe region

Thissummer, Historic Deerfieldhas collaborated with Playsin Place,anorganization thatdevelopsand producesnew site-specificplays, to create ASTAKEIN THEGROUND:1774,which opens this summer.Staged outdoors at HistoricDeerfield, AStake in the Ground: 1774isa series of threesite-specificplays, setin Deerfield, MA, on theeve of the American Revolution. Each performanceincludes allthree plays and will end withapost-showconversation. Shows take place Fridayand Saturdayeveningsand Sunday afternoons July 10 throughAug.15. Ticketsare available now on Historic Deerfield’s website. l