Inspiration
30 Things to Do in Central Connecticut this Winter
Temperatures are dropping, snow is falling — it’s winter in Connecticut. While the air is cooling down, seasonal fun is heating up — and you can be sure businesses are working hard to keep you safe. From active adventure and family fun to relaxation and romantic escapes, here’s your guide to the winter season in Central Connecticut.
Active Adventure
1. Hit the slopes. Experience downhill thrills skiing at Mount Southington and Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort in Middlefield – you can even try snow biking and tubing too. Not snowing out? No problem. Both spots make their own snow!
2. Ski cross-country. After snowfall, rent equipment and try cross-country skiing at Winding Trails in Farmington and ski across 350 acres of pristine woodland.
3. Rock climb indoors. Test your climbing skills at gyms such as Stone Age Rock Gym in Manchester, Rock Spot Climbing in Wallingford, and City Climb Gym in New Haven.
4. Swing up high. Experience the world's largest indoor ropes course and channel your inner tightrope walker as you take on the 56-foot tall ropes courses and climb through cargo nets, angled rope ladders and more at IT Adventure Ropes Course in New Haven.
5. Go on a winter hike. On days with less snow, venture to great hiking trails like Giuffrida Park in Meriden, West Rock Ridge State Park in Hamden/New Haven, Farmington Canal Heritage Trail in Farmington, and Penwood State Park in Bloomfield. You can even bring Fido along for the adventure!
Below are a few more spots to find active adventure:
Rest and Relaxation
6. Pamper yourself. Get the relaxation you deserve by booking a massage, facial and more at Delamar Spa in West Hartford or By the Sea Day Spa in East Haven.
7. Float your cares away. Experience peace like you never have before with sensory deprivation therapy at Imagine Float in Avon. This activity has even been known to lower blood pressure!
8. Treat your inner yogi. Spend an afternoon trying new yoga poses at West Hartford Yoga, Soulshine Yoga in Old Wethersfield or Breathing Room in New Haven.
9. Experience mindfulness. Center yourself on meditation retreats at Copper Beech Institute in West Hartford or sound healing retreats at The Sound Retreat in Chester.
10. Browse downtown. Bundle up on a mild winter day and stroll walkable downtowns such as Chester, Wethersfield, The Shops at Yale in New Haven, and West Hartford for an afternoon of relaxation and window shopping.
Below are a few more spots to find rest and relaxation:
Arts, Culture & History
11. Appreciate the arts. Explore stunning masterpieces at art museums such as Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford, New Britain Museum of American Art, Yale Center for British Art in New Haven, and the Guilford Art Center.
12. Admire murals. On a mild day, get out and about in downtown Hartford to find the great murals throughout the city.
13. Visit history. Step back in time and learn about Connecticut’s rich history at museums such as the Connecticut Historical Society in Hartford, New Haven Museum, New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks, and the Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington.
14. Go antiquing. Spend a peaceful day browsing vintage treasures at Antiques Depot in Old Saybrook, Antiques on the Farmington in Collinsville, Key to the Past Antique Center in East Haven, and Walker Loden in Madison and New Haven.
Below are a few more spots to find arts, culture and history:
Food and Drink Adventures
15. Take a food tour. Get out and explore Connecticut’s favorite flavors on a Taste of New Haven Tour throughout the city.
16. Take a trip on the Connecticut Pizza Trail. Did you know the country’s best pizza is in Connecticut? Try the #1 pizza joint on the Connecticut Pizza Trail, Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, and sample slices at the other top contenders like Sally’s Apizza, Modern Apizza, and BAR.
17. Be a brunch buff. Add excitement to your weekend with waffles, eggs, bacon or perhaps a mimosa or two. Check out brunch spots like Abigail’s Grille & Wine Bar in Simsbury, Pond House Café in West Hartford, Bella’s Café in New Haven, and La Luna Ristorante in Branford.
18. Eat by the fire. On a cold night, warm up by the fire at Union League Café in New Haven, Griswold Inn in Essex, Millwright’s in Simsbury, and Cava in Southington.
19. Sample brews. Connecticut’s craft beer scene is growing. Visit breweries like New England Brewing Company in Branford or Woodbridge, East Rock Brewing Company in New Haven, Hops on the Hill in South Glastonbury, and Dudleytown Brewing Company in Windsor. Many even offer curbside pickup or delivery!
Below are a few more spots to find food and drink adventures:
Family Fun
20. Play the arcade. Experience indoor fun like never before at Nomads Adventure Quest in South Windsor. The whole family can enjoy activities like laser tag, glow in the dark black light mini golf, thunderbowl bowling and more.
21. Challenge yourself. Test your skills at escape rooms like Escape New Haven and Mission Escape Games in West Hartford.
22. Try virtual reality. Escape to new worlds with virtual reality experiences at Xperiment Virtual Reality in North Haven.
23. Find fun on the farm. Preparing for the holiday season? Round up the family for a festive trip to Christmas tree farms such as Dzen Family Christmas Tree Farm of South Windsor, Joseph’s Tree Farm in Hamden, Broken Arrow Nursery in Hamden, and Miller Tree Farm in Durham. During maple season, visit Hurst Farm Country Store & Greenhouses in Andover, Durham Sugar House in Durham, or Lamothe's Sugar House in Burlington.
24. Feel the need for speed. If you’re in the mood for some fast-paced fun, try go-karting at OnTrack Karting in Wallingford.
25. Make learning fun. Explore children’s museums with the whole family. Visit animals at Lutz Children's Museum in Manchester or experience interactive activities at The Children’s Museum in West Hartford.
26. Skate the day away. Get nostalgic and take the kids indoor roller skating at Ron-A-Roll in Vernon or Roller Magic in Waterbury.
Below are a few more spots to find family fun:
Romantic Escapes
27. Take a winter stroll. Walk hand-in-hand with your special someone through peaceful parks such as West Rock Ridge State Park in Hamden, Wharton Brook State Park in Wallingford, and Elizabeth Park in West Hartford.
28. Escape together. Take advantage of winter rates and whisk your special someone away to romantic hotels and inns like Saybrook Point Resort & Marina in Old Saybrook, Scranton Seahorse Inn in Madison, and the Madison Beach Hotel.
29. Paint your love. Looking for a new fun date night activity? Master the art of painting together at one of Connecticut’s painting studios! Head over to Muse Paintbar in West Hartford or Milford and ARTBUZZ in Plainville.
30. Dine on a train. Board a vintage locomotive together and enjoy a four-course meal on the Essex Clipper Dinner Train.
Below are a few more spots to find romantic escapes:
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