The “Modern Family” Approach to Fun

Get to Bristol's Lake Compounce early in the day so you can take everything in (would a “ride every ride” challenge seem appropriate?) and get lots of repeats on the ones you like best. Compounce offers 10 thrill rides, 3 roller coasters, 7 water rides (including a wave pool), Dino Expedition and 9 classic rides – that’s 29 right there for you to try, not even counting the 12 kiddie rides. Now open is Compounce’s Campground, offering cabins, tent camping and RV sites.

The venerable old 11-mile Connecticut highway known as Berlin Turnpike has been the scene of all sorts of pleasurable outings since it was first officially dedicated and named in 1909. For tonight, we’ll recommend Safari Golf, an excellent mini golf layout, and Team vs Time: Premiere Room Escape and explore unique environments using clues to solve a series of puzzles.

Next morning, it’s off to Brownstone Exploration & Discovery Park, a really cool destination designed in a flooded old brownstone quarry in Portland. Here, you can swim and snorkel, rock climb, scuba dive, cliff jump, wakeboard, kayak, take zip lines into the water or participate in a challenge course. That should be enough to get you and yours through the rest of this day in fine shape.