Anyone live near Hartford?

jenlanc

We recently moved to Ct. and I'm looking for things to do with my girls.  I don't know where any good playgrounds or parks are.  We live in Simsbury, if that matters

jerseysunrays

I live in Northampton, MA (45 min up 91 N) which is a great place for a day trip.  The town is very artsy and there are a lot of cute shops and places to eat.  There are 5 great kids shops in town.  Also, there is Look Park which features playgrounds, a train, a petting zoo, splash park, bumper boats, and mini golf.  Some of the activities cost a dollar or two, but most are free. 

 Also, in Springfield MA (25 min up 91 N) there is Forest Park and Zoo. 

If you're cooped up and feel like the kids could handle an hour's ride (up 91 N in South Deerifeld, MA)  in the car, Yankee Candle's flagship store is a great place to spend 1/2 a day.. Kids love smelling the different candles, there is a Christmas village room that "snows", Santa's toy shop, places to eat and sometimes there is a "fancy nancy" day with tea and a reading.  

TazDev

Welcome to CT.  I live near Middletown.  I do not know about parks up in Simsbury but I do have a friend up there that frequents  few.  I would check out the town website.  Also there are some great places to go in the state.  Kid City in Middletown has play areas from 6mo up and there are now many indoor play gyms available.  I have gone to Hide and Seek in Colchester.  Maybe try joining a meetup in the area.  Go to meetup.com I did that and at least found quite a few places to take the kids.  There is also the Lutz Childrens Museum in Manchester. I know there is a ton up that way too but I do not make it up to that part of the state that often any more.  Good Luck

jenlanc

Thanks,  I'll look into those places.  My two year old loves Fancy Nancy so we'll probably go to her tea. 

Katherine

knowing Simsbury they've gotta have pretty good parks in town.  you may also want to check out the childrens museum in west hartford and KidCity in middletown (it's deinately worth the 1/2 hour trip) not sure if you are into outdoorsy types of activities - but Granby has a ton of nice hiking areas.  in the summer barkhampstead is open for swimming at the resevoir - you can have cookouts there too, it's a nice place to spend a leisurly afternoon.

 

check ou tyour local library (because you have a good one) and ask at the desk about child friendly places and activities.  the library also has discount passes that you can use to get into places that charge admission.