If you grew up in the state of Connecticut, chances are you have visited many of the locations below. These nostalgic places are bound to bring back memories of times spent with friends and family. Whether it is a summer afternoon riding the Tilt-A-Whirl or a first date skating around the roller rink, some of these spots hold a personal history for quite a few of us.
1. Roller Magic, Waterbury
Gliding around the rink on roller skates is certainly a blast from the past for some of us. Those Friday and Saturday nights filled with loud music and friends as you circled the floor. Roller Magic in Waterbury has seen plenty of skaters over the years and still has that retro vibe. Dig those old skates out of the back of your closet, dust them off, and go for a spin.
60 Harvester Rd.,
Waterbury, Connecticut
2. Olympia Diner, Newington
Serving classic food for over 50 years, this diner will transport you to the past. It's shiny metal exterior and neon lights set the stage for an interior with chrome stools and traditional booths. The food is tasty and true to the roots of the Olympia Diner.
3413 Berlin Tpke., Newington, Connecticut
3. Quassy Amusement Park, Middlebury
Quassy Amusement Park has all of our favorite old school rides that incite memories of times past. Ride the Carousel or take a spin on the Tilt-A-Whirl for a trip straight back to your childhood. 2132 Middlebury Rd., Middlebury, Connecticut
4. Safari Golf, Berlin
Everyone has played mini golf at least once in their lifetime. Safari Golf has been challenging players since 1985 with this fun hillside course. Life sized jungle animals dot the landscape along with a cascading waterfalls, a winding stream, and more! This is guaranteed fun for the whole family. 2340 Berlin Tpke.,
Berlin, Connecticut
5. Gumdrops & Lollipops Candy, Ice Cream & Diner, Niantic
Gum Drops & Lollipops is full of old fashioned charm. From the chrome edged 50s style table and chairs to the homemade fudge just as good as your mom made, this spot is full of nostalgia. Find candy,
ice cream, and some of the best clam fritters in the area at this seaside spot. 334 Main St.,
Niantic, Connecticut
6. Wild Bill's Nostalgia, Middletown
Please note, Wild Bill's Nostalgia is no longer in business.
If you are on the hunt for that special thing that brings back childhood memories, you can probably find it at Wild Bill's Nostalgia. This store is jammed packed of memorabilia of all kinds. Whether it is that long lost sports card, an old movie poster, or a vintage toy - chances are you can find it here.
1003 Newfield St.,
Middletown, Connecticut
7. Ocean Park Beach, New London
Surf, sun, and sand are all available at Ocean Park Beach. Take a stroll down the wooden board walk or head over to the amusement park rides. The sights and sounds of this fun attraction are sure to spark a memory or two. 98 Neptune Ave., New London, Connecticut
8. Woodlawn Duckpin Bowling Alley, West Haven
Get ready to lace up those shoes and play a good old fashioned game of duckpin bowling. You are guaranteed to have fun in this classic bowling alley that was one of the first of its kind to open in the United States. Woodlawn Duckpin Bowling Alley has been resetting pins since 1954. 240 Platt Ave., West Haven, Connecticut
9. Zip's Diner, Dayville
With a tall sign that beckons you to "eat",
Zip's has that shiny metal exterior that we associated with diners of yesteryear. This spot has been serving up breakfast, lunch, and dinner to patrons since 1954. Slide into a booth or grab a stool at the counter and prepare for this nostalgic experience. Rt. 101 and 12, Dayville, Connecticut
10. Wolf's Den Family Campground, East Haddam
This fun filled campground has been a host to thousands of families over the past five decades. Wolf's Den Family Campground provides classic experiences like shuffleboard, bingo,
and horseshoes. You can also enjoying fishing, hiking, and swimming at this long time campground in Connecticut. 256 Town St.,
East Haddam, Connecticut
11. Mr. D's, Wallingford
Do you miss the candy of your youth? You can find it here at Mr. D's where they have more than 250 types of candy in stock. Although this shop hasn't been around that long, it does stock the old fashioned sweets like Fruit Stripe Gum, Squirrel Nuts, Turkish Taffy, and other nostalgic candies. There is also an incredible selection of cupcakes and desserts too. 50 N Main St.,
Wallingford, Connecticut
Have you ever been to these nostalgic places? What memories did they stir up? Do you have any other spots to add to this list? Let us know in the comments section below.
If you want to visit some other nostalgic places in Connecticut, check out this gas station that was converted into a pizza restaurant or this diner that serves the best root beer float around.
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