9 Winter Attractions For The Family In Connecticut That Don’t Involve Long Lines At The Mall
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Natalie Clunan
Author
You can spend hours in line at the mall for a two-minute visit with Santa or you can take the whole family to visit one of these fantastic attractions in Connecticut. There are plenty of opportunities for seasonal events and outdoor adventures. Winter fun is around each and every corner in the Nutmeg State and here are a few ideas to get you started.
Visit the Greenwich Reindeer Festival for a one-of-a-kind way to celebrate the holidays. Meet Santa and the reindeer, take a spin on the holiday carousel, pick out your tree, and more through December 24, 2018. Find the holiday festival at Sam Bridge Nursery and Greenhouse in Greenwich.
Ice skating is fun for the whole family and especially affordable when it's free to hit the ice. The Winterfest Rink at Bushnell Park in Hartford won't cost you a dime and people of all ages love to take a spin around this outdoor rink with city views.
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Winter hiking can be a great way to enjoy the outdoors. Connecticut has tons of trails to explore and when topped with a light cover of snow, they become absolutely entrancing. Don't know where to go? Check out these gorgeous trails for some inspiration.
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Hundreds of thousands of sparkling lights turn Lake Compounce into a magical wonderland during the holidays. Santa and a variety of family and children's rides are also available in the park to make your holiday bright through December 23, 2018.
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After the holidays have passed by, RiverQuest will transport you by boat along the Connecticut River in search of winter wildlife. Bald eagles, snowy owls, and even seals have been spotted. The tour takes off from the Connecticut River Museum. Learn more details and how to book your spot here.
You can ski for hours at the 350-acre beautiful Winding Trails Cross Country Ski Center in Farmington. Explore the groomed wooded trails for a different kind of winter adventure. The rental center has all the equipment you need and even has pull sleds for the little ones in the family.
You'll never forget the nostalgic wintertime experience of gliding through the snow on a traditional sleigh ride. Allegra farm offers this iconic New England journey in the countryside of Connecticut. Learn more about this old-fashioned winter activity here.
Whether you hit some hills at the local parks or take on a bigger slope at a ski area, tubing is a thrilling way to enjoy the snow. Woodbury Ski Area is the largest tubing park in Connecticut, click here to find out more about their epic runs for snow tubes.
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Load the family into the car and take in a magical holiday lights display. You'll find two fantastic shows that you can cruise through this season at Holiday Lights Fantasia in Hartford and Festival of Silver Lights in Meriden. These sparkling light shows only last through the New Year, so make your plans now.
What other activities do you love for winter fun? Let us know in the comments section below so we can add them to this list! On those really, really cold days where you just can’t get outside, pay a visit to this cartoon museum where everyone feels like a kid again.
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