Category: Connecticut Travel

Hopkins Vineyard located overlooking Lake Waramaug in New Preston has opened their picnic area starting Memorial Day. The hours are Wed. – Fri. 11 am – 5 pm and Sat. and Sun. 11 to 6 pm.

Guests are invited to purchase wine and cheese platters to be enjoyed outside. Feel free to bring your own, chairs or blankets. Be super cool and bring your own wine cup. Please, no more than 5 people at a table. You might want to try Hopkin’s, Lady Rose. It is a dry French-style Rosé is made from estate-grown, hand-harvested Dornfelder, Lemberger and Pinot Noir grapes. Showing zesty notes of raspberry and apricot and finishing with refreshing acidity. The wine is also available for curbside pickup or order online. You must wear a mask to enter the winery.

This award-winning winery was opened in 1979 by Bill and Judith Hopkins. They transformed their dairy farm into a vineyard, which was one of the first in what has become a thriving Connecticut industry. Since then, Hopkins Vineyard has consistently produced award-winning whites, reds, and sparkling wines. Hopkins Vineyard grows 11 varieties of grapes in a spectacular setting overlooking Lake Waramaug.

Bent of the River located on 185 East Flat Hill Road in Southbury is hosting a special online webinar on Thursday, May 28 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on wildflowers. At this time of year, wildflowers are all around us. We admire them for their beauty, their colors, and their symbolism. From strange and often dangerous herbal “cures” to black magic, and wonderful legends of love, it is all that is called Wildflower Folklore. Join Bent of the River Audubon Center for a fascinating online webinar about these botanical wonders.

To register click here. After you register you will receive a link to login into the online classroom. The ongoing mission of Bent of the River Audubon Center is protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow.

Due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns, the Norwalk Seaport Association (NSA) is canceling the 43rd annual Norwalk Oyster Festival, previously scheduled for September 11-13, 2020. Prioritizing the health and safety of everyone involved, the decision comes after careful deliberation between the NSA Board of Trustees, and Festival Exhibitors.

“We are disappointed that we’re unable to hold this highly anticipated event,” said NSA President Mike Reilly. “But, based on the information we have today, we know it’s the right decision to make.” With that said, Reilly continued, “The Norwalk Oyster Festival raises more than $100,000 that contributes to the maintenance and restoration of the historic Sheffield Island Lighthouse and to support our educational programs. Without this festival taking place in 2020, we will be facing a challenging year. We are hoping for the continued support of all the friends of the Seaport and the Norwalk Oyster Festival to help us continue with our mission.”

“From Seaport leadership and regional partners like the long time event sponsor, First County Bank, to the artists, performers, vendors, and volunteers who work so tirelessly to stage the Norwalk Oyster Festival each year,” Mike continued, “We thank everyone for standing with us in making this difficult call. We are counting the days to restaging the festival and celebrating our maritime heritage together again in 2021.

The NSA team is exploring options to coordinate an online experience or a smaller event to showcase this historic, beloved event – one of the most popular in Connecticut and the Northeast. In the interim, we urge everyone to follow federal, state, and local COVID-19 mitigation advice.

To keep updated on our planned activities, please follow our Facebook page, subscribe to our newsletter at www.seaport.org, or email us at info@seaport.org.

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo will reopen June 1, 2020. They are implementing a new online ticketing system to welcome everyone back safely and efficiently. The Zoo will be splitting the day into two sessions allowing for up to 500 guests per session. They will open the Zoo at 9am and will close at noon for cleaning. We will then re-open at 1pm and close at 4pm.  They will also be requiring all guests to wear a mask. And the more creative the better!

They have created a one-way loop around the Zoo so guests can explore while social distancing. All buildings will be closed to the public; however, guests will be able to pre-order food online from the café and pick it up from our take-out window. Also, the gift shop will be open for online purchases which will be made available for pick up at gift shop kiosk.  

Ticket prices will be reduced from $16 to $15 for an adult and from $13 to $10 for a child and a senior and as always children under 3 are free.  They will not be able to accept coupons or allow for any partner discount at this time. We also will not be able to rent wheelchairs or strollers.

As they welcome visitors back under these new circumstances, they will appreciate your patience as they look to be able to provide you the best Zoo experience in the safest manner possible.

Please continue to check their website www.beardsleyzoo.org and their Facebook page for the most up-to-date information. 

The Derby Historical Society is sharing a video documentary on Tuesday, May 19 at 10 a.m. with Primitive Technologist, Jim Dina.

The documentary will highlight a History of Weapons from the Stone Age to the American Colonies. This is part of a video series that is taking place each Tuesday at 10 am through July 7, 2020.

Virtual guests can tune in for a brief presentation on a wide variety of local history topics, from sneak-peeks of rooms inside the David Humphreys House to artifacts in the extensive collection of the DHS, we will keep YOU connected to the history of the Lower Naugatuck Valley! To tune in click here

The Great Mountain Forest (GMF) encompasses more than 6,000 acres of contiguous forestland in the towns of Norfolk and Canaan, Connecticut. GMF is owned and managed by The Great Mountain Forest Corporation, a not-for-profit 501 © 3 private operating foundation. They strive to promote the working forest as a renewable resource, a habitat for wildlife, and an outdoor classroom for education.

As a working forest scientists carry out tomographic scans on trees, specifically the American beech, sugar maple, and yellow birch to measure the rate of decay. An Experiment Station has also been set up that surveys invasive insects and evaluates their impact. A Chestnut orchard has been established and has established a backcross breeding program in order to breed an American Chestnut that is highly resistant to the chestnut blight and is native to Connecticut. Being a unique old-growth coniferous forest, one of the few in the state, birds are also monitored for productivity and survivorship. The University of Connecticut has also set up a program to monitor bears and moose.

The forest trails at Great Mountain Forest are currently open to the public during daylight hours. They ask that hikers follow the CDC guidelines by keeping at least six feet of distance between people on the trails. For a map of the trails and roads, please click here.. The forest supports an abundance of diverse wildlife from resident whitetail deer to moose, black bears, and turkeys, waterfowl, and many birds. All visitors must sign in and out at one of the visitor registers by the gated trails located on Windrow Road in Norfolk and on Canaan Mountain Road in Cannan. Pedestrian use is limited to main woods roads and designated trails. Bicycle use is limited specially designated bicycle trails. Leashed dogs are permitted on trails but horses are strictly prohibited.