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🐾 Kittn Around Connecticut: My Favorite Things to Do, Eat & Explore
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items 🐾 Come Kittn Around Connecticut with me! From longtime local favorites and hidden gems to beaches, parks, restaurants, sweet treats and places packed with memories, these are the spots I know, love and think are worth checking out. Some I’ve been vi...
Map
Sections
5
Outdoor Activities
Restaurants
Other Food & Drinks
Arts & Entertainment
Local Favorites
Outdoor Activities
🌳🏰 Beautiful views with a side of local legend! Hubbard Park is one of my favorite places in the area. The park itself is beautiful, but the real treat is heading up to Castle Craig, where on a clear day you can see for miles! And if you like a lit...
Hubbard Park
🌽🍓 One on my local must-visit list! I haven’t made it here yet, but the Wethersfield Farmers’ Market sounds like such a fun way to spend an afternoon—local vendors, fresh produce, food trucks, live music and more, all in a beautiful historic settin...
Wethersfield Farmers' Market
🥕🏛️ Fresh finds with a side of history! Right in downtown Hartford at Connecticut’s Old State House, this seasonal farmers market brings together local produce, artisan vendors and more in one of the city’s most historic spots. I haven’t made it he...
Farmers Market – Connecticut's Old State House
🛍️🍓 Farmers market meets weekend hangout! West Hartford’s farmers markets are perfect for browsing local produce, goodies and small businesses while enjoying everything the area has to offer. Grab some fresh finds, wander around, and make an aftern...
West Hartford Saturday Farmers' Market
🥾🌲 Yes, I actually went hiking! 😂 I’ve been up Ragged Mountain once, and the views make the climb worth it. It’s a beautiful spot for getting outside, exploring the trails and taking in some seriously pretty Connecticut scenery. I may not call mys...
Ragged Mountain Memorial Preserve
🥾🏰 Hike it… or take the Kittn-approved route and drive! 😹 Hubbard Park has trails that lead up through the Hanging Hills to Castle Craig, where you’re rewarded with incredible views from the top. And if hiking isn’t exactly your thing, there’s als...
Hubbard Park
🛝🐾 A little piece of my childhood! I used to play here when I was a kid, so this one comes with some serious nostalgia for me. It’s a small neighborhood park in East Berlin with playground equipment, swings and plenty of space for little ones to pl...
Clark’s Grove Park
🌳🎓 This park holds so many memories for me! Sage Park has been part of my life since I was a kid—from the annual opening-day fishing events at the pond, to high school football games, and even my high school graduation! It’s one of those local plac...
Sage Park
🏖️🌊 So many memories at this beach! I’ve been coming to Hammonasset since I was a kid—swimming, camping, tanning, watching Fourth of July fireworks and making plenty of summer memories along the way. ☀️ There’s also nothing like finishing a beach d...
Hammonasset Beach
🏖️🎣 Another beach filled with childhood memories! I grew up spending summer days at Rocky Neck swimming, soaking up the sun and enjoying the beach—but some of my favorite memories are walking out to the rocky jetty to fish with my dad. ❤️ It’s one ...
Rocky Neck State Park
🌊🌙 Some beach memories come a little later in life! 😹 I love the Niantic Bay Boardwalk for a walk along the water, beautiful views and those summer nights that somehow last way longer than planned. I’ve made plenty of memories here over the years—...
Niantic Boardwalk
🍉🏖️ A little taste of my childhood! I have such sweet memories of going to Sound View Beach when I was little. One memory that has stuck with me all these years is my dad buying me this amazing watermelon Italian ice—I can STILL remember exactly ho...
Soundview Beach
🏖️🌊 A beach favorite from childhood to adulthood! I’ve been coming to Misquamicut since I was a kid, when I’d grab my boogie board and spend the day catching waves. As I got older, my perfect beach day became planting my chair right at the water’s ...
Misquamicut State Beach
🏰🌄 The view is worth the trip to the top! Castle Craig is one of my favorite spots for taking in some seriously beautiful Connecticut scenery. On a clear day, you can see for miles and miles from the top of the stone tower—it’s one of those places ...
Castle Craig
🥾🌄 I actually hiked for this view! 😹 I’ve made the climb up Ragged Mountain, and the beautiful views from the top made it worth the effort. There’s something about looking out over all that Connecticut scenery after actually earning your way up th...
Ragged Mountain Memorial Preserve
🎡🐄 A Berlin tradition you can’t miss! The Berlin Fair is one of those events that just feels like home to me. ❤️ Between the rides, animals, exhibits, entertainment, fair food and all the people who come out for it, there’s always something going o...
Berlin Fair Grounds
Restaurants
🍕❤️ A hometown pizza favorite! Kensington Pizza has been one of my go-to spots for years. When I’m craving pizza close to home, this is one of the first places that comes to mind. Good old-fashioned local pizza that just feels like home to me! Pizza...
Kensington Pizza
🍕😻 Another one of my local go-tos! When it’s pizza night, Central Pizza is always in the running. It’s one of those longtime Berlin spots I’ve gone back to again and again over the years—sometimes you just want the pizza you grew up knowing and lov...
Central Pizza
🥩✨ When I want a REALLY good steak! Ruth’s Chris in Newington is definitely one of my picks when I’m in the mood for a special steakhouse dinner. The steaks come out sizzling hot, the atmosphere feels upscale, and it’s a great choice when you want d...
Ruth's Chris Steak House
🍔🧀 If you’ve never had a steamed cheeseburger, you need to try one! Ted’s is one of my go-to spots for this Connecticut classic. The burger and cheese are steamed instead of grilled, and that melty cheese is EVERYTHING. 😍 It’s one of those foods t...
World Famous Steamed Cheeseburgers Since 1959
🍤🥢 Apparently I’m the one Kittn who doesn’t like raw fish! 😹 Sushi may not be my thing, but bring me the shrimp tempura! East Tokyo is one of my local picks when I’m craving Japanese food, and that crispy golden shrimp is much more my speed. 😂🍤 ...
East Tokyo Restaurant
🥡🥢 Chinese food? Hands down, Wa Wah Kitchen! 😻 This is my go-to when I’m craving Chinese food—no debating where we’re ordering from over here! 😂 I’ve been going back again and again because when you find your favorite local takeout spot, you stic...
Wa Wah Kitchen
🍢🥜 They had me at peanut sauce! 😹 Somewhere in Bangkok is my pick when I’m in the mood for Thai food—especially the chicken satay! Grilled chicken skewers with that delicious peanut sauce? Yes, please. I may not be the world’s most adventurous eat...
Somewhere In Bangkok Thai Restaurant
🌮🍹 At this point, we’re basically family! 😂 Margaritas in East Hartford has been a longtime favorite in my family—my mom is there practically every night, my sister is a regular on the weekends, and they know us VERY well! ❤️ Great Mexican food, m...
Margaritas Mexican Restaurant
🍝🇮🇹 One Italian spot that really stuck with me! I’ve been to Pagliacci’s in Plainville and remember the food being SO good. 😍 It’s one of those classic Italian restaurants that left enough of an impression that years later, it still comes to mind...
Pagliacci's Restaurant
🍛✨ Worth the trip to West Hartford! Taste of India is another favorite of mine when I’m craving Indian food. I don’t get there as often as my local spot, but every time I think of it, I remember just how GOOD the food is! 😍 Sometimes a Kittn has to...
Taste of India
🇬🇷🥗 One of my FAVORITE Greek spots! Mykonos on the Berlin Turnpike is SO good—the salad is fantastic, but their eggplant parm is absolutely sensational! 😍 It’s one of those places where I already know I’m going to leave happy. If you love Greek a...
Mykonos Mediterranean Restaurant
🥙❤️ An old favorite I still remember! I used to go to Tapas in West Hartford and always loved the food. It’s been years, but it’s one of those places that still comes to mind when I think Mediterranean! The Glastonbury location is still around, so t...
Tapas Glastonbury
Other Food & Drinks
🍩☕ THIS is the place to be for donuts! I may not be much of a coffee Kittn, but give me one of Swiches’ giant, fresh donuts and I’m happy! 😹 This longtime Berlin spot—formerly The Whole Donut—is a true local favorite, and the donuts are the reason ...
Swiches Coffee & Donuts - Berlin
🍺🏈 Cold beer, great food & hometown vibes! Heroes is one of my favorite local spots—and I swear they have some of the coldest AND cheapest beer around! 😂🍺 The food is absolutely scrumptious too, making it the perfect laid-back place to grab a...
Heroes LLC
🍰🇮🇹 My go-to for a quick sweet treat fix! 😻 Sometimes I don’t need a special occasion—I just need something delicious! Mazzicato’s is one of my favorite stops when that sweet tooth starts calling. With cases full of Italian pastries and tempting ...
Mozzicato De Pasquale Bakery And Pastry Shop
🎂❤️ Our family’s birthday cake tradition! Every single year, for every member of my immediate family, our birthday cakes come from Modern Pastry! 🎉 It’s become such a family tradition that a birthday just wouldn’t feel quite right without one of th...
Modern Pastry Shop Inc
🍦💚 It’s all about the pistachio cone! 😻 I can’t go to Stew Leonard’s without wanting one of their pistachio ice cream cones. Creamy, delicious and the perfect little treat after wandering around the store—it’s become part of the Stew’s experience ...
Stew Leonard's
🍫🥤 The only problem is it disappears WAY too fast! 😹 Mortensen’s makes one of my absolute favorite chocolate shakes. It’s rich, creamy, chocolatey and somehow I swear the cup is empty about five minutes after they hand it to me. 😂 If you’re a cho...
Mortensen Dairy Ice Cream
Arts & Entertainment
🦖🏛️ Dinosaurs, fossils & SO much to explore! I love the Yale Peabody Museum! This is one of those places where you can wander around and keep finding something interesting around every corner. The dinosaurs alone are worth the trip, and it’s a ...
Yale Peabody Museum
🎬🍿 My favorite way to watch a movie! AMC Plainville is my go-to when I want to catch something on the big screen. The comfy reclining seats make such a difference—I can settle in, get cozy and actually enjoy the whole movie! Add some popcorn and I’...
AMC Plainville 20
🎶🎤 It was The Meadows then, and apparently it’s The Meadows AGAIN! 😂 This is THE Connecticut spot I think of for big summer concerts. Pavilion seats, lawn tickets, warm summer nights and thousands of people singing along—it’s one of those classic ...
The Meadows Music Theatre
🎤🎶 Where I saw my very first concert! This will forever be the Hartford Civic Center to me 😂, and it’s where I saw my first-ever concert—Bon Jovi! My older sister won tickets from a radio station and our seats were basically in the nosebleeds, but...
PeoplesBank Arena
🎭✨ Small theater, BIG talent! I saw Hamlet here years ago and still remember how good it was! Hartford Stage has that smaller, intimate theater feel where you’re close to the action, and the actors were absolutely fantastic. It made Shakespeare genu...
Hartford Stage
Local Favorites
💕✨ More than a waxing spot—they’re like family! I absolutely love Silk Waxing Spa! I’m friends with the owners, and they are truly the sweetest people who take such pride in what they do. ❤️ They always do an amazing job with my waxing, and I wouldn...
Silk Waxing Spa LLC
💇♀️❤️ The ONLY person I trust with my hair! I go to my friend Sasha at Oksana Salon in West Hartford, and she truly listens to what I want. For years I had stylists tell me my hair was “too thin” for certain cuts and basically decide for me what I ...
Oksana Salon West Hartford