🚂 A Cozy Train Ride & More Unique Valentine’s Weekend Ideas

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❤️ Happy Valentine’s Day, Connecticut!

Whether you're celebrating with a loved one, enjoying a fun night out with friends, or treating yourself to some well-deserved self-care, we've got plenty of ideas to make the day special.

Inside today’s email:

➤ The best weekend events you don’t want to miss

➤ Valentine's Day Events Across Connecticut

➤ Essex Steam Train’s Winter Warmer Lunch Series

➤ A New Locally Sourced Grocery Store Coming to Downtown New Haven

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WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND IN CT?

👻 Supernatural Secrets of Southeastern Connecticut (Multiple Dates, Mystic): Uncover the eerie and fascinating haunted history of Connecticut with this intriguing experience.

🍴 Daring Dinner Escape Room (Multiple Dates, Westport): A thrilling culinary adventure in Westport.

🎨 Vintage Valentine Cupid Kit (Multiple Dates, Westport): Create a vintage-inspired Valentine with a Cupid Kit from the Westport Museum.

🎭 King James (Multiple Dates, Hartford): A compelling stage production at TheaterWorks Hartford.

⚓ Shipyard Tours (Friday, Mystic): Take a guided tour of the Henry B. DuPont Preservation Shipyard and learn about maritime history.

🚂 Valentine’s Dinner Train (Friday-Sunday, Essex): A romantic dinner experience aboard the Essex Steam Train.

🦅 Winter Wildlife Eagle Cruises (Friday-Sunday, Essex): A scenic boat ride to spot bald eagles along the Connecticut River.

🦆 Ducks in Love Weekend (Friday-Sunday, Litchfield): Celebrate love in the bird world at Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy.

⚓ 2025 Shipyard Tours (Friday, Mystic): Explore the historic Henry B. du Pont Preservation Shipyard.

😂 Valentine’s Day Comedy Show (Friday, Stamford): Laugh the night away at New York Comedy Club.

🐠 Valentine’s Date Night at Mystic Aquarium (Friday, Mystic): Explore the aquarium after hours with your Valentine.

⛸️ Skate Your Heart Out Ice Skating (Friday, Simsbury): A romantic night of ice skating at the International Skating Center of Connecticut.

🎶 Yale Concert Band Winter Concert (Friday, New Haven): A special performance by the talented Yale musicians.

🥕 Wallingford Winter Farmers Market (Saturday, Wallingford): Shop fresh local produce and artisan goods.

🍎 Indoor Farmers Market (Saturday, New Milford): Find fresh winter produce and handmade goods at The Silo.

🎭 Wintertide at Mystic Seaport Museum (Saturday & Sunday, Mystic): Celebrate winter with special programming at Mystic Seaport.

🏡 Lyman Homestead Tours (Saturday, Middlefield): A guided tour through Lyman Orchards’ historic homestead.

🍽️ Valentines Day Brunch at 1741 Pub & Grill (Sunday, Middlefield): Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a special themed brunch at 1741 Pub & Grill on Sunday, February 16, from 9 am to 1 pm. Guests can enjoy a delicious selection of brunch specials in a festive setting.

🎻 Yale Opera Presents Iolanta at Shubert Theatre (Sunday, New Haven): Experience the transformative power of love through Tchaikovsky’s romantic fairy tale, Iolanta. Yale Opera presents a stunning new production of this lush opera, accompanied by the Yale Philharmonia under the baton of Metropolitan Opera conductor J. David Jackson.

🎥 The Piano Lesson at Garde Arts Center (Sunday, New London): As part of the 2025 Breezeline Winter Cinema Series, The Piano Lesson will screen at Garde Arts Center on February 16 at 3 pm.

Want to have your event listed above? Click here to learn how we can promote your event to thousands of interested locals!

THE BEST THINGS TO DO FOR VALENTINE’S DAY IN CONNECTICUT

💘 Romantic Dinners, Unique Experiences & More

Still planning your Valentine’s Day celebration?

We’ve put together a guide featuring the best events across Connecticut, from candlelit dinner cruises to after-hours aquarium visits and even wine tastings under the stars.

Whether you're looking for a cozy date night, a fun Galentine’s outing, or something completely unique, there’s something for everyone.

🍷 Dinner train rides through scenic Connecticut
 🎶 Live music performances
 🦈 Mystic Aquarium’s special after-hours event
 💑 And so much more!

📍 Check out the full list here →

ALL ABOARD: ESSEX WINTER WARMER LUNCH SERIES

🚂 Scenic Train Rides with a Cozy Winter Meal

Looking for something different this winter? The Essex Steam Train’s Winter Warmer Lunch Series offers a two-hour scenic ride through the Connecticut River Valley, complete with a delicious meal on board.

Enjoy breathtaking views of snow-covered landscapes while savoring a carefully crafted menu featuring Braised Porchetta, Chicken Francaise, Eggplant Rollatini, and more. Don’t forget your binoculars—wildlife is abundant in the valley this time of year!

📅 Dates: February 17, 22 & 23
🍽 Includes: A full entrée, salad, and specialty dessert
🎟 Tickets: Selling fast! Book yours today.

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NEW SUPERMARKET COMING TO NEW HAVEN

🛒 A Fresh Focus on Local & Sustainable Groceries

Downtown New Haven is getting a brand-new independent grocery store this spring!

Market 360 will take over the former Elm City Market space at 360 State Street, bringing locally sourced meats, cheeses, seafood, produce, and baked goods to the community.

Owned by Connecticut-based grocers Kim and Chris Choe, the new store will:
 🥩 Feature products from over 20 local farms
🐟 Offer North Atlantic-sourced seafood
 🌿 Stock fresh produce from nearby growers
 🚗 Provide free parking for all shoppers

A soft opening is expected in March, with a grand opening to follow in April or May.

DID YOU KNOW?

FOOD FESTIVALS COMING TO CONNECTICUT IN 2025

Want to eat and drink the best Connecticut has to offer? There are tons of food and drink festivals in the works for 2025, including:

• Old Saybrook Chili Fest – Old Saybrook (March)

• CT Beerfest – Hartford (April)

• Rising Pint Brewfest – Hartford (May)

• Willimantic Thread City Hob Fest – Willimantic (May)

• CT Food Truck Battles Festival – New Haven (May)

• Danbury Street Festival – Danbury (June)

• Beardsley Zoo Wild Wine, Beer & Food Safari – Danbury (June)

• Mohegan Sun BBQ Fest – New London (June)

• New England Taco Festival – Hartford (July)

• Calvanese Beer & Wine Festival – Hartford (July)

• Bethel CT Beer Festival – Bethel (August)

• Milford Oyster Festival – Milford (August)

• Hey Stamford Food Festival – Stamford (August)

• Connecticut Pizza & Brew Fest – Bridgeport (August)

• North Branford Potato & Corn Festival – North Branford (August)

• Brass City Brew & Que – Waterbury (September)

• Norwalk Seaport Oyster Festival – Norwalk (September)

• Mount Southington Crazy Brew Bash – Southington (September)

• Bark & Brew Fest – Hartford (September)

• Niantic Bay Oyster Festival – Niantic (September)

• Westport Westoberfest – Westport (October)

• Bethlehem Garlic & Harvest Festival – Bethlehem (October)

• WeHa Whiskey & Spirits Festival – West Hartford (October)

Thanks!

Thanks for reading! Have an epic weekend, and please don’t forget to share this newsletter with a friend.

P.S. Looking to partner with Connecticut Lifestyles? Just reply to this email or click here to learn how we can promote your brand to thousands of interested locals!