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- 🎉 Big Weekend Ahead: Food Fests, Art Shows & Spring Fun Across CT!
🎉 Big Weekend Ahead: Food Fests, Art Shows & Spring Fun Across CT!
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Hey there, Connecticut explorers!
The weekend’s here, and we’ve got your guide to the best things to do across the state. From laid-back outings to exciting adventures, there’s something for everyone—so let’s make the most of it!
You can click on any event below to get more details, and if you're looking for even more ideas, check out our full Weekend Guide for a complete list of things to do across Connecticut.
Looking for an excuse to try one of Fairfield County’s best-kept dining secrets? Marcello’s Italian Eatery in Monroe is offering $10 off your first visit when you sign up for their email list.
Just head to MarcellosItalianEatery.com, scroll to the bottom, and enter your email to claim your instant coupon!
Located in Clock Tower Square, Marcello’s is a family-run restaurant that brings generations of Italian culinary tradition to the table—with a rustic, modern twist. Their cheese wheel pasta (flamed and tossed tableside!) has gone viral for good reason, but the rest of the menu is just as show-stopping. Think slow-roasted suckling pig, seafood-stuffed salmon, and even handmade chocolate fettuccine.
Add in a lively bar scene with Happy Hour specials Tuesday–Friday, plus live music nights, and you’ve got the perfect spot for a night out.
đź“Ť 477 Main Street, Monroe, CT
đź“ž 203-268-7811 | marcellositalianeatery.com
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ALL WEEKEND LONG
Downtown Mystic Ghost Tours (Mystic): Take a spooky stroll through one of Connecticut’s most charming historic towns.
Museum Tours and Trolley Rides at Shore Line Trolley Museum (East Haven): Visitors can step back in time with a ride on authentic antique trolley cars.
Passholder Appreciation Weekends at Lake Compounce (Bristol): Guests can enjoy unlimited visits to over 50 attractions.
DINO Trolley at Connecticut Trolley Museum (East Windsor): Step back in time and experience prehistoric adventure at DINO Trolley at the Connecticut Trolley Museum in East Windsor.
FRIDAY EVENTS ACROSS CONNECTICUT
The Music of Queen at Simsbury Performing Arts Center (Simsbury) - Experience the classic hits of Queen reimagined with a live orchestra!
In Our Nation’s Defense at USS Nautilus (Groton) - Take a guided tour exploring the Thames River's role in America's defense from the Revolution to present day!
Furniture Study Highlights Tour at Yale American Furniture Study Center (New Haven) - Discover an outstanding collection of American furniture and clocks on this guided tour.
Marcus D. Wiley at Hartford Funny Bone (Manchester) - Enjoy an evening of laughter and inspiring messages with the captivating Marcus D. Wiley!
Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice Open-Air Performance at Lyman Homestead (Middlefield) - Experience the beloved story of Pride and Prejudice performed outdoors in a beautiful setting!
The Goldsmith at Westport Playhouse (Westport) - Experience a touching solo play exploring identity and heritage through the lens of family jewelry.
Want to have your event listed above? Click here to learn how we can promote your event to thousands of interested locals!
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This is an advertisement. 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!
SATURDAY EVENTS ACROSS CONNECTICUT
Adult Studio | Photo Explosion Booklet Workshop (New Britain) - Make your own photo explosion book in this workshop led by Gay Ayers!
Mystic Seaport Museum Admission Information (Mystic) - Enjoy an outdoor maritime history museum featuring a recreated 19th-century seaport village and more.
An Hour of Clown by BreakFAST Puppets (Storrs) - Join the Ballard Institute for a free outdoor puppet show filled with comedy and interactive performances.
HSO POPS! Series: A New World: intimate music from FINAL FANTASY (Hartford) - Experience new and exclusive arrangements of music from the beloved FINAL FANTASY series.
Shrek the Musical (Thomaston) - Follow Shrek's journey as he rescues Princess Fiona and discovers true beauty from within.
« Family Program: Let’s Go on a Picnic! Special Event (Hartford) - Dive into bookmaking and create a beautiful hand-bound journal perfect for summer adventures.
Summer in the Park - Aly & AJ Live (Stamford) - Enjoy a night of unforgettable music under the stars with pop icons Aly & AJ.
Hop On, Hop Off Harbor Cruise on the Thames River (New London) - Experience the Thames River and visit heritage sites at your leisure on this open-air cruise.
Guided Paddle (Essex) - Explore southeastern Connecticut's scenic waterways in this guided paddle adventure.
Want to have your event listed above? Click here to learn how we can promote your event to thousands of interested locals!
Cornbread Hemp crafts all-natural full spectrum hemp products that address the full scope of Americans’ wellness needs: relief when they need it, relaxation when they crave it, and revelry when the moment is right. From beverages and gummies, to oils and topicals, Cornbread has something for everyone.
This is an advertisement. 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!
SUNDAY EVENTS ACROSS CONNECTICUT
Get Out On The Water (Mystic) - Be your own captain and enjoy boating on our traditional small craft.
Coffee: A Connecticut Story Exhibit Tour (Hartford) - Join a guided tour of the Coffee exhibition with no pre-registration required.
Mixtape Match at 1741 Pub & Grill (Middlefield) - Participate in a free musical bingo game with a Digital Tracks DJ at 1741 Pub & Grill.
Jamie Lissow (Manchester) - Enjoy stand-up comedy from Jamie Lissow, a regular guest on the #1 rated late night talk show, Gutfeld!
WEEKLY DROP-IN PROGRAM: Discovery Sundays (Old Lyme) - Drop into the Hartman Education Center for hands-on craft projects suitable for the whole family.
Marc Broussard (Ridgefield) - Experience acclaimed artist Marc Broussard as he blends classic R&B, rock, and soul into his music.
Want to have your event listed above? Click here to learn how we can promote your event to thousands of interested locals!
TODAY IN CONNECTICUT HISTORY
How a Seal-Hunting Voyage Turned the Neptune into a Floating Fortune
In the summer of 1799, Connecticut’s port city of New Haven witnessed one of its most jaw-dropping homecomings. After nearly three years at sea, the merchant ship Neptune returned from a daring global voyage loaded with treasures—and a story that would become local legend.
Commanded by New Haven native Captain Daniel Green, the Neptune embarked in 1797 with a crew of 45 determined sailors.
Their mission? Tap into the booming Chinese trade market.
To get there, the crew braved the treacherous waters around Cape Horn—pausing just long enough to collect over 80,000 seal skins along the South American coast. Those seal skins, it turned out, were gold in disguise.
When the Neptune finally reached China, the haul was exchanged for fine tea, silk, porcelain, and other prized goods.
The result: a return cargo worth millions in 18th-century dollars, and a staggering $75,000 in taxes—more than the entire state of Connecticut collected in civil taxes that year.
The voyage kicked off a wave of copycat expeditions and a brief shipbuilding boom in New Haven, but lightning didn’t strike twice. The price of seal skins plummeted, and no ship matched the Neptune’s legendary profit.
Artifacts from this once-in-a-lifetime journey live on today at the New Haven Museum and the Whitney Library, serving as reminders of when one ship’s voyage changed Connecticut commerce forever.
A Thrilling Zipline Ride with Unforgettable Views of Connecticut’s Forests and Coastline
Looking for your next adrenaline rush? The HighFlyer Zipline at Foxwoods is not your average casino add-on. This exhilarating adventure kicks off from the rooftop of the 350-foot-high Fox Tower and sends you flying at top speeds over lush forests with views that stretch all the way to the Long Island Sound.
The ride lasts about a minute, but the experience will stay with you forever—especially if you’re zipping alongside friends or family. It ends at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center, and yes, they shuttle you right back after your high-flying adventure.
Whether you’re visiting Foxwoods or just in the mood for something epic, this is a must-do thrill ride. Plus, you can score the best price on tickets right now through this Viator deal.
Strap in, take a deep breath, and experience Connecticut like never before—one zip at a time.
Thanks!
Thanks for checking out today’s newsletter — we’re glad to have you along for the ride! If you enjoyed it, pass it along to a friend or two and help us spread the word.
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!