🐯 Zoo Events, Trolley Rides & Mohegan Buzz

June 26, 2025

Good morning! 👋 Connecticut’s heating up with summer excitement, and we’ve got your front-row seat to all the fun. Whether you’re a zoo lover, trolley history buff, or live-for-the-vibes kind of concertgoer, this week’s newsletter is stacked with adventures, throwbacks, and award-winning picks. Dive in and start planning your next great escape.

Here’s what’s inside:

🐅 Beardsley Zoo’s action-packed summer lineup is here
🚋 Take a ride back in time at East Haven’s Shore Line Trolley Museum
🏆 Mohegan Sun scores big in Yankee Magazine’s Best of New England
📗 This Month in CT History: Superman, Storms & a Supreme Trailblazer
📰 Local headlines you might’ve missed

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PS - If you really care about your eye health


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From falcon shows to rainforest days and teddy bear checkups, Connecticut’s only zoo has a jam-packed summer lineup

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is rolling out an unforgettable 2025 summer season with something for everyone—kids, adults, animal lovers, and conservation nerds alike.

June through September is stacked with special events like Pollinator Week, Zoo Tots for tiny explorers, National Bald Eagle Day, and Skyhunters in Flight featuring real birds of prey. The fun continues all summer with Around the World in 30 Minutes animal shows, a Teddy Bear Festival, photography contests, monarch tagging classes, and the return of GLOW Wild in the fall.

Whether you're swooning over red pandas or learning from wildlife biologists, this is your all-access pass to adventure, education, and conservation.

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The Shore Line Trolley Museum brings the past to life on rails

All aboard for a nostalgic summer ride through Connecticut’s transit history! The Shore Line Trolley Museum in East Haven is offering Museum Tours and Trolley Rides on select days starting at 11 AM.

Guests can ride historic cars from the early 1900s—including a 1904 Brooklyn Rapid Transit car—and explore exhibits about America’s earliest suburban street railways.

Admission includes unlimited trolley rides for the day, so get your ticket, hop on, and soak up the vibes of vintage travel.

🏆 MOHEGAN SUN NAMED ONE OF NEW ENGLAND’S BEST

Arena shows and speakeasy vibes land Connecticut’s mega-resort in the spotlight

Mohegan Sun is flexing its entertainment muscles after being named to Yankee Magazine’s 2025 “Best of New England” Travel Guide. Mohegan Sun Arena earned praise as one of the top 10 things to do in Connecticut this summer—think big acts like James Arthur, Rod Stewart, and The Jonas Brothers. Meanwhile, Beauty & Essex snagged the award for Best Immersive Dining Experience thanks to its glam, speakeasy-style setup and inventive menu by celeb chef Chris Santos.

It’s another reason to make Mohegan Sun your go-to for summer concerts, date nights, and everything in between.

AARP is rolling out a special offer that makes now the perfect time to sign up. For just $15 for your first full year with automatic renewal, you’ll unlock an entire year of exclusive member benefits—plus your choice of a bonus gift: an insulated trunk organizer or a portable power bank.

Here’s what you’ll enjoy as a member:

  • Everyday savings on dining, shopping, gas, and more

  • Major travel discounts on flights, hotels, cruises, and car rentals

  • A subscription to AARP The Magazine, packed with helpful tips and inspiring stories

  • Unlimited access to 40+ online games, including classics like Pong and Breakout

  • Ongoing support and advocacy for issues that matter, like Social Security and Medicare

Whether you're looking to cut costs, plan getaways, or stay connected and informed, AARP offers real value every step of the way.

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Cool off with a budget-friendly water adventure the whole family will love

Nothing says summer fun like spinning, squirting, and colliding in a bumper boat—and right now, you can do it for less at Berlin Batting Cages. For a limited time, Groupon is offering up to 40% off on 4 or 8 bumper boat rides. Each ride is about 8 minutes of soaked silliness—perfect for beating the heat while making some core memories.

With options for all ages (kids under 48" just need a buddy), this is the kind of affordable day out that keeps both your wallet and your family smiling. Bonus? You can snag an extra $3 off with the code GROUPON—but act fast, the deal ends soon.

TOP EVENTS TODAY YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

HAVE YOU BEEN HERE YET?

THIS MONTH IN CONNECTICUT HISTORY

From comic book airwaves to courtroom legends, these five moments helped shape Connecticut’s past

Some moments in time pack an unexpected historical punch, and this one’s got it all—from radio legends to landmark legislation. Back in 1938, Hartford helped launch one of pop culture’s most enduring icons when The Adventures of Superman aired for the first time on the Mutual Broadcasting System. The broadcast catapulted the Man of Steel into American homes and marked a new era for superhero storytelling.

A decade later, in 1948, Connecticut’s own Senator Raymond E. Baldwin stepped onto the national political stage as the Republican vice-presidential nominee, running alongside Thomas E. Dewey. Though the ticket ultimately lost to Harry S. Truman, Baldwin remained a powerful figure in the state’s political landscape.

In 1957, a devastating string of tornadoes ripped through Winsted and New Hartford, killing three people and leaving widespread destruction. The tragedy underscored the need for improved disaster preparedness and would leave a lasting mark on those communities.

Meanwhile, Westport quietly played host to a future legal icon. In 1961, Ruth Bader Ginsburg began her law teaching career while living in Connecticut, long before becoming the second woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court and a symbol of justice and gender equality.

And in 2018, Connecticut made headlines again—this time for legalizing sports betting. Governor Dannel Malloy’s signature on the bill signaled a new chapter for gaming in the state, bringing both opportunity and revenue with it.

From airwaves to courtrooms to casino floors, it’s clear that Connecticut has a knack for being right at the center of change.

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HEADLINES AROUND THE STATE

Meriden Mall Sees Shakeup
Several stores—including Spencer’s, Studio Brow, and Nail Box—have shuttered in the Meriden Mall, but new arrivals are already moving in. Abuelo’s Exclusive Coffee and Adventure Palace are among the additions, giving the mall a mix of closures and fresh starts.

North Haven Resident Scores $50K
Someone in North Haven just got a little richer—$50,000 richer, to be exact—after purchasing a winning Multiplier Madness lottery ticket at a Stop & Shop in Hamden. The CT Lottery is no longer naming winners publicly to help protect them from scams.

CTown Grocery Store Eyed for West Haven
A new grocery option could be heading to West Haven. A former Rite Aid location was sold for $1.53 million, and CTown Supermarket is in early talks to take over the space, though formal plans haven't yet been filed.

School Bus Company to Lay Off 140 Workers
First Student will lay off 140 employees after losing its transportation contract with Greenwich Public Schools. The district is switching to DATTCO for the upcoming school year, citing better union relations and economic terms.

DQ Brings Back a Fan Favorite
Sweet news for Blizzard lovers: Dairy Queen has officially brought back the beloved Oreo Dirt Pie Blizzard—just in time for summer. But there’s a catch—it’s available only through digital ordering and for a limited time, so get it while it’s cold.

Thanks!

Thanks for reading today’s newsletter—we’re glad you stopped by! If you enjoyed it, pass it along to a friend or two so they can stay in the know with what’s happening around Connecticut.

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