🍎Apple Blossoms, Tulip Fields, & More Connecticut Adventures

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Good morning! Spring is in full swing and there’s so much happening across Connecticut this week. We’ve got new festivals, beautiful flower fields to explore, museum guides, and even a unique wild foraging experience you won’t want to miss.

Here's what you’ll find inside today’s email:

Mothers Day Love GIF by Pusheen

Mother’s Day is right around the corner — and if you’re still searching for a thoughtful gift, Groupon has you covered!

From spa days and manicures to massages, wine tastings, horseback riding adventures, and so much more, you’ll find incredible experiences (and major savings) that Mom will love.

Make her day unforgettable with a gift that’s as special as she is.

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Springtime blooms, farm fun, and a new Connecticut tradition are coming to life this May.

Bishop’s Orchards in Guilford is celebrating the season with its first-ever Apple Blossom Festival on May 10.

Guests can stroll or ride through thousands of blooming apple trees, enjoy a petting zoo, craft activities, wagon rides, live acoustic music, food trucks, and more. Little ones will love the expanded outdoor play area featuring a bubble barn, mega slides, and pedal carts.

Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. This is a perfect family-friendly springtime outing.

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From world-class art museums to fascinating local history centers, our new guide has it all.

Looking for a new weekend adventure?

We’ve rounded up the very best museums to visit in Connecticut — whether you're into art, history, science, maritime exhibits, or interactive experiences for kids. It’s a great resource for rainy days, staycations, or whenever you're in the mood to explore something new.

WICKED TULIPS IN PRESTON IS OPEN FOR THE SEASON

Fields of colorful tulips are now ready for picking — but only for a few weeks!

Wicked Tulips, Connecticut’s largest pick-your-own tulip farm, has officially opened its Preston location for the 2025 season.

With more than 75 varieties and 1.5 million blooms, it’s a stunning place to stroll, snap photos, and pick your own bouquet.

Tickets must be purchased online in advance and the season typically runs only a few weeks — don’t miss it!

Did you know that the World Wide Web was born in Geneva, Switzerland? Indeed, the first version of the Internet cropped up at CERN in 1989.

Today the world-renowned center is home to the largest particle accelerator and to the CERN Science Gateway – a must-see hub for science enthusiasts that features hands-on exhibits, immersive virtual reality experiences, and live demonstrations.

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Learn to spot edible plants and discover local ecosystems on a guided nature tour — now up to 60% off!

Join renowned naturalist "Wildman" Steve Brill for a unique wild-food and ecology tour through Huntington State Park in Redding (and other nearby locations).

You’ll learn to identify mushrooms, fruits, herbs, and other edible plants while enjoying a hands-on outdoor adventure. Options available for groups of two, four, or six. Tours last several hours and are family-friendly.

TOP EVENTS TODAY YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

🎨 CREATE_SPACE Tuesdays at WORK_SPACE (Manchester): Bring your creativity to this open studio for makers and artists.

📚 Kate at Home at The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center (Old Saybrook): Discover Katharine Hepburn’s private life through historic exhibits.

🌿 Their Kindred Earth: Photographs by William Earle Williams at Florence Griswold Museum (Old Lyme): A powerful photo exhibit connecting landscapes with American history.

🦉 After School Adventures Program at Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center (Old Lyme): Kids can explore nature through hands-on activities and discovery.

đź§  Tuesday Trivia at Third Place by Half Full Brewery (Stamford): Test your knowledge while sipping craft brews.

âť“ Trivia Tuesday at Parkville Market (Hartford): Grab a bite and join in on trivia night fun at Parkville.

HAVE YOU BEEN HERE YET?

Gerard Way Concert GIF by My Chemical Romance

There’s no shortage of live music happening all around the state. Check out the upcoming show calendar below:

THIS MONTH IN CONNECTICUT HISTORY

Connecticut Finally Ratifies the Bill of Rights (April 1939)

In April 1939, Connecticut made history — by finally ratifying the U.S. Constitution’s Bill of Rights, a full 150 years after the amendments were first proposed.

The delay wasn’t due to a lack of support for individual freedoms. In fact, Connecticut’s early colonial government had already codified one of America’s earliest sets of personal rights back in 1650, protecting citizens against crimes like murder, slander, forgery, and theft. When the Bill of Rights was introduced in 1789, Connecticut’s General Assembly voted to approve it — but a procedural inconsistency between the state’s two legislative houses kept the ratification from becoming official.

Fortunately, Connecticut’s oversight didn’t prevent the Bill of Rights from becoming national law. Enough states ratified the amendments for them to be adopted without Connecticut’s formal vote.

Finally, on April 19, 1939, during nationwide celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of the Bill of Rights, Connecticut officially ratified the first ten amendments. The vote was unanimous, making Connecticut the final state to formally endorse the U.S. Bill of Rights — a moment of historic closure, this month in Connecticut history.

Say goodbye to alcohol, and say hello to America’s first USDA organic THC edibles. Cornbread Hemp is well-known to provide exceptional and safe hemp products, and these edibles are now their best-selling product.

Formulated with a 1:1 ratio of THC to CBD (10mg of each), each gummy provides a balanced feeling of happiness without feeling overwhelmed or couch-locked.

*One-time purchases only, cannot be combined with subscription discounts.

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HEADLINES AROUND THE STATE

Connecticut Flunks National Report on Home Affordability

A new Realtor.com report ranked Connecticut near the bottom nationally for home construction and affordability. The state received an "F" grade, citing zoning laws and high costs as key barriers to homeownership. Neighboring states fared similarly, with New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island also failing the report card.

Connecticut Ratepayers Are Paying Over $1 Billion in Public Benefits Charges

Testimony from Eversource and United Illuminating revealed that Connecticut electric customers now pay over $1 billion annually in public benefits charges — funding government-mandated energy programs. Lawmakers are considering a plan to replace these charges with "Green Bonds" to help ease the burden on residents.

Bear Spotted Using Backyard Slide in Simsbury

A Simsbury family caught a surprising moment on video when a black bear climbed up their children’s backyard playset — and slid down the slide like a pro. Bear sightings have become more common across suburban Connecticut, but this playful behavior was a first for the Loving family and their neighbors.

7 Brew Coffee Expands with New Drive-Thru Location in Vernon

7 Brew, a popular drive-thru coffee chain known for its specialty drinks and speedy service, opened a new location in Vernon. Fans familiar with the brand from other states were thrilled, and newcomers lined up to try their signature drinks. The company continues to expand across Connecticut.

Joann Fabric Stores Across Connecticut Are Closing

Joann Fabrics — a longtime staple for craft and sewing supplies — is closing all of its Connecticut locations following a second bankruptcy filing. Everything must go, with liquidation sales offering 40% to 70% off remaining inventory. The closures mark the end of an era for many longtime customers.

Governor Lamont Announces Better Wireless Service on Metro-North’s New Haven Line

Commuters on the New Haven Line can now enjoy significantly improved wireless coverage, thanks to a $6 million investment from AT&T. More than 30 new cell sites have been added along the rail corridor, boosting LTE and 5G service and helping Connecticut commuters stay connected during their travels.

Thanks!

Thanks for reading today’s newsletter! We hope it gave you some fun ideas to get outside, explore, and enjoy everything Connecticut has to offer this week.

If you liked today’s email, forward it to a friend — and help them discover all the best things to do around the state too!

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!

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