***** Please keep in mind that although the State of Connecticut has begun a phased reopening, most events have been postponed or cancelled due to the Coronoavirus.*****
Events:
Saturday you are invited to the HillStead Museum, 35 Mountain Road in Farmington to celebrate the first day of spring with 'Walktail Hours' from noon to 6 p.m. Enjoy the gorgeous grounds as you safely sip and stroll with a warm drink in hand. The Liquorist will serve up craft cocktails from their mobile bar (once a 1970's horse trailer!). Grillin & Groovin will provide creative and delicious comfort food. While onsite, take a guided tour of the 1901 house museum with masterworks by Monet, Manet, Degas, Cassatt, and Whistler. www.hillstead.org
It's a Pasta Pass-by! Manchester Elks Lodge #1893 is hosting a Scholarship Fundraiser to help a camper and/or a family to attend The Hole In The Wall Gang Camp this Summer. The event will be Saturday from 12 noon - 7:00 pm. Drive-thru donation of $10 and you can drive off with a pasta dinner. There will be limited seating in the Lodge too. But wait... there's more! Click on the following link to donate directly to the fund! http://getinvolved.holeinthewallgang.org/site/TR/HWCGGlobal/General?px=1294505&pg=personal&fr_id=1555
Spring will arrive Saturday! Step outside and evaluate your trees and plants. What to do and not do in anticipation of warmer weather. The English Lady provides her March Gardening Tips here: https://www.audacy.com/wrch/latest/local/march-gardening-tips-from-the-english-lady
The New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks hosts the Flights of Fun Family Programs offering social distanced activities for families on Saturdays and Sundays 10am to 4pm including Flight Science Demonstrations, the Investigation Station, and take-home versions of our popular Build and Fly Challenges. Additional activities include QR Code Tours, Scavenger Hunts, and opportunities for visitors to peek inside select aircraft cockpits. All programs are included with general admission. Limited Capacity and Covid-19 safety measures are in place. Please visit www.NEAM.org before you go!
The Galleries at WORK_SPACE have extended the PERSPECTIVES OF A PANDEMIC exhibit which showcases 150 pieces of art created between March – November 2020 by 45 ‘local’ artists between Brooklyn and Boston. Open on weekdays from 10a – 4pm and by appointment, this free exhibit includes photography, fiber art, painting, poetry, and other mediums the artists used to comment on Covid-19, respond to the injustice of structural racism, react to the contentiousness of politics, and to fill time in quarantine. In addition to the exhibit, the team at the Galleries has collaborated with artists, poets, community activists and educators to create companion programs to help participants tap into their own creativity and experience for themselves the power of art to inspire personal and collective transformation. To schedule a private socially distant tour, call 860.647.3168 or email Galleries@WORKSPACEmanchester.com. To get a sneak a peek at the collection online: https://bit.ly/PERSPECTIVESofaPANDEMICexhibit
The Carousel Museum and Museum of Fire History, 95 Riverside Avenue, Bristol are open to the public and offer free FREE general admission to visitors that live in the cities of Bristol and Burlington through December 31, 2021. Residents should be prepared to show and ID or proof or residence. This was made possible by the museums receiving grants from local foundations. General admission includes guided tours at noon and 2:00 PM during public hours and one carousel ride per person. Additional carousel rides are $1 each or $3 for an unlimited ride bracelet. Presently masks are required for all visitors over the age of 2. Other towns may make a reservation online or visit the Museum for ticket prices and special events. www.thecarouselmuseum.org
Mohegan Sun is open! Comix Roadhouse has also reopened. Safety measures have been instituted including reduced attendance, sanitation procedures, social distancing, physical barriers and more. www.mohegansun.com
Foxwoods Casino is open. Safety measures have been instituted including reduced attendance, sanitation procedures, social distancing, physical barriers and more. To learn more, visit www.foxwoods.com.
MGM Springfield Casino is now open! www.mgmspringfield.mgmresorts.com/
Nomad's Adventure Quest, 100 Bidwell Rd, South Windsor is re-opened with limited capacity and some activities restricted. Hours are Friday 4pm-10pm, Saturday 12pm-10pm and Sunday 12pm-8pm. www.nomadsadventurequest.com or 860-290-1177
Revolutions Bowling and Lounge, 60 Bidwell Rd, South Windsor, CT 06074 is open daily. Please make a reservation and follow mask and social distancing guidelines! Call (860) 282-2695
Mystic Seaport is open with many family friendly outdoor activities.
Mystic Aquarium's outdoor spaces including the Penguin Pavilion, Marsh Trek, Pacific Northwest habitats and the Arctic Coast habitat featuring New England’s only beluga whales are open! Hours of operation will be 10am to 6pm daily for timed-ticket visitation. Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.mysticaquarium.org/visit/tickets/
Theater/Streaming:
The Hartford Symphony Orchestra Spotlight Series continues with the music of brass and woodwind instruments! Spotlight: Wind Power – Music for Brass & Woodwinds, was filmed at the Theater of the Performing Arts at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts and will be available on-demand now through April 11. Tickets and information are available at hartfordsymphony.org.
If you are a U2 fan, watch their entire concert from 2001 Live from Slane Castle in Dublin on YouTube! It’s part of the Elevation concert tour that also stopped right here at the Hartford Civic Center... but in front of an Irish Castle! Go to YouTube and search U2 Slane Castle. And watch over the next few weeks for other concerts dating back to 1983!
Unique Dining Options:
Visit J Restaurant Bar, 297 Washington Street in Hartford for the Gazeebos and Box Car Dining Experience. A large area of their secure parking lot has been transformed - their parking lot is now a Paved Paradise complete with tables, lighting, heaters, fire pits and safety! Dine outside all winter and Fish & Chip Fridays till Easter! This Friday it’s housemade chips with tasty Fluke! 860-527-7764.
Mykonos Mediterranean Restaurant, 2414 Berlin Turnpike in Newington has expanded their dining room into Outdoor Dining, inside. 3 walls are all glass with screens and sliding windows allowing a constant flow of fresh air. UV lights and Heaters in the ceiling have also been added for your safety and comfort. Complete Family Meal To Go Offerings are still available for $35 & $45. 860-594-0900
Millwrights Restaurant and Tavern in Simsbury has Igloos! Dine in your own outdoor bubble! www.millwrightsrestaurant.com or 860-651-5500.