Lake Compounce - where to stay?

[mrsboz]

Last summer there were postings about Lake Compounce. I am thinking that it will be a good option for my family to go somewhere different and isn't too far away. Can I please have suggestions on where to stay, where to eat and what else there is around there? My kids are 15, 13 and 8. My son and husband are really into sports. Any baseball games around? My daughters love food, shopping and anything frilly. Thanks in advance. This place sounds really good.

 

[kk8273]

They have a really nice batting cage/mini golf place right down the street from Lake Compounce. My kids love it there.

 

[Kitzka]

You can't go in but the ESPN headquarters are in bristol about 1/2 a mile or less down the road from lake Compunce (my husband worked there for 3 years and they ahve their annual summer picnic at Lake Compounce). It's a huge 42 acre facility and they don't give tours but it may be cool to drive by and around it to check it out. Esp, if you have any boys or girls who are really into sports. They film all of their silly commercials at the studio so it may be fun to try to see if you can see any of the outside shot locations.

There is also a GREAT mall a few exits up called the West Farms Mall. pretty high end but good for looking. I also think there are some historical things to do in hartford. I'll ask my husband but there is a great homemade ice cream palce near by. he may recall the name.

Have fun it's a great place for families. we haven't been in years but may go this summer.

Lara

 

[HeatherC]

Where are you in Mass? We are near Sturbridge, and it is only about an hour away down Rt 84. Great for a day trip...not sure that you would need to spend more than one day there.

 

[mrsboz]

I've been to Sturbridge a few times with the school trips. I think it is about 1 hour away. Anyone have any suggestions on where to stay or what to do???

 

[Youarehere]

Where to stay:

The Farmington Marriot.
Any hotel in Cromwell, Ct. I think is OK
Avoid anything on the Berlin Turnpike (aka route 5)

Things to do:

On the Berlin Turnpike there is a little complex with Mini Golf, bumper boats, go carts (you have to cross the highway to get to this part), and batting cages. http://www.berlinbattingcages.com/ There is also Safari Mini golf up the road on the other side- it is a better golf course, but it is just golf.

Tubing on the Farmington River is awesome, but the youngest is too young. If the older two like this sort of thing I would still bring them. http://www.farmingtonrivertubing.com/

Mystic Aquarium http://www.mysticaquarium.org/

Ct Childrens Museum http://www.thechildrensmuseumct.org/index.asp (good to bring the younger one while the older ones tube)

Rye Playland (this is in New York- a 2 hour drive away) is very fun too- they have a rollercoaster that doesn't stop- you have to hop on while it's still moving! http://www.ryeplayland.org/

I have never been here, but it looks really fun http://brownstonepark.com/

Go here to rent canoes/ kayaks and explore the river http://www.cckstore.com/rentals/rentals.htm

New Britain Rock Cats http://www.rockcats.com/ farm team for Minnesota Twins


What to eat:

The park food is actually pretty good and very reasonable- more comparable to Disney than Six Flags. Healthy choices available.

I have heard Kissels (maybe Kizzles) right down the road is good, but I haven't been there.

Avoid Luizas Diner right outside the park.

New Nice has good chinese takeout.

There are a lot of chain restaurants on Queen St in Southington- one exit down the highway from Lake Compounce (exit 32)

Truffles bakery in Farmington has the best togo food around and very good breakfast sandwiches, but it is not on the way anywhere except for tubing.

 

[mrsboz]

Thanks for all of your suggestions. That was nice of you to take the time to write all of that for me. We are all excited to do something different.

 

[Bay Hill]

There is a Radisson off exit 31 near LC.

Go to a Rock Cats game if your in the area. Game tickets start at $5.00.

At West Farms mall, The Rainforest Cafe is in the lower level.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[sandy6879]

There is a hotel right next to LC but I wouldn't stay there. Off Exit 31 there is a Residence Inn by Marriott which is VERY nice - literally right off the highway. Maybe a 5-8 minute drive down the street from LC.

Outside the park, there is nothing very close by that is what I would consider good. Hop back on the highway and get off on Queen St exit 32 like a PP stated - a ton of good choices there. Kizl's is ok but more for breakfast options.

Shopping - WestFarms is a nice mall, has a lot of shopping. Across the street there is a strip mall there as well. There are outlets on 95 which are always good for shopping.

Other things to do - not much in this immediate area to be honest.

I live about 5 minutes from the entrance - down back roads not in the immediate vicinity - so if I can help you further, PM me!

 

[mrsboz]

Sandy 6879. Just wondering why wouldn't you stay at the nice hotel. Is it too expensive or just not in a great location? Thank you for your response.

 

[mrsboz]

Does anyone know if you can get Lake Compounce tickets at a discounted price?

 

[Mickey527]

go to the Lake Compounce site and you can buy your tickets on line. The family pakc of 4 is $99. You can buy more at $24.99 each ticket. I havent' seen any other discounts, Burger King used to have some but that was at least 4 years ago.

 

[LivingtheWDWdream]

I know the Costco in Enfield had tickets for LC when I was up in CT visiting family last week.

I moved from CT to Orlando last year but before I quit my job they had the Employee Appreciation Day at Lake Compounce it was a fun day and we had a great time there. I think you will enjoy it! Make sure you bring swimsuits for the Water Park I didn't remember and wish I had done so!!

If you can see a Rock Cats game go for it that was a lot of fun when we went after winning tickets off the radio.

West Farms has the Rainforest Cafe, but also has California Pizza Kitchen which we enjoyed as well. They have a lot of upscale shops to look in but nothing out of reach either. We enjoyed going in to Bare Esscenuals and getting Made over. And my cousin who is a techno kid and a Apple fan went to the apple store and could have spent hours in there if we allowed him to.

I believe the Science Center is now open in Hartford (not sure since we only had a week to fit in with family last week and it was closed when we moved down to Fl) but check and see that might be fun to see. Mark Twain's house or the Wadsworth Antheneum might be a good stop depending on what is showing or age of your kids.

I'm sure you will have a blast!

 

[Bay Hill]

>>I believe the Science Center is now open in Hartford<<

The CT Science Center is now open....
http://www.ctsciencecenter.org/

 

[mrsboz]

thanks everybody.

 

[TonyB]

The Holiday Inn in Waterbury, 15 minutes from Lake Compounce, is home to Connecticut's only indoor waterpark; Coco Key Resort.
http://www.cocokeywaterresort.com/Locations/waterbury/index.aspx