Lake Compounce

[PollyannaMom]

Yea, I know, nothing is the same as Disney! But we only get there every couple of years, and we try to content ourselves in the summers between trips with "local" amusement parks. We've enjoyed Six Flags (Springfield and Lake George) and Canobie Lake, and are thinking about Lake Compounce next.

So, if you live near there, or have been to visit, please share your recommendations! I'm looking for park tips, where to stay, and what else to do in the area. (We'll have two adults and a teen who likes history and science.)

Thanks in advance!

 

[monorailsilver]

My son just went on Thursday for their 8th grade trip. I have never been but he had fun as did my dtr 2 yrs prior. I know there is the water park part. I believe it is small so you won't need 2 days to explore.

There is the science museum in Hartford, never been but my kids have (I feel deprived!).

Bridgeport has the discovery museum. Not sure if your so. Would be too old for that, my kids were under 7 when I took them.

I feel like I broke my ankle at the Mark Twain house...sigh...I think that's in west Hartford, or maybe Hartford...not exactly sure.

Averys soda in new Britain, you can make your own. Never have gone, always wanted to.

Stew Leonard's in newington, Norwalk or Danbury...grocery store but it's a bit different.

Farther away, the sub base in Groton is free and you can walk thru a sub.

Dinosaur state park in Rocky Hill...bring bug spray if you walk the trail! Inside there are foot prints which is pretty neat!

New haven has the Peabody museum.

Brownstone in Portland-outdoor water park off the CT River.

Someday I will make it up to Kent falls! I used to live that side of the state but along the shore, now I live next to the CT River and still shoreline so it's not easy to get to.

Tubing down the Farmington river, never done it...someday..maybe..

Mystic Seaport, sort of like Sturbridge but more geared towards the boating aspects. Farther away from lake compounce though.

Gilettes castle in east haddam, again not close but I can see it from my towns dock so it's close to me.... William Gillette played Sherlock Holmes 100 years ago...and it's a tour of his house overlooking the CT River and you are free to explore the grounds..easy hiking trails.

I would look to see what you want to do besides lake compounce and looo for hotels in that area.

 

[Sleepy425]

Lake Compounce has a camping section now, so for a night or two you may consider staying there (they have cabins you can rent). I doubt you would need more than a day to do the park, unless you plan on spending a lot of time in the water park section. The good thing about Lake Compounce is they offer free fountain drinks, which saves a lot of money and makes sure you stay hydrated.
If you like shows, the Bushnell in Hartford is a good place to check out. If they have something you're interested in seeing while you're there, there are a lot of places within walking distance that have good food. We like City Steam Brewery. The hotel attached to City Steam is all suites, and my parents like to get rooms there whenever they head to Hartford (I think it's a Marriott).
Mystic is another great place to spend a couple days - the aquarium, the Sea Port, and all the little eateries are very quaint. There are a few hotels right near the attractions (I believe the Hyatt has a location right there).

Bristol, Hartford, and Mystic aren't really too close to each other, but if you spend a couple days in a couple places it might be a nice trip. Oh, and Mystic isn't far from the casinos!

 

[PollyannaMom]

Thanks for the answers so far! That gives me a lot to check out.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Bumping to see if anyone else has hotel suggestions in or near Bristol? (I checked out the campground, but it's not really what we're looking for on this trip. - We'll just be adding a couple of days "on the way home" from a family visit to upstate NY, so we don't want to pack a lot of supplies.)

 

[monorailsilver]

Bumping to see if anyone else has hotel suggestions in or near Bristol? (I checked out the campground, but it's not really what we're looking for on this trip. - We'll just be adding a couple of days "on the way home" from a family visit to upstate NY, so we don't want to pack a lot of supplies.)

CT is a sad state! There really isn't much exciting here. Bristol isn't a great area. Waterbury, new Britain and Meriden are the larger cities nearby and I wouldn't choose to stay there unless I had no choice, maybe Meriden. Granted crime can happen anywhere. I would check out trip advisor for hotels. I know my husband cousins have stayed in New Britain or plainville but I am not sure exactly what kind of hotel as they are the type to spend $29.99/night.

Cromwell has a hotel right off 91

There are the trampoline parks, indoor in new Britain (I think) and maybe the rocky hill area.

Up by the airport there is the New England air museum.

 

[xjillianpaige]

I've only been once and I was staying with a friend who lived in the area. From what I can tell, it's in small-town Connecticut area and there's not much to do. You're probably better off driving to a bigger city to stay and find things to do there after spending a few hours at Lake Compound. When I went, I was only there for a few hours - it was cheaper to go after 5:00 so that's when we went and we got enough done. Can't miss the Boulderdash!

 

[pxidst119]

Check out the Double Tree on Century Drive in Bristol. It's right outside of Lake Compounce. My sister had her out of town wedding guests stay there and they were all happy with it. It's clean and they have an indoor pool. Also it's across from ESPN. There's a mini golf with some batting cages on the main road nearby too. Lake Compounce is a small park but it's fun and usually the lines aren't too long. Weekdays can be a little busy with summer camp kids but they usually stick to the water park and leave by 3:00. I think the summer pass is $55. Might be worth it if you wanted to go more than one day. All of the local Dunkin Donut shops have coupons for a few dollars off the day ticket price.

 

[pxidst119]

The mini golf is called Hidden Valley on West street.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Thanks!

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

There is a Residence Inn in Southington that is on the main road that leads to Compounce as well as a Homewood Suites. Both are very nice and as pp said the Double tree is there as well.

 

[Pumbaa_]

I am a Bristol resident. Please don't disparage my town, makes us sad

We are a normal town, our claim to fame is home of ESPN and Lake Compounce

We are also home to Little League Regionals every summer

There are many smaller chains in the area. Never stayed at any of them, since I live about 2 miles from Lake Compounce

If you are looking for a little more upscale, try the Marriott in Farmington CT.

Nice dining near LC, try Cava. They recently opened a roof top lounge. Haven't tried the new space but enjoy the restaurant
West Hartford has a mecca of dining and shops to poke in. It is very pedestrian friendly and home to some fantastic restaurants.

I have rented a cabana at LC. It well for us, we were a range of ages from 3 months to 74. It was nice to have a home base.

I hope you enjoy your stay!

 

[Nancyg56]

Yea, I know, nothing is the same as Disney! But we only get there every couple of years, and we try to content ourselves in the summers between trips with "local" amusement parks. We've enjoyed Six Flags (Springfield and Lake George) and Canobie Lake, and are thinking about Lake Compounce next.

So, if you live near there, or have been to visit, please share your recommendations! I'm looking for park tips, where to stay, and what else to do in the area. (We'll have two adults and a teen who likes history and science.)

Thanks in advance!

I cannot help with lodging, but in regards to activities I have some suggestions.

My DGD loves the Science Museum in Hartford. I suggest that if you go, arrive at opening because it also serves as a science camp. By afternoon the kids are touring different exhibits. Kady tends to tour the seasonal exhibits, which are pretty nice. She also likes the IMAX movies shown.

Mystic Aquarium is a great place to spend the day. WE go at least once a year, and always find plenty to do and see.

If you visited Six Flags NE you probably drove past the Trolley Museum. This museum is dedicated to the trolleys and trains history in the area. It is really worth visiting.

Hartford is an historical gift. If you like history there are so many museum to visit. The Wadsworth Athenaeum and the Mark Twain House are just 2 among the many.

The Litchfield Hills are stunning and have wineries and tours that everyone can enjoy.

I am not great at determining where everything in, but in Norwalk there is the Maritime Museum. This is on our list this year. My DGD worked as an intern at Mystic Aquarium, so we want to visit this one.

CT is a sad state! There really isn't much exciting here. Bristol isn't a great area. Waterbury, new Britain and Meriden are the larger cities nearby and I wouldn't choose to stay there unless I had no choice, maybe Meriden. Granted crime can happen anywhere. I would check out trip advisor for hotels. I know my husband cousins have stayed in New Britain or plainville but I am not sure exactly what kind of hotel as they are the type to spend $29.99/night.

Cromwell has a hotel right off 91

There are the trampoline parks, indoor in new Britain (I think) and maybe the rocky hill area.

Up by the airport there is the New England air museum.

I am a CT resident and also ask that you do not disparage our State. There is lodging that is both safe and affordable throughout the state. As you said, crime can occur anywhere, and if we used those reports as a means of determining which cities and States to avoid, we would never visit Michigan, New York, New Jersey.....

As to activities and attractions, Connecticut has a collection of both educational and just for fun places that allows for something most families can enjoy.

CT residents are well aware of the deficits that our State suffers but a lack of things to do and see is not one of them.

 

[karmic]

Nicely said Nancy-thanks!

 

[monorailsilver]

I am a Bristol resident. Please don't disparage my town, makes us sad

Never em at to upset you, just not a fan of city's and I wouldn't tell someone to stay in a hotel in a city. My original post gave the OP ideas. My next spot said to look at TA since no one offered her any help.

I am a CT resident and also ask that you do not disparage our State. There is lodging that is both safe and affordable throughout the state. As you said, crime can occur anywhere, and if we used those reports as a means of determining which cities and States to avoid, we would never visit Michigan, New York, New Jersey.....

As to activities and attractions, Connecticut has a collection of both educational and just for fun places that allows for something most families can enjoy.

CT residents are well aware of the deficits that our State suffers but a lack of things to do and see is not one of them.

I am a CT resident too-for my whole life and I did say to look on trip advisor for hotels. The OP didn't get many responses after my original post to her so I posted again. If any of my friends from out of state asked if they should stay at the XXX Hotel in Bridgeport, Hartford, new London or any major city in CT I would steer them towards a quieter area...where crimes can still happen but I'd rather them be in a safer area. Yes I have friends from Bridgeport, Middletown but it's not for me.

I don't know any hotels in the Lake Compounce area, again the OP didn't get much help In that area from dis board Bristol/nearby residents. She was still looking for help so like above, if it was an IRL friend, I'd steer towards a safer community, sorry if I offended anyone.

And CT is boring, there isn't a whole heck of a lot to do centered in areas. My original post gave a bunch of ideas, not many are close to Lake Compounce and things are spread out. Plus add the rush hour traffic or the cape coders passing thru or the people who come to their beach homes for the weekend making travel near impossible on RT 1.