Driving through the rolling hills of Litchfield County, there's a certain sense of history that isn't obvious in the more populated suburbs. Route 7 winds its way up the fertile Housatonic River valley, leaving behind the faster paced towns of Fairfield County and opening up to some pastoral views north of New Milford. Hiking and History One of the first pieces of Kent's history that travelers encounter is located a few miles south of the town center. Bulls Bridge is home to one of only three 19th century covered bridges remaining in Connecticut. The charming wooden bridge was originally …

Looking for a fun way to cool off during these hot, hazy days of summer? Maybe a tubing trip down the Farmington River is just what you need!  Of course, you can always make a go of it with your own tube or kayak, but for safety and convenience, head to Satan’s Kingdom State Recreation Area, on Route 44 in New Hartford. Upon arrival, you park your car in their dirt parking lot, put on your old sneakers or water shoes and head over to a small trailer. After you sign a waiver form and pay the fee, an attendant will give you a specially designed river tube and life jacket. And away you go! With …

Summer is winding down but many kids are out of camp and looking to be entertained. And there's no better way to handle hot days and bored kids than to visit a water park. A few area attractions provide cool recreation for different age groups. SplashDown: Cool for a Range of Ages Located in Fishkill, SplashDown is appealing for families with toddlers to teens. Steve Turk bought the park about five years ago and has added a new attraction each year, so now the park is almost double its original size, according to Kyle Carson, marketing director. "We like to say we're America's biggest little …

Don’t have time to take a spa weekend with your girlfriends? Is that week at the beach with the kids looking too expensive? Given money and time constraints, taking time off to recharge and relax can seem impossible. But sometimes, I discovered, a day is all you need. Just over the Connecticut border is a quick “daycation” destination enjoyable for friends, families and couples: Stand-up paddle boarding. The water sport, which is actually an ancient form of surfing originating from Hawaii, involves paddling a long surf board, or paddle board, while standing. For a group of first-timers from …

Located in South Norwalk, the Maritime Aquarium attracts not just local people, but families, contingents of school kids and adults from all over the northern New York suburbs and much of Connecticut. It's an easy 30 or 40 minute drive from the Bedford area and worthy of visiting again and again.So when your kids tell you they've already "been there, done that" ages ago at the aquarium, here's what you say: "Hey, not only are the sharks, seals and other aquarium stuff still there, the meerkats haven't left and now there's a dinosaur exhibit (and a 3-D simulator ride to go with it). And there …

New York City may have the annual Macy’s fireworks display, boasting 40,000 pyrotechnic shells and two full miles of ooh- and ahh-worthy explosions, but there’s plenty of fantastic Fourth of July color — and fun — to be found close to home. So with Katy Perry’s voice going boom, boom, boom inside our heads, we’ve created an essential guide to fireworks displays and Fourth of July getaways to fit every mood and moment. IT’S TRADITION Port Chester is known for a vibrant restaurant scene that regularly draws visitors from near and far. But it also hosts one of the most impressive fireworks …

What to do when there are three great opportunities to hear outdoor music on a lovely summer night? Fear not, we’ve got what you need to know about tonight’s shows, including the artists, the prices and the target audience. Weather forecasts call for a clear, cool night—so skip the chores at home and get out! Summer Sunset Concert Series Pack a picnic and bring your lawnchairs—the Bookends headline the first in a series of six, free summer concerts sponsored by the Bedford Recreation and Parks department. Held on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. from Jun. 29 – Aug. 3. The shows are held on a rotating …