Spring Break in Southeastern CT

So as this Spring Break comes to a close, I just want to say what a beautiful week (activities and weather-wise) this has been! The kids and I kept busy and enjoyed ourselves with play dates and park visits. This area has great selection of kid-friendly places! Here are just a few we visited during break…

Stay and Play, LLC in Old Saybrook
175-2 Elm Street Old Saybrook, CT 06475 (860)395-4446
This is an indoor Open-Play facility that features a huge playscape, a cafe (sandwiches, beverages, and healthy snacks), a school bus cafe, an enclosed area for crawlers, ample and comfortable adult seating, a large open play area, and an educational toys/games store. They are open everyday from 9:30a-5:00p and admission (crawlers to age 6) is $5. Roger and Colleen always have a welcoming smile
*GPS 175-2 Research Parkway for best results

The Children’s Museum in Niantic
409 Main Street Niantic, CT 06357 (860)691-1111
This museum has 2 sides (creative play and science). The areas are well thought-out and include: Egyptian Pyramid with sandbox for artifact digging, Tugboat with 2nd level lookout, Mexican Restaurant, Weather news station studio (the broadcast is televised to the front entrance foyer), a large “Stuffee” character whose chest unzips to reveal major organs, interactive lights shapes sensory wall, and miniature pipe organ to name a few. There is also an enclosed playspace for crawlers. I must note that the creative side areas are compartmentalized making it a challenge to keep an eye on your children. Also, the seating for adults is few. Admission is $6 for children 1+ and adults.

Tercentennial Legacy Park in Groton (beside Poquonnock Plains Park)
Route 1 between Dairy Queen and Grasso Tech.
This is an all-inclusive park for all ages, built to celebrate the 300th year anniversary of Groton. It features a variety of swingset styles, many unique offerings such as a There is a covered gazebo in the center that gives parents a good view of the play areas. Additional bench and picnic table seating has been added to the perimeter of the park. One area that could use improvement (or replacement) is the corner sandbox which is left exposed and uncovered as the playground is not a gated area.
This park is located immediately beside the Poquonnock Plains Track. In fact, the track loops around the perimeter of the play area. The track is stroller and bike friendly, too.

Sutton Park in Groton (beside the Grasso Tech entrance)
When the Tercentennial Park is busy (as it was this Spring Break week) and for a change of venue, we ventured across Route 1 to Sutton Park. There is ample bench seating, a view of the skateboard park (my son loves to watch them ride), a playscape, swings, and covered pavilion (great for cookouts and picnics).
There are several other parks that we frequently visit including our very own Washington Park in Groton, the Mystic Rotary Park near the Mystic Drawbridge. Other parks to consider are New London’s Toby May Field and Westerly’s Rotary Park near the Airport.

You might ask about other kid-friendly places like the Mystic Aquarium, the Mystic Seaport, Denison Pequotsepos. Yes, great places indeed, all to be saved for future blogs…