Fun Fact: Angela used to volunteer here! Her favorite part is the Shark and Ray Touch Pool - the rays are like little water puppies! What makes Maritime Aquarium unique? They are one of a few aquariums in the country that runs a horseshoe crab tagging and conservation program. Horseshoe crabs are vital for human vaccine research! Maritime Aquarium focuses on research, education, and conservation of local marine life, especially with regard to the impact of climate change and overfishing in the Long Island Sound. Many of their animals are rescued!
Paddle out on a kayak or stand-up paddle board to enjoy the diverse nature of the Long Island Sound! Paddle left to stay on the quiet Saugatuck River or paddle right towards the Long Island Sound (which flows into the Atlantic Ocean) and Compo Beach!
Rated one of CT's best beaches and with an A+ in water quality, Calf Pasture Beach is a local gem. Non-residents can park for a daily fee, $48 on weekdays (or $30 after 5 PM) and $72 on weekends/holidays. There is a playground and splashpad for kids. Kayak rentals are available.
Lily's favorite place! Cranbury Dog Park has something for everyone - playground for kids, miles of hiking trails (dogs are allowed off-leash), 18-hole disc golf course, and a beautiful green for picnics. With over 227 acres, there is plenty to do here on a sunny summer day!
The Stepping Stones Museum for Children is a hands-on museum specifically designed for children aged 10 and under.
The Thimble Islands are a chain of 365 islands in Stony Creek Harbor off the southeast coast of Branford in Long Island Sound. Rent a kayak or take a boat tour through these islands, which are a mix of private residences and public conservation sites. Boat Tour: https://thimbleislandcruise.com/ Kayak Rental (launch at Stony Creek Beach, Branford): https://thimbleislandkayak.com/ More on Thimble Island Real Estate: https://www.ctinsider.com/realestate/article/thimble-islands-branford-ct-for-sale-20804920.php
Ranging from easy to hard trails, there is a trail for every hiker at Sleeping Giant. Follow the Blue Trail for a challenging, but fun hike - dogs permitted! Lily conquered this hike!
Best Breakfast Spot Around! Matt and I come here almost every weekend for our special "quaint mornings" having breakfast on the patio with Lily. Our favorites: Wilton High Special on a roll and Wilton Warrior wrap with jalapenos.
One of our favorite restaurants in Fairfield County! Must order: labneh with spice cherry sweet tomato jam, nigella & olive oil (or just order all 5 dips!) and flatbread; for dessert: coal baked knafe with lavender gelato
Our favorite Greek spot! Come for Opa Hour on Fri-Sun nights (9-10 pm or later), when they turn down the lights, turn up the music, and break some plates! Must try: Horiatiki Salad, Dolmades, Feta Meli (like baklava, but filled with tangy feta, no nuts), Lamb Youvetsi or Seafood Youvetsi
Owned and operated by Italian brothers, this was the first Oggi Gelato location opened in the US. Their other locations are in Rome, Milan, Udine, Trieste and Pordenone in Italy; Athens, Greece; Barcelona, Spain; and Santiago, Chile. There's a second location in Fairfield, CT in case you go to Oggi after Esh! Fun Fact: Matt and Angela went to the Barcelona location 2 weeks before finding out they were opening in Norwalk, CT!
One of the best pita and hummus you'll ever experience. This is down the hill from Angela's hometown! 20 min away from Hawthorne, NJ, for those attending the Srinivasa/Urda wedding!
If you're an ice cream lover like Matt, you will make more than one stop here! I've had friends come back for a second round at the same time! Family owned by Syed and Victoria Rizvi, this place has been around for over 30 years. The best ice cream in NJ, if not the US! ( Ang's favorite chocolate ice cream is still in Gran Canaria!) 5 min from Hummus Elite, and 20 min away from the Srinivasa/Urda wedding for those attending!
Best bagels in the US - NJ bagels > NY bagels! Come early and ask for "a hot bagel"! They will not disappoint. Don't waste your money anywhere else! https://www.foodandwine.com/travel/restaurants/best-bagels-america 15 min from the Srinivasa/Urda wedding for those attending!
The only Mitsuwa in US East Coast! A Japanese food lover's paradise! The Food Court features speciality stalls that transport you back to Japan: tempura @ Kaisen Hannosuke, ramen @ Hokkaido Ramen Santouka, onigiri @ Omusubi Gonbei, taiyaki @ Oishinbo, matcha soft serve @ Matcha Love, mochi doughnuts, and much more! Check out the Japanese stores in the plaza, including cosmetics, anime/manga, and household goods! Walk off the food on the riverwalk along the Hudson River, right behind Mitsuwa. Hokkaido Ramen Santouka rivals NYC ramen & started in Hokkaido in 1988: https://www.santouka-usa.com/our-story 30 min away from Hawthorne, NJ for those also attending the Srinivasa/Urda wedding!
Adjacent to Samsung North America HQ, Pal Park boasts some of the best Korean food in the world. From KBBQ to soondobu to kimbap and Caffe Bene, you will find a little piece of Korea along Broad Ave in Pal Park.
Come here for a delicious Shanghainese meal, including soup dumplings and scallion pancakes wrapped with beef! Must order: pumpkin & red bean pancake. 20 min from the Srinivasa/Urda wedding for those attending!
Experience a classic American drive-in theatre - only $13 for a double feature! They play currently released movies. Located on the border of NY and NJ. Grab your snacks at Shoprite grocery store across the street, before driving in - save $$$ on the concession stand snacks! Check out Warwick Winery and Alstede Farms (or other nearby farms) while you're there, too! July is a great time for visiting animal farms and picking fruit at NJ farms.
No Sales Tax on Clothes & Shoes in NJ! North America's answer to Dubai Mall, American Dream is a megamall boasting Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park (Western Hemisphere's largest indoor theme park), DreamWorks Water Park (North America's largest indoor water park with a wave pool), Big SNOW (indoor ski/snowboard slope), SEA LIFE Aquarium, LEGOLAND Discovery Center, an ice rink, and the Dream Wheel. We apologize in advance for the stimulation overload!
Storm King Art Center is a 500-acre outdoor museum (sculpture garden) located in New York's Hudson Valley. It contains perhaps the largest collection of contemporary outdoor sculptures in the United States.
Hands-down, this is Angela's favorite indoor space in NYC.
Located on the Upper East Side of Central Park, Conservatory Garden is a dog-friendly, family-friendly, free garden space for visitors to spend a sunny, beautiful day! One of the best spots in Central Park!