Small Biz Spotlight: CT Summer Fun
Connecticut might not be a renowned summer fun destination, but this small biz spotlight is here to make a case for the Constitution state’s plethora of convenient excursions, events, and activities. We hope our selection of summer fun attractions inspires you to explore CT this summer!
Collinsville Canoe and Kayak — Collinsville, CT
I live in the heart of Collinsville, which means the Farmington River is my next-door neighbor — and let me tell you, it can be really tough to concentrate on my WFH hustle when I’m constantly seeing Bald Eagles fly by, or hearing the joyous sounds of river-bound revelers. Luckily, when I do get a chance to close my computer, Collinsville Canoe and Kayak makes it easy to abscond to the river. Housed in a red, three-roofed barn on the banks of the Farmington River, this family-owned small business has “the largest in-stock inventory of canoes, kayaks and stand up paddleboards in New England” — and an equally hefty supply of rental equipment. Renting is a great, affordable way to paddle on a casual basis, but for those looking to buy, Collinsville Canoe and Kayak offers expert advice, convenient product testing, and a permanent 10% discount on all in-stock accessories with the purchase of a boat or board. If that’s not incentive enough, Collinsville Canoe and Kayak also offers a range of activities and community events, like their moonlight paddles, paddling parties, and paddling programs for kids!
For more information, visit them online at www.collinsvillecanoe.com or follow @collinsvillecanoe on Instagram.
Parkville Market — Hartford, CT
Adult food court. Live music. Craft cocktails. Hartford’s hottest spot is Parkville Market.
Built in the former Capitol City Lumber Company building, Parkville Market contains a bevy of unique restaurants, bars, event spaces, and an outdoor courtyard, all designed with a cool industrial vibe that invites a relaxed, casual atmosphere. In addition to rental space perfect for private parties, Parkville Market also hosts a wide variety of public events, including Trivia Tuesdays, paint nights, job fairs, and even something called a Disco and Donuts Brunch Party. Yes, they have something for everyone — and yes, you’re crazy not to incorporate Parkville Market into your summer plans.
For the full listing of the participating vendors and additional information on events, visit www.parkvillemarket.com — and be sure to follow them on Instagram @parkvillemarket.
Kent, CT
Kent is a glorious little corner of Connecticut and the perfect place for an impromptu day trip. Start by checking out the magnificent, 250-foot waterfall at Kent Falls State Park — which is easily accessible from a ¼ mile trail — and snapping some Instagram-worthy pictures from one of the many overlooks. After you’ve worked up an appetite, head into town to grab a bite from Swyft, “a modern tavern in a historical setting, serving wood-fired, farm-driven pizzas, shareable small plates, and seasonal entrees that aim to both comfort and inspire.” Finally, finish off your adventure with a visit to Kent Falls Brewing Company, a working 50-acre farm, brewery, and tasting room just fifteen minutes outside of the town center. Between the scenic hike, excellent food, and cold beer, a trip to Kent has everything you need for some serious summer fun.
Book Barn — Niantic, CT
This one goes out to all the bibliophiles who believe summer fun is most often found in a good book — we agree! And with over 500,000 titles in three separate retail spaces, Niantic’s Book Barn is absolutely unmatched in scope, scale, and volume. The Main Barn contains several themed buildings housing a wide variety of literary genres — like “Ellis Island” for new arrivals, “The Last Page” for science books, or “Hades” for miscellany priced at $1.00 — plus, gorgeous gardens, a goat pen, and several resident cats. 300 feet from the Main Barn is Chapter Three, and less than a mile from that, in the middle of Niantic Village, is the Book Barn Downtown. Between these three locations, you can spend an entire day wandering the aisles of this bibliophile’s paradise — so what are you waiting for? Grab your summer reading list and get shopping!
Visit www.bookbarnniantic.com for more information and follow them on Instagram @bookbarnniantic for epic book stacks, garden content, and — most importantly — cute cat pics.
Pro Tip:
If you’re worried about making room on your shelves for any more books, the Main Barn also buys books year-round from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Pop-up-Putnam — Putnam, CT
Who doesn’t love a good pop-up? Certainly not the business owners in Putnam, who have banded together to form Pop-up-Putnam, an open-air market along the Putnam Riverwalk between Rotary Park and Simonzi Park. With over 30 merchants involved, Pop-up-Putnam has become a unique, one-stop-shop for artisan goods and locally-made products.
This summer’s Pop-up-Putnam takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 16, July 24, and August 21, so mark your calendars and get ready to shop until you drop! For the latest information on participating vendors, follow the Discover Putnam, Connecticut page on Facebook.
Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center — Simsbury, CT
Live music is back! But at the Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center, it never really left. Throughout the pandemic, this outdoor amphitheater safely presented a wide variety of concerts, athletic events, and community gatherings — and this summer, they’re ready to deliver even more of the live entertainment we’ve been missing.
Full disclosure, I’m helping the Simsbury Meadows produce three comedy shows and several concerts this summer, but I swear I’d be attending them even if I wasn’t. Why? Because the Simsbury Meadows is the embodiment of summer fun. Bring a picnic blanket, peruse a food truck, dine al fresco while you listen to fantastic music, take in fireworks, or laugh so hard you shoot wine out your nose (this is obviously hypothetical and has never, ever happened to me) — what could be better?
Check out the Simsbury Meadow’s calendar for a breakdown of all the events happening this summer — and follow them on Instagram at @simsbury_meadows and TikTok at @simsburymeadows for the latest information on events, volunteer opportunities, and hilarious BTS content.
Beyond Connecticut
Once you’ve exhausted all the activities on our list — and yours — remember, Connecticut is an awesome place to live because it’s so easy to access summer fun attractions in the surrounding region. I routinely travel to Rhode Island for beach weekends (and my annual pilgrimage to the Newport Folk Festival), while Theresa heads to the mountains of Vermont to hike with her furry friends (and stops into Brattleboro for Grafton Cheese and beer from The Whetstone Station) — but we’re also close to Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, Block Island, the Portland, Maine culinary scene, and the Berkshires.
Follow us on Instagram @quietcornercomms to see what we get up to this summer — and be sure to send us your favorite recommendations for adventures in Connecticut and beyond!
