Newington

The U.S. National Iwo Jima Memorial Park can be found in the town of Newington. It was dedicated on the 50th anniversary of the flag raising on Iwo Jima, on February 23rd, 1995. Raising the flag on Iwo Jima was a moment captured via photograph by Joe Rosenthal in 1945 and depicts six U.S. Marines raising a U.S. flag on Mount Suribachi. You’ll be able to see the breathtaking statue and explore the memorial, which is dedicated to the 6,821 servicemen who gave their lives at that particular battle; on the base, you’ll see the names of the 100 men from Connecticut who lost their lives.

Iwo Jima Way, New Britain, CT 06053

Mill Pond Park is home to a waterfall of the same name which is often promoted locally as “the smallest natural waterfall in the entire United States”. If you’re there during the fall, be sure to attend the park’s annual Waterfall Festival which is a much loved event by locals and visitors. The festival features over 70 food and artisan vendors, performances by local artists, and much more. Getting to the waterfall will take you through the park’s many ponds, paths, and wooded areas. There is a wooden footbridge observation area overlooking the top of the falls which is sure to give you amazing views of your surroundings.

123 Garfield St, Newington, CT 06111, Phone: 860-665-8666

The Lucy Robbins Welles Library opened to the public in 1939. It is named after the benefactor of the same name and her family, who contribute by donating land and other resources. A major renovation was done in 1988 which expanded the library extensively. Today, visitors will be able to see a stunning combination of old world charm and new modern amenities. The library offers an excellent collection of print books, eBooks, and so much more. There are several events held at the library throughout the year for you to attend such as book discussions, craft projects, tech workshops, neighborhood socials, and so much more.

95 Cedar St, Newington, CT 06111, Phone: 860-665-8700

The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) was founded in 1914 by Hiram Percy Maxim. The league promotes the growth of amateur radio worldwide and encourages people to get involved and on the air through radio experimentation, advanced radio technology, and more. Visitors are invited to go on a guided tour of their headquarters in Newington, Connecticut. Tours include exploring their studios, visiting their labs, talking to technicians, getting hands on in their education departments, and ends with a visit to their lobby which carries a number of publications and products that make for a great memento of your trip.

225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111, Phone: 860-594-0297

Frederick H. Callahan, better known as Bud, decided along with his wife and kids to build a bowling center on their farm land in 1959. They worked tirelessly to put the center together and today, you’ll find Callahan’s Bowl-O-Rama to not only still remain in the family, but as also one of the best places to spend a weekend evening having a memorable time. Stop by for a fun, laid-back game or join one of the Callahan’s bowling leagues for some intense bowling experiences. There are several events and tournaments throughout the year as well as a TruGolf simulator, a pro shop, and a lounge and bar.

2143 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06111, Phone: 860-666-5411

Romantic Activities and Attractions:

Having been established in 1903, the New Britain Museum of American Art was the first museum founded to be strictly designated to the country’s American art. There are now over 8,300 works of art for you to explore in the museum. Much of the permanent collection is exhibited, as is a revolving array of temporary works by emerging artists. Exhibits which shouldn’t be missed include The Arts of Life in America by Thomas Hart Benton, Neil Jenney’s American Realist, and Looking for America: A For Freedoms 50 State Initiative. Afterwards, be sure to head to the museum store where you can find stationery, apparel, and an array of exhibition merchandise.

56 Lexington St, New Britain, CT 06052

A nature lover’s paradise, West Hartford Reservoirs and Reservoir 6 are the locations of the area’s water treatment facilities. The space spans over 3,000 acres and includes 5 minor reservoirs and a number of paved trails which wind through the beautiful woodlands. The 30 miles of paved and gravel paths and the surrounding area are popular for picnicking, jogging, hiking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. There’s no better place to explore the seasonal beauty and flora and fauna of New England than at the West Hartford Reservoirs. Be sure to take your camera along as you’re bound to come across breathtaking sites that you’ll want to capture forever.

1420 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117, Phone: 860-278-7850

Where to Eat

Since it opened in 2009, GoldBurgers soon became the best burger joint in Newington. The brainchild of Matt Crowley, the menu includes a number of comfort foods and crazy concoctions such as their signature Mac & Cheese Squares or their unique spin on the classically delicious Poutine. Of course, no trip to GoldBurgers is complete without their signature burgers. You can choose from the Rival’s Rodeo, Mushroom Steakhaus, MacPatty, Hot Nerd, Boss Burger, or their Gold Burger which is a double burger smothered with Goldburger sauce. Other options include the Chicken Hummus burger, the Sausage & Peppers burger, and the Veggie Burger.

1096 Main St, Newington, CT 06111, Phone: 860-665-0478

Joey Garlic’s serves delicious, made-from-scratch food using fresh, high quality ingredients to ensure that each of their patrons has a memorable dining experience. Combined with their unmatched service, a visit to Joey Garlic’s will leave your taste buds completely satisfied while still craving more. You can choose from their many brick oven pizzas, traditional Italian dishes, and popular American favorites such as their wings or fresh ground hamburgers. Don’t forget to try Joey’s Famous Eggplant Fries, their old fashioned garlic bread, or the buffalo cauliflower bites as well. Pair your meal with a giant milkshake for the perfect combo during a family dinner, a date, or a night out with friends.

150 Kitts Ln, Newington, CT 06111, Phone: 860-372-4620

Esaul Rodriguez, the owner of Puerto Vallarta, brings a little bit of his birthplace, Jalisco, Mexico to Connecticut through his restaurants. As soon as you walk in, you’ll fall in love the family gathering style atmosphere which reflects the culture and beauty of his birthplace. You can feast on mouthwatering, well-prepared foods and drinks that will transport you to Mexico without ever leaving the state. Popular items from their menu include the handmade guacamole, the chile con queso, the Mexican quesadilla, sizzling veggie fajitas, and the burrito Vallarta which is a large tortilla stuffed with chicken, shrimp, crab, a creamy mushroom sauce, avocado, rice, beans, and more.

2385 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06111, Phone: 860-667-8080