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Fun!

In case you’re planning on staying in CT for a few days, or find yourself with a few hours to kill, here are some fun things to do in and around Shelton, CT.

Pizza Wars!
Pepe’s or Sally’s? That’s the question people have asked on Wooster Street in New Haven for the past 74 years. Pepe’s pizza was established in 1925 by Frank Pepe and was an immediate culinary sensation. Pepe’s claims to have served the first American pizza and was Pizza King until 1938, when Frank’s nephews Sal and Tony decided to open up their own pizzeria called Sally’s just down the street. Thus began a friendly family-rivalry that has continued on to this day. Head down to Wooster Street to make up your own mind! But be prepared to wait in line a while if you decide to go on Saturday night. Tip: bring cash as Sally’s does not accept credit cards.

Pepe’s Pizzeria
157 Wooster Street, New Haven, CT
203-865-5762

Sally’s Apizza
237 Wooster Street, New Haven, CT
203-624-5271

Restaurant Review: Sally’s Apizza vs. Pepe’s

Jones Family Farms, Shelton, CT
This is a 150-year old family run farm where visitors can pick their own berries in the spring and summertime. July 4th weekend is on the tail end of the strawberry-picking season and the early part of the blueberry season, so call the Crop Line to check whether picking conditions are favorable for the day. Farmer Jones Crop Line 203-929-8425.

Yale University
Founded in 1701, Yale is one of the oldest universities in the country. The campus is located in downtown New Haven and is beautiful to visit in the summer. From the Visitor Center, you can take tours of the campus and learn more about the architecture and history of the college. Yale is also close to the New Haven Green and lots of good restaurants and shops in downtown New Haven. For more information about Yale and other interesting places to visit in New Haven, see the Yale University Visitor Center website.

Yale University Art Gallery
Rajiv highly recommends this art museum! The permanent collection contains over 185,000 works and there are also a number of special exhibitions. In case the weather is not cooperating for your visit, this might be a nice place to while away the hours. Check out the website for details.

Visit a local ice creamery
Wells Hollow Creamery
656 Bridgeport Ave.
Shelton, CT 06484
(203) 926-0101
Hours: Mon – Thurs 12pm to 9pm; Fri – Sun 12pm to 9pm/10pm (call ahead)
This dairy farm and ice creamery boasts 44 delicious flavors of homemade ice cream and is just 0.4 miles from the hotel. Take a right out of the hotel parking lot and drive north on Bridgeport Ave, you will see the ice creamery in a plaza on your right. Fun flavors include ‘Anniversary Cake’ and ‘Grandma’s Apple Pie.’

Play in the park
Huntington Green, Shelton, CT
This is a nice place to take a stroll or throw a ball around if the weather is nice. It’s about a 5 minute drive from the hotel. Here’s how to get there from the Courtyard Marriott:

  • Head Southwest on Bridgeport Ave. towards Trap Falls Rd. for 0.4 miles.
  • Take your first right onto Trap Falls Rd. and go 0.5 miles.
  • Turn right at Huntington St. and go 1.8 miles.
  • Turn left at Ripton Rd. and go 200 feet.
  • Take your first left onto Church Street and the green will be on your left.

French Memorial Park, Seymour, CT
If you don’t mind driving a little further, check out this park where Anu used to play and have Little League practices. (Yes, she played in the Little League, but very very badly). There’s an awesome swing set, jungle gym, and baseball field. It takes about 15 minutes from the hotel. Here’s how to get there:

  • Head Northeast on Bridgeport Ave. towards Fairchild Drive for 0.5 miles.
  • Take the 2nd right onto Old Stratford Rd. and go 0.4 miles.
  • Turn left to merge onto CT-8N towards Waterbury and go 9.2 miles.
  • Take exit 22 toward Bank St. Turn left at Wakeley St. and go 200 feet.
  • Take a slight left at Bank St. and go about 100 feet.
  • Take the first right onto Bank St./CT-67 E/ Derby St. and continue to follow CT-67E for about 0.6 miles.
  • Take a sharp left at Garden Street and go 0.2 miles.
  • Turn left at Nicholas Street and you will be at the park.

All things Dinosaur
Dinosaur State Park
This is a state park that opened in 1968 after the accidental discovery of over 2,000 dinosaur tracks from the Jurassic period. Most of these are still preserved and about 500 can be viewed on display, along with other fossil collections and exhibits. In addition, there are several miles of nature trails to hike in the surrounding grounds. This park is located in Rocky Hill, CT and is about 1 hour north of Shelton, CT. Check out the website for more information: http://www.dinosaurstatepark.org/.

The Dinosaur Place
If any of you have young children, you may want to plan a visit to The Dinosaur Place during your trip. At this interactive science museum, kids can pretend to be a paleontologist and dig for bones and gems. There is also a water playground and an outdoor maze, all dino-themed of course. The only thing you might want to consider is that this place is a long drive from Shelton (1.5 hours). If you're coming from Boston, you may want to stop by on your way to the wedding or on your way home since this will save you driving time. Check out the website for directions and descriptions of the activities: http://www.thedinosaurplace.com/.

Where to eat
Zinc
964 Chapel St.
New Haven, CT 06510
(203) 624-0507
If you like fancy American cuisine, this swanky new place might be for you. Serving modern American food that is ‘market inspired and globally infused,’ this restaurant has a constantly changing menu that relies on what is available in New Haven’s farmer’s markets.

Thali Too
65 Broadway
New Haven, CT 06511
(203) 776-1600
In case you don’t feel like you’ve had enough Indian food at the wedding, check out this place. Thali Too serves delicious South Indian vegetarian food (think idli’s, dosas, and savory rices). They also have a mean chaat selection and several North Indian favorites such as Sabji Manchurian (Indian-Chinese) and Baingan Bhurtha (Roasted Eggplant). If you go, do not forget to order from the Lassi Bar – in addition to the traditional plain and mango flavors, here you can get lemongrass and passionfruit flavored lassi’s!

If you want to try a similar restaurant but are looking for both veg and non-veg options, try their sister restaurant:
Thali, 4 Orange St., New Haven, CT 06510 (203) 777-1177

Bertucci’s
768 Bridgeport Ave.
Shelton, CT 06484
(203) 926-6058
Who doesn’t love Bertucci’s? If you’re looking for a quick meal with hot rolls and delicious brick oven pizza, just take a short drive down Bridgeport Ave. from the hotel to the local Bertucci’s. You won’t be sorry.

Zois’ Pizza Palace
48 Main Street
Seymour, CT 06483
(203) 888-1131
This is the BEST pizza place in Seymour, where Anu grew up. They make amazing traditional greek style pizza. Unfortunately, they don’t deliver, but the restaurant is located right off of Route 8 and you could take a drive through scenic downtown Seymour!

On the Border
220 Indian River Road
Orange, CT 06477
(203) 799-0636
This is a Mexican restaurant chain that has gotten pretty good reviews and is about 6 miles from the hotel. It is off of the Boston Post Road, where you will also find lots of other chain restaurants to choose from such as the Olive Garden and TGI Fridays. (Ahhh the suburbs….)