Running through Bristol, there's a stretch of Route 72 named Memorial Boulevard. It's pretty much…read morebetween Main Street and Blakeslee Avenue. It's a lovely area with parkland and trails on both sides of the road. Memorial Boulevard is quite the appropriate name for this stretch, because the grassy areas bisected by the boulevard contain eight monuments honoring veterans from the Revolutionary War through Vietnam. This review is about one of those monuments; but trust me, this gets confusing. "The Hiker" statue is a copy of a pre-existing statue depicting a soldier from one war, but it's dedicated to the soldiers of a different war. Confused? Yeah, I was too. Let me explain. This "Hiker Statue" on Memorial Boulevard is a 1983 replica of the same statue used in Bristol's 1929 Spanish American War monument over on Park Street at Muzzy Field. When the Memorial Boulevard version was dedicated in 1983, it was meant to honor all soldiers killed in WW II. It's a very detailed bronze statue of a Spanish American War soldier hiking with a rifle held in his right arm. He's dressed in the manner of his time (1898), wearing a wide brimmed hat, a military jacket, and knee high boots. Check out the jaunty angle of his hat. He looks like a bad-ass Indiana Jones. The plaque's inscription reads: The Hiker Spanish American War Soldier Given By The Vanesse Family In Memory Of Deceased World War II Veterans November 12, 1984

Memorial Boulevard Park is a beautiful spot both to walk your dog, or just to walk through by…read moreyourself. One of the parking lots has a large picnic table if you just want to stop by for a quick bite instead of eating your car or at work. All in all, it is maintained beautifully MOST of the time. BUT Bristol's goose population keeps getting bigger & bigger and they do have a hard time occasionally, keeping up with the droppings, mostly near the East end of the park (by the pond). It is usually very well maintained though. If you walk around the whole three to four block area, it's approximately 2 miles from Barnes Spring to Downes Street. Personally, since getting my high energy doggie, just from walking this area, I've lost 52 lbs (& have clocked 1350 mi per my GPS). It's especially beautiful in the Spring & Fall!!

Free after hours!! Loved that!! great location well lit and feels very safe! Park there!!read more

Didn't like parking here. The machines are not fun to deal with at all. Parked here because it was…read moreclose to the restaurant I wanted to go to. Machine would not let me go back when I typed my information in wrong. Machine would not recognize my Amex card. Had to use my Visa. First interaction with a parking system like this. Would not recommend it.

Today I stopped by The New Britain Public Library to look for some cook books and for some fun new…read morebooks to read to my class. I haven't been to this library in a long time, since I was in college and avoided paying the extravagant prices the school bookstore charged for the classic literature books. The large windows and the construction of the library make it obvious, it has been here for a long time. The library first opened in 1853. I first went to the children's department. This area of the library was filled with kids playing with wooden blocks and legos, as well as a plethora of books categorized by interest. I selected around five brand new books for my class. They also have computers and movies in the kid's department. The adult section was much quieter and I couldn't hear any of the noise coming through from the adjacent children's area. I took the third floor on the elevator to find the area with the books that interested me. This was a super quiet space with shelves and shelves of organized books. I found two. They also have a selection of magazines, puzzles, CDs and DVDs available to borrow. I was very pleased with my experience at this library today.

The New Britain Public Library is beautiful building with stained glass windows and gorgeous…read morearchitecture. The staff is well informed and friendly. And their children's department is one of the best I have visited. Sometimes I like to take my laptop there, sit by the big windows, take in the natural sunlight and get some work done. It's a great place.

Bristol library first opened in 1892; it moved to another location in 1896. Then, in 1907, a…read morecolonial revival style building was built for the growing library. Renovations were done throughout the years and even an addition in 2006. The library is architecturally beautiful. There were plenty of parking. It was large, organized, and quiet. We went to the children's section and it was massive. There was a class going on for the kids. I noticed it's more catered to elementary/middle school kids. There was a small preschool section, but there was only a play kitchen with no accessories for it; toy pots and pans, toy food etc. They had a sensory board wall and some play costumes. They had a fish tank and so many fun decorations. The library is a great resource; they offer free and discounted museum passes and more. This is a great asset to Bristol for sure, but wish there were more entertainment for kids 4 and under.

Some of the front end staff are just smugly alienating. Others lurk, ogle, and creep around…read moreintensly scutinizing patrons. Nice library but come on, I don't need to be treated like a circus sideshow by someone with a bad purple-hair dyed job and guy who glares at you like you stole land from his ancestors.

This is a review on the venue, because the event I attended was insane. There's a good amount of…read moreparking in front and to the side of the building. Immediately inside is access to a gym that seems to be used for children's sports. If you keep going, you reach a large room with a stage for events and festivities. The ceiling has seen better days, but overall the building has a very nostalgic feel for when communities would get together. There is also a very nostalgic wooden themed bar, and a food service area that makes crispy fried clams! You ordered at the counter, and (at least when I was there) the food was brought into the event space for you. The restroom are also very small - definitely more geared to the children sports activities than adults.

The take out is absolutely fantastic!! They have the best…read morewings in town!!! Highly recommend! We go there several times a month and spread the word all the time

Blue Back Square is a popular spot in West Hartford. It has restaurants, shopping, entertainment,…read moreand a residential area. There is a hotel and large name stores such as Whole Foods, The Cheesecake Factory, and various others. It's a beautifully maintained area and very pedestrian friendly. People have the option to live, work, and play right in this area. There's a wide selection to choose from, you don't have to leave the area if you don't want to. Parking can be found on street and two garages, all metered but affordable. There are bright murals throughout. A movie theater and a library are within walking distance. There are events such as live music. There are quite an array of things to do and eat and all in walking distance. The area can be busy but for a good reason. I find myself there quite often and enjoy the amenities.

I saw last week on Facebook that Adam River from 95.7 was going to be present and Chaz the Cream…read morePuff man from the Big E Express at the Blue Back Square handing out cream puffs samples from 3:30-5:30 today. I ventured out with my kids to check it out. They thought I was crazy but went with me to see what I was taking about. They both were amazed how big these cream puffs are and the filling is so fresh. I told them the 1st time ever having them was at the Big E back in the day. With today being the opening day for the Big E it was an added touch to the West Hartford community to have a visit from Chaz. Next best thing to driving up to West Springfield tonight. Chaz was so photogenic and super nice and thank you for making my afternoon. I plan to get more cream puffs on Wednesday when I go which is also Connecticut Day at the Big E.

I found this park while Geocaching (there is one there!), and it's a nice quiet space off a busy…read moreroad. There are multiple benches along a little path waving through this spot of greenery. Two large trees provide shade in the summer (I imagine, I was there in solid winter), and there are monuments to those Plainville lost in conflict. The newest seems to be dedicated to Gold Star Families who lost their loved ones. There are also monuments to the Civil War, WWI and WWII, the Persian Gulf, and Vietnam and Korea. There is one hour parking behind the park off Maple Street, and municipal parking across the street as well.