It's So Good to Support Connecticut Businesses

Now more than ever, it’s important to #SupportCTBusinesses. Our beloved restaurants, hotels, attractions and boutiques have been hit hard by the pandemic, but are working diligently to keep customers safe so that you can enjoy their offerings without worry. When you choose to support a local spot, it helps keep them in business and keep Connecticut unique and authentic. Whether you’re going out or ordering in, consider shopping, dining, staying and playing at local Connecticut businesses. Here are some details.

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10 Ways To Safely Support Connecticut Businesses this Thanksgiving

Now more than ever, it's important to #SupportCTBusinesses — especially at the holidays! This Thanksgiving and holiday season, there are so many ways to help keep local businesses going. You may even discover a new favorite spot or family tradition. Here are 10 ways to enjoy a safe, festive Thanksgiving and support Connecticut businesses.

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Special & Safe: Thanksgiving 2020

'Tis the season to cherish what we're grateful for — even if it looks a little different this year. To keep your family and community safe, we recommend reviewing the state's holiday guidance and considering these low-risk celebration ideas . The holiday may be smaller and quieter in 2020, but we certainly can still make it memorable. We've gathered a few Thanksgiving ideas for you and your closest kin, so you can still make the day special!

From unique take-home feasts and dine-out dinners to farm fresh shopping, Christmas tree chopping and more, the Thanksgiving fun doesn’t just make your day great — it helps support beloved Connecticut businesses who have been hit hard by the pandemic. And when you do, you can even use our hashtag #SupportCTBusinesses to help keep our restaurants, attractions and hotels top of mind.

Featuring: Abigail's Grille & Wine Bar | Allen Hill Farm | Angevine Farm | Avon Old Farms Hotel | Bear's Smokehouse (Hartford) | Bear's Smokehouse (New Haven) | Bear's Smokehouse (South Windsor) | Bear's Smokehouse (Windsor) | Bishop's Orchards Farm Market & Winery | Captain Daniel Packer Inne | Castle Hill Farm | City of Danbury | City of Hartford | City of Norwalk | City of Stamford | City of Waterbury | Clark Farms at Bushy Hill Orchard | David Burke Prime Steakhouse | Dzen Tree Farm | Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm | Fairfield Museum & History Center | Fairview Tree Farm | Fire at the Ridge | Flora | Fresh Salt at Saybrook Point Resort & Marina | Griswold Inn | Hamilton Park | Hickory Ridge Tree Farm | Holmberg Orchards & Winery | Hopkins Inn | J. Gilbert's Wood-Fired Steaks | Judy's Bar + Kitchen | Lincoln Financial Sculpture Walk at Riverfront | Maple Bank Farm | Maple Hollow Christmas Tree Farm | March Farm | Market Grille | Match | Max Amore | Max Downtown | Max a Mia Ristorante | Mill on the River | Miller Tree Farm | Millwright's Restaurant | Olde Mistick Village | On the Rocks Restaurant | Pequot Library | Silverman's Farm | Staehly Tree Farm & Winery | The Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk | The Shops at Yale | The Spa at Norwich Inn | The Waters Edge at Giovanni's | The Wharf Restaurant | Town of Branford | Town of Deep River | Town of Enfield | Town of Greenwich | Town of Manchester | Town of Morris | Town of Newington | Town of Newtown | Town of Stratford | Town of Washington | Town of Wethersfield | Town of Woodbury | Wall to Wall: The New London Mural Walk | Westbrook Outlets | Whittle's Willow Spring Farm | Winterberry Farm | l'escale

Christmas, Connecticut-Style

Starting with the day after Thanksgiving and going straight through to New Year’s, the Christmas season in Connecticut is packed with holiday activities, celebrations and every kind of tradition. We’ve pulled together a few of the events and happenings for 2020 here. But new items are being added to our This Weekend and Events pages every single week so be sure to check back often! Please make sure you check ahead, due to events are subject to change.

Featuring: Allen Hill Farm | Charlie Brown's Christmas Tree Farm | Connecticut Trolley Museum | Florence Griswold Museum | Goodwin Park | Hubbard Park & Castle Craig | Jones Family Farms | Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum (c.1864) | Olde Mistick Village | The Shops at Yale | The Shore Line Trolley Museum | Towill's Christmas Tree Farm | Town of Bethlehem | Town of Greenwich | Town of South Windsor | Uncle Frank's Christmas Tree Farm | Wickham Park | Winterberry Farm

Let’s Go Holiday Shopping!

Whether you start after Thanksgiving dinner or take a weekend to get something for everyone on your list, there are so many great places to shop 'til you drop in Connecticut. From high-end malls to open-air shopping districts, outlet centers featuring designer names to small town main streets filled with charming local boutiques, here's a list of shopping hot spots around the state.

Featuring: Blue Back Square | Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets | Crystal Mall | Danbury Fair | Enfield Square Mall | Meriden Square Mall | Stamford Town Center | Tanger Outlets at Foxwoods | The Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk | The Shoppes at Buckland Hills | The Shops at Farmington Valley | The Shops at Somerset Square | Westbrook Outlets | Westfarms