New England Omiyage

When we visited all six New England states last summer, we brought home lots of omiyage.

Most of the products were made in Massachusetts and Vermont, but we bought a few things made in the other states as well (tip - Kittery Trading Post in Maine has an immense amount of omiyage from all over New England!):

Connecticut

Deep River Snacks Chips

Pez

Maine
Coastal Maine Popcorn
Kittery Trading Post Fudge
Little Lad's Popcorn
Maine Maple Products
Maine Scene Salt Water Taffy
New England Cupboard Baking Mixes
Stonewall Kitchen Products
Wilbur's of Maine Chocolate Confections

New Hampshire
Hope Bars
Port City Pretzels
White Mountain Pickle Company Spices

Rhode Island
Bee Bop Apiary Honey
Bellicchi's Best Biscotti
Del's Lemonade Mix
Rhode Island Organics Dressing

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WW: Connecticut

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Visit Connecticut: Duchess

While on the long drive from New Hampshire to New York, we decided to stop at popular Connecticut fast-food chain Duchess to pick up lunch for the road.

Kids Cheeseburger

Kids Chicken Nuggets

Crispy Chicken Sandwich

French Fries

Kids Hot Dog

Roasted Turkey, Bacon & Cheddar Sandwich

I had the chicken sandwich - it was good and satisfying.

The deli sandwich looked really yummy, piled high with lots of fillings (I'd probably order a deli sandwich next time).

Kid "D" Meals come with a French Fries, a drink, and a toy (the toy was just a fun "spoon").

Prices are very reasonable, and Duchess was an ideal spot to pick up food for the road!

Duchess 
306 Post Rd

Darien, CT 06820

(203) 655-3312

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Visit Connecticut: Wild Bill's Nostalgia Center

Wild Bill's Nostalgia Center was listed as a Roaside Attraction of Connecticut, so we figured we'd stop by as we drove through the state.

Wild Bill's has a collection of quirky, nostalgic, and somewhat macabre fun house attractions on property.

There is also a store on site with all kinds of cool memorabilia, retro toys, and novelty items.

Wild Bill's Nostalgia Center was a fun place to visit and buy some cool gifts.

Wild Bill's Nostalgia Center

1003 Newfield St
Middletown, CT 06457
(860) 635-1226

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Visit Connecticut: PEZ Visitor Center

Driving through Connecticut, we stopped at the PEZ Visitor Center. Although my kids do get PEZ dispensers on occasion for gifts, they really don't eat a lot of PEZ, but that didn't stop them from enjoying themselves at the PEZ Visitor Center.

There is an admission fee, but you also get $2.00 credit per paid admission towards any purchase.

The huge center has hundreds of PEZ dispensers on display, including dispensers from around the world, and the world's largest PEZ dispenser.

There's even a PEZ motorcycle built by Orange County Choppers!

There are numerous interactive exhibits detailing PEZ's history.

You can even turn yourself into a PEZ dispenser!

You can watch the production line (does not operate every day - check the website for information).

You can even play PEZ Bingo (you need to walk through the store to find launch dates of PEZ dispensers) for a chance to win a free PEZ dispenser, and play trivia games to get certificates!

Of course, you can purchase PEZ dispensers and candies too.

I was pleasantly surprised with how much there was to do at the PEZ Visitor Center - it was a lot of fun!

PEZ Visitor Center
35 Prindle Hill Rd

Orange, CT 06477
(203) 298-0201

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Visit Connecticut: Praline's Ice Cream

Whenever we travel, we try to visit a local ice cream shop, and while in Connecticut, we stopped at Praline's Ice Cream.  They offer "own made ice cream" in a variety of flavors.

Nightmare - Chocolate peanut butter ice cream with mini peanut butter cups

Cookie Kaboom - Vanilla ice cream with OREOs, oatmeal cookies, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate graham crackers and cookie dough pieces

Cotton Candy - Pink cotton candy flavored ice cream and blue cotton candy ice cream swirled together

Nightmare

Beez Neez - Graham cracker flavored ice cream with graham cracker ripple and chocolate covered honeycomb candy

There were so many fun flavors to choose from at Praline's Ice Cream.  Being the peanut butter cup-lover that I am, I went for the Nightmare, which was more like a dream for me (especially in a chocolate waffle cone).  I just love the chocolate + pb combo!

If you love ice cream as much as everyone in our family does and you're looking for delicious ice cream in Connecticut, be sure to stop at Praline's Ice Cream!



Praline's Ice Cream
1179 Farmington Ave
Kensington, CT 06037
(860) 828-3626

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Visit Connecticut: Post Road Diner

Our first dining stop of our New England road trip was Post Road Diner for lunch in Connecticut. This casual eatery serves up typical diner fare, but also specializes in Greek and Italian dishes.

Open Face Chicken Souvlaki Sandwich

California Omelette

Kids Happy Face

Superman

Since I love breakfast, I ordered the California Omelette.  The omelette was stuffed with lots of avocado, bacon, tomatoes, and cheese.  It was served with Home Fries and Toast.

My husband ordered the Open Face Chicken Souvlaki Sandwich, which consisted of chicken marinated in a variety of herbs, served with onions, peppers, pita, and house made tzatziki sauce.

Two of my kids got the Happy Face - a pancake with bacon, blueberries, a strawberry, and whipped cream. It looked a little scary, but the kids ate it up!  One of my kids had Superman - Cheese Ravioli.

Service was fine, and after our meal we were all full & satisfied, eager to continue our journey.

Post Road Diner
312 Connecticut Ave

Norwalk, CT 06854
(203) 866-9777

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