Things to Do on New Year's Day in Hartford County, CT

After ringing in the New Year you and your family may be looking for something fun to do before school starts back. Here's a list of entertaining activities to help keep your family busy on the first day of the New Year.

So the kids have pent up energy and you just need some fresh air to help recover from too much champagne? If the weather isn’t too bad you can enjoy a winter hike at one of the many beautiful trails in the area. Bundle up in layers and head outdoors to enjoy the scenic New England winter.

Check out the last day of the special Strange Matter exhibit at the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford. They have over 150 amazing hands-on experiments. They are even open for extended hours on January 1 from 10 am-5 pm.

Head over to Hartford’s Winterfest for free outdoor ice skating from 12-8 pm. If you work up an appetite while skating you can grab something to eat at the food vending at the Channel 3 Kid’s Camp Candy Cane Café.

Take a drive through the Holiday Light Fantasia in Goodwin Park before it ends on January 6th. New Year’s Day hours are 5-9 pm. For another beautiful light display you can go to see the Festival of Silver Lights at Hubbard Park in Meridan.

Chuck-e-Cheese is open on New Year’s Day so head over to the one in Newington or Manchester. With fun games that will entertain both the younger ones and video games for the older child you can kill a few hours playing indoors while staying out of the cold.

Another option could be to check out a movie. Many of the local theaters, like the Plainville AMC Theaters, also remain open on New Year's Day. With kid-friendly PG films showing like Monsters Inc 3D, Wreck it Ralph, Cirque du Soleil or Life of Pi 3D you and the family may find something that interests you.

Happy New Year!