Cara Mac Media

06/19/2025

These are the stunning formal gardens at Harkness Memorial State Park, one of 16 of Connecticut's Historic Gardens.

Visitors are invited to explore these sites on Sunday, June 22 as part of CT's Historic Gardens Day. Activities include guided tours, a print-making workshop, plein-air painting and more. Go to cthistoricgardens.org/chg-day to learn more and plan your visit!

06/17/2025

When it comes to hiking in Connecticut, eastern CT is often overlooked. Ayers Gap Preserve might be the state's best-kept secret! Offering cascading waterfalls, enchanting woodlands and impressive views, it's no wonder that this place is a local favorite. Bailey's Ravine cuts through the center of the preserve. Massive, moss-covered boulders and hundreds of ferns make you feel like you've stepped back in time. The natural beauty of the area is truly stunning.

Park on Route 207 and take the trail to the right for the loop around the preserve. Several small trails lead to the ravine. The walk along the water may be muddy and slippery at times, but it's well worth seeing.

⚠️ Don't skimp on the bug spray! This place is heaven for mosquitoes.

06/14/2025

Thousands of roses are blooming at Elizabeth Park in Hartford, Connecticut. Now listed on the national register of historic places, Elizabeth Park was the first municipal rose garden in the United States.

Elizabeth Park note cards are available for sale on my website:

ELIZABETH PARK From mid-June into early July, thousands of roses come into bloom at Elizabeth Park in Hartford, Connecticut. Now listed on the national register of historic places, Elizabeth Park was the first municipal rose garden in the United States. This stunningly beautiful attraction is ope

06/09/2025

Connecticut's state flower, the Mountain Laurel, has begun to bloom.

Here are a few places where you can enjoy them this year:

🌸 Laurel Loop at Pachaug State Forest
🌸 Kätchen Coley Mountain Laurel Preserve, Middletown
🌸 Mary Conklin Sanctuary, Canton
🌸 Chatfield Hollow State Park, Killingworth
🌸 Valley Falls Park, Vernon
🌸 Mountain Laurel Sanctuary, Union
🌸 Old Furnace State Park, Killingly

06/01/2025

The roses come into bloom in June and they're going to be spectacular this year! Here are a few places in Connecticut where you can enjoy them:

🌹 Elizabeth Park - Hartford, Connecticut
🌹 Boothe Memorial Park - Stratford, Connecticut
🌹 Mohegan Park - Norwich, Connecticut
🌹 Pardee Rose Gardens - Hamden, Connecticut

Are there any that I missed? Where's your favorite place to stop and smell the 🌹 ?

05/12/2025

Crescent Lake in Southington, Connecticut is an picturesque spot for hiking, boating, picnicking and fishing.

For a flat, easy walk, take the red trail 1.4 miles around the perimeter of the lake. If you’re up for a slightly more challenging hike with a spectacular view, take the 2.4 mile loop that meets up with the Metacomet/ New England Trail.

05/11/2025

I'm proud to be a new member of The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut. Last Fall, I participated in their Entrepreneur Academy, an intensive 8-week program covering everything a business owner needs to know. Each session featured multiple local experts covering topics such as marketing, taxes, legal and more. We learned about the wide range of free services available to entrepreneurs and how to utilize them.

If you have a chance to participate, I highly recommend signing up for their next session!

from marketing, taxe

8-week program ...

In this Tuesday welcome, say hello to our newest Chamber members - whose names start in the beginning half of the alphabet!

Breeze Car Wash (New London)
Cara Mac Media
Jasmine Thai Restaurant

These three members are very dear to the Chamber! Breeze recently joined and is generously offering a 🚨FREE🚨 platinum wash! (More info on your member dashboard!) Cara Mac Media is a thriving entrepreneur of our last Entrepreneur Academy class! Lastly, Jasmine Thai is not only a delicious lunch and dinner spot but nearby neighbor!

Consider them for your next car wash, inspirational stationary items, or mouthwatering cuisine!

05/08/2025

This is the view from Chauncey Peak.

Doctor Francis Giuffrida Park in Meriden, Connecticut.
has 98 acres of trails for hikers of all ages and experience levels.

Several trails of varying steepness take hikers up to Chauncey Peak. Continue the trail along the ridge line for more spectacular views. Don’t forget to check out the Quarry on the opposite side of the peak.

05/04/2025

Explore Connecticut's State Parks by taking the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) Sky’s The Limit Hiking Challenge!

Here are the 2025 locations:

📍Hop River State Park-Vernon, CT
📍Shenipsit State Forest-Somers/Stafford, CT
📍Air Line State Park-Colchester, CT
📍Day Pond State Park-Colchester, CT
📍Sunrise & Machimoodus State Park-East Haddam, CT
📍Cockaponset State Forest (Southern Section)-Chester & Haddam, CT
📍Wharton Brook State Park-Wallingford, CT
📍Naugatuck State Forest (East Block)-Bethany & Naugatuck, CT
📍Larkin State Park Trail-Oxford, CT
📍Black Rock State Park-Watertown, CT
📍Topsmead State Forest-Litchfield, CT
📍Burr Pond State Park-Torrington, CT
📍Dennis Hill State Park-Norfolk, CT
📍Peoples State Forest-Barkhamsted, CT
📍Scantic River State Park-East Windsor, CT

Follow this link of the parks, created by Connecticut Trail Finder: bit.ly/ChallengeMapCTTrailFinder

Click here to learn more about this Connecticut State Parks challenge: ctparks.com/skys-the-limit-hiking-challenge

04/29/2025

Shop note cards, postcards and prints of Connecticut's most beautiful destinations: caramacmedia.com/connecticutnotecards

04/23/2025

Nestled in the heart of the Connecticut River Valley, this hidden gem needs to be on your 2025 hiking list! The Scovill Loop Trails at Hubbard Brook Preserve has so much to explore: a beautiful vista, a sandy beach, massive boulders, railroad tracks and a babbling brook.

Cross the railroad tracks (carefully) and follow the trail to the banks of the Connecticut River. If you have a dog that loves to swim, this is a great place to let them splash around.

Take the Quarry View High Trail for an incredible view of the Connecticut River. The trailhead is across the street from the parking lot on River Road. A short and easy half mile climb opens up to a panoramic vista.

⚠️ 🚂The Scovill Loop Trails cross an active railroad. Please cross the tracks with caution.