Kosher FoodCrown Markethttp://www.thecrownmarket.com/Kosher Supermarket (check hechsherim on packaged food before buying)
Fresh pizza and sushi with a small eating area.
Down the road from the Young Israel
Kosher Bakery in Stop and Shophttp://kvhkosher.org/kosher-consumer/places/MinyanimYoung Israel of West Hartfordhttps://www.youngisraelwh.org/Mincha/Maariv in the winter is at a different location. Check GoDaven
Chabad of Greater Hartfordhttps://www.chabadhartford.com/Can take some time to get a minyan. Long break between mincha/maariv.
HotelsHartford Marriott FarmingtonUnderrated Cat. 2. Nice and clean, overly friendly staff.
Pool was very available at all times for good sam's vacation.
Reception at check-in allowed each member of good sam's family to select a plastic egg with a number inside. You number equals the amount of bonus points you receive for your stay. Good sam earned 18k in total for a 50k (2 rooms/2 nights) stay!!
Junior suites have a connecting double room on either side. Good sam got an upgrade to a junior suite with a connecting room. Plenty of space for sleeping, eating and hanging out.
ActivitiesIT Adventure New Havenhttps://www.jordans.com/attractions/itIndoor Ropes course, similar to the one in Palisades Mall but much bigger and much nicer.
Huge fountain which "dances" to the music. You can zipline through the fountain with the possibility of getting soaked (or take one of the other three dry ziplines).
Small ropes course for the small (or wimpy) kids. Similar to the mini course in Palisades Mall, a bit bigger and with a mini zipline.
Best kept secret for day trips from many places in CT and even from NYC.
Springfield Museumshttps://springfieldmuseums.org/5 museums for one admission.
The only ones you'll go to with kids are the Dr. Suess Museum, the Natural History Museum, and possible the Springfield History Museum.
Dr. Suess Museum - Nice and cute tribute to Theodore Suess Geisler who grew up in Springfield. Relatively small, will take no more than an hour.
Natural History Museum - Small version of the American Museum of Natural History. The website calls it a "Science Museum." Total mischaracterization. Nice Dinosaur exhibit (on loan from AMNH) when good sam was there.
Springfield History Museum - Nice exhibit on the history of the automobile. Great antiques on display.
Bonus Exhibit - Toyopia - Great temporary exhibit (check dates) on the history of toys. Very interactive.