Southbury, CT May–October
Southbury Family Fun Loop
Mini golf, farm creamery, and a lakeside park — easy parking, easy driving.
~3.5 hours total
Short drives between stops
All ages
Parking plan
Each stop has its own parking — this loop works best by car. All three are within 15 minutes of each other along Route 6.
The Itinerary
- 1View listing →~90 min
Gateway Fun Center
Mini golf, go-karts, bumper boats, and an arcade. Start here when everyone has the most energy. The 18-hole course is manageable for grandkids of any age.
Grandparent tip: Bring cash for games and tokens. The go-karts have a height requirement — check before you promise them to smaller grandkids. - 215 min drive east on Route 6View listing →~45 min
Ferris Acres Creamery
Farm-made ice cream in Newtown, 15 minutes from Gateway. Seasonal flavors, outdoor seating, and the actual farm visible behind the stand. The grandkids' reward for finishing the mini golf course.
Grandparent tip: Go early in the afternoon — the line gets long on summer weekends by 2pm. The farm store has local goods worth picking up. - 310 min drive south on Georges Hill Rd~60 min
Kettletown State Park
A quiet lakeside park with picnic areas, easy trails, and swimming in season. A good place to walk off the ice cream and let the grandkids run one more time before the drive home.
Grandparent tip: The swimming area has lifeguards in summer. The picnic tables near the lake are first-come; weekday visits are noticeably quieter.
mini golfice creamfarmseasonaleasy parking