If you’re willing to stay up a little late Wednesday, this might be the best year in a decade to watch the Perseid meteor shower. The shower peaks August 12 into the early morning of August 13, and a perfectly timed new moon means exceptionally dark skies with virtually no moonlight getting in the way.

For Hartford County, your best bet is getting away from city lights toward Hartland, Granby and the rural northwest corner. Or cheat across the county line: Pinney Fields in Ellington is hosting a free Perseid watch Wednesday from 7:30 PM to midnight. Bring a chair, bug spray and some patience. The real show gets better later.

All this talk about looking up sent me down a rabbit hole, and I realized we have some pretty awesome places to explore the universe right here in Hartford County.

Glastonbury Planetarium at 95 Oak Street offers live guided tours of the night sky along with immersive full-dome films, with public shows returning this fall.

Over in Avon, Talcott Mountain Science Center has its own 44-foot planetarium dome, plus observatories and telescope-powered Skygazing programs on its mountaintop campus.

And CCSU’s Copernican Planetarium & Observatory in New Britain offers free public programs, a rooftop 16-inch telescope and observing after evening shows when skies cooperate. Their next show, Icy Moons of Saturn, is August 21.

Pretty cool resources to have in our backyard!

HOW DINNER CLUB WORKS:

We already have 70 people signed up for this month’s Dinner Club in Avon, so if you’ve been thinking about joining, now’s a good time.

I’m a sucker for an event that takes a classic movie and gives you a whole new reason to see it. Real Art Ways brings Point Break to the Connecticut Science Center on Saturday, August 15 at 3 PM, starting with UConn neuroscientist Dr. Natale Sciolino’s talk, “Fear as the Ultimate Teacher,” exploring adrenaline, danger and why we chase a rush. The film starts at 3:30 PM. Tickets are $6–$12 at 250 Columbus Blvd., Hartford.

🐶Adopt-a-pal: Meet Andy, a 4-month-old German Shepherd/Husky mix who’s smart, cuddly, already working on his training and absolutely loves other dogs, so much that his future home needs a canine buddy.

🏡House of the week: Built in 1901, this 5,870-square-foot Colonial has 6 bedrooms, 6 baths, four fireplaces and a distinctive stucco exterior. It sits near Elizabeth Park and the West End’s historic homes, with a sunroom, butler’s pantry and finished third floor adding even more character. Check it out!

🥾Trail of the week: McLean Game Refuge packs 4,400 acres and 20+ miles of free trails, with the Trout Pond loop making an easy two-hour escape and fire-tower views waiting at the summit. Check out my favorite trails in Hartford County,.

NEW OPENINGS:

🍔 Woosmash just smashed its way into The Shoppes at Buckland Hills in Manchester with made-from-scratch smashburgers, Korean-inspired wings, bulgogi burgers, shakes and more.

🎨 The Hue Gallery opened its doors Aug. 8, bringing a new Black-owned contemporary art gallery and cultural space to downtown Hartford, with exhibitions, artist talks, events and locally focused programming.

🎃 BRISTOL + ENFIELD: Spirit Halloween is officially back from the dead, with two Hartford County stores now open and stocked with costumes, creepy décor, animatronics and all things Halloween. Find them at 99 Farmington Ave., Bristol (former Paper Store) and 136 Elm St., Enfield (former JoAnn Fabrics).

Enfield | Enfield Summer Concert Series: Beyond Purple (Deep Purple, Whitesnake, and Rainbow Tribute) | 7 PM - Hard rock tribute covering Deep Purple, Whitesnake, and Rainbow at Enfield Town Green (71 N Main St). Tune In

Hartford | Yard Goats vs. Erie SeaWolves | 7:10 PM | ($) - The Yard Goats are home all week, taking on Erie in a six-game series Tuesday through Sunday at Dunkin’ Park. Play ball

Manchester | Sea Glass Windows | 6 PM | ($) - Create beautiful sea glass art at the British-style pub at Audacity British Style Pub (829 Main St). Make It

New Britain | Little Mania Mini Wrestling @PD Club "The Shortest Fight of Them All!" | 7 PM | ($) - Mini wrestlers throw down—wild entertainment for adults. Be There

Windsor Locks | Savage Brothers at the Windsor Locks Summer Concert Series | 7 PM - Live rock and blues at the brewery taproom at Veterans Memorial Park. Rock Out

Berlin | Create Your Own Perfume and Cologne Workshop | 6:30 PM - Blend custom scents with professional fragrance oils at Coles Road Brewing (817 Farmington Ave). Get Crafty

Collinsville | Herb Talks and Tea with Alexa and Jocelyn | 6 PM | ($) - Learn about herbs with tea tastings from local herbalists (30 Depot Street). Join In

Suffield | Suffield Summer Concert on the Green featuring Dr. C & The Cure Alls | 6 PM - Free blues and rock on the town green at Suffield On The Green.

West Hartford | 90's Trivia | 7 PM - Join the fun and test yourself at WOB Bar & Kitchen(73 Isham Road #B-30).

Bristol | Plant Bingo – The Garden Games at Pinehurst | 6 PM - Win plants at this garden-themed bingo night at Pinehurst Farm (50 Pinehurst Road).

Marlborough | The Stevie Experience Tribute at The Town of Marlborough Concert Series | 6:30 PM - Tribute to Stevie Wonder with all the classics at Blish Park.

Windsor | Bar Rated Trivia | 6 PM - Weekly pub trivia with prizes at the Beer Garden @ Bart’s(55 Palisado Ave).

Broad Brook | Jimmy Buffett Night with Captain Mike & The Shipwrecked at Broad Brook Opera House! | 2 PM | ($) - Enjoy live music at Broad Brook Opera House (4 Depot St). Join In

East Hartland | East Hartland Volunter Firemans carnival w special guest Mark Mercier on keys & vocals | 6:30 PM - Fireman's carnival with live keys and vocals by Mark Mercier at Berg's Field.

Hartford | Boston Blues Piano at Sally's! | 8 PM - Boogie-woogie and blues piano at the BBQ joint at Black-Eyed Sally's Southern Kitchen & Bar (350 Asylum St).

Newington | Stained Glass Solder Only Pet Portrait Workshop | 6 PM | ($) - Create a stained glass portrait of your pet at Hound and Home LLC (1042 Main St). Create Away

North Granby | Sarah the Fiddler 'Birthday Shows' | 7 PM | ($) - Celtic fiddle birthday celebration at the vineyard at Lost Acres Vineyard (86 Lost Acres Rd). Join In

Riley Green - Hartford | Riley Green - Hartford, CT | 7 PM | ($) - Country star Riley Green on his nationwide tour at The Meadows Music Theatre. Check It Out

South Windsor | The 70s Project | 6 PM - 70s rock and disco covers outdoors at CT Valley Brewing Co. (765 Sullivan Ave).

Broad Brook | Draw The Line - The Only Officially Endorsed Aerosmith Tribute at Broad Brook Opera House! | 8 PM | ($) - Enjoy the show at Broad Brook Opera House (4 Depot St). Rock Out

Collinsville | MACALAS at Bridge Street Live! | 8 PM | ($) - Latin rock and funk band brings the party at 41 Bridge Street (41 Bridge St). Be There

Farmington | 6th Annual Summer Farm Festival | 10 AM - 4 PM - Join us for a weekend of celebrating summer with local artisans, live music , food trucks, farm market, cut your own flowers and more at The Farm Truck at Hein Farm (303 Meadow Rd). (runs Sunday too)

Glastonbury | Festival Of India| 11:45 AM - 5 PM - Colorful Indian culture, music and community festivities take over Riverfront Park (300 Welles St).

Hartford | Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow-N-Fire | 11:30 AM | ($) - Endless fun at PeoplesBank Arena. Check It Out

Hartford | Riverfront Dragon Boat & Asian Festival | 7 AM - Join the fun at this community event at Mortensen Riverfront Plaza. Jump In

Simsbury | Badfish - A Tribute to Sublime, Foo Fightaz & Subliminal Doubt | 6:30 PM | ($) - Feel the vibe of live music. Catch the Show

East Hartford | 1st Annual - 2026 American Made Muscle Car Cruise Summer Showcase | 9 AM | ($) - Classic American muscle cars fill the stadium lot at Rentschler Field. Nice!

South Glastonbury | Piggies & Pilates at Hops On The Hill Brewery! | 12:30 PM | ($) - Join the fun at this community event at Hops on the Hill (275 Dug Rd). Be There

Wethersfield | Solstice Market | 11 AM - 4 PM - Join the fun at this community event at Mill Street Marketplace (36 Mill Street). Browse Around

8/15

Avon | Bubbles' Big Grand Opening Celebration | 10 AM | ($) - Grand opening celebration for the new kids' play space (104 West Avon Rd). Join In

8/16

East Windsor | Superhero & Princess Comic & Collectibles Show | 10 AM - 4 PM - Comics, toys, and cosplay for superhero and princess fans (58 North Rd). Check It Out (runs all weekend)

Southington | Barnyard Friends Tour | 12:30 PM | ($) - Meet goats, pigs, and farm animals up close (537 Shuttle Meadow Rd). Be There

8/17

Hartford | Monday Movie Night: Raya and the Last Dragon | 5 PM - Grab dinner and settle in for a free family movie night at Parkville Market.