Close to home visits offer mini- vacations

The ideal staycation is a day trip close to home. On less than a tank of gas, there are many places in Connecticut worthy of a mini- vacation. Most are family friendly and offer something for all ages and all interests, from antiquing, adventure, and trains to castles, gemstones, and farms.

Open daily from 10 to 4, Lavender Pond Farm in Killingworth offers a respite from busy daily lives. While the lavender is at peak bloom in early July, this is a great place to visit anytime. The farm was started by its owners, Chris and Denise Salafia, with the idea to “make the world a more beautiful place.” They began with 9,000 plants on 25 acres and the farm has grown from there. Today, there are nearly 10,000 plants and these waving fields of purple flowers refresh both the mind and spirit.

Family train tours run Wednesday to Sunday but there is plenty to do here besides seeing flowers. Honeybees are hard at work here and the farm even has a brood of friendly chickens ( please don’t feed or pet them, though). If the weather is pleasant, the pond out back makes for a nice walkabout. There are plenty of spots for photo ops here, too, such as the covered bridge or the SmartFlower, a sculptural set of solar panels in the shape of an oversized flower. The solar- powered farm was the first in the state to install one.

If the lavender is out of season, the farm is still worth visiting as the farm shop ( masks and social distancing required) is loaded with lavender goodies from sachets, scrubs, and soaps to candles, tea and more. Visitors can also get up close to the copper still here to see how the lavender essence and essential oils are distilled. lavenderpondfarm.com

For a dino- mite time, consider a visit to The Dinosaur Place at Nature’s Art Village in Oakdale, which adds something new every year. The large campus includes The Shops, miniature golf, a history museum, and the two- level PAST Antiques Marketplace featuring 90 antiques dealers; the main draw, however, are the dinosaurs.

The Dinosaur Place is set on 60 acres, boasting 1.5 miles of trails and more than 50 life- size animatronic dinosaurs in caves as well as a volcano that erupts. Monty’s Playground has themed attractions like the T- Rex Tower and the A’Maze’asaurus. On a hot day, kids enjoy cooling off at Splash Pad that has dinosaur- themed spouts, buckets that dump water and squirt guns. For snacks, Monty’s Munchies, located within The Dinosaur Place next to Monty’s Playground and across from the Splash Pad, offers menu items including hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dots, pizza ( whole and personal), drinks, and more ( park admission is required for purchases). Most attractions are open daily 10 to 6. naturesartvillage.com

To experience a 19th- century agricultural farm and museum, summer is the best time to head over to Guilford to Dudley Farm, which was built in 1845. The Dudley family farmed land here for nearly 300 years. Activity ramps up in the summer months with the gardens in full harvest, a farmers’ market, and the farmhouse open for tours. Farm animals here include sheep, ox, and chickens. Among seasonal activities here are sheep shearing, wool sorting, and maple sugaring, while hikers can enjoy the trails that connect to the Guilford Land Trust year- round. The farm is open May to October, Thursday to Saturday from 10 to 2, Sunday, 1- 4. dudleyfarm.com

Keeping alive Connecticut’s long tradition of rail transportation, the Valley Railroad Company has been running vintage steam and diesel train rides in Essex since 1971. Today, it offers rides on the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat through the Connecticut River Valley. A vintage coach train goes through three towns while the Becky Thatcher riverboat rides past coves and marshes. Each excursion is about 1 ¼ hours. For fans of Thomas the Tank Engine, there will be a Day Out with Thomas: The Celebration Tour here Aug. 29 at 9 a. m., which is but one of several rail and boat experiences available. New this year through the company are Pedal a Rail- Bike along the rail trails in Haddam for a round trip of about four miles along the Connecticut River, offering great scenic views. essexsteamtrain.com

Gillette Castle State Park in East Haddam has long been a popular attraction. Although the castle remains closed due to COVID- 19, visitors can walk around the park grounds ( park entry is free) from 8 a. m. to sunset daily. Built high on a hill by playwright/ director/ architect William Hooker Gillette, the medieval- style castle home is a 24- room mansion. The state bought the home and property in 1943 from his estate and opened it to the public. Set among the hiking trails are many rock formations yielding troves of tourmaline and garnet. portal. ct. gov

No matter what your interests are, there are plenty of options for day trips in Connecticut worth exploring.

Lavender Pond Farm Purple reign: Lavender is more than just an aromatic plant. Studies suggest it may help relieve stress, chronic pain, high blood pressure, and asthma. Here, Denise Salafia, who co- owns Lavender Pond Farm in Killingworth with her husband, Chris, cuts fresh lavender from a field on the farm.

Dudley Farm Although Gillette Castle ( above, left) at Gillette Castle State Park in East Haddam is currently closed due to COVID- 19, its surrounding park grounds are open to the public for walking and hiking. Dudley Farm ( above, right), a 19th- century agricultural farm and museum in Guilford, welcomes visitors and is open to the public with COVID- 19 restrictions in place. The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat in Essex ( below) is open with COVID- 19 restrictions in place. Here, a conductor greets a young visitor ( pre coronavirus) before the trip.