While we love living in New York City, the winters can be long, gray and COLD. So when summer rolls around, like most, our family is all about fun in the sun. A weekend getaway is always on the list, so recently we decided to head to Lake Compounce in nearby Bristol Connecticut.

Lake Compounce is two parks in one, with an amusement and water park connected to a campground located less than 2 hours from New York City. The park offers over 45 rides and attractions like Boulder Dash, voted the best wooden roller coaster in the world five times, and their water park is the largest in the entire state of Connecticut! In fact, their track record of fun is proven by the fact that it’s America’s first amusement park celebrating over 175 years of family fun! 

Summer Concerts

After a long day of thrills in the amusement park or floating along the lazy river in the water park, park goers can stick around for one of the Lake Compounce summer concerts. Each Saturday through Labor Day Weekend Lake Compounce will be hosting concerts live music with super cool acts like Everclear, CeeLo Green, Canaan Smith, and All-4-One. They even had a Billy Joel tribute band on the ticket – one of my favorites! How cool would it be to watch and listen to some great music lakeside, feet in the sand to cap off an epic day!

Lodging

If you have a longer drive, or just want to extend the fun for an extra day or two, Lake Compounce Campground offers fun and affordable lodging. This isn’t your run of the mill campground. The lodging accommodations range from designated camp areas for those who prefer to pitch their own tent, to RV parking areas for your mobile palace, as well as adorable Cub Huts and 1 or 2 bedrooms cabins! Our 2 bedroom cabin came complete with a full kitchen, full private bathroom, 2 full sized beds in their own room, and a bunk bed for extra sleeping space. Now that’s camping in style. Just take a look at our digs!

Park Attractions

All around the park, you’ll find plenty of games to win prizes, restaurants, snack shops and cool places for memorabilia.

Our Trip

With an amusement park, water park, concerts, and campground, Lake Compounce is a one stop destination for fun, fun, and more fun. Whether you’re a New England local just trekking over for a day trip, or in it for a long haul as a camper, this spot will not disappoint. All it takes is one trip to see why it’s one of the best places for family fun in New England, or better yet, anywhere in the country.