Which Connecticut Grocery Stores Made USA Today's Top Ten?

I know the old saying is two out of three ain't bad, but four out of ten is better. USA Today recently updated their 10 Best Grocery Stores in America - 2025 rankings, and Connecticut is home to almost half of the stores on the list, including #1.

USA Today has just updated their 10 best grocery stores in the US that you need to check out lineup for 2025, and #1 on the list for this year has multiple locations around Connecticut - The Fresh Market. There are four in Connecticut: Avon, Guilford, Westport, and their newest location in Wethersfield. The chain is 160 locations strong now and based out of North Carolina. I've been to the Avon location and found it to be similar to The Market-Bantam, Balducci's, and like a Trader Joe's/Whole Foods vibe except they carry national-name recognizable brands. I liked the variety of product in stock, with a low-cost, mid, and high-end choice for many of their products, and their to-go/ready to heat selection is top-notch.

Four Other Grocers in Connecticut Made USA Today's Top 10

Stew Leonard's, with locations in Danbury, Newington, and Norwalk was listed as the #5 best grocery store by USA Today for 2025. If you've been, you know that a trip around Stew's is an adventure with tasting stations, animatronics, and a unique aisle layout. So far I'm right with USA Today, I love shopping at both.

Credit - Google Street View

Aldi comes in at #6 on USA Today's list, and there are now 33 Aldi grocery stores across Connecticut. I know most are fans, but I've been disappointed more often than happy leaving that place.

And rounding out the list is our new obsession - Wegmans. Norwalk's crowning achievement has been listed as the #10 best grocery store in America for 2025. I haven't made my way down to Norwalk yet, but I've been to their store before, it's wonderful.

Back in the Day, What Concerts Did You See at Lake Compounce?

Lake Compounce recently announced that they're building a floating stage, and bringing live music back in the Summer of 2023. I loved going to concerts at Compounce back in the day, and I saved some of my ticket stubs, were you at these shows?

Gallery Credit: Large Dave/Lake Compounce via Facebook

A Visual Guide to the Biggest and Heaviest Birds in Connecticut

What are the biggest, largest, and longest birds that we can encounter out in the wilds of Connecticut? I saw a Bald Eagle fly over my head along the Naugatuck River for the first time in my life, it made me gasp. It had the largest wingspan that I've ever seen. I did some research, here's a list of the biggest birds you may see near your home.

Gallery Credit: Getty Images

Incredible Natural Beauty of Connecticut Through All Four Seasons

We live in such a gorgeous part of the world, Mother Nature provides a visual feast for all of us in Connecticut with each season. We really experience a great balance of all four seasons here, which one is your favorite?

Gallery Credit: Large Dave

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