Newington, CT Indoor Activities

Hoyts Simsbury Cinemas enthralls cinephiles and periodic moviegoers alike with the latest Hollywood fare screened in Dolby Digital surround sound. A concessions stand nourishes viewers with delectable noshes, and the theater's stadium seating comfortably harbors audience members waiting their turn to give an acceptance speech for Best Movie Viewer. In addition to its usual cinematic offerings, Hoyts Simsbury Cinemas screens biweekly sensory-friendly showings––for families with youngsters affected by autism and sensory disorders––during which theater lights remain on, the volume is turned down, and patrons may opt to dance, sing, and hop throughout the film. Private showings for mothers and babies invite parents to enjoy movies without worrying that their child's clamor is bothering other audience members. Birthday-party packages treat celebrants to a movie-themed birthday area with a snack pack and helium balloon for each child, and private presentations or VHS support groups welcome up to 50 attendees.

Many cultures and belief systems converge at Sacred Movement Yoga, drawn together by a diverse teaching team. Aaron Weston contributes expertise in Native American teachings, Brittany Azar adds mastery of Tibetan singing bowls, and Maggie Kortchmar brings intimate knowledge of Buddhist tradition. Though Weston, Azar, and Kortchmar represent only three of more than twenty teachers, they embody the studio's mission to help students realize their potential. Instructors offer restorative and rigorous yoga classes in both ancient and modern styles, and also host guided meditation and third-eye exams in the studio's ZenRoom.

At each bowling center, balls hurtle down smooth, polished lanes as LCD screens keep track of scores and shimmering party lights illuminate the faces of determined bowlers. After lacing up some slide-enabling shoes and clearing the gutters of deciduous pins, bowlers set their sights on toppling 10-pin clusters. Carpets bedecked with psychedelic swirls lead to shelves stocked with neon-colored balls, which proffer their pin-busting talents to bowlers of various sizes. Fingers can warm up by mashing buttons in an arcade full of entrancing video games or bench-pressing french fries at the onsite grill and pub.

Air fills each piece of playground equipment at Inflatable Adventure Zone, which allows sock-footed kids aged 2–12 to safely jump, climb, and bounce. Kids can scale the towering double slide to reach the room’s highest vantage point, or frolic in an assortment of character-themed obstacles, from a Finding Nemo fortress to a Dora and Diego jumper for the shorter set. A snack area provides juice boxes and light snacks, as well as a place to discuss the bounce castle’s durability against invading packs of feral children.

After being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, certified instructor Gina McCray turned to yoga as a way to help improve both her mental and physical health. Now the teacher at Inner Light & Soul Yoga, Gina leads groups of about 12 yogis through the bends and stretches of Kripalu yoga. The yoga style goes beyond stretching the body, employing meditation to flex the mind and the spirit more effectively than using telekinesis to levitate a diary. As the mother of a child with special needs, Gina also offers a specially designed session for special-needs children aged 12–17 on Saturday mornings. Inner Light & Soul's tranquil studio sets the scene for refreshment with bright green walls and a painted mural.

Sacred Rivers Yoga is more than just a place to practice yoga. It’s also a massage studio where therapists soothe tension with techniques ranging from deep-tissue to thai massage, and a training center for aspiring yoga instructors.

The main goal at Sacred Rivers is to help visitors achieve a balance between their bodies and minds. Classes accommodate all skill levels, with gentle and introductory yoga sessions for beginners and four courses, including power yoga, that can challenge even the most advanced yogis. Other specialized classes include Fabulous Over 50! and Yin yoga, which focuses on connective tissue.