Things To Do In Southbury

Film buffs across six states stare wide-eyed at large cinema screens, losing themselves in first-run Hollywood movies and the smell of fresh, buttery kernels within Your Neighborhood Theatre's 17 locations. Though all theaters prioritize comfortable seating, old-fashioned friendly service, and high-stakes preshow trivia slideshows, each location encompasses its own distinct charm, be it through arthouse décor, 3-D screens, or Rhode Island's vintage 1950's drive-in setting.

A veteran of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, NRA-certified instructor William Reed drew upon his experiences in the field to teach range safety and marksmanship to U.S. Army trainees at Fort Jackson. Now, along with fellow NRA-certified instructor Kyle Pritz—a Marine Corps veteran who served in Afghanistan—William imparts firearm handling and safely techniques to students of all skill sets at Connecticut Firearms Training.

The duo's primary class prepares students for their pistol permit application with one-on-one or small group sessions that cover subjects such as gun laws, loading and unloading, shooting fundamentals, and safe gun storage. Their other courses emphasize personal protection techniques including defensive shooting skills and strategies for avoiding dangerous confrontations, such as never leaving the attic. William and Kyle hold sessions at two locations, including Shooters Pistol Range, where students gain live fire experience in a climate-controlled, 12-station indoor facility whose automatic retrieval systems supports shooting between 12 and 50 feet.

In the past 40 years, the Southern Litchfield Hills of northwestern Connecticut have seldom stood without an echo of laughter or music. That's because Woodbury Ski Area keeps them pulsing with skiers and snowboarders during winter months and warm-weather revelers and concertgoers throughout the summer. Tubing slides run down the hills throughout the summer, along with zorb balls—inflatable spheres that carry passengers to the bottom in 45 seconds.

Woodbury Ski Area's president Rod Taylor, who competed as a member of the U.S. Ski Team, maintains the facility with the same drive he used to become the national downhill ski champion and record holder for clearing 222 feet in the Glendale Jump contest. While helping to keep adrenaline levels high, Rod ensures the facility hosts more laid-back cultural events with concerts on the Woodbury stage. Past shows have featured legends including The Wailers, Fela Kuti, and UB40, as well as Muddy Waters, The Band, Bonnie Raitt, and Earl Scruggs.

Fast Eddie’s Billiards Cafe takes playing pool and drinking beer to the next level. Sure, the standard domestics are available, but besides the expected lagers and neon signs, Fast Eddie’s boasts an impressive menu of craft brews. More than 50 choices include Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA, Allagash White, and Smuttynose Robust porter. Imported beer, wine, and premium liquor are also available to add entertainment to billiards tournaments.

If you add up the doctors of chiropractic, licensed massage therapists, and registered yoga teachers, Balanced Body Chiropractic Center has more than 15 wellness professionals working to help clients heal and strengthen their bodies. The Center specializes in chiropractic—the practice of making small adjustments to fix misalignments of the spin—aiming to treat maladies such as allergies, joint dysfunction, neck and back pain, and headaches. In addition to adjustments, the Center’s professionals offer healing and relaxing massage therapy, yoga, acupuncture, hypnotherapy, and psychotherapy.

It's not all kicking and punching. Although there is a lot of that, the instructors at The Charland Institute of Karate & Fitness use the classes and facility as a conduit for helping students deal with everyday challenges, de-stress, and build confidence. During strengthening and cardio-intensive classes, students kick their way through a curriculum that forges traditional and modern martial arts, aiming to teach self-defense, discipline, and how to effectively punt an assailant.