1.  A Good Time for The Maritime Meerkats and “Go Fish” and IMAX, oh my! The Maritime Aquarium of Norwalk is a destination that’s bound to amaze the entire family, starting with the "Meerkats" exhibit. Get up-close-and-personal with these delightfully entertaining creatures that have garnered an enthusiastic audience of the millions who watched Animal Planet’s “Meerkat Manor” and, before that, “The Lion King.” A permanent exhibit, “Go Fish: Long Island Sound & Beyond,” centers around an impressive 30,000-gallon tank stocked with local species, offering an exciting way to become more familiar …

Prepare to be pampered by professional, well-trained and welcoming staff at these local spas. In the time you can say "spaaaaah," you will be well on your way to repose. 1. Candlewood Day Spa 14 Candlewood Lake Road, Brookfield With its colorful hues and clean lines, Candlewood Day Spa offers an extensive menu of massage, body treatments and full hair and nail services. The 7,000 square foot spa “combine[s] the traditional far Eastern elements of wood, earth, fire and water to purify and harmonize your life,” according to its website.  If relaxation and rejuvenation are on your list, try the…

Anticipating a shamrockin’ good time on St. Patrick’s Day seems to prevail as the conventional expectation, and Brookfielders don’t have to go far to get their green on. Options abound for Irish fare — whether breakfast, lunch or dinner — and when it comes to bar specials, green beer and good times will be flowing.  Select the St. Patrick’s Patch Pick that works for you: Rickyl’s Brookfield Luncheonette Start your lucky day with an “Irishman” omelet (corned beef hash and swiss with homefries and toast, $7.95) or pick from a large array of daily choices such as the Norwegian smoked salmon and …

In our first installment of Patch Picks we roundup the top five places to watch the Super Bowl this Sunday: 189 Sports Café on Federal Road will be having a Super Bowl buffet and a 50-50 box pool for the big event. $100 buys two tickets (all you can eat and drink) and two boxes in the pool. $45 buys admittance, food and drink without joining in the pool. The party starts with kickoff at 6:30 p.m. Al’s Cookout on Candlewood Lake Road will have their regular gameday specials, with $1 hotdogs, $2 burgers, 35-cent wings and pitchers specials starting at 5:30 p.m. O’Connor’s Public House will be …