You'll Want More of the CT Shore!
Written: Jul 20 '00
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Close to NYC, Relaxing and Quaint
Cons: No ocean, rocky beaches
|
|
|
| lwg76's Full Review: Connecticut |
While most people wouldn't think of the Connecticut shore as a top vacation spot, I recommend it for people who live in the New York/CT area and who are looking for a short getaway. If you only have a weekend or a few days off, you can spend less time traveling and more time relaxing if you go to Connecticut instead of say, Cape Cod. If you are looking for a vacation "scene" with nightlife also, then maybe the Jersey shore or the Hamptons will suit your style better. But if you just want to relax in a peaceful setting, consider going to Connecticut.
I like to get away not just from New York City itself on the weekend, but from the city people and attitude as well, which is why I have neither the interest (nor money!) in going out to the Hamptons. I grew up in Connecticut and although I live in the city now, my family has a beach house a little north of New Haven. Getting there is very easy. By car of course, you do hit the weekend traffic (which can be avoided by driving late at night), but the train from New York to New Haven is an hour and 40 minutes regardless of traffic, and from there you can get a cab/bus/shoreline train/or rent a car to get to your final destination. I do recommend having a car though, so that you can get around to stores, restaurants, beaches, and sightseeing.
The Connecticut shore is on the Long Island Sound, so the water is calm. While I too like the fun of playing in the ocean, at least on the sound you can actually get in there and swim more like you would in a swimming pool. While I will suggest other activities you can do, my favorite way to spend a day here is just to sit at the beach and read a book, and swim. The beaches are on the rocky side. You can go to a public beach, like Hamonassett, but here you will be among a crowd. I think the nicest parts of the Connecticut shore are the small private beaches that are only open to the people living in the area assigned to that beach. If you can find a cottage to rent, you will be within walking distance of a private beach, and you will have a quiet, peaceful, pleasant getaway, free of crowds and traffic! You can also stay at an inn or bed and breakfast, or if you're on a true budget, plenty of Days Inns and Motel 6's can be found along I-95.
We go to Branford, CT on the weekends. Here you can go on a boat cruise of the Thimble Islands (many tiny islands not too far off the shore where some houses are, many without electricity!) and hear stories of pirates that hid in the islands in past centuries. Many of the people that live here have boats, either sailboats, motor boats, or jet skis. If you want to sail you can go to the Yale Corinthian Yacht club and rent a boat or take lessons.
The Connecticut shore extends north to many other towns, such as Clinton, Essex, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Mystic and Stonington. These towns are very classic New England shore towns with cute town centers with shops and a green. The more east you travel up the shore, the closer you are to Rhode Island and the ocean. So if you do crave the waves you can take a day trip to Watch Hill or Misquamicut. When it rains or when you have gotten too much sun, there are other things to do in CT. In Clinton you can go shopping at the outlet malls. In Mystic you can check out Mystic Aquarium or Mystic Seaport, and eat at Mystic Pizza, just like the movie. You can go to New Haven and tour the beautiful Yale Campus, check out the British Art Center or Peabody Museum, and get some great pizza at Sally's or Pepe's. If you like antiques there are plenty of antique shops. You can ride the Essex steam train and river boat.
When it comes to eating, you can either cook for yourself or check out some of the local restaurants. In Essex there is The Griswold Inn, an old Inn opened in 1776. On Sundays they have a famous Hunt Breakfast that started when the British occupied the Gris during the War of 1812. Bring a big appetite since they have a huge buffet selection of brunch foods (heavy on meat, but enough choices for a vegetarian as well.) I don't eat seafood, but my mother, a seafood addict, is in heaven every weekend. She gets live lobsters caught by a man who lives down the street from us and cooks them herself. In Branford Lenny's and Bud's are famous for their seafood. There is a chain of restaurants called the USS Chowderpot along the shore that is very popular as well. If you ask around people will be helpful and tell you where to go. I love barbecue's, so I'm happy making all my meals on the grill.
Also find out about local farms and vegetable stands. You can get wonderful corn and tomatoes! And delicious fruit pies also. I like picking fruit also. Raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries can be picked at different times in the season, and you can make great desserts with your own fresh fruit. One big farm you can try is Bishop's Orchard in Guilford (www.bishopsorchards.com for picking schedules).
I hope I've given some ideas to get you going on planning weekend getaway! Connecticut is a small state so it doesn't take too long driving from town to town to explore. What you decide to do there will depend on where you stay and your interests. Good luck and I hope you have a nice, relaxing vacation!
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
lwg76
|
|
Location: New York, NY
Reviews written: 35
Trusted by: 9 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.