Sightseeing
A beloved nature-scape and historical hub, Deep River Landing, across from Selden Neck State Park and campground, is no ordinary meeting ground. It’s the perfect place to launch your boat or moor your yacht, kayaking, paddling and enjoying the beach at low tide at Eustasia Island. (Explore CT Shoreline)
Deep River Landing
River RoadA beloved nature-scape and historical hub, Deep River Landing, across from Selden Neck State Park and campground, is no ordinary meeting ground. It’s the perfect place to launch your boat or moor your yacht, kayaking, paddling and enjoying the beach at low tide at Eustasia Island. (Explore CT Shoreline)
Located in the picturesque and historic village of Essex, Connecticut, The Griswold Inn is a destination experience.
49 locals recommend
The Griswold Inn
36 Main StLocated in the picturesque and historic village of Essex, Connecticut, The Griswold Inn is a destination experience.
The Steam Train and Riverboat ride is a delightful, relaxing way to enjoy the beautiful scenery along the Connecticut River.
60 locals recommend
Essex Steam Train & Riverboat
1 Railroad AveThe Steam Train and Riverboat ride is a delightful, relaxing way to enjoy the beautiful scenery along the Connecticut River.
Award-winning musical theatre in an historic building, right on the Connecticut River. Home of the American musical!
57 locals recommend
Goodspeed Opera House
6 Main StAward-winning musical theatre in an historic building, right on the Connecticut River. Home of the American musical!
William Gillette made his fortune playing Sherlock Holmes and built this splendid castle overlooking the Connecticut River. Tours are offered daily and trails around the castle make this a great hiking spot.
83 locals recommend
Gillette Castle State Park
Gillette Castle State ParkWilliam Gillette made his fortune playing Sherlock Holmes and built this splendid castle overlooking the Connecticut River. Tours are offered daily and trails around the castle make this a great hiking spot.
The Connecticut River Museum is a U.S. educational and cultural institution based at Steamboat Dock in Essex, Connecticut that focuses on the marine environment and maritime heritage of the Connecticut River Valley.
38 locals recommend
Connecticut River Museum
67 Main StThe Connecticut River Museum is a U.S. educational and cultural institution based at Steamboat Dock in Essex, Connecticut that focuses on the marine environment and maritime heritage of the Connecticut River Valley.
Food scene
An easygoing bar and restaurant featuring New American cuisine, cocktails, craft beers, and live bands. Delicious food, great people!
6 locals recommend
Red House
158 Main StAn easygoing bar and restaurant featuring New American cuisine, cocktails, craft beers, and live bands. Delicious food, great people!
A family owned restaurant since 1934, with an eclectic menu. Freshest organic produce and farm fresh meats. Vegetarian and vegan menu. They offer contactless curbside pick-up!
6 locals recommend
Whistle Stop Cafe
108 Main StA family owned restaurant since 1934, with an eclectic menu. Freshest organic produce and farm fresh meats. Vegetarian and vegan menu. They offer contactless curbside pick-up!
High Nine is a small town Connecticut craft brewery specializing in lagers, ales, and sours since 2019.
HIGH NINE Brewing
6 Winter AvenueHigh Nine is a small town Connecticut craft brewery specializing in lagers, ales, and sours since 2019.
A soft place for all to land and gather over coffee. Specialty coffee and espresso, gourmet tea, fresh baked goods and healthy snacks, along with soft serve and packed ice cream! All in a cozy, warm spot with lots of nooks and crannies to have a seat!
The Nest Coffee House
162-A Main StA soft place for all to land and gather over coffee. Specialty coffee and espresso, gourmet tea, fresh baked goods and healthy snacks, along with soft serve and packed ice cream! All in a cozy, warm spot with lots of nooks and crannies to have a seat!
Chef Joel Gargano’s scratch kitchen focuses on local products with a modern yet familiar approach to traditional Italian cooking.
At the heart of Grano Arso, Chef Joel mills native New England grains in house to create an old-world approach to his pastas and breads.
Coupled with warm and knowledgeable hospitality, Grano Arso is the neighborhood go-to eatery for wholesome cooking, Italian wine, local beers, and specialty cocktails.
18 locals recommend
Grano Arso
6 Main StChef Joel Gargano’s scratch kitchen focuses on local products with a modern yet familiar approach to traditional Italian cooking.
At the heart of Grano Arso, Chef Joel mills native New England grains in house to create an old-world approach to his pastas and breads.
Coupled with warm and knowledgeable hospitality, Grano Arso is the neighborhood go-to eatery for wholesome cooking, Italian wine, local beers, and specialty cocktails.
Honeycone offers the MOST delicious ice cream! Handcrafted, small batch, with locally sourced and seasonally inspired ingredients.
7 locals recommend
Honeycone Craft Ice Cream
29 Main StHoneycone offers the MOST delicious ice cream! Handcrafted, small batch, with locally sourced and seasonally inspired ingredients.
Nestled in the charming historic Witch Hazel Works property, Surfridge Brewing Company East offers quality craft beers and a deliciously curated menu with fresh, local oysters and wood-fired pizzas.
Surfridge Brewing Company East
6 Main StreetNestled in the charming historic Witch Hazel Works property, Surfridge Brewing Company East offers quality craft beers and a deliciously curated menu with fresh, local oysters and wood-fired pizzas.
City/town information
Dubbed “The Perfect Small American Town” in the “1,000 Places To See Before You Die” travel guide and among “The 100 Best Small Towns in America,” Essex offers an ideal blend of history, art, shops, restaurants, and so much more to explore.
40 locals recommend
Essex
Dubbed “The Perfect Small American Town” in the “1,000 Places To See Before You Die” travel guide and among “The 100 Best Small Towns in America,” Essex offers an ideal blend of history, art, shops, restaurants, and so much more to explore.
Chester is a unique town that celebrates art, history, music, theater, crafts, and cuisine.
32 locals recommend
Chester
Chester is a unique town that celebrates art, history, music, theater, crafts, and cuisine.
One of Connecticut's oldest towns, settled in 1635 and located where the Connecticut River meets Long Island Sound, Old Saybrook offers a trove of historical and cultural sites.
31 locals recommend
Old Saybrook
One of Connecticut's oldest towns, settled in 1635 and located where the Connecticut River meets Long Island Sound, Old Saybrook offers a trove of historical and cultural sites.
Scenically situated on the east bank of the Connecticut River in Middlesex County, East Haddam, CT is a historic town which was established way back in the early 1700s. Must-see attractions include the famous Goodspeed Opera House, Gillette Castle State Park, Allegra Farm and the Nathan Hale Schoolhouse and Bust.
East Haddam
Scenically situated on the east bank of the Connecticut River in Middlesex County, East Haddam, CT is a historic town which was established way back in the early 1700s. Must-see attractions include the famous Goodspeed Opera House, Gillette Castle State Park, Allegra Farm and the Nathan Hale Schoolhouse and Bust.