Go Shopping On Main Street
Old Saybrook boasts a wide, easily walkable Main Street. This is the town’s retail center, and it’s the most popular place to shop. Whether you’re searching for freshly made fudge, a watercolor painting, or a kayak, you’ll find it all on this cute street.
A haven for lovers of all things vintage, Old Saybrook is home to a bevy of antiques stores. Maximus Antiques features a large showroom bursting with a wide variety of carefully selected finds. You’ll find everything from jewelry to dishes to old chairs on display.
Cottage Flair offers rustic home décor, including hand-painted furniture and unique clothes and accessories. Love the shabby chic look? This eclectic store brims with newly repurposed vintage finds and unique gifts.
Lyme Street Offers A Mile Of Exquisite Shops Fine Dining A Cozy Inn And World
The Museum is located in the heart of the villages historic district. On the Connecticut shoreline, conveniently located between New York and Boston, Old Lyme is a dream destination. The artists who traveled between the two cities at the turn of the 20th century were looking for a beautiful place to visit far from the bustle of city life. They brought their friends and painting supplies and stayed at Miss Florences boardinghouse . They captured on canvas all the wonderful things they found hererolling fields, rocky shores, graceful gardens, weathered barns, and classic New England architecture. Paintings of those views are now icons seen in museums worldwide. Todays visitors to Old Lyme still see what the artists did, with the added bonus of plenty of family activities, shopping, boat rentals, nature walks, and homemade ice cream!
Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center
Fueled by their commitment to preserving the Connecticut River Estuary, the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center provides several educational experiences for all ages while showcasing the thriving estuarys ecosystem. As visitors explore the estuary, theyll be amazed to find several fish nurseries and nesting grounds for different birds. The estuary center also provides award-winning science and nature programs to schools in Southeastern Connecticut, as well as summer camp programs for kids, all to instill the future generation with a greater appreciation for the environment around them. Adult programs are also available, together with bird walks where youll be able to explore and learn more about the various birds found within the estuary.
100 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, Connecticut 06371, Phone: 860-598-4218
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Build A Sandcastle At Harvey’s Beach
Soft white sand and the most remarkable sunsets reward visitors to Harvey’s Beach. A wonderful spot to relax, this lovely beach has been deemed one of the best beaches in Connecticut. This shore boasts the calm, shallow water of the Long Island Sound, making it a family-friendly beach popular with those toting young kids.
One hundred yards of pristine shoreline a playground and clean, clear water welcome visitors looking for a fun day out at this sandy beach. If you are hoping for more space, visit during low tide, when even more sand is revealed, as well as amazing marine creatures. You’ll want to bring a bucket and shovel for the kids.
Lifeguards are on duty from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day and seasonal amenities include restrooms, outdoor showers, changing rooms, and a concession stand. During this time, the town’s parks and recreation department puts on fun programs such as movie nights and beach yoga.
Address: 29 Plum Bank Road, Old Saybrook, Connecticut
Our 9 Favorite Things To Do With Kids In Coastal Connecticut
Offering beautiful beaches and family-friendly attractions of all sorts, Coastal Connecticut is the ideal spot for a family getaway. It can be tricky to find activities that appeal to both kids and their parents luckily, there are more than a few great options in and around Old Saybrook.
Mini-Golf at Saybrook Point
Mini golf is one of those rare activities that is just as fun at sixty as it is at six. Mini-Golf at Saybrook Point offers a fun course with beautiful views of the water, a snack bar to keep the kiddos fueled up and happy, and will barely put a dent in your pocketbook.
The Carousel of Old Lyme
Built in 1925, this carousel is a fully-functioning, real American relic. If the carousel alone isnt enough to tempt you, its worth noting that it is right on the beach, parked next door to the famous JJ Lawsens Ice Cream Company. Enjoy some old fashioned fun on the carousel, open from 7-9, Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Halls Arrow Indoor Archery Range
Looking for things to do with your kids that you can enjoy too? Its time for a trip to Halls Arrow Indoor Archery Range! Whether youre looking to schedule a family lesson, or simply want to spend a couple of hours refining your technique at the indoor range , Halls Arrow is the place for everyone from seasoned archers to novices.
Barker Character, Comic & Cartoon Museum
Hit Up a Childrens Museum
Wikimedia
Mystic Seaport
Lucky 33 Gemstone Flume Mine
BF Clydes Cider Mill
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Mccooks Point Park Beach Currently Residents Only Due To Covid
McCooks Point Park, is located 2 miles east of Rocky Neck State Park, is a town-owned park with picnic areas, a pavilion, a childrens playground, restrooms with outdoor showers and two white-sand beaches. The park is within walking distance of shops and restaurants in the Village of Niantic. Passes are required to enter the park between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Hole-in-the-Wall Beach, perfect for swimming and sunbathing, is located off Niantics Main Street. Parking is available on Baptist Lane, and passes are required from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Restrooms are available in the parking area.
Soak Up Nature In The Preserve
Theres nothing better than a hike to clear your head. And theres no better place to wander in Old Saybrook than the nearly 1,000-acre coastal forest known locally as The Preserve. Its vast expanse blankets a large section of land in this quaint town, as well as Essex and Westbrook.
Up until the spring of 2015, this natural wonderland was deemed the largest remaining area of unprotected coastal forest lying between Boston and New York. Since then, its become a protected environment well loved by locals and tourists alike.
This massive preserve is home to a variety of flora and fauna which are on full display within its densely canopied forest, freshwater seeps, wetlands, and ponds. Over 57 types of birds, 30 species of mammals, and 25 breeds of amphibians and reptiles have been spotted in this area.
Multiple trails wind their way through The Preserve, leading hikers past Oyster River, as well as the Mud and Trout Brook Rivers, which are both tributaries of the Long Island Sound.
Parking can be found at 1278 Essex Road in Westbrook, or there are five spaces available on Ingham Hill Road in Old Saybrook.
Official site:
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Contact Information All Travelers
All air passengers to the United States will also be required to provide contact information to airlines before boarding flights to the United States. This strengthens a travel process already in place to rapidly identify and contact people in the U.S. who may have been exposed to a communicable disease, such as COVID-19. Access to travelers contact information will allow U.S. federal, state, and local health departments, and agencies to share appropriate health and public health information necessary to help keep the public safe.
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Get Inspired At The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center
Known locally as The Kate, the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center serves as the town’s artistic heart. Opened in 2009 to honor the multiple Academy Award-winning actress and famous former resident, The Kate is the most popular tourist attraction in Old Saybrook.
The Kate is housed in what was once Town Hall, the original home of the Old Saybrook Musical and Dramatic Club . Today, visitors are treated to a wide variety of performances. Everything from films to concerts to dance performances to plays can be enjoyed here.
Fans of the iconic film star will enjoy the center’s small museum featuring photographs awards, which include an Emmy and a self-portrait. It’s open Tuesdays through Fridays from 10am to 4pm and one hour prior to performances. It is free to enter.
Address: 300 Main Street, Old Saybrook, Connecticut
Official site:
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Coffee’s Country Market And Catering
Coffees Country Market and Catering is must-visit deli and full-service catering company in Old Lyme, Connecticut. To ensure that everything served at Coffees is delightful and full of flavor, the culinary-trained chefs follow three rules: fresh ingredients, classic cooking techniques, and no short cuts. Theyve won many awards over the years including the Best of Readers Choice Awards for Food and Dining. Stop by for a hearty breakfast of eggs and ham, an omelet, or a freshly baked giant muffin. They also have a varied selection of sandwiches, wraps, desserts, cookies, and other bakery items like sticky buns, buttery croissants, and cinnamon rolls.
169 Boston Post Rd, Old Lyme, CT 06371, Phone: 860-434-1877
Town Of Old Lyme Connecticut
Old Lyme is a community of about 8000 full time residents and the summertime brings in several thousand more to enjoy their summer beach homes. The town is located on the east bank of the mouth of the Connecticut River where it meets Long Island Sound. Here many kayakers and photographers enjoy the natural habitat, tidal marsh, and inland wetlands. The town has lovely country roads lined by Colonial and Federal architecture.
Old Lyme is a tight knit community with a long-standing commitment to the arts. Lyme Art Association maintains a historic art gallery in the Old Lyme Historic District at 90 Lyme Street in Old Lyme, Connecticut. Their grounds are lovely and have beautiful gardens.
Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts, an accredited college is located in Old Lyme and noted American Impressionism painting at the turn of the century.
The Florence Griswold Museum is an American Impressionism art museum in the center of the Old Lyme Art Colony. It is now an Historical Landmark.
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More Things to Do in Connecticut: Whether you’re a fan of golden-sand beaches, sparkling lakes, or thundering waterfalls, the Nutmeg State offers a bevy of wonderful open-air adventures. Once you’ve finished sightseeing and exploring the great outdoors, stay in one of these adorable beach towns.
Explore New England: One of the most charming regions in the country, New England provides visitors with quaint towns, friendly locals, and magnificent natural beauty. Book a weekend getaway in Massachusetts or strap on comfy shoes and spend a day on one of the best hiking trails in New Hampshire.
Fun Things To Do In Old Lyme
Since 1986 the Town Planner Calendar has been keeping families across America up-to-date about events and other fun things to do right in their hometown.
Delivered free of charge every December to millions of homes across America, our full-sized, full-color calendar is a time-tested and beloved tool for helping families stay organized. The large date blocks are not only loaded with lots of nearby events and fun things to do, theres plenty of room for you to record your own familys important events like birthdays, anniversaries, parties anything you have planned so everybody in the house can see them whenever they go to the fridge, out the front door, or wherever you choose to display it.
But theres more! Every calendar is full of coupons from popular local merchants, so you can save money while supporting small businesses right in your hometown.
And dont miss our beautiful full-color photography! Every month youll recognize a new photo from someplace close to home, submitted to us by a local photographer. If youd like to have your own hometown photos included in our calendar, please contact your local publisher for more information.
If theres something happening close to home that folks in your neighborhood need to know about, why not submit it to us today? Please note that publication of your event is subject to approval by your local Town Planner publisher.
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The Dinosaur Place At Natures Art Village
Children will be in awe of this Jurassic-themed attraction at Natures Art Village, where some 50 life-sized dinosaur models prowl in 60 acres of woodland.
These beasts are on a well-kept trail here, 1.5 miles long, and arcing around the lake, Raptor Bay.
Across the water is the parks own volcano, which rumbles and smokes on the hour between 13:00 and 17:00. Kids can have a wild time, let loose at the largest splashpad in New England, at the massive T. Rex Tower Playscape, on Montys DINO-Sized Playground or sliding from the mouth of a T. Rex at the MAZEasaurus.
Enjoy Art And The View At The Robert And Nancy Krieble Gallery
The magnificent Krieble Gallery sits on the Florence Griswold Museum campus, just past the Historic Barn and Hartman Education Center. Behind it, the Lieutenant River sparkles in welcome, inspiring guests to relax. Waves of aluminum greet visitors at its entrance, evoking watery ripples from the neighboring river.
A welcome addition to the museum, the Krieble Gallery opened in 2002. Inside this 10,000 square-foot state-of-the art building lies a vast collection of American art that changes with new exhibits three or four times each year. Special skylights allow natural light to highlight the works on display.
This is also home to the museum shop restrooms collection storage and Café Flo, a quaint restaurant featuring a veranda with a picturesque river view.
Insiders tip: Ask for a Can You Find Me? card in the gallery. Kids will love finding the noted details in exhibited paintings.
Address: 96 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, Connecticut
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Best Things To Do In Old Lyme Connecticut
A coastal town in New London County, Old Lyme, CT is a glorious place to venture into if youre looking to delve into art and the outdoors. Having been the birthplace of American Impressionism, it continues to be a haven for artists from all over the world.
We recommend that you call the attractions and restaurants ahead of your visit to confirm current opening times.
Harkness Memorial State Park
When the heirs and philanthropists Edward and Mary Harkness established their summer home in neighboring Waterford they gave it the grandiose name Eolia, after the island home of Aeolus, the Greek god of winds.
Their Renaissance Revival mansion, overlooking the Sound was completed in 1907, and the great Beatrix Jones Farrand was hired to landscape the exquisite formal garden, with terraces, a pergola, colonnade and circular fountain.
The 300-acre estate was left to Connecticut by Mary in 1950, and you can visit to walk among the florid gardens, lawns and lofty trees, marveling at the views of Long Island Sound and touring the 42-room mansion on weekends.
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Build A Sandcastle At Harveys Beach
Soft white sand and the most remarkable sunsets reward visitors to Harveys Beach. A wonderful spot to relax, this lovely strand has been deemed one of the best beaches in Connecticut. Popular with families, this shore boasts the calm, shallow water of the Long Island Sound.
One hundred yards of pristine shoreline a playground and clean, clear water welcome visitors looking for a fun day out at this strand. If you are hoping for more space, visit during low tide, when even more sand is revealed, as well as amazing marine creatures.
Lifeguards are on duty from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day and seasonal amenities include restrooms, outdoor showers, changing rooms, and a concession stand. During this time, the towns parks and recreation department puts on fun programs such as movie nights and beach yoga.
Address: 29 Plum Bank Road, Old Saybrook, Connecticut
Appreciate Impressionist Art At The Florence Griswold Museum
The next biggest attraction in Old Saybrook lies just outside its borders. The Florence Griswold Museum is set about five miles northeast in the attractive town of Old Lyme. It stretches across 12 acres and is highlighted by the sparkling Lieutenant River.
A Georgian masterpiece designed by Samuel Belcher in 1817, the bright yellow Florence Griswold House is the star attraction of this museum compound. Once a boarding house run by its namesake, this structure hosted numerous artists who later founded the American Impressionist Old Lyme Art Colony.
More than 130 artists boarded in this pretty home between 1899 and the 1930s, some of whom were invited to paint panels on the houses walls and doors. Today, over 40 uniquely painted panels can be found on display.
Artworks created by over 200 acclaimed artists like American Impressionists Matilda Browne, Childe Hassam, and Willard Metcalf are also on display.
Insiders tip: Ask for a Scavenger Hunt. This fun list, which provides visitors with objects to find throughout the house, is a great way to keep kids interested.
Address: 96 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, Connecticut
Official site:
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The Town Planner Calendar
For over 30 years our free calendar has been delivered to communities all across America. Each edition features beautiful local photography, community event listings, important phone numbers and money saving coupons.
To see why so many homeowners love the Town Planner, and why it has such a high retention rate as an advertising tool, please view some of our sample calendars.
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