AREA ATTRACTIONS

Essex and the lower Connecticut River Valley and surrounding area are known for their natural beauty and many interesting activities and attractions.  These are listed alphabetically by category and include direct links to respective websites for your convenience.  When making your reservation at our Inn, please ask the Front Desk for any further information or assistance you might need.

• Area Attractions

  • Essex Steam Train and Riverboat

    A scenic ride on a vintage steam train and a cruise on the riverboat Becky Thatcher.

  • Gillette Castle and State Park

    Stone castle full of nooks and crannies with sweeping views of the Connecticut River built in 1919 by William Gillette, a “superstar” stage actor most noted for portraying Sherlock Holmes. The castle is on 184 acres with hiking trails and paths.

  • Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration

    Home to whales, penguins and other species with many living exhibits and a marine theater.

  • Mystic Seaport

    Authentic seaport village with 19th century whaling ships, maritime exhibits, and historic homes on Mystic River in Mystic.

  • Submarine Museum

    Submarine museum and home of the Nautilus, the world’s finest nuclear submarine and the first to travel “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.”

• Art & History

  • Local

    • Connecticut River Museum

      Overlooking Essex harbor and just 40 yards from The Griswold Inn, the Connecticut River Museum showcases permanent and changing exhibits about the history of the Connecticut River Valley. It is also a great vantage point to see bald eagles and migratory birds and a great spot to take in the stunning waterfront. Winter eagle watch excursions and summer and fall schooner cruises depart from the Museum.

    • Essex Art Association

      Established in 1946 and located just up the street from The Griswold Inn. Exhibitions and sales by professional artists, amateurs and students.

    • Essex Historical Society

      The Essex Historical Society at Hills Academy and the 1700 Pratt House are both a short walk from The Griswold Inn.

    • Florence Griswold Museum

      The 19th century home of the Lyme Art Colony and the center of American Impressionism.

    • Lyme Art Association

      Exhibitions and sales by professional and developing artists.

    • Museum of Fife and Drum

      Celebrates the historical significance and folk tradition of fife and drum music.

    • Mystic Seaport

      Authentic Seaport village with 19th century whaling ships, maritime exhibits, and historic homes on the Mystic River in Mystic.

  • Within 35 minutes

    • Connecticut Historical Society /Hartford
    • Harriet Beecher Stowe Center/Hartford
    • Mashantucket Pequot Museum/Ledyard
    • New Britain Museum of American Art/New Britain
    • Peabody Museum of Natural History/New Haven
    • The Mark Twain House & Museum/Hartford
    • Wadsworth Atheneum/Hartford
    • Yale Center for British Art/New Haven
    • Yale University Art Gallery/New Haven

• Casinos/Entertainment

  • Foxwoods Resort Casino /Ledyard
  • MGM Grand at Foxwoods/Ledyard
  • Mohegan Sun /Uncasville

• Cinema

  • Madison Art Cinema /Madison
  • Marquee Cinemas 12 Screen /Westbrook

• Getting Out On The Water

  Bring your own kayak or canoe. Essex kayaking is quite lovely and there are many public access spots around town.

  • Canoe and Kayak Rental

    One can explore the beautiful waterways right from the rental facility on Shore Road in Old Lyme or transport the “vessels” to another area such as Essex for exploration 860.434.9680.

  • Connecticut River Museum

    Winter eagle watch excursions and summer and fall schooner cruises leave from the Connecticut River Museum, about 40 yards from The Griswold Inn.

  • Essex Steam Train and Riverboat

    After a ride aboard the Essex Steam Train, enjoy a cruise up the Connecticut River on the riverboat Becky Thatcher.

  • RiverQuest

    Enjoy eagle cruises and summer and fall expeditions on the Connecticut River aboard RiverQuest which leaves from East Haddam.

  • Sea Sherpa Kayak

    Tours, instruction and expeditions on the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound. Equipment provided.

  • Stony Creek Kayak

    Explore the historic Thimble Islands and Connecticut River. Daytime, sunset and moonlit trips by certified guides. Equipment provided. 203.481.6401.

  • Thimble Island Cruise

    Sightseeing tour around the scenic Thimble Islands.

• Music & Theatre

  • Local

    • Goodspeed Musical Theatre

      Tony-award-winning theatre with world-renowned productions of musicals. Located in a 19th century theatre on the banks of the Connecticut River in East Haddam.

    • Ivoryton Playhouse

      America’s oldest self-supporting summer theatre, now showcases year-round productions.

    • Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center “The Kate”

      A tribute to Old Saybrook’s most celebrated resident, it houses a variety of productions including dance, concerts, comedy, film, drama, lectures and classics.

    • Norma Terris Theatre

      Theatre located in neighboring Chester, operated by Goodspeed Musical Theatre showcasing original productions.

  • Within 35 minutes

    • Garde Arts Center /New London
    • Hartford Stage/Hartford
    • Long Wharf Theater /New Haven
    • Schubert/New Haven
    • The Bushnell /Hartford
    • TheaterWorks/Hartford
    • Yale Repertory Theater/New Haven

• Recreation & Active Pursuits On Land

  • Golf - Public Courses

    • Banner Country Club/Moodus

      18 holes with restaurant and pro shop. 860.873.9075

    • Fenwick/Old Saybrook

      9-hole course located on Long Island Sound in the historic borough of Fenwick in Old Saybrook. 860.388.2516

    • Fox Hopyard/East Haddam

      18 holes with restaurant and bar overlooking the course.

    • Lyman Orchards/Middlefield

      PGA-rated Robert Trent Jones 36-hole course and 18-hole Gary Player course. Visit the orchards and restaurant as well

  • Hiking, Nature Walks & Cycling

    • Cycling

      Bring your own bike and enjoy the many scenic roads

    • Essex Land Trust

      The Essex Land Trust and the town own a number of properties with varied scenic paths and hiking trails.

    • Surrounding Area

      State parks in nearby Clinton, Chester and East Haddam offer many additional hiking opportunities.

  • Ice Skating

    Seasonal ice skating on Sunset Pond less than 1 mile from The Griswold Inn.

  • Swimming

    Swimming at Viney Brook Park in Essex provides a swimming hole just a few miles from The Griswold Inn. State beaches located in nearby East Lyme at Rocky Neck State Park and nearby Madison at Hammonassett State Park.

  • Tennis

    Public tennis courts located behind the Essex Town Hall, within walking distance of The Griswold Inn.

• Shopping

  • Boutiques & Unique Shops

    • Essex Village

      Browse The Griswold Inn’s own eclectic and whimsical store, Goods & Curiosities, as well as the many boutiques, antiques shops, gift shops, clothing stores and galleries on Main Street right outside The Griswold Inn.

    • Neighboring Villages.

      Visit the many antique shops, boutiques, clothing stores and galleries in these neighboring villages.

      • Chester Village
      • Guilford
      • Madison
      • Old Lyme Village
      • Old Saybrook

  • Shopping Malls & Outlets

    • Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets /Clinton
    • Crystal Mall /Waterford
    • Olde Mistick Village /Mystic
    • Tanger Outlet Center /Westbrook

• Spas & Fitness Centers

  • Essex Pilates and Yoga/Essex
  • Shoreline Health and Fitness/Old Saybrook
  • Snap Fitness/Essex
  • The Spa of Essex/Essex

• Wineries

  • Chamard Vineyard /Clinton
  • Connecticut Wine Trail
  • Jonathan Edwards Winery /North Stonington
  • Priam Vineyard/Colchester
  • Sharpe Hill Vineyard /Pomfret
  • Stonington Vineyards /Stonington