Things To Do

A note about Mystic

Our wedding weekend happens to coincide with annual Mystic Outdoor Arts Festival on Saturday August 12! For any guests who are interested in having breakfast or lunch in Mystic and/or strolling through the arts festival in the morning or early afternoon (or later Sunday for that matter), all streets in town will close to traffic at 6am Saturday morning. Anyone driving can find parking at the Mystic Seaport Museum. From there, there are signs into town: it is an easy access entry point. For guests who want to explore/have a quieter experience away from the Mystic crowds, visit Noank, Stonington and Watch Hill (north) or Old Saybrook, Chester and Essex (south).

Our Favorites:

Gillette Castle State Park

It looks like a medieval fortress perched high above the Connecticut River with gardens and sweeping views, but step inside the stone castle that was home to the creative genius William Gillette and be amazed. Best known for bringing Sherlock Holmes to the American stage, Gillette designed his house (where he entertained the likes of Lillian Gish, Charlie Chaplin and Albert Einstein), with intricate carvings, secret passageways and mirrors that allowed him to spy on his guests.The 184 acre park features hiking trails, picnic spots, food concession, and a gift shop. It is just down the road from the Fredman-Leon home!

Hadlyme/Chester Ferry

The second oldest continually operating ferry in Connecticut is a stone’s throw from both the Fredman-Leon home and Gillette Castle (which can also be accessed by an easy hiking trail from an adjacent parking lot and picnic area). Much like the Chappaquiddick Ferry, the six-minute crossings take up to six cars, go on all day and are scenic and fun.

Devil's Hopyard State Park

Could the round holes in the falls really be the work of the devil? Or, just nature and water making their mark for future generations? Visit Devil's Hopyard in nearby East Haddam and find your own answer to this age-old mystery.

Brockway-Hawthorne Preserve

Part of the Lyme Land Trust, this 82 acre property backs on to the Fredman-Leon home. It features a wonderful array of marked trails, ravines, overlooks, outcroppings, ancient walls and a cemetery dating back to the seventeenth century. NOTE: parking lot located on Brush Hill Road

Mystic Seaport and Aquarium

World famous collection of 19th century sailing ships and, separately, a fabulous aquarium!

Explore Mystic

This cute seaside town with great galleries, food, and shops is magnetic. Our wedding weekend happens to coincide with annual Mystic Outdoor Arts Festival! This juried show of fine arts and crafts of all kinds hosts 225 artists along a mile-long stretch. Parking may take time, but the town – home to Mystic Pizza (yes, as in the beloved 1988 movie!!) – is adorable and filled with small shops. TO EAT: Breakfast/Lunch favorites: Award Winning Sift Bakery and Young Bun Donuts; The Oyster Club/Treehouse (open air lobster rolls, raw bar, smash burgers in a clever setting with water views). For Lunch or Dinner: Casual: Engine Room, Port of Call, and The Treehouse (at the Oyster Club). “Finer” dining: Oyster Club (James Beard nominee) and The Shipwright’s Daughter (reservations for both are essential well in advance). All restaurants are a 2 minute drive to Friday night’s Welcome Party if you want to enjoy a full sit down dinner before stopping over.

For those wishing to venture beyond Mystic:

NIANTIC: Relaxed beach community known for Abbott’s (outdoor lobster rolls, fried fish and water views, picnic table style) or its sister restaurant Costello’s STONINGTON: Uber charming historic village with shops and galleries close to Mystic; lunch at Breakwater Cafe or Dog Day Cafe. You can rent Kayak to enjoy the harbor. Definitely a fun visit. WATCH HILL, RI (if you go, get an early start, it’s far!!) Home to a historic lighthouse, antique Merry-go-round, the grand 5-star Ocean House, gorgeous historic houses, fabulous public beach and Taylor Swift’s summer home.

Explore Old Saybrook

Childhood and forever home of Katherine Hepburn. Renovated now, it can be viewed from a distance by parking outside of and walking into Saybrooke Point, a private wealthy beachfront community that is very accessible and walkable. Favorite Old Saybrook eateries: Breakfast or lunch: hands down: The Tea Kettle (our absolute favorite and we dare you to tell us otherwise; highly popular so go early or prepare to wait). Dinner: Nori (excellent Japanese, you’ll think you’re in Manhattan); Gargano Pasta and Italian Market (our version of Eataly; hours 8:30 am - 8:30 pm); Cocotte (delightful French cafe, open 9-2); and The Essex (advance reservations essential; much heralded: chic, small, progressive modern American; we like eating at the bar).

Explore Chester (short drive from Old Saybrook)

This town reminds us of Stars Hollow in “Gilmore Girls” and is simply adorable. Filled with great eateries and cute shops. A great stop after Gillette Castle (take the Ferry and drive 5 minutes). Don’t miss The Little Shop store. Favorite eateries: weekend lunch The River Tavern or Otto; Little House Brewing Co. (microbrewery but opens at 3). Favorite dinner spots: The Brushmill by the Waterfall (stunning renovated mill serving spectacular fine dining or tavern fare); Grano Arso (innovative locally sourced Italian Food in a historic former bank); The River Tavern (delightful farm to table; one of our favorites); The Village Bistro (delightful, small country French); Otto (outdoor artisanal pizza and BBQ under a tent – terrific setting and totally delicious). NOTE: Reservations are essential well in advance (Otto is first come/first served). Plan ahead. These restaurants are all a 30 minute drive to the Welcome Party in Mystic if you want to enjoy a full sit down dinner first.

Driving I-95 past New Haven and you need to eat?

There is nowhere on earth with better Pizza than Sally’s or the original Frank Pepe’s – both are walk-in; divine crispy thin crust pizzas (think: Tomato Pie with White Clams). We really like Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill (modern, upscale seafood served on a beautiful waterside patio; reservations essential or call from the road and hope you get lucky). Also: we would be remiss not to mention The Place (in Guilford): a popular local outdoor restaurant where seafood and more is cooked over an 18-foot firepit and diners sit on chairs that are finished tree stumps under a canopy of string lights. It’s super fun.

Additional TO DOs (Outdoors & Other Fun)

Beaches: DuBois Beach (Old Saybrook) – Shallow water depths and tide pools, great walking; family-friendly sandy beach named one of “Best Secret Beaches in the US” Boat Cruises Seabird Cruises and Tours (Old Saybrook) (www.seabirdct.com) – Select a customized scenic 3-hour picnic cruise along the Connecticut River or Long Island Sound for up to 6 guests on a classic dayboat skipped by a US Coast Guard licensed captain. Biking Air Line State Park Trail (22 mile greenway, East Hampton, CT) Also, trails abound in Mystic parks and around Saybrook Pointe Farmer’s Markets Tiffany Farm (Saturday 9-12:30, 41 Sterling Hill Road, Lyme) White Gate Farm (83 Upper Pattagansett Road, Saturday 9-2, East Lyme) Chester Sunday Market (Sunday 10-1, Main Street – includes pizza & live music) Berry Picking - A Favorite! Lyman Orchards Farm, Middlefield – Also features a farm store & public golf course Ice Cream Salem Valley Farms – Salem Hallmark Drive In – Old Lyme Fenwick Ice Cream – Old Saybrook

Additional TO DO’s (For the arts/cultural types):

Antiques and Art: Yale University Art Gallery New Britain Museum of American Art – This is a major, renowned museum featuring 3-centuries of American Art Connecticut River Museum (ask about guided kayak paddles) Essex Steam Train and Riverboat The Cooley Gallery – Old Lyme (late 19th and 20th Century American Art) Florence Griswold Museum – American Impressionism; has a nice cafe Treasures Antiques – Excellent Old Lyme consignment store The PAST Antiques Marketplace – Oakdale, CT – 90 dealers, great variety and collections Theater Goodspeed Opera House, East Haddam – 1876 architectural gem featuring emerging and revival musical theater. Originated “Annie” and “Man of La Mancha”. Check schedule for backstage tours and current productions. Nice outdoor riverside lunch spot next door at the equally historic Gelston House (no reservations)