Things To Do
Sip Wine Bar
The bride is a proud staff member of Sip, which was named Best Wine Bar in CT by CT Magazine in 2024!
Saybrook Point Resort & Marina - Luxury Connecticut Oceanside Hotel
The Choo Choo Lounge, the outdoor Marina Bar, and Fresh Salt Fine Dining are all here at Saybrook Point! Walking distance from where the bride and groom live, they cannot recommend these places highly enough if you're looking for waterside drinks or meals!
The Griswold Inn
The oldest operating inn and tavern in the country! Kyle and Lizzy regularly head to "The Gris" for the live music available Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and for a pint in a historic tavern. Beautiful village to walk around in as well!
Connecticut River Museum
A wonderful little museum full to the brim with local and nautical history! It is a favorite of the bride's father
Essex Village
A beautiful stroll through historic New England like no other! Shops, dining, parks, and everything you could want are all in one quick walk up and down Main Street, ending with beautiful views of the river.
Essex Steam Train & Riverboat
Lizzy's first job on the shoreline was as a performer on this historic train's North Pole Express show! In the summer, however, check them out for historic train and riverboat tours, the incredible dinner train, and lots of local history!
Florence Griswold Museum
A wonderful museum full of local history, world class art, gorgeous grounds, and a fantastic restaurant.
Myrcene Ale Co.
Pet friendly, family friendly local brewery. Indoor and outdoor games, children's toys, frequent live music and food trucks. It's well-hidden and doesn't look like much from the outside, but you'll be glad you went! Try the Five More Minutes IPA (it's our favorite).
All the Single Kitties
For anyone who loves cats (like the bride), she highly recommends a visit to this beautiful, cozy, charitable spot on Main Street in Old Saybrook! A twenty-dollar donation gets you an hour playing with the cats at the cafe while enjoying a beverage. Since they opened, this cafe has helped nearly 200 homeless cats find loving homes. Kid friendly!
HIGH NINE Brewing
This place is just enchanting. The bride and groom love spending a summer evening here thanks to the gorgeous overhanging trees, fun and laid-back atmosphere, all the twinkly lights, the games, and of course the locally-made drinks. Dog friendly!
The Village Bistro
For a high-end bistro experience, look no further. The owner, Chelsea, originally hails from NYC and based on the incredible food and cocktails, you can tell. Gorgeous, intimate, with a victorian vibe and real candles on the bar, this place is a favorite of ours. Then take a stroll through Chester village, which reminds us of a town in a snow globe.
Chester Village, Chester CT
This town is a dream. Park once and walk the whole village, full of art galleries, shops, restaurants, taverns, and bistros. Historic and charming, we think Chester looks like the town in a snow globe came to life.
The Essex
When we say we have never ever had a meal like the ones we have been lucky enough to experience at The Essex, we mean it. For a special occasion or a true treat, this high-end dinner-only restaurant is like no other in the area. Reservations highly recommended.
Monkey Farm
Lizzy and Kyle first met at this bar in the fall of 2019, and it is arguably the most beloved "dive bar" in the area. Family-owned and operated, the food is sincerely great, the drinks are a little too strong, the floors are uneven, and the juke box rules the roost; The Monkey Farm is a true melting pot of all the colorful characters the shoreline offers. Yacht-owners, local bartenders, businesspeople, students, grandparents, and families all come here for a classic meal, a game of pool, or... as it sometimes happens... to meet the love of your life. Kitchen is open til 11, bar is open til 2, cash only.