Chester

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Welcome to Chester

THINGS TO SEE
PLACES TO EAT
PLACES TO STAY
WHERE TO DOCK

A boating family idles out of Chrisholm Marina toward the Connecticut River.
Photo by Caryn B. Davis

BOATING THROUGH CHESTER, CONNECTICUT, SOME 10 MILES UPRIVER FROM LONG ISLAND SOUND, IS LIKE TRAVELING THROUGH AN IMPRESSIONIST LANDSCAPE. THE CONNECTICUT RIVER’S BANKS ARE LINED BY STATELY TREES AND THE PRIVATE DOCKS OF HANDSOME HOMES, TUCKED AMID THE FOLIAGE. WILDLIFE ABOUNDS, AND MEANDERING SIDE CREEKS, RICH WITH THE GREENS, BROWNS AND PURPLES OF CATTAIL AND PICKERELWEED, INVITE EXPLORATION.


Chester Chart

There are 4 marinas in Chester, all located some 1.5 to 2 miles from the downtown area. The closest are Chester Point Marina, Castle Marina and Hays Haven Marina. Just north of these is Chrisholm Marina, which offers a shuttle into downtown Chester.

 

 

To access the town’s eclectic shops and restaurants, you can bike or walk from the marinas or get a lift. Chester does not have a public dock, although you can anchor nearby and get pretty close to downtown by taking a kayak or dinghy up Chester Creek. The marinas will also try to accommodate you if you give them a call ahead of your arrival.

The heart of Chester is Simon’s Market, a family-owned breakfast, sandwich and gift shop on Main Street that has become the de facto meeting place for locals and a good place to grab a quick bite or something to drink. Another worthwhile stop is the Connecticut River Artisans Center, which offers a great selection of jewelry and crafts made by some of the best craftspeople in the valley.

 

 

 

The heart of Chester is Simon’s Market, a family-owned breakfast, sandwich and gift shop on Main Street that has become the de facto meeting place for locals and a good place to grab a quick bite or something to drink. Another worthwhile stop is the Connecticut River Artisans Center, which offers a great selection of jewelry and crafts made by some of the best craftspeople in the valley.


Restaurant owner and chef Jonathan Rapp cooks meals on his flatbed truck outside the River Tavern.
Photo by Caryn B. Davis

Chester remains a not-so-secret destination among gastronomes. The River Tavern, known for its popular “Dinners on the Farm” fundraisers, occupies a contemporary space fit for yoga classes. Polished-wood floors, a teak-and-zinc bar set off by bright red stools and atmospheric black-and-white seascapes on the walls set the stage for tantalizing, fresh-from-the-farm cuisine. The Wheatmarket specializes in picnic lunches, specialty soft drinks (among them Swedish Kristall Pear Soda and Virgil’s Rootbeer), fine cheeses, crackers, chips, oils, jams and other upscale delights. Then there’s Restaurant L&E, which has replaced the Restaurant du Village on Main Street and serves fine French cuisine using local ingredients whenever possible.


Scenic Selden Creek, on the east bank of the Connecticut River,
winds behind Selden Neck Island. Photo by Caryn B. Davis

If you’re looking for nightlife, head for the Pattaconk, a popular local bar where the outside patio generally rocks until 2:00 a.m.

On the quieter, natural side, this stretch of the Connecticut River is a great place to explore in a small boat or kayak. You can follow Chester Creek all the way up to Carini Nature Preserve, with a stop at Moravela Restaurant’s dinghy dock for a pizza on the way.


Chester’s Main Street is home to numerous galleries and boutiques.

Photo by Caryn B. Davis

Selden Creek, which flows behind Selden Island, directly across the river from Chester, is a popular detour off the main river. Here, sycamores, oaks, cedars, wild rice and cattail reeds lined the narrow ribbon of water (4 to 11 feet MLW), with beaver, muskrat, blue heron and coyotes going about their business among the vegetation. Selden Island State Park is only accessible to boaters, and offers hiking trails and even campsites (reservations required). It’s a great spot for a picnic and a swim.

Another interesting paddling spot is Hadlyme Creek, just north of Selden Creek, which winds deep into vast marshes teeming with birdlife.

For boaters launching in Chester, there are plenty of interesting downriver places to visit, including Essex, Old Lyme and Old Saybrook. And of course, Long Island Sound is just 10 miles south.

GETTING THERE:

Chart: NOAA 12377

Chester is located on the western bank of the Connecticut River, approximately 10 miles from Long Island Sound. Buoy “37” marks the entrance to several of the marinas listed below.

When approaching Chester from the south, you can pass on either side of Eustasia Island, whose southeast tip is marked by buoy Fl G “35”. The south/west passage has a MLW depth of 10 feet as you approach Chester Creek, but stay west of the bar extending north of Eustasia Island. If you choose pass east of the island through the officially marked channel, you’ll find deep water (16-25 feet MLW) up past the entrance to Selden Creek and buoy GC “37”. At that point, head west toward the Chester Creek entrance (8-10 feet MLW) or continue north past the Hadlyme ferry to Chrisholm Marina.

Note: there is no public landing in Chester.

Dockage, Moorings & Service:

Note: Chester has no town landing, although you can take a dinghy or kayak well up Chester Creek and beach it at the Carini Nature Preserve, a short walk from downtown. How far up the creek you can travel depends on water height.

  • Chester Point Marina (860-526-1661): Full-service marina with 25 transient slips, a pool and a picnic area. Approx. 2 miles from downtown Chester.

  • Hays Haven Marina (860-526-9366): Offers a gas dock, a launch ramp ($10 to launch/$10 parking) and a ship’s store. 5 transient slips. Approx. 2 miles from downtown Chester.
  • Castle Marina (860-526-2735): Features a pool and gazebo for customers. Approx. 2 miles from downtown Chester. No transient accommodations of fuel. Ship’s store, ice, soda. No transient accommodations.
  • Chrisholm Marina (860-526-5147): Located another mile upriver of Chester Creek, Chrisholm is a full-service marina with a private beach and shuttle service to downtown Chester. Offers fuel, repair and transient slips.
  • Brewer Deep River Marina (860-526-5560): Located a few miles downriver from Chester, Deep River is a full-service marina offering transient service and fuel. Also offers toilets, showers, pool, ice and marine supplies, picnic areas with barbeque grills, playground. Goceries and restaurants nearby.

Anchorages:

  • Depending on your draft, it’s possible to anchor in the designated anchorage (shown on charts) north of Eustasia Island, along Chester Creek Bar in 3 to 6 feet of water, as well as in the deeper area (13-15 feet MLW) west of buoys GC “37” and GC “39”. You can also anchor along the southern shore of Selden Island east of the main channel in 8 to 9 feet of water.

Harbormaster:

Launch Ramps:

  • The nearest launch ramp is located at Hays Haven Marina (860-526-9366). Cost is $10 to launch, plus an additional $10 to park.
  • Just downriver is the Deep River Town Dock (Deep River Landing) and ramp. This is a large municipal access pier suitable for fishing and offers excellent views of the river. Children will especially enjoy watching the Essex Stream Train pass by (seasonally). Nice views of Selden Neck State Park across the river. Parking is limited, and there is a $10 fee per vehicle for nonresidents.

Boat & Kayak Rental:

Getting Around:

  • Essex Taxi (860-767-7433)

Provisions:

  • Simon’s Marketplace (860-526-8984): Good spot to join the locals for coffee, fresh muffins and other breakfast items.
  • Wheatmarket (860-526-9347): Custom picnic lunches and other provisioning needs.

Where to Eat:

  • River Tavern (860-526-9417): Contemporary cuisine.
  • Pattaconk 1850 Bar and Grill (860-526-8143): Specialty beers and pub grub. Best spot in Chester for nightlife.
  • Restaurant L&E/French Bar (860-526-5301): Formerly the Restaurant du Village. Serves contemporary French-inspired menu that changes monthly to reflect the seasons and uses local New England ingredients whenever possible.
  • Simon’s Marketplace (860-526-8984): Good spot to join the locals for coffee, fresh muffins and other breakfast items.
  • Wheatmarket (860-526-9347): Custom picnic lunches and other provisioning needs.
  • Moravela’s Italian Pizza (860-526-3633): On Chester Creek, next to the Rt. 154 bridge. Good spot for kayakers and small-boaters to pull up for lunch.

Things to See & Do:

  • Goodspeed Musicals/Norma Terris Theater (860-873-8668): Goodspeed Musicals was formed in 1959 to restore the 19th century Goodspeed Opera House and reactivated it as a professional theatre in 1963. Dedicated to the preservation and advancement of musical theatre and the development of new works to add to its repertoire. At the Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, Goodspeed develops new musicals and nurtures emerging artists.
  • Selden Island State Park: Selden Island lies directly across the Connecticut River from Chester, and offers hiking trails and basic campsites for boaters. The campsites are available from May 1 through September 30, at a fee of $5. Length of stay is limited to one night. Reservations for can be made after January 14 for stays between May 1 and September 30 by mailing a written request at least 2 weeks before an intended stay.
  • Chester Historical Society : Learn more about the history of Chester and Connecticut River through exhibits and literature at the Historical Society Museum.

Galleries & Shops

  • Caryn B. Davis Photography: A fine art photography gallery and studio with works by photographer Caryn B. Davis (whose fine photography graces this website). Studio and on-location photographic services available, including architectural, product, editorial, marine, portrait, wedding and event photography. Also photography of 2D and 3D artwork for artists, galleries and portfolios.
  • Leif Nilsson Spring Street Studio and Gallery: Impressionist oils that capture the essence of the Connecticut River Valley.
  • West Main Street Studio (860-767-0445): Artist Helene Johnson renders portrait studies in sculptural relief.
  • Chester Gallery (860-526-9822)
  • Hammered Edge Studios (860-526-1654): Creative exotic jewelry and world artifacts.
  • Mer Girl (860-526-3999): Designer clothing.

Where to Stay:

General Information:

Photo Gallery

Hays Haven Marina has a fuel dock, a ship’s store and a launch ramp. Photo by Caryn B. Davis

A pooch-toting customer examines the fine dishware on display at Ceramica. Photo by Caryn B. Davis

A family of swans paddles along Selden Creek. Photo by Caryn B. Davis

Impressionist painter Leif Nilsson is one of many artists who make their home in Chester. Photo by Caryn B. Davis

Miss Jesse heads down Selden Creek toward the main river on a summer day. Photo by Caryn B. Davis

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