Clinton

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Welcome to Clinton

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

As you enter Clinton Harbor from Long Island Sound, slipping behind the low-lying crescent of sand called Cedar Island, you’d be forgiven if you thought you had arrived in Block Island, circa 1957. Weathered shacks and docks and a collection of mostly modest power- and sailboats share this protected harbor with shorebirds that thrive in the sprawling salt marsh of Hammonasset State Park. It’s idyllic in that decades-old way in which lingering over a lobster roll and beer while watching the boats go by is a high point of the day.


Clinton Chart

SAT Map

Though Clinton lacks the urban throb of Milford or the yachting-life flavor of Essex, this little Connecticut town between New Haven and Saybrook holds some happy surprises for the visiting boater. One of these is Cedar Island Marina, a most welcoming place for transients, especially those with families.

The marina offers the usual dockside amenities and services, along with bathrooms, showers, laundry, a large pool and sun deck, a clubhouse, a picnic area, a bocce court, a playground, a hot tub and a small snack bar. There’s also a well-regarded restaurant, Aqua, on the premises, as well as a tackle shop.

On certain summer weekends, the marina hosts live bands around the pool. Parents can catch some rays while their kids participate in supervised arts and crafts projects. Cedar Island Marina even houses its own marine research lab, which employs budding scientists from local colleges who run water-quality tests, grow shellfish for the Department of Agriculture and monitor the presence of invasive Asian crabs, while offering educational programs for camps and schools. The marina provides a shuttle to various local attractions, including Clinton Crossing—a high-end outlet center—and Chamard Vineyards.

Clinton Harbor is really the terminus of the Hammonasset and Indian Rivers, which thrust northward from either end of the harbor. You can rent a kayak or SUP at the secluded Indian River Marina to get a feel for the beauty of the area. The marina also supplies a laminated map indicating a variety of route options. A paddle up the grass-lined Hammonasset will give you a good view of egrets, herons and osprey.


The modest Indian River Marina serves shallow-draft boats and offers hourly and daily kayak rentals.
Photo by Caryn B. Davis

Indeed, it’s easy to get the impression that, save for a few working lobster boats, Clinton is a nature preserve surrounded by marinas. There are, in fact, at least 7 marinas in Clinton, including the town dock, though most are small and several are located up ribbons of water where access is iffy at low tide.

Inside the harbor, weathered cottages line the sandy shoreline of Cedar Island, actually an extension of larger Willard Island. Visitors can take a small boat to the island to explore and enjoy the beach, but be forewarned that the wooded interior is dense with poison ivy. A small town beach and the Old Harbor Marina make up the eastern portion of the harbor.

Adjacent to the town dock is the Lobster Landing, one of the last (and best) authentic lobster shacks in Connecticut, if not the whole Eastern seaboard. Twelve bucks will get you a toasted roll bursting with chunks of lobster drizzled with butter.

Once ashore, it’s an easy one-mile walk to Main Street. There is no “downtown” Clinton in the boutique and bistro sense—only a quiet study in American history. Colonial homes, like the 1630 House used as the Visitor’s Information Center, line the road. In 1701, Yale College commenced classes here, before money was endowed to build a permanent campus in New Haven. And Benjamin Franklin, as emerging postmaster general, placed a milestone on the “Post Road”—now Main Street—in the 1750s. The mostly municipal Main Street is lined with churches, antiques

emporiums, coffee shops, a stately brick town hall and a firehouse. Banners spanning the road and many signs along the sidewalks advertise blood drives, bingo nights, block parties, Coast Guard navigation classes, classical concerts and budget referendums. As if to punctuate the town’s patriotic bent, American flags fly from every telephone pole. You can grab a coffee at Malone’s (housed in a former brick library), a funky café and showcase for local artists, then amble down the street to reflect on the environs from a bench atop the stone Indian River Bridge.

In Clinton’s historic district, it seems as if every structure has a pedigree. The 3 Liberty Green Bed & Breakfast is a renovated Colonial home built in the 1730s and situated on a triangle of grass that was once a Revolutionary War muster field. During the War of 1812, residents of Clinton thwarted British raids on the harbor, and a Navy cannon remains on the green as a reminder.


GETTING THERE: 
Chart: NOAA 12372

Clinton Chart

The approach to Clinton Harbor from the west is relatively open, and the problem areas are well marked. You can pass both Faulkner Island and Kimberley Reef to either side. When passing Faulkner Island to the north, stay north of green gong “15”. Once at Hammonasset Point remember to stay south of nun “10” and give the point a wide berth, in order to avoid the strong current that flows around the point.

When approaching from the east, keep south of Kelsey Point breakwater, marked by a flashing light. The rips off the breakwater can be rough at times. Head for buoy RN “2” and proceed from there to RN “4” and the channel into the harbor.

Entering Clinton Harbor is straightforward, as long as you follow the buoys closely and stay well inside the channel. The outer harbor is shallow, but the channel leading in is well marked. When entering the channel, give gong “3” a wide berth, as it marks Wheeler Rock, which is covered by only about a foot of water at low tide. Just north of the gong, the dredged channel begins to round Cedar Island. Watch for the bend marked by GC “9” and RN “8” (not shown on charts, because they are frequently moved as the channel shifts).

Dockage, Moorings & Service

  • Town Dock (860-669-7475): The Town of Clinton maintains several transient slips, available on a first-come, first-served basis, just west of Port Clinton Marina. Call the dockmaster for information.

  • Cedar Island Marina (860-669-8681): Large, full-service “resort” marina on the harbor opposite Cedar Island. Offers transient slips, fuel, pool, playground, children’s activities, bocce court, restaurant, bait-and-tackle shop, free shuttle to town and weekend entertainment.
  • Port Clinton Marina (860-669-4563): On the harbor next to town ramp and dock. Offers transient slips, floating docks, restrooms, water, electricity and on-site engine and hull repair/service.
  • Old Harbor Marina (860-669-3500): At the eastern end of the harbor. Offers transient slips, water, electrical hook-up, rigging service, and on-site engine and hull repair and service. Also has picnic facilities and restrooms.
  • Harborside Marina (860-669-1705): Dockage, service and on-site restaurant.
  • Indian River Marina (860-664-3704): Small boat marina offering slips, storage, launch ramp and kayak/SUP rental.

Anchorage

  • A federal anchorage with good holding ground is located just west of Port Clinton Marina. Dinghies can be left at the Town Dock, but check in with the harbormaster first.

Harbormaster

  • (860-669-0627)

Launch Ramps

  • town launch ramp is located adjacent to the town dock, and is accessible on all tide stages. Daily fee for non-residents. Overnight parking available.
  • The nearest state launch ramp is the East River ramp in Guilford, west of Clinton. This concrete ramp has 25 parking spaces and a toilet.
  • A municipal sand launch ramp for kayaks and cartop boats is located on Hammonsassett Beach in Madison.

Boat & Kayak Rental

  • You can rent kayaks and SUPs at the Indian River Marina (860-664-3704). The marina also supplies a laminated map indicating a variety of paddling options in the area.

Provisions

Getting Around

  • Essex Taxi (860-767-7433)

Where to Eat

  • Aqua Restaurant (860-664-3788): Located at Cedar Island Marina, offers good seafood and harbor views.
  • Lobster Landing (860-669-2005): Vies for the title of “absolute best lobster roll” this side of Maine.
  • In town, be sure to savor the coffee and crepes at M. Sarba Fine Art Café (860-669-5062) at 95 East Main St.
  • If you’re looking for a sports pub atmosphere, Chips’ Pub III (860-669-3463) at 24 West Main can’t be beat.

Where to Stay

  • Cedar Island Marina (860-669-8681): With a pool, playground and party atmosphere at Cedar Island Marina, there’s no need to leave the boat unless you like being pampered with comfy beds, great food and conviviality.
  • 3 Liberty Green Bed & Breakfast (860-669-0111): Liberty Green Bed-and-Breakfast is one such renovated Colonial home. Built in 1734, the home is situated on the triangle of grass that was once a Revolutionary War muster field. During the War of 1812, residents of Clinton thwarted British raids on the harbor, and a Navy cannon remains on the green as a reminder.

Things to See & Do

  • It’s just a short walk from Cedar Island Marina to the Indian River Marina (860-664-3704), where you can rent kayaks and paddleboards by the hour or day to explore the local rivers, wetlands and shoreline and get as close as possible to the area’s abundant wildlife.
  • In town, stop first at the Clinton Visitor’s Information Center (49 East Main St.) in the 1630 House, which sits in front of the town’s fire station.
  • The Clinton Historical Society (860-669-2148): Located at 103 East Main St., the historical society maintains several historic properties in town, including the 1750 “Brick House” and collections in several public buildings.
  • Chamard Vineyards (860-664-0299): Located 115 Cow Hill Road, Chamard Vineyards offers tours of the winery, which produces an award-winning chardonnay.
  • Clinton Crossing Premium Outlet Center (860-664-0700): Shop at Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan and Michael Kors among 70 other high-end retailers.
  • Downtown Clinton is also a cornucopia of antiques shops, including the Clinton Antique Center (860-669-3839), as well as other small shops and boutiques.

General Information

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Launch Ramps
Where to Stay
Rentals
Harbor Master and Harbor Info
Getting There
Things to Do

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