Milford

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Welcome to Milford

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

A catboat heads out from Milford Landing Marina. Photo by Caryn B. Davis

MILFORD IS A LARGE CITY, GEOGRAPHICALLY SPEAKING. IT OCCUPIES 16 OR 17 MILES OF SHORELINE BETWEEN THE HOUSATONIC RIVER AND THE LONG ISLAND SOUND COMMUNITY OF WEST HAVEN, AND COMPRISES ONE OF THE FEW CONNECTICUT HARBORS THAT BORDER THE DOWNTOWN AREA. MILFORD HARBOR IS ABOUT A HALF-MILE LONG AND QUITE NARROW. HUNDREDS OF POWER- AND SAILBOATS CLING TO THE LOCAL MOORINGS AND DOCKS, WITH HUNDREDS MORE AT THE TOWN’S HALF-DOZEN MARINAS AND YACHT CLUBS. THE BOAT FOREST ENDS AT THE CITY-OWNED MILFORD LISMAN LANDING MARINA, WHERE IT BUTTS UP AGAINST A FLOWER-COVERED FOOTBRIDGE


Milford Chart

SAT Map

Downtown Milford has 7 small waterfalls, a duck pond adjacent to the pristine brick City Hall where families have been throwing stale bread to waterfowl for ages, and the longest town green in New England, which swarms with people almost every weekend in the spring and summer.

To access the outlying areas of Milford, stop by Tony Bikes for a bike, a lock, a helmet and advice on how to get around. If you’re feeling energetic, consider the 14-mile roundtrip to the Audubon Center out on Milford Point.

Milford is enlivened by innovative eateries, including Citrus, a chic restaurant in a nondescript shopping plaza, and Stonebridge, a been-there-forever restaurant. Stonebridge, like many other restaurants in town, serves 2 masters. The afternoon crowd tends to be older and unhurried, while at night a festive party atmosphere prevails.

Milford Fishing Information

Transient boaters will find a welcoming host in the city-managed, transient-only Milford Lisman Landing Marina, which offers overnight accommodations for 40 boats up to 65′ (7′ maximum draft) and serves as a convenient portal to the downtown area. Most of the other marinas on the harbor also welcome transients when seasonal boaters are away. These include Milford Yacht Club, Milford Boatworks, Port Milford and Spencer’s Marina (on the east side of the harbor).

One of Milford’s biggest draws is its close proximity to western Long Island Sound. It’s a convenient jumping-off spot for daytrips to a variety of Long Island’s intriguing North Shore ports, as well as the many neighboring towns and cities along the Connecticut shore, including Norwalk, Bridgeport and New Haven.

Trailerboaters can take advantage of the huge Milford ramp, located in the northeast portion of the harbor. The ramp features 3 lanes, floats, a super-long courtesy dock, toilets and parking for approximately 35 rigs. Parking is $10 per day for residents; $20 for non-residents.


An Apollo daysailer ghosts along in the zephyrs of a
summer morning on Long Island Sound. Photo by Caryn B. Davis

One very interesting features of the Milford coast is Charles Island. This 14-acre wooded island is part of the 47-acre Silver Sands State Park, and is connected to the mainland via a mile-long, sand-and-gravel bar that’s covered at high tide (note this bar on your charts if new to the area). Boaters are welcome to drop anchor just off the bar and explore the beach, but the interior is off-limits to protect the island’s numerous species of nesting birds. You can also anchor just inside the mainland side of the bar and enjoy the beach at Silver Sands.


Osprey nests like this one help make the Milford Audubon Coastal Center, at the mouth of the Housatonic River,
a birdwatchers’ paradise. Photo by Caryn B. Davis

Another of Milford’s major natural attractions is the Audubon Society Coastal Center on Milford Point, at the mouth of the Housatonic River. The Center looks out over acres of shallow mudflats covered with tufts of grass and dotted with osprey nesting stands. Located on an avian migratory route, the surrounding marsh teems with birds, but the stars of the show are the osprey (a 24-hour webcam is trained on one nest). From the Center’s observation deck you can get a 360-degree view of Long Island Sound, the marsh and the river. The Center offers a host of activities, including guided canoe and kayak trips and indoor kids’ programs.


One of several memorials that dot the town’s meticulously maintained town
green—the second largest in New England. Photo by Caryn B. Davis

If you’re interested in a cruise up the Housatonic, pay attention to your charts. The entrance is marked by a breakwater at the far end of a sandbar, which is visible at low tide. Rounding the breakwater and heading northeast, one passes the wooded Audubon property, and then, in a seemingly endless stretch, house after house in beachfront communities with names like Cedar Beach, Laurel Beach and Wildmere.

While in Milford, you  may also want to make your way over to the Devon section of town. Devon is an arty community featuring a terrific and quirky little restaurant called the Lazy Lobster, where on summer nights patrons bring their own blenders (and their own booze, because the Lazy Lobster doesn’t serve liquor). Across the street, you can enjoy homemade ice cream at the Walnut Beach Creamery.

GETTING THERE:

Chart: NOAA 12370

Milford Chart

The flashing red bell “10” at the entrance to Milford Harbor is 4.6 nautical miles from Stratford Point and 7 nautical miles from the channel entrance between the New Haven Harbor breakwaters. From the east, you’ll see Pond Point and nun “12”, as well as Welches Point and nun “2”. Both points have a number of rocks just offshore, so stay south of the nuns. When approaching from the south and west, be careful of the shoals to the east and south of Charles Island, between flashing red bell “16” and can “1”. The channel leading into Milford Harbor is about 100′ wide and is well marked.

Dockage, Moorings & Service:

  • Milford Lisman Landing Marina

    (203) 874-1610; VHF 9: This city-owned marina is the preferred facility for transients (reservations recommend). It has room for boats up to 65′ and a MLW depth of 7′. Offers ice, water, electric, restrooms, shower, laundry, picnic facilities, free pumpout with overnight stay. The friendly dock staff will eagerly help you tie up. When you check in, you’ll receive a bag brimming with information for the traveling boater, including tide tables, contacts for laundry service and store discounts. You can reserve a tennis or basketball court, and, as befits a luxury bed-and-breakfast, complementary coffee and a paper are provided every morning.

  • Milford Yacht Club (203) 877-5598: Offers full reciprocity to other clubs. Also features a restaurant and bar. Transient slips may be available, but call ahead.
  • Milford Boatworks (203) 877-1475
  • Port Milford (203) 877-7802: Full-service marina offering transient slips, haulout and rack storage.
  • Spencer’s Marina (203) 874-4173

Anchorages:

  • Charles Island, just outside the harbor, offers good shelter and holding ground. In summer, most boaters anchor on the north side of the island.

Launch Ramps:

  • An excellent but expensive ($10/resident, $20/non-resident) 3-lane launch ramp with parking for 35 rigs, courtesy floats and dock is located in the northeast corner of the harbor.

Harbormaster:

Kayak Rental

Getting Around:

  • W.A.V.E. (Weekend Area Valet Express) (203) 223-0842: Free shuttle runs Fridays and Saturdays in season, with various drop-off and pickup points.
  • Milford Taxi (203) 877-1460
  • Tri-Cab (203) 876-2457

Provisions:

  • Villa Gourmet (203) 878-8646: Specialty food store selling fine cheese and other goodies.
  • ShopRite of Milford (203) 876-7868: Large grocery store near the head of the harbor.
  • The Olive Tree (203) 878-4517: Sandwiches and specialty foods.

Things to See & Do:

  • Milford Historical Society: Maintains 3 houses—all built in the 1700s—on High Street across from the marinas. Open Saturday and Sunday, 1:00–4:00 p.m.
  • Milford Arts Council (203) 306-0016: Exhibits art in 2 locations: the Center for the Arts and near Walnut Beach at the Firehouse Gallery (a renovated firehouse).
  • Connecticut Audubon Coastal Center (203-878-7440): On Milford Point, at the mouth of the Housatonic River, the Center looks out over acres of shallow mudflats covered with tufts of grass and dotted with osprey nesting stands. Located on an avian migratory route, the surrounding marsh teems with birds, but the stars of the show are the osprey. From the Center’s observation deck provides a 360-degree view of Long Island Sound, the river and the marsh. The Center offers a host of activities, including guided trips and indoor kids programs. This is a great spot for kayaking.

Where to Eat

  • Citrus (203) 877-1138: Upscale, New American-Caribbean fusion.
  • Stonebridge Restaurant (203) 874-7947: Local institution near the head of the harbor. Outside bar.
  • Bistro Basque (203) 878-2092: Innovative menu featuring French bistro and Spanish tapas dishes of the Basque region.
  • Eli’s Tavern (203) 693-2555: Upscale American cuisine served in a warm, friendly, inviting atmosphere. Great bar featuring wide selection of microbrews.
  • Colony Grill: Thin-crust pizza and salads, plus a lively bar. Outdoor seating.
  • Cafe Atlantique: Fine coffee and pastries.
  • Liquid Lunch (203) 877-7687: Funky restaurant serving freshly made soups, salads and sandwiches.
  • SBC Brewery and Restaurant (203) 874-2337: Microbrewery overlooking the gorge of the Wepawaug River.
  • Lazy Lobster (203) 283-1864: In Walnut Beach/Devon. Grab a fresh-steamed crustacean and some steamers and walk a few feet for a picnic on the beach. BYOB.
  • Captain’s Catch (203) 876-7707: Family-owned restaurant specializing in fresh seafood.

Where to Stay:

  • Lily Pad (203-876-9996): Located on the peaceful and scenic Wepawaug River, this is the place to retreat from the harborside commotion. Lily and Charles Flannigan will feed you breakfast and load you up with information about their town.

General Information:

Photo Gallery

The shady Wepawaug River runs through downtown Milford. Photo by Caryn B. Davis

This scenic and well-traveled footbridge connects Milford Landing to the town of Milford. Photo by Caryn B. Davis

On summer afternoons the docks at Milford Landing throng with boaters—coming or going, or just there for the informal dock party. Photo by Caryn B. Davis

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