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Mystic Story

Jamestown Story

Essex Story

Essex

WoodenBoat Show 2024

Stonington Story

Stonington

East Greenwich

General Information:
For more information about attractions, shopping and restaurants and a self-guided walking map of Essex go to the Essex Board of Trade or check out the Connecticut River Gateway Commission.

Launch Ramp:
Essex Town Landing; A one-lane ramp with tie-up pier can be found at the end of Main Street, adjacent to the Connecticut River Museum. No fee, but street parking is limited.

Baldwin Bridge State Ramp; A better choice for larger boats is the Baldwin Bridge Ramp in Old Saybrook, directly below I-95. This is a free state ramp with ample parking.

General Information:

Trailer-boaters, kayakers, windsurfers and cartoppers can launch at the Barn Island ramp off Palmer Neck Road. This is an excellent state ramp with a large parking area and restrooms. No fee required.

Anchorages:

The town offers free use of its dinghy dock for those boaters who prefer to anchor. The anchorage is on the west side of the harbor—to port as you enter—west of GC “7”. “The transient dock is directly opposite, tucked between the Breakwater restaurant and the yacht club.

DESTINATION ESSEX

Harbormaster: (860) 767-8494

General Information: For more information about attractions, shopping and restaurants and a self-guided walking map of Essex go to the Essex Board of Trade or check out the Connecticut River Gateway Commission.

DESTINATION ESSEX

Dockage, Moorings & Service:

Safe Harbor Dauntless Shipyard & Marina (860) 767-8267; Transient slips and moorings, fuel dock, shore power, water, deli, grills, WiFi, service and repair. Launch service available. Also, home to Essex Marine Group brokerage and sales.

Safe Harbor Essex Island Marina (860) 767-2483; Transient-friendly “resort marina” featuring an Olympic-size swimming pool, picnic and recreation areas, laundry, showers, plus an on-site restaurant and deli.

Essex Boat Works (860) 767-8276; Full-service boatyard offering repair, slips, and moorings.

Essex Yacht Club (860) 767-8121; Offers transient slips and moorings to members of reciprocating clubs.

Essex Corinthian Yacht Club (860) 767-3239; Offers transient services to members of reciprocating yacht clubs.

Anchorages:

A small anchorage in 7 to 12 feet of water can be found just east of Nott Island. The channel here is narrow, but offers just enough swing room for most boats. Visiting boaters can also anchor or grab a mooring in protected Hamburg Cove, opposite Brockaway Island, some 1 1/2 miles upriver.

Launch Ramp: Essex Town Landing; A one-lane ramp with tie-up pier can be found at the end of Main Street, adjacent to the Connecticut River Museum. No fee, but street parking is limited.

Baldwin Bridge State Ramp; A better choice for larger boats is the Baldwin Bridge Ramp in Old Saybrook, directly below I-95. This is a free state ramp with ample parking.

DESTINATION ESSEX

Dining:

The Griswold Inn (860) 767-1776; Historic inn and restaurant in the heart of Essex. Offers fine dining, a Tap Room with live music, and a wine/tapas bar.

Siren Kitchen and Bar (860) 662-4224; Get away to the island! Apps and sandwiches, salads, and entrees with something for everyone at Safe Harbor Essex Island Marina.

Olive Oyl’s (860) 767-4909; Coffee, pastries, gourmet sandwiches, salads, box lunches and other treats and provisions.

Essex Coffee & Tea Company (860) 767-7804; A variety of hot and cold beverages anchor this Main Street stalwart, backed up by a variety of baked goods.

Black Seal Grille (860) 767-0233; Popular Main Street restaurant and pub with a nautical-inspired interior. Open for lunch and dinner.

Sweet P’s (860) 767-7805; Ice cream and other cool treats in Griswold Square.

Provisions:

Privateers Pizza and Provisions (860) 662-4497; What could be better than thin crust pizza and a selection of groceries and beverages.

DESTINATION ESSEX

Things To Do:

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat (800) 377-3987; Rumble along the river aboard a real working steam train, followed by a steamboat tour aboard a 65-foot replica paddlewheeler.

Riverquest (860) 767-8269; Narrated natural history tours of the river. Passengers usually see bald eagles, osprey and wading birds on these 1.5-hour excursions. Departs from Eagle Landing State Park in Haddam.

Pratt House Museum (860) 767-1191; Built in 1701, the Pratt House Museum, run by the Essex Historial Society, chronicles the changes in Essex from an agrarian community to a shipbuilding hub.

Essex Art Association (860) 767-8996; Showcases the work of talented Connecticut artists.

Where to Stay: Griswold Inn (860) 767-1776; The cozy Gris has been welcoming weary sailors and landlubbers since 1776. Choose from tempting menus in the main dining room or at the wine bar or Tap Room before retiring to a luxurious, antiques-filled room.

Cool Shops: Toys Ahoy (860) 767-2067; Carries a wide selection of children’s toys, games, books, gifts and more.

Cortland Park (860) 581-8084, Purveyor of stylish sweaters for women and children on Main Street.

J. Alden Clothiers (860) 767-7633; Village haberdashery specializing in suits, ties, fine clothing, sweaters and more.

Kayak Rental: Connecticut River Museum (860) 767-8269; Rents kayaks from the museum’s headquarters adjacent to the town landing at the end of Main Street.

DESTINATION STONINGTON

Harbormaster:

General Information:

DESTINATION STONINGTON

Dockage, Moorings & Service:

Dodson Boatyard (860-535-1507): Located at the head of the harbor, Dodson’s offers slips and moorings. They also run a launch service in the harbor and have an onsite restaurant called The Dogwatch Cafe (860-415-4510).

Stonington Harbor Yacht Club (860-535-0112): Offers more than 240 feet of transient dockage.

Stonington Marina (860-599-4730): Small-boat marina offering hauling, service, storage. Also has an onsite tackle shop and kayak rental.

Launch Ramp:

Trailer-boaters, kayakers, windsurfers and cartoppers can launch at the Barn Island ramp off Palmer Neck Road. This is an excellent state ramp with a large parking area and restrooms. No fee required.

Anchorages:

The town offers free use of its dinghy dock for those boaters who prefer to anchor. The anchorage is on the west side of the harbor—to port as you enter—west of GC “7”. “The transient dock is directly opposite, tucked between the Breakwater restaurant and the yacht club.

DESTINATION STONINGTON

Dining:

Breakwater (860-415-8123): Waterside restaurant and bar with dockage available.

Noah’s (860-535-3925): Casual fine dining on Water Street. Close Mondays.

Water Street Café (860-535-2122): Well-known for its Sunday brunch.

Dog Watch Café (860-245-4911): Relaxed restaurant offering BBQ fare, sandwiches & seafood along with outdoor seating & lawn games.

Provisions:

Palmer’s Provisions (860-415-9715): A nautical-themed market with pizza, fresh produce, snacks, stuff to grill, a grab-and-go cooler with sandwiches, salads, and sides.

DESTINATION STONINGTON

Things To Do:

Old Lighthouse Museum (860-535-1440): Restored lighthouse and museum owned and operated by the Stonington Historical Society. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Admission also allows access to the Captain Palmer House and the R. W. Woolworth Library, an exhibit and research center.

Barn Island Wildlife Management Area (860-424-3000): The state’s largest coastal property for wildlife conservation and includes salt- and freshwater wetlands where visitors can paddle, hike, fish and birdwatch.

Where to Stay:

Inn at Stonington (860-535-2000): Set along the waterfront, the Inn is a short stroll from a host of award-winning restaurants, shops and galleries.

Boat & Kayak Rental:

Stonington Marina (860-599-4730): Boat, kayak and SUP rentals and sales.

Harbormaster:
(860) 767-8494

General Information:
For more information about attractions, shopping and restaurants and a self-guided walking map of Essex go to the Essex Board of Trade or check out the Connecticut River Gateway Commission.

Launch Ramp:
Essex Town Landing; A one-lane ramp with tie-up pier can be found at the end of Main Street, adjacent to the Connecticut River Museum. No fee, but street parking is limited.

Where to Stay:
Griswold Inn (860) 767-1776; The cozy Gris has been welcoming weary sailors and landlubbers since 1776. Choose from tempting menus in the main dining room or at the wine bar or Tap Room before retiring to a luxurious, antiques-filled room.

Cool Shops:
Toys Ahoy (860) 767-2067; Carries a wide selection of children’s toys, games, books, gifts and more.

Kayak Rental:
Connecticut River Museum (860) 767-8269; Rents kayaks from the museum’s headquarters adjacent to the town landing at the end of Main Street.