Designated one of the 40 "Last Great Places" by The Nature Conservancy, the Lower Connecticut River Valley is a wonderful region to see and explore. Experience the many scenic wonders and active pursuits detailed below, and be sure to ask an innkeeper for advice or assistance with reservations. We’re here to ensure you thoroughly enjoy your visit to our magnificent corner of the New England.

For a complete listing of events and attractions, visit the Connecticut River Valley and Shoreline's Visitors District website: www.visitctrivershore.com.

Active Pursuits | Area Attractions | Cultural Pursuits | Music & Theater | Shopping | Spectator Sports

Active Pursuits

Golf: Lyman Orchards in Middlefield offers an eighteen-hole Robert Trent Jones course and an eighteen-hole Gary Player course. Both are PGA rated and open to the public.

Fishing: The Thames River in New London and the Niantic River in Waterford are the most likely places to charter a boat for fishing. Connecticut's lakes and streams have abundant trout, bass, pickerel and shad, while offshore in salt water, bluefish and striped bass can be found in great quantities. Captain John's Fishing Center in Waterford charters boats for tuna and shark fishing "West Coast Style" and even whale watching.

Skiing: Powder Ridge in Middlefield is an ideal family and beginner ski area.

Horseback Riding: The Westbrook Hunt Club offers trail rides and horseback riding lessons.

Area Attractions

Essex Steam Train and Riverboat Ride: Round trip scenic rides by rail and water through the Connecticut River Valley. Open May to October. Limited winter schedule.

Mystic Marine Life Aquarium: The aquarium is home to over six thousand species with 49 living exhibits and a Marine Theater. Located in nearby Mystic.

Mystic Seaport: Explore authentic 19th Century ships, Maritime village and historic homes at Mystic Seaport.

USS Nautilus Memorial: Board and tour the world's first nuclear powered submarine at the USS Nautilus Memorial. Afterward, tour the Submarine museum. Open all year. Located in Groton.

Guilford Handcrafts Center: Fine arts and handcrafts on display and for sale.

Gillette Castle State Park: Hilltop fieldstone mansion overlooking the Connecticut River. Built by William Gillette in 1919, it is fascinating to young and old. Gillette portrayed Sherlock Holmes on stage in New York for many years. Picnic area nearby. Located in Hadlyme.

Sundial Herb Garden: Features a 17th Century knot garden, an 18th Century-style garden, and a topiary garden with fountain. Located in Higganum.

Bushnell Park: America’s oldest public park — Bushnell Park is famous for its carousel and magnificent Memorial Arch. Located in Hartford.

Stanton House: Late 18th century home still has the original furnishings. Located in Clinton.

Jonathan Edwards Winery: Located in the quaint town of North Stonington, Connecticut, Jonathan Edwards Winery is situated on a 48-acre south facing hilltop near MysticSeaport and other coastal attractions. The Edwards family has taken a unique approach to providing you with the best wine tasting experience
possible. Jonathan Edwards Winery handcrafts premium Napa Valley, California wines from carefully selected vineyards, each chosen to enhance their individual varietal characteristics. These wines are then barrel aged in our Connecticut farm winery. Connecticut Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Cabernet Franc are grown on our estate vineyard and will begin to be available, in addition to our Napa wines, in the summer of 2005.

Ferry Rides: Enjoy a leisurely ride from New London to Block Island or Orient Point. Another favorite is the East Haddam on the way to Gillette Castle.

Casinos
   Foxwoods Resort Casino: The largest casino in the world. Located in Ledyard.
   Mohegan Sun: Connecticut's newest casino. Located in Uncasville.

Cultural Pursuits

Peabody Museum of Natural History: One of the oldest university museums of natural history in the nation. The Peabody Museum features dinosaur bones, Indians of Connecticut, minerals, Connecticut birds. Located New Haven.

Yale University Art Gallery: 75,000 works of art from ancient Egypt to present. Located in New Haven.

Lyme Academy of Fine Arts: Fine art museum featuring classic and American artists. Located in Old Lyme.

Florence Griswold Museum: Home of American Impressionism offering a renowned collection of American Art. Located in Old Lyme. Open year round.

American Indian Archaeological Institute: Emphasized Northeast Indian History. Located in Washington.

Connecticut River Foundation Museum: Set right on the Connecticut River and home of the first submarine ever built (and actually used in the revolutionary war!). Located in Essex.

Connecticut Art Trail: http://arttrail.org/index.htm

Music & Theater

The Ivoryton Playhouse: Home of America's longest continually running summer stock theater. Located just a mile down the road.

Goodspeed Opera House: Features highly acclaimed Broadway musicals. Located in East Haddam.

Other Acclaimed Theatres:
   Eugene O'Neill Memorial Theater: located in Waterford
   Long Wharf Theater: located in New Haven
   Oakdale Music Theater: located in Wallingford
   Shubert Theater: located in New Haven

Shopping

Antiques: The shops are so abundant throughout the state that they are easy to locate.

The Civic Center: Located in the heart of Hartford, this mall is literally filled with boutiques.

Crystal Mall: The largest shopping mall in the state. Located in Waterford.

Olde Mystic Village: Over sixty shops, stores and restaurants. Located in Mystic.

Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets: More than 70 factory direct stores. Located in Clinton just off I-95.

Tanger Outlet Center: Sixty factory direct stores. Located in Westbrook just off I-95.

Spectator Sports

Dog Racing: Trackside dining, fun and excitement. Located in Plainfield.

Sports Car Racing: During the summer months, catch the speed at Lime Rock Track in Western Connecticut and Thompson in eastern Connecticut.