Activities
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 our innkeeper for advice or assistance with reservations. We're here to ensure that you thoroughly enjoy your visit to our magnificent corner of New England.
For a complete listing of current and future events and attractions, visit the following websites:
For a complete listing of current and future events and attractions, visit the following websites:
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Seasonal Pursuits Winter Wildlife Eagle Cruise Each winter as the temperature dips below freezing, Bald Eagles from as far north as Canada make their way to the open waters of the Connecticut River for easy fishing and nesting. Learn their amazing comeback story while getting a unique on-water view aboard CT River Expedition’s 64 ft RiverQuest, a modern, environmentally friendly vessel with heated cabin and ample deck space. A naturalist provides guided narration while free coffee and use of binoculars is also included. Plus, free admission to all Museum galleries featuring the Eagles of Essex exhibit is also included. Winter Sporting Events UCONN Huskies Basketball Hartford Wolfpack or Bridgeport Sound Tigers Local Beer & Wine Craft Beer Brewery Thimble Island Brewing Co. - Branford, CT Stony Creek Brewery - Branford, CT Two Roads Brewing Co. - Stratford, CT Thomas Hooker Brewing Co. - Bloomfield, CT 30 Mile Brewing Co. - Old Saybrook, CT Little House Brewery - Chester, CT Yankee Cider Mill - East Haddam, CT Wineries & Vineyards Chamard Vineyards - Clinton, CT Rosabianca Vineyards - Northford, CT Staehly Farm Winery - East Haddam, CT Paradise Hills Vineyard & Winery - Wallingford, CT Gouveia Vineyards - Wallingford, CT Jonathan Edwards Winery – North Stonington, CT Stonington Vineyards – Stonington, CT Sharpe Hill Vineyards – Pomfret, CT |
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Cultural Pursuits
Essex
Connecticut River Museum
Located at Steamboat Dock at the foot of Main St. Permanent and changing exhibits about the maritime, cultural, and economic history of the Connecticut River Valley dating from the early 17th century.
Essex Historical Society
Preservation of the history of Essex since the settlement in 1648.
Essex
Connecticut River Museum
Located at Steamboat Dock at the foot of Main St. Permanent and changing exhibits about the maritime, cultural, and economic history of the Connecticut River Valley dating from the early 17th century.
Essex Historical Society
Preservation of the history of Essex since the settlement in 1648.
Essex Art Association
Established in 1946 and housed in a former meeting house circa 1837. Venue for professional artists, amateurs, and students to display and sell their art.
Old Lyme
Florence Griswold Museum
The 19th century home of the Old Lyme Art Colony and American Impressionism.
Lyme Art Association
Showcase for the region’s finest representational artists.
Established in 1946 and housed in a former meeting house circa 1837. Venue for professional artists, amateurs, and students to display and sell their art.
Old Lyme
Florence Griswold Museum
The 19th century home of the Old Lyme Art Colony and American Impressionism.
Lyme Art Association
Showcase for the region’s finest representational artists.
Hartford
Wadsworth Atheneum
Founded in 1842 featuring collections of American and European paintings, sculpture and decorative arts.
Connecticut Historical Society
Founded in 1825 and having one of the most impressive and extensive collections of 17th and 18th century furniture, textiles and costumes, portraits and paintings, and decorative arts.
New Haven
Yale University Art Gallery
Yale Center for British Art
Peabody Museum of Natural History
Wadsworth Atheneum
Founded in 1842 featuring collections of American and European paintings, sculpture and decorative arts.
Connecticut Historical Society
Founded in 1825 and having one of the most impressive and extensive collections of 17th and 18th century furniture, textiles and costumes, portraits and paintings, and decorative arts.
New Haven
Yale University Art Gallery
Yale Center for British Art
Peabody Museum of Natural History
Music & Theater
Local
The Ivoryton Playhouse
Year round productions of professional theater since 1911. Less than a mile from the Copper Beech Inn.
Goodspeed Opera House
World-renowned productions of musicals in a 19th century theater on the banks of the Connecticut River in East Haddam.
Local
The Ivoryton Playhouse
Year round productions of professional theater since 1911. Less than a mile from the Copper Beech Inn.
Goodspeed Opera House
World-renowned productions of musicals in a 19th century theater on the banks of the Connecticut River in East Haddam.
Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center "The Kate"
A variety of productions including opera, dance, comedy, drama, and classics.
Within 30 Minutes
The Garde Arts Center – New London
Long Wharf Theater – New Haven
Shubert – New Haven
Yale Repertory Theater – New Haven
Hartford Stage – Hartford
Theaterworks – Hartford
The Bushnell – Hartford
Cinema
Marquee Cinemas 12 Screen - Westbrook
Madison Art Cinema - Madison
A variety of productions including opera, dance, comedy, drama, and classics.
Within 30 Minutes
The Garde Arts Center – New London
Long Wharf Theater – New Haven
Shubert – New Haven
Yale Repertory Theater – New Haven
Hartford Stage – Hartford
Theaterworks – Hartford
The Bushnell – Hartford
Cinema
Marquee Cinemas 12 Screen - Westbrook
Madison Art Cinema - Madison
Area Attractions
Essex Steam Train and Riverboat Ride
A 12 mile round-trip scenic ride on a vintage railroad and a cruise on the riverboat"Becky Thatcher".
Mystic Seaport - The Museum of America and the Sea
Maritime village with authentic 19th century ships and historic homes on the Mystic River in Mystic.
Essex Steam Train and Riverboat Ride
A 12 mile round-trip scenic ride on a vintage railroad and a cruise on the riverboat"Becky Thatcher".
Mystic Seaport - The Museum of America and the Sea
Maritime village with authentic 19th century ships and historic homes on the Mystic River in Mystic.
Mystic Aquarium
Home to over six thousand species with 49 living exhibits and a marine theater.
Gillette Castle and State Park
Hilltop Stone Mansion overlooking the Connecticut River. Built by William Gillette in 1919. Gillette was a stage actor most noted for portraying Sherlock Holmes for many years in New York. Located in Hadlyme. A short ride on the Chester Ferry (in season) is an interesting approach and a great view of the mansion from the river.
Home to over six thousand species with 49 living exhibits and a marine theater.
Gillette Castle and State Park
Hilltop Stone Mansion overlooking the Connecticut River. Built by William Gillette in 1919. Gillette was a stage actor most noted for portraying Sherlock Holmes for many years in New York. Located in Hadlyme. A short ride on the Chester Ferry (in season) is an interesting approach and a great view of the mansion from the river.
Essex Village
A picturesque riverside town with an eclectic medley of boutiques, clothing shops, gift shops, art galleries, antique shops, eateries, marinas, and an inviting town green on Middle Cove to enjoy the ambience of the town.
Chester Village
A whimsical town with a quaint selection of clothing shops, antique shops, art galleries, craft studios, and restaurants.
Old Lyme Village
On the eastern bank of the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound. Location of the Florence Griswold Museum, home of American Impressionism. Art galleries, shops, restaurants.
Old Saybrook
A shoreline village with multiple beach communities and marinas. Located at the mouth of the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound. Home to the new Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, numerous national and smaller retailers and restaurants.
A picturesque riverside town with an eclectic medley of boutiques, clothing shops, gift shops, art galleries, antique shops, eateries, marinas, and an inviting town green on Middle Cove to enjoy the ambience of the town.
Chester Village
A whimsical town with a quaint selection of clothing shops, antique shops, art galleries, craft studios, and restaurants.
Old Lyme Village
On the eastern bank of the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound. Location of the Florence Griswold Museum, home of American Impressionism. Art galleries, shops, restaurants.
Old Saybrook
A shoreline village with multiple beach communities and marinas. Located at the mouth of the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound. Home to the new Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, numerous national and smaller retailers and restaurants.
Active Pursuits
Public Golf Courses
Fox Hopyard – East Haddam
18 holes with restaurant and bar overlooking the course.
Black Birch Golf Club– Moodus
18 holes with restaurant and pro shop.
Lyman Orchards – Middlefield
PGA rated Robert Trent Jones 36-hole course and 18-hole Gary Player course.
Family-oriented venue for day trips to visit the orchards and restaurant.
Fenwick – Old Saybrook
9-hole course located on Long Island Sound in borough of Fenwick in Old Saybrook. Scenic with Nantucket-style country mansions throughout the course.
Public Golf Courses
Fox Hopyard – East Haddam
18 holes with restaurant and bar overlooking the course.
Black Birch Golf Club– Moodus
18 holes with restaurant and pro shop.
Lyman Orchards – Middlefield
PGA rated Robert Trent Jones 36-hole course and 18-hole Gary Player course.
Family-oriented venue for day trips to visit the orchards and restaurant.
Fenwick – Old Saybrook
9-hole course located on Long Island Sound in borough of Fenwick in Old Saybrook. Scenic with Nantucket-style country mansions throughout the course.
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Shopping Malls & Outlets
Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets – Clinton Tanger Outlet Center – Westbrook Olde Mistick Village – Mystic Crystal Mall - Waterford |