Area Attractions | Griswold Inn

Area Attractions

Essex Steam Train and Riverboat
A scenic drive on a vintage steam gearing and a cruise on the riverboat Becky Thatcher .

Gillette Castle and State Park
Stone palace entire of nooks and crannies with cross views of the Connecticut River built in 1919 by William Gillette, a “ ace ” phase actor most notice for portraying Sherlock Holmes. The palace is on 184 acres with hiking trails and paths .

mysterious Aquarium and Institute for Exploration
Home to whales, penguins and other species with many living exhibits and a marine field .

mystic Seaport
Authentic seaport greenwich village with nineteenth hundred whaling ships, maritime exhibits, and historic homes on Mystic River in Mystic .

Submarine Museum
Submarine museum and dwelling of the Nautilus, the populace ’ mho finest nuclear submarine and the beginning to travel “ 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. ”

Local Art & History

Connecticut River Museum
Overlooking Essex harbor and just 40 yards from The Griswold Inn, the Connecticut River Museum showcases permanent and changing exhibits about the history of the Connecticut River Valley. It is besides a great vantage compass point to see bald eagles and migratory birds and a great descry to take in the sandbag waterfront. Winter eagle watch excursions and summer and fall schooner cruises depart from the Museum .

Essex Art Association
Established in 1946 and located fair up the street from The Griswold Inn. Exhibitions and sales by professional artists, amateurs and students .

Essex Historical Society
The Essex Historical Society at Hills Academy and the 1700 Pratt House are both a short walk from The Griswold Inn .

Florence Griswold Museum
The nineteenth century home of the Lyme Art Colony and the center of american english Impressionism .

Lyme Art Association
Exhibitions and sales by professional and developing artists .

museum of Fife and Drum
Celebrates the historic significance and tribe custom of fife and drum music .

mystic Seaport
Authentic Seaport village with nineteenth century whaling ships, maritime exhibits, and historic homes on the Mystic River in Mystic .

Area Attractions Within 35 minutes  

Connecticut Historical Society /Hartford
Harriet Beecher Stowe Center/Hartford
Mashantucket Pequot Museum/Ledyard
New Britain Museum of American Art/New Britain
Peabody Museum of Natural History/New Haven
The Mark Twain House & Museum/Hartford

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art/Hartford
Yale Center for British Art/New Haven
Yale University Art Gallery/New Haven

Casinos/Entertainment

Foxwoods Resort Casino /Ledyard
MGM Grand at Foxwoods/Ledyard
Mohegan Sun /Uncasville

Cinema

Madison Art Cinema /Madison
Marquee Cinemas 12 Screen /Westbrook

Getting Out On The Water

Connecticut River Museum
Canoe, Kayak and Paddle Board Rentals are available here in season. One can explore the beautiful brook and coves throughout Essex. If you bring your own kayak or canoe there are many public entree spots around town. besides, winter eagle determine excursions and summer and fall schooner cruises leave from the Connecticut River Museum, about 40 yards from The Griswold Inn .

Essex Steam Train and Riverboat
After a ride aboard the Essex Steam Train, enjoy a cruise up the Connecticut River on the riverboat Becky Thatcher. other special excursions/events available .

RiverQuest
Enjoy eagle cruises and summer and fall expeditions on the Connecticut River aboard RiverQuest .

Stony Creek Kayak
Explore the historic Thimble Islands and Connecticut River. Daytime, sunset and moonlit trips by certify guides. Equipment provided. 203.481.6401 .

thimble Island Cruise
Sightseeing tour around the scenic thimble Islands .

Music & Theatre

Goodspeed Musical Theatre Tony-award-winning field with world-renowned productions of musicals. Located in a nineteenth hundred dramaturgy on the banks of the Connecticut River in East Haddam .
Ivoryton Playhouse America ’ s oldest self-supporting summer theater now showcases productions most of the year .
Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center “ The Kate ” A tribute to Old Saybrook ’ s most observe house physician, it houses a assortment of productions including dance, concerts, drollery, film, drama, lectures and classics .
Norma Terris Theatre Theatre located in neighboring Chester, operated by Goodspeed Musical Theatre showcasing original productions .

Within 35 minutes

Recreation & Active Pursuits On Land

Golf – Public Courses

• • Black Birch Golf/Moodus18 holes with restaurant and pro shop. 860.873.9075
  • Fenwick/Old Saybrook9-hole course located on Long Island Sound in the historic borough of Fenwick in Old Saybrook. 860.388.2516
  • Fox Hopyard/East Haddam18 holes with restaurant and bar overlooking the course.
  • Lyman Orchards/MiddlefieldPGA-rated Robert Trent Jones 36-hole course and 18-hole Gary Player course. Visit the orchards and restaurant as well

Hiking, Nature Walks & Cycling

• • Pedal PowerBring your own bike and enjoy the many scenic roads throughout the area. More information regarding specific routes and group rides at Pedal Power.
  • Essex Land TrustThe Essex Land Trust and the town own a number of properties with varied scenic paths and hiking trails.
  • Surrounding Area State Parks in nearby Clinton, Madison, Chester and East Haddam offer many additional hiking opportunities.
  • Rocky Neck State Park and Beach in nearby East Lyme.
  • Hammonassett State Park and Beach in nearby Madison.
  • Public tennis courts located behind the Essex Town Hall, within walking distance of The Griswold Inn.
  • Seasonal ice skating on Sunset Pond less than 1 mile from The Griswold Inn.

Shopping

Boutiques & Unique Shops

• • Essex VillageBrowse The Griswold Inn’s own eclectic and whimsical store, Goods & Curiosities, as well as boutiques, antiques shops, gift shops, clothing stores and galleries on Main Street right outside The Griswold Inn.

Neighboring Villages

Visit antique shops, boutiques, dress stores and galleries in these neighbor villages.