Kristin's Southeastern CT guidebook
Groton restaurants, breweries and hotspots
Great freshly made pasta and sauces to go. Walking distance! $5/lb pasta. Also, outdoor dining along the river!
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Paul's Pasta Shop
223 Thames StGreat freshly made pasta and sauces to go. Walking distance! $5/lb pasta. Also, outdoor dining along the river!
Great american food. Indoor and outdoor seating. On the Shennecossett golf course!!
Par Four Restaurant
93 Plant StGreat american food. Indoor and outdoor seating. On the Shennecossett golf course!!
Friendly Thai Restaurant
108 Poquonnock RoadDecent thai cuisine. 5 minute drive. BYOB
One of the best in the area. Excellent selection. Live Music. Outdoor seating. Walking distance!
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Outer Light Brewing Company
266 Bridge StOne of the best in the area. Excellent selection. Live Music. Outdoor seating. Walking distance!
The salads are huge and the pizza is made-to-order. Thin crust and perfectly cooked. Small restaurant but great value! Din in or Take out. Delivery too.
Gold Star Pizza
The salads are huge and the pizza is made-to-order. Thin crust and perfectly cooked. Small restaurant but great value! Din in or Take out. Delivery too.
Food scene
Tony D's
92 Huntington StAwesome upscale Italian food. Can be expensive. Live music, raw bar too.
A winery with New England charm and Napa style on 20 beautiful acres. Tastings, tours, events. Awesome Live Music events. Tickets sell out!
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Jonathan Edwards Winery
74 Chester Maine RoadA winery with New England charm and Napa style on 20 beautiful acres. Tastings, tours, events. Awesome Live Music events. Tickets sell out!
A casual seaside restaurant right when you enter the Borough at Dodson’s Boatyard. Great spot for both indoor and outdoor seating. Located right along the marina. Outdoor bar, games, music, ice cream.
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Dog Watch Cafe
194 Water StA casual seaside restaurant right when you enter the Borough at Dodson’s Boatyard. Great spot for both indoor and outdoor seating. Located right along the marina. Outdoor bar, games, music, ice cream.
Quaint and colorful Mexican spot in the heart of the Borough, with a bright turquoise exterior, it’s hard to miss Milagro when heading down Water Street. Following a remodel, the restaurant has become more spacious and the decor is bright and full of character; see the wallpaper and fun details amongst the bar and dining room! The tight space makes for a lively atmosphere, yet the bench seating is cozy. A concise menu delivers authentic and fresh Mexican staples, with a twist above your average fare. Delicious. Highly recommend. Affordable.
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Milagro Cafe
142 Water StQuaint and colorful Mexican spot in the heart of the Borough, with a bright turquoise exterior, it’s hard to miss Milagro when heading down Water Street. Following a remodel, the restaurant has become more spacious and the decor is bright and full of character; see the wallpaper and fun details amongst the bar and dining room! The tight space makes for a lively atmosphere, yet the bench seating is cozy. A concise menu delivers authentic and fresh Mexican staples, with a twist above your average fare. Delicious. Highly recommend. Affordable.
Sift is a French focused bakery located in historic downtown Mystic, CT. The bakeshop, owned and operated by Pastry Chef Adam Young, features a wide variety of artisanal breads, breakfast pastries and sweet and savory delights. Sift also offers specialty cakes, desserts and custom gifts. Can be very busy. May want to call ahead, or bring a friend. Worth the wait. Plan ahead.
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Sift Bake Shop Mystic
5 Water StSift is a French focused bakery located in historic downtown Mystic, CT. The bakeshop, owned and operated by Pastry Chef Adam Young, features a wide variety of artisanal breads, breakfast pastries and sweet and savory delights. Sift also offers specialty cakes, desserts and custom gifts. Can be very busy. May want to call ahead, or bring a friend. Worth the wait. Plan ahead.
Gorgeous views! 100 acres of coastal property featuring a renovated WWII vintage hangar opening onto terraces and the vineyard. They have a tasting room with regularly scheduled live music. Snacks are pricey.
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Saltwater Farm Vineyard
349 Elm StGorgeous views! 100 acres of coastal property featuring a renovated WWII vintage hangar opening onto terraces and the vineyard. They have a tasting room with regularly scheduled live music. Snacks are pricey.
Coffee & globally inspired breakfast & lunch fare in a yellow-hued, art-lined cafe with big windows, Washington St. is a cafe, bakery, and coffee shop just a 5 minute drive over the bridge in downtown New London. They open early, have amazing coffee - really everything is delicious.
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Washington Street Coffee House
13 Washington StCoffee & globally inspired breakfast & lunch fare in a yellow-hued, art-lined cafe with big windows, Washington St. is a cafe, bakery, and coffee shop just a 5 minute drive over the bridge in downtown New London. They open early, have amazing coffee - really everything is delicious.
New London Sabor Latino has an authentic latin-style menu and more! This is another local favorite. Love their pupusas. Literally everything is fantastic. They have delivery through doordash now too.
https://www.doordash.com/store/new-london-coffee-shop-new-london-479115/en-US/?utm_campaign=gpa
New london Sabor Latino
453 Montauk AvenueNew London Sabor Latino has an authentic latin-style menu and more! This is another local favorite. Love their pupusas. Literally everything is fantastic. They have delivery through doordash now too.
https://www.doordash.com/store/new-london-coffee-shop-new-london-479115/en-US/?utm_campaign=gpa
Relaxed restaurant next to the marina on the water offering BBQ fare, sandwiches & seafood along with outdoor seating & lawn games.
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Dog Watch Cafe
194 Water StRelaxed restaurant next to the marina on the water offering BBQ fare, sandwiches & seafood along with outdoor seating & lawn games.
Causal high-end seafood eatery on the Mystic River. Locally sourced food. Has indoor and outdoor seating.
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Oyster Club
13 Water StCausal high-end seafood eatery on the Mystic River. Locally sourced food. Has indoor and outdoor seating.
A modern gastropub-style restaurant with views of the CT river. Huge menu offering handcrafted burgers, entrees, apps, over 50 craft brews on tap and sweet craft cocktails.
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The Social Bar + Kitchen
208 Bank StA modern gastropub-style restaurant with views of the CT river. Huge menu offering handcrafted burgers, entrees, apps, over 50 craft brews on tap and sweet craft cocktails.
Fun activities (walks, hikes, etc) within 20 minutes
A short list of some of my favorite local things to do.
Beautiful 18 hole golf course. Affordable rates. 5 min drive. Restaurant on sight, Par Four.
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Shennecossett Golf Course
93 Plant StBeautiful 18 hole golf course. Affordable rates. 5 min drive. Restaurant on sight, Par Four.
Great place to walk, bike or hike. Dog friendly. Lots of parking. Picnic tables onsite. Portable bathrooms.
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Bluff Point State Park
55 Depot RdGreat place to walk, bike or hike. Dog friendly. Lots of parking. Picnic tables onsite. Portable bathrooms.
Beautiful resident only beach. 5 min drive. Plenty of parking. Food and bathrooms onsite during summer.
$20 per car weekdays $30 weekends
$5 pp walk-in
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Eastern Point Beach
1 Beach Pond RdBeautiful resident only beach. 5 min drive. Plenty of parking. Food and bathrooms onsite during summer.
$20 per car weekdays $30 weekends
$5 pp walk-in
Great for an indoor activity. Fun for the whole family. Kinda pricey but worth the money if you love fish and mammals.
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Mystic Aquarium
Great for an indoor activity. Fun for the whole family. Kinda pricey but worth the money if you love fish and mammals.
Located in downtown Mystic. Make it part of your visit.
Owner operator, Jeff Jodoin hosts SUP yoga, SUP fitness, kids camps, full moon paddles and regular events throughout the season. Great fun for an afternoon. You can rent everything there. 15 minute drive. Check their website for details
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Adventure Mystic Outdoor Retail Store & Paddle Mystic - Kayak, Paddleboard and Bike rental
15 Holmes StLocated in downtown Mystic. Make it part of your visit.
Owner operator, Jeff Jodoin hosts SUP yoga, SUP fitness, kids camps, full moon paddles and regular events throughout the season. Great fun for an afternoon. You can rent everything there. 15 minute drive. Check their website for details
Washington Park is just a short 5 minute walk. The 32-acre park includes baseball fields, playground, basketball hoops and outdoor pavilions. The friday Night summer concert start at 6:30p. Food is available on site from food trucks and the concession stand. Or, perhaps a picnic supper. Dancing is encouraged!
https://cityofgroton.com/residents/concerts-in-the-park/
Washington Park
Washington Park is just a short 5 minute walk. The 32-acre park includes baseball fields, playground, basketball hoops and outdoor pavilions. The friday Night summer concert start at 6:30p. Food is available on site from food trucks and the concession stand. Or, perhaps a picnic supper. Dancing is encouraged!
https://cityofgroton.com/residents/concerts-in-the-park/
If your short on time and don’t have any trails picked out already, try the Sheep Farm— the very next exit off I-95N, right off the highway, less than 5 minutes away. It’s beautiful waterfalls and streams.. you could walk for an hour for sure.
Sheep Farm Park
126-498 Hazelnut Hill Rd
If your short on time and don’t have any trails picked out already, try the Sheep Farm— the very next exit off I-95N, right off the highway, less than 5 minutes away. It’s beautiful waterfalls and streams.. you could walk for an hour for sure.
This is such a beautiful spot, but be careful in spring when mosquitos and flies are waking up. The Barn Island Loop is a 2.9 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Stonington, Connecticut that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from March until November. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Saltwater Farms Vineyard is nearby.
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Barn Island Wildlife Management Area
This is such a beautiful spot, but be careful in spring when mosquitos and flies are waking up. The Barn Island Loop is a 2.9 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Stonington, Connecticut that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from March until November. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Saltwater Farms Vineyard is nearby.
Gorgeous views of the sound and islands. Plenty of parking. Dog friendly. Bathrooms. Tours available. Visit their website.
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Harkness Memorial State Park
275 Great Neck RdGorgeous views of the sound and islands. Plenty of parking. Dog friendly. Bathrooms. Tours available. Visit their website.
Lantern Hill is best known for the fantastic views from the top of the surrounding greenery of North Stonington. After reaching the summit there are multiple areas on either side of the hill that offer secluded views over Lantern Hill pond and outwards, including a very clear view of Foxwoods Casino. Depending on the day, you may even be able to see the ocean from the south side of the hill. I enjoy Lantern Hill for its short but steep trails, which make for a challenging and, after reaching the top, rewarding hiking experience, while not taking very much time.
Directions: Take I-95N to Exit 92. Follow Route 2 west. Turn left on Wintechog Hill Road just before reaching Foxwoods Resort Casino. The parking area and trail entrance is on the right.
Both Stonington Vineyards and Jonathan Edwards Vineyards are nearby.
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Lantern Hill Trail
215 Wintechog Hill RdLantern Hill is best known for the fantastic views from the top of the surrounding greenery of North Stonington. After reaching the summit there are multiple areas on either side of the hill that offer secluded views over Lantern Hill pond and outwards, including a very clear view of Foxwoods Casino. Depending on the day, you may even be able to see the ocean from the south side of the hill. I enjoy Lantern Hill for its short but steep trails, which make for a challenging and, after reaching the top, rewarding hiking experience, while not taking very much time.
Directions: Take I-95N to Exit 92. Follow Route 2 west. Turn left on Wintechog Hill Road just before reaching Foxwoods Resort Casino. The parking area and trail entrance is on the right.
Both Stonington Vineyards and Jonathan Edwards Vineyards are nearby.
Only 10 min drive! The Fields of Fire Park has taken 50 acres of rugged Connecticut woodlands and created an Outdoor Adventurer’s dream! The Aerial Adventure Park is our newest attraction and consists of 5 unique elevated trails throughout the forest, complete with over 76 elevated obstacles including 14 zip lines.
https://fieldsoffiremystic.com
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Fields Of Fire Adventure Park
715 Noank Ledyard RdOnly 10 min drive! The Fields of Fire Park has taken 50 acres of rugged Connecticut woodlands and created an Outdoor Adventurer’s dream! The Aerial Adventure Park is our newest attraction and consists of 5 unique elevated trails throughout the forest, complete with over 76 elevated obstacles including 14 zip lines.
https://fieldsoffiremystic.com
Groceries
Locally owned, full service grocery store. Highly recommend. Affordable prices. Clean. Safe. Great grab and go. Bakery!
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Fiddleheads Food Co-op
13 Broad StLocally owned, full service grocery store. Highly recommend. Affordable prices. Clean. Safe. Great grab and go. Bakery!
Sightseeing
Highly recommend for families and historians alike. Visit their website for more.
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Naval Submarine Base New London
1 Crystal Lake RdHighly recommend for families and historians alike. Visit their website for more.
Beautiful campus. Many civilian tours. Sporting events too.
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United States Coast Guard Academy
31 Mohegan Ave PkwyBeautiful campus. Many civilian tours. Sporting events too.
Beautiful campus with amazing views of the NE sound. Plenty of parking. Biking distance.
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University of Connecticut: Avery Point Campus
1084 Shennecossett RdBeautiful campus with amazing views of the NE sound. Plenty of parking. Biking distance.
This trail is in Rhode Island. It is the most beautiful hike meandering through coastal forest consisting of oak and quite a few pines. Old stone walls and a couple of ponds. Slight hills but wide trails with maps at every intersection. Trails are well marked and maintained, dog friendly. On a glacial moraine to make it more interesting.
Takes about 30 minutes to drive there. Lots of places to eat and Misquamicut Beach is also near here.
DuVal Trail Head
This trail is in Rhode Island. It is the most beautiful hike meandering through coastal forest consisting of oak and quite a few pines. Old stone walls and a couple of ponds. Slight hills but wide trails with maps at every intersection. Trails are well marked and maintained, dog friendly. On a glacial moraine to make it more interesting.
Takes about 30 minutes to drive there. Lots of places to eat and Misquamicut Beach is also near here.
Groton City
The City of Groton is a subdivision of the Town of Groton and is located along the Thames River in southeastern Connecticut. It is a thriving and diverse community whose schools, businesses, parks and shoreline make everyday life feel like a day at the beach.
Groton
https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/ct/groton
Most gorgeous views, esp at sunset. Short walk or bike down Monument St. Go left across Broad and it’s straight ahead 5 min!
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Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park
Most gorgeous views, esp at sunset. Short walk or bike down Monument St. Go left across Broad and it’s straight ahead 5 min!
CT Breweries
Shunock River Brewery and Village Cafe is a pet-friendly brewery and cafe located in the North Stonington's village. The restaurant specializes in handcrafted beer that is brewed in-house with Connecticut grown, all-natural ingredients and woodfired pizza. Dogs are welcome on the pet-friendly, covered patio.
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Shunock River Brewery and Village Cafe
2 Wyassup RdShunock River Brewery and Village Cafe is a pet-friendly brewery and cafe located in the North Stonington's village. The restaurant specializes in handcrafted beer that is brewed in-house with Connecticut grown, all-natural ingredients and woodfired pizza. Dogs are welcome on the pet-friendly, covered patio.
Another fabulous new, local brewery. Just over the bridge in New London. You can even take a water taxi to NL and back during the summer months.
Tox Brewing Company
635 Broad StAnother fabulous new, local brewery. Just over the bridge in New London. You can even take a water taxi to NL and back during the summer months.
Nestled in the charming Witch Hazel Works property, Surfridge Brewing Company East offers quality craft beers and a deliciously curated menu with fresh, local oysters and wood-fired pizza
Surfridge Brewing Co
Nestled in the charming Witch Hazel Works property, Surfridge Brewing Company East offers quality craft beers and a deliciously curated menu with fresh, local oysters and wood-fired pizza
They are an independent craft Microbrewery based out of the American Velvet Mill in Stonington. They make excellent beers for all palettes.
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Beer'd Brewing Company
22 Bayview AveThey are an independent craft Microbrewery based out of the American Velvet Mill in Stonington. They make excellent beers for all palettes.