[ByebyeVegas]

We are planing our first trip to CT in April. There are 3 areas we are considering moving too and since it is very expensive to make multiple trips I want to get as much in to this first trip as possible. We are looking at the Hamden, Middletown, and New London areas.

Would it be better to spend a few days in each town and get 3 seperate hotel rooms, or find a central location to book the hotel and spend time driving to each city?

Also, how is driving to Rhode Island and Boston from CT? Is it better to book a train? We will have some family to visit while we are there and I promised hubby a red sox game if we could swing it.

Any advice appreciated

[skytrekker]

Considering the differences between the three towns you have mentioned- I frankly would find lodging in each town- in order to explore each area.

As far as driving from CT to Rhode Island and Boston- drive- less hassles, and the differences time and mileage wise are small.

[JayCT]

There are a number of hotels in Meriden that would allow you easy access to Middletown ( 10 minutes) and Hamden (15 minutes), but New London would be a bit of a drive (about an hour without traffic).

You could also stay in Cromwell (just north of Middletown) which will allow you to be about 45 minutes from New London, 5 minutes from Middletown and about 30 minutes from Hamden. I would choose Cromwell personally. There is a Crowne Plaza and a Courtyard by Marriott there that are both very nice.

Driving to Boston and Rhode Island is not bad. Boston is about 2 hours and Rhode Island is about an hour and a half. There are not a lot of trains in central Connecticut so I would stick with a car. Hope this helps. Jay

[Rich Lee]

I agree with JayCT. You could find a midpoint between Hamden and Middletown while visiting this part of Connecticut. As for New London, you'll want something closer.

[Barbarahp]

There is a very nice hotel in the center of Middletown on Main street, it's called The Inn at Middletown, and it used to be the old Armory. My mother and sister have stayed there and the rooms are very nice. innatmiddletown.com

[ByebyeVegas]

Thanks for the advice. I will have to check out that inn.

[dougnaie]

When my daughter and I came out to look at boarding schools, which were located all over the state of CT, we stayed at the Griswold Inn in Essex and used that as our central base. Essex is a very nice little town on the CT river. In the evenings when we came in, we could have a nice dinner and chat about the day. I am not sure of your budget, but maybe it would be fun to tie in sort of a little get away with your looking at houses and areas. I think it is nicer to stay in one spot that check in and check out - that makes me crazy. Have fun! Good luck!

[tpitt]

Cromwell is centrally located and New London really isn't much more of a trip. By the way, real estate prices in the greater New London area are not as high as in the other two areas you mentioned. Not too sure how far out of New London you're looking but north of New London seems to have some reasonably priced homes (I've been recently looking into homes in the area) in the smaller towns. If you do stay in Cromwell, you will want to drive to Boston via I84 to the Mass Pike. Traffic isn't bad but of course, timing is everything. If you do leave during the height of traffic, watch out for the I84 exit to Boston off of I91 (traffic in right lane comes to almost a dead stop). I95 to RI/Boston is always tricky. The Griswold Inn is nice but not cheap.

[Familyof6fromCT]

Stay in Old Saybrook, CT 100%

Middletown is 30 minutes right across route 9

Hamden - is no more than 45 minutes down 95 and then across

New London is 20 minutes north on 95

RI will be an hour more or less up 95- depending on where in ri

PLUS- there are a number of great restaurants and the beach

AND- the Amtrak Acela runs from the OSB Train Station- $50 round trip to downtown boston and only 2 hours- drops you off a short trip from fenway- no hassles- no tolls- no traffic- no expensive gas $$$- no expensive parking- you can have a few beers and not worry about driving back

You should go to the Griz for dinner one nite btw--it is like no other place and is also only 10 mins from OSB

Good Luck!

[ByebyeVegas]

Thanks again guys for all the helpful replies. I am having allot of fun planning this trip and I can't wait to see CT. More suggestions of restaurants or points of interest will be greatly appreciated.

Also thanks for the info on the train to Boston. I'm really leaning towards taking a train rather than driving in and out of there.