[JViello]

I know you said "not on the ocean" because of Hurricanes, but I can assure you that this is NOT the Gulf Coast in that regard. CT is largely protected by Long Island in that regard, and most coastal towns do go inland a bit so for instance by saying Stonington, you can look at the North side and still be 5 miles or so away from the coast.

My picks:

CT River Valley (Essex, Chester etc), Westbrook, Old Saybrook, Clinton or anywhere between Old Lyme and Niantic and then past New London which would be Mystic, Stonington etc.

East Haddam is postcard gorgeous, on the CT river and a few miles inland from the Ocean. Has that village feel as well with the Goodspeed opera house etc etc. (see pics below)




Gillet Castle State Park is there as well which has breathtaking views of the River Valley.

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The Northwest corner is nice, but it really doesn't have a coastal feel at all, more of an Asheville feel...and the Southern parts have gotten a bit more "busy" becoming bedroom communities to bustling Fairfield County.

Good luck to you!

[Iska]

Gorgeous views. Thanks, JViello. You guys have given me the itinerary for my next CT trip.

[Friendship-Properties]

Im on the water in CT. Some towns on the water are .. Clinton, Madison, Guilford, Branford, New Haven, Milford ..

[Iska]

I've flown into Tweed New Haven. Branford didn't seem that interesting.

[kellride]

Originally Posted by Iska

I've flown into Tweed New Haven. Branford didn't seem that interesting.

nothing in ct is that interesting on the surface. you have to know where to go. ct is about making fun for yourself. there is a lot to do outdoors, parks, beachs, camping, hiking, ect. then there is shopping everywhere you go, but not like anywhere else in the country. it doesn't seem so commercial, but you get everything you need plus a little more. so anyway, ive lived in ct my whole life (20 yrs) and then i lived in columbia missouri (pop 50,000) and now nh/vt, and ct was one of the least boring places. you have six flags less than an hour from almost anywhere, lake coumpounce in CT, the ocean less than an hour, a major international airport, 2 hours either way to boston or new york city, the mountains of vermont and new hampshire just 2 hours, shopping everywhere, local beaches all along the shoreline, 2 major casinos, tons of history & museums (mystic), and just about the best thing is you can get anywhere in the state in less than two hours (most in one, depending on your starting location). it has so much more than you realize until you leave....

Originally Posted by Friendship-Properties

Im on the water in CT. Some towns on the water are .. Clinton, Madison, Guilford, Branford, New Haven, Milford ..

and in the other direction from clinton.....westbrook, old saybrook, lyme/old lyme, niantic, waterford, new london....and then don't forget CT river towns like east haddam, higganum, essex, ect.

[Iska]

Thanks, kellride. Looking forward to exploring CT. When I get ready to get up there for a look-see, I'll ask you guys for the most efficient itinerary. I want to do NW CT, some of Tolland County, some Middlesex, Ridgefield/Redding and a couple of places thereabouts, Oxford, and parts of Hartford County.

[Johnny CT]

A few beautiful lakes in northwest CT:
Lake Waramaug, Mount Tom, Bantam Lake

[Iska]

So, I'll be in CT this weekend. Take Rte 8 North from Watertown to see NW Ct . Then back to 84 West to visit Woodbury, Oxford, Ridgefield, and Redding. Then 84 East to exit 69 to visit the Quiet Corner. Then back to 84 West to Rte 2, Exit What, to visit Glastonbury, Marlborough, Hebron. Is this the most efficient itinerary?

[JayCT]

Iska - how long are you going to be here? The towns you are planning to visit are in different directions. Glastonbury, Marlborough and Hebron are located southeast of Hartford. Take I-84 east through Hartford to Route 2 east. Glastonbury is about 3 miles south of I-84 (Exits 6 through 10). Marlborough is about 5 miles past Glastonbury (Exits 12 and 13). Hebron is located east of Marlborough. Take Exit 13 and turn left on Route 66. Since you like the water, Hebron has a nice small lake, Amston Lake. There is a larger lake in East Hampton (to the west of Marlborough on Route 66). It is named Lake Pocotopaug. Check it out. Jay

[Iska]

Thanks for the details, JayCT. I'll be there till Wednesday next week, so I have time.