1. Abbey’S Lantern Hill Inn
City: Ledyard, CT
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (860) 572-0483
Address: 780 Lantern Hill Rd.
Description: If you’re more interested in a contemporary bed-and-breakfast than a colonial mansion with wide planked floors, Abbey’s provides a nice alternative. There are 7 rooms, 2 of which have Jacuzzis and 2 with fireplaces. The location is perfect for exploring Mystic country, with the casinos within walking distance in one direction and the seashore 20 minutes in the other. All this is under the backdrop of the quartz cliffs of Lantern Hill, which you can hike up on the Narragansett Trail off of Wintechog Hill Road on the opposite side (look for the blue blazes). The view of the Foxwoods Casino from the top is well worth it.
2. Stonecroft Country Inn
City: Ledyard, CT
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (800) 772-0774
Address: 515 Pumpkin Hill Rd.
Description: The Stonecroft Country Inn is really 2 inns and a restaurant. There are 4 rooms in the 1807 Georgian Colonial house, and 6 in the renovated post-and-beam barn. Called the Grange, the uniquely decorated barn rooms all feature whirlpool tubs, heated towel racks, wide-screen televisions, and gas fireplaces. The rooms in the main house have wood-burning fireplaces and writing desks. Several of the rooms in both buildings have outdoor patios or decks, and there is a wheelchair-accessible room. The 75-seat Mystic restaurant serves you a fine breakfast of Russian potatoes, quiche, and French toast. Of course, you can also eat dinner there, too. Whatever you do, definitely sit outside by the pond and waterfall and enjoy a nightcap by the roaring fire pit.
3. Stonecroft Country Inn
City: Ledyard, CT
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (800) 772-0774
Address: 515 Pumpkin Hill Rd.
Description: This elegant dining room in the 1807 Stonecroft Country Inn is a great place for a romantic candlelight dinner by the fireplace. For an appetizer, try the crispy lump crab, salmon, and lobster beignets with chipotle pepper, mint, and orange dipping sauce, and then get the spicy slow-braised chicken breast with beer, fennel, onion, smoked paprika, and tomato ragout. For dessert, ask if they have the peanut butter pie, and if so, relish every morsel. They have a great Sunday brunch, too; make sure you try the maple pecan waffles with fresh berries and cream. In the summer, you can sit on the terrace among the flower gardens, for breakfast or dinner.
4. Maugle Sierra Vineyards
City: Ledyard, CT
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (860) 464-2987
Address: 825 Colonel Ledyard Hwy.
Description: Just south of Foxwoods Casino in Ledyard is a small winery run by physicist Paul Maugle. Built in the 1740 Ledyard House, the brand-new tasting room and performance space is a popular stop. Less than 5 miles from the sea on a 100-foot hill, Maugle makes wine mostly from his prize St. Croix grapes. He uses methods like removing the acidic seeds to reduce the tannins and make the wines easier to drink. He cold ferments small batches, using St. Croix to make rosé as well. The vineyard hosts festivals and wine dinners, so check the schedule. Maugle is a perfectionist, and will probably tell you all about his methods when you stop by. “You want to taste the fruit, not the barrel,” he says. At Maugle Sierra, you will.