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Old 08-19-2016, 12:38 PM
 
Location: Florida
11,669 posts, read 17,953,214 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NewJeffCT View Post
Only to boring people.

But seriously, what is there to do in town centers? It's all manmade consumer retail stuff. Spending traps.
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Old 08-19-2016, 12:51 PM
 
21,621 posts, read 31,215,012 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nep321 View Post
But seriously, what is there to do in town centers? It's all manmade consumer retail stuff. Spending traps.
You just answered your own question.
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Old 08-19-2016, 09:21 PM
 
1,929 posts, read 2,040,797 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SunFlower33 View Post
My daughter has been asking to go visit the town Gilmore Girls is based off of - Washington Depot. Is there a walkable downtown and somewhere quaint for lunch?
There isn't really a walkable downtown - more so a walkable plaza area surrounding a parking lot, with some outpost stores on side streets. The plaza has a great independent bookstore, a bakery cafe that is just "meh" in my opinion, and a few high end clothing /housewares shops.

GW Tavern is just outside the center of town and offers a great colonial-style atmosphere and outdoor dining. Or you could head over to New Preston and grab a meal at the White Horse which is a great family friendly pub.

There are a few additional outposts worth visiting in town too - Averill Farm has apple picking and fantastic cider donuts, Steep Rock Reservation has some great hiking /riding trails that range from easy to moderately strenuous, and some very scenic pedestrian bridges.

It is a very pretty town and very well kept , but not much like the show.
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Old 08-19-2016, 10:59 PM
 
Location: Texas
2,394 posts, read 4,087,244 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SunFlower33 View Post
My daughter has been asking to go visit the town Gilmore Girls is based off of - Washington Depot. Is there a walkable downtown and somewhere quaint for lunch?
Washington Depot is a very small place, with a handful of businesses. It's attractive, but the fictional town in Gilmore Girls is way busier and more interesting than the real town. The GW Tavern and The Pantry (food store with some restaurant service) are potential lunch candidates. You can check them out on Google maps.
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Old 08-20-2016, 06:27 AM
 
9,911 posts, read 7,702,289 times
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Visit Mystic. If coming to CT best place to be a tourist. Have the Casinos near by and the largest State Forest in the State. Have areas for beach access or near Misquamicut Beach. In Mystic the town center is a little seaport village with local shops and amazing restaurants. Have the drawbridge as well. Beautiful hotels in Mystic. You have the Mystic Seaport, Aquariam, and Olde Mystic Village. You have a dinosaur park near by. Beautiful golf courses in the area. Fort Trumbull. A really nice winery in Stonington not too far from Mystic.
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Old 08-20-2016, 09:47 AM
 
Location: Florida
11,669 posts, read 17,953,214 times
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Mystic is severely overrated. It's not much different than many other small quaint towns in New England.
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Old 08-20-2016, 10:56 PM
 
Location: Coastal Connecticut
21,765 posts, read 28,094,478 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nep321 View Post
The only thing to do in town centers, really, is get a coffee or eat. After an hour, it gets boring.
You're boring.

OP, the lower CT River and nearby shoreline is the best suggestion. Guilford, Madison, Essex, and Chester have some really gorgeous town centers. Branford and Old Saybrook aren't too shabby either. While you're at it, check out the coastline, Hamonnasset State Park, the Goodspeed Opera House, Gilette Castle, and the historic car ferry back across the river. You won't find more in close driving distance anywhere else, including Litchfield County.
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Old 08-21-2016, 04:11 AM
 
Location: Central CT, sometimes FL and NH.
4,538 posts, read 6,803,457 times
Reputation: 5985
I agree with the recommendation to visit Mystic. There are few downtowns that have all that Mystic has to offer. It has one of the nicest downtown areas with a good mix of restuarants and retail as well as plenty of scenic walking along the water. There's also the Mystic Seaport which is a great place to learn about CT's seafaring history. Mystic is absolutely beautiful and a perfect place to bring the family. I especially enjoy going during the Mystic Art Festival which just took place a couple of weeks ago.
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Old 08-21-2016, 10:51 AM
 
Location: Albuquerque
1,899 posts, read 3,509,909 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nep321 View Post
The only thing to do in town centers, really, is get a coffee or eat. After an hour, it gets boring.
lol! You're right.
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Old 08-21-2016, 11:22 PM
 
Location: Coastal Connecticut
21,765 posts, read 28,094,478 times
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Mystic as a town center is pretty low on my list. Guilford and Essex, for example, are much more beautiful and quintessential historic New England. I even find nearby Stonington Borough more interesting. But Mystic has the other tourist attractions so it gets all the attention.
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