[JayCT]

Originally Posted by ct1615

I mentioned the middletown downtown to relinal in another thread when we discussed kidcity

Yes, I saw that. Kid City is great. Adds even more to downtown Middletown.

[Champ le monstre du lac]

I like Stonington Borough, Mystic, Chester, Guilford, and Middletown.

For a downtown with great bones and unmet potential, I'd say Norwich. It's got a lot of historic charm and nice architecture.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Champ le monstre du lac

I like Stonington Borough, Mystic, Chester, Guilford, and Middletown.

For a downtown with great bones and unmet potential, I'd say Norwich. It's got a lot of historic charm and nice architecture.

Norwich does have a lot of great architecture. It’s sad that it isn’t more vibrant. The Indians were suppose to invest in it but I haven’t seen it. Too bad.

[Danny K]

Originally Posted by JayCT

I can’t believe that no one recently mentioned one of the best downtowns in the state, if not New England: Middletown. It has a ton of great restaurants and bars plus some great stores and shops including the iconic Amato’s Toy & Hobby and the wonderful Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore. Thats hard to beat.

https://www.amatosmiddletown.com/

https://www.wesleyanrjjulia.com/

I forgot about Middletown actually. Yes it does have a great downtown as well.

[Danny K]

Originally Posted by SteveM85

You sound like you just go by the Town Tournament 101 playbook for downtowns

LMAO!!!! Steve, seriously you have me laughing soooo hard!!!

Nope, I’ve spent a considerable amount of time in all the downtowns I listed.

Milford is my favorite because of the waterfalls, duck ponds, restaurants, and even the sculptures like the bell, stone statues, etc. it really is a beautiful town be walk around. One of the waterfalls has some great architecture surrounding it as well.

Guilford is my second favorite because of the Guilford town green with a few sculptures as well and surrounded by some great restaurants. Also Rt. 146 that starts around downtown is extremely green. I’m not sure if this is technically still considered downtown or not but south of the town green there are two real green areas across the street from each other. One has an old building and the other has another statue building that’s great architecture as well.

Then Essex and Chester town centers are very cute as well.

I love the Stonington Borough, but to stay actually considered downtown Stonington? I’m not sure.

I didn’t mention this one earlier but I also like Glastonbury’s downtown. It’s not as unique and maybe a bit more ordinary but the setup, skyline, and green areas are still really nice!

[SteveM85]

Originally Posted by Danny K

LMAO!!!! Steve, seriously you have me laughing soooo hard!!!

Nope, I’ve spent a considerable amount of time in all the downtowns I listed.

Milford is my favorite because of the waterfalls, duck ponds, restaurants, and even the sculptures like the bell, stone statues, etc. it really is a beautiful town be walk around. One of the waterfalls has some great architecture surrounding it as well.

Guilford is my second favorite because of the Guilford town green with a few sculptures as well and surrounded by some great restaurants. Also Rt. 146 that starts around downtown is extremely green. I’m not sure if this is technically still considered downtown or not but south of the town green there are two real green areas across the street from each other. One has an old building and the other has another statue building that’s great architecture as well.

Then Essex and Chester town centers are very cute as well.

I love the Stonington Borough, but to stay actually considered downtown Stonington? I’m not sure.

I didn’t mention this one earlier but I also like Glastonbury’s downtown. It’s not as unique and maybe a bit more ordinary but the setup, skyline, and green areas are still really nice!

Good, you need to post here more often, not just around Tourny time

[Danny K]

Originally Posted by SteveM85

Good, you need to post here more often, not just around Tourny time

I try! I do look around at other times as well, but often there just aren't threads that I feel I could properly post on and would know enough info. Much of the threads I see are about news related / developments to something really specific, and since I currently live out of state, I wouldn't be up to date on these things.

[MikefromCT]

In no particular order:

1. Middletown
2. Collinsville
3. Old Saybrook
4. Madison
5. Milford
6. Fairfield
7. Darien

I know West Hartford is popular, and certainly it's nice aesthetically, but as someone who lived there when there were a nice variety of different businesses, including mom and pops, I watched it devolve over time into a glorified food court. At least the aforementioned places above have more than just restaurants and they're not tourist traps.

[reslinal]

Originally Posted by MikefromCT

In no particular order:

1. Middletown
2. Collinsville
3. Old Saybrook
4. Madison
5. Milford
6. Fairfield
7. Darien

I know West Hartford is popular, and certainly it's nice aesthetically, but as someone who lived there when there were a nice variety of different businesses, including mom and pops, I watched it devolve over time into a glorified food court. At least the aforementioned places above have more than just restaurants and they're not tourist traps.

I always hear people talk good things about Collinsville, what is good about it? The area seems tiny and the one time I drive through there it was very quiet.

[Danny K]

Originally Posted by reslinal

I always hear people talk good things about Collinsville, what is good about it? The area seems tiny and the one time I drive through there it was very quiet.

Collinsville is not even a town. It's an area part of Canton. However, the center of Collinsville has a few good shops but I wouldn't say its that special.