City Guide: South East Connecticut

I currently live in a little quaint New England seaside town tucked away in the southeast corner of Connecticut, just a few miles from the Rhode Island state line. It may seem like an area full of old timers and historical buildings, however, summer here is the greatest time of the year that gives this place it's vibrancy and charm. Before my partner and I moved out of Brooklyn, we would occasionally spend weekends here to get away from the Big Apple hustle and bustle. What we didn't know is that we would end up finding ourselves living here. Being inclined to wander every where we go, we founds a few things we love to do here, even by bike.

Wineries

Wine enthusiasts might enjoy a day touring some of the wineries in the North Stonington area. Stonington Vineyards is open to the public daily from May through December, and offers limited hours the remainder of the year. Visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch and join in the wine tastings that take place at 2 p.m. This is also a great place for a bike picnic date. Jonathan Edwards Winery in North Stonington is also open daily and offers complimentary winery tours at noon. It also hosts several events during the year, including winemaker dinners and flight nights.

Mystic

The town of Mystic is 15 miles southwest of North Stonington and a great place to spend a day with the family. Downtown Mystic offers a wide array of restaurants, shops, and New England historical sites. For those who love a great food experience, we highly recommend the Engine Room for their classic burger, the Tree House for fresh farmed local oysters, and the Oyster Club for fine sea food dining. More inland is the the Mystic Aquarium which offers a peek into the lives of all types of marine animals, including penguins, sea lions and beluga whales. Old Mistick Village, just next to the aquarium, offers a variety of boutique shops and unique eateries. Mystic Seaport offers a peek into life in a working colonial seaport village. Movie buffs can see some of the sites where the hit movie "Mystic Pizza" was filmed. 

Beaches

Several beaches lie in Mystic and nearby Stonington, but water enthusiasts who want a more thrilling beach day often make the 14-mile drive or bike ride to Misquamicut, Rhode Island. The city becomes a bustling beach center in the summer, as visitors flock there to enjoy the huge waves that break at Misquamicut Beach. The seven-mile beach that runs from Weekapaug to Watch Hill offers concessions, lifeguards, a pavilion and plenty of places to go crabbing and clamming. If you prefer a quieter beach experience, drive up to Narragansett and board the Block Island Ferry, and spend the day enjoying the beaches on Block Island.

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