Niantic, CT —
A quiant seaside village of east lyme

Niantic, a quaint seaside village of East Lyme, has become a tourist destination in its own right, with Niantic Bay and Long Island Sound to the south, and the Niantic River to the east. Niantic is the only community on the Connecticut coast where the “Main Street” runs parallel to beautiful Long Island Sound. It’s the home of a mile-long waterfront boardwalk overlooking Long Island Sound offering inspiring views of Niantic Bay and Long Island Sound.

The town's most central waterfront property lies around McCook Point Park, a large, grassy bluff overlooking the water between two beaches: McCook Point Beach, west of the bluff, where you can see Fisher’s Island, Plum Island, and Orient Point across Long Island Sound. Closer at hand, there’s Wigwam Rock and Hole-in-the-Wall Beach, to the east, which is accessed through a short tunnel under the railroad tracks, the source of the beach’s name. To the left, as you emerge from this tunnel, you will see the western entrance to the Niantic Bay Boardwalk. In front of you is a breathtaking view of Long Island Sound. The beach is to your right. Throughout the seasons of the year, the Bay is alive with fishing boats, sailboats, migrating and resident birds, and even seals.

Located on Long Island Sound, Rocky Neck State Park 710-acre park featuring one of the region’s largest beaches, whose stone-free, gently sloping white sands and clear waters make it ideal for swimming and sunbathing. The facilities, for the park, include a magnificent stone pavilion, built of native materials during the 1930s. The Pavilion is available for private rentals throughout the year.

"There are 160 wooded and open campsites within walking distance of the beach."

Rocky Neck is a popular spot for camping, hiking and fishing. There are 160 wooded and open campsites within walking distance of the beach. A network of trails throughout the park offers many easy and interesting walks, with views of the ocean, salt marsh, and such points of interest as Baker’s Cave.

With a tidal river to the west and a broad salt marsh on the eastern edge, the park attracts many resident and migrating birds throughout the season, including osprey, cranes and herons. Mackerel, striped bass, blackfish and flounder are also abundant off Niantic’s lush coastline.

Downtown Niantic is also home to a rare family-owned movie theater, Niantic Cinemas. Katharine Hepburn, who lived a few towns over in Old Saybrook until she died in 2003, used to catch movies at Niantic Cinemas.

Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve is perfect for hiking throughout the year. The Preserve is a beautiful wooded area overlooking the Niantic River. Flora and fauna abound in this preserve, including endangered and at-risk species. Ospreys and bald eagles can be seen soaring above the tree line, and deer and turkeys are common.

Along the way, you will encounter signs of the town’s past: Clark’s Pond, a source for ice for the fishing boats that plied Long Island Sound, and the quarries that provided the beautiful Niantic Pink Granite to buildings throughout the country. In spring, the groves of mountain laurel are glorious.

The Niantic River Estuary Canoe/Kayak Trail is a wonderful way to enjoy the Niantic River while learning about its human and natural history. From the Head of the River, where the Golden Spur Amusement Park (complete with the World Famous Diving Horses) operated at the beginning of the 20th century, past the Revolutionary War location of Beckwith Shipyard, and on down to Cini Park, you can see many interesting sights.

"Flora and fauna abound in this preserve, including endangered and at-risk species."

Evidence of human life along the Niantic River dates back at least 12,000 years. Long before European settlers arrived, Western Nehantics (from whom the river and village names are derived) lived along the shores of the river, subsisting on the bounty of shellfish, fish, and other marine life the river and ocean provided. Centuries later, the river became well known for its scallops, which are now, unfortunately, in decline. Paddling up or down the river, one is sure to encounter a variety of birds. Among the coastal fishing birds known to frequent the river are bald eagles, osprey, egrets, herons, and cormorants. Seals are seen here from time to time, as well.

Sure East Lyme boast the beautiful mile-long Niantic Bay Boardwalk, charming beaches, scenic hiking trails and fabulous waterways for boating, fishing and kayaking, but what many visitors to the town discover is all the great shopping we have as well. The eclectic mix of family-owned and operated specialty shops and boutiques set within a classic New England coastal small-town setting offer as much as any popular tourist destination on the Connecticut shoreline. Downtown Niantic offers antiques, home furnishing, women’s clothing boutiques, fine jewelry, speciality and fine gifts, and much, much more. So, if shopping is what you seek, then we think you’ll agree, East Lyme has some of the most eclectic mix of unique shops and boutiques around. Small town New England charm coupled with great local restaurants and awesome things to see and do make shopping in East Lyme one of the best places to visit along the Connecticut shoreline. So, do yourself a favor, and visit Niantic soon to discover your own Connecticut shoreline secret.

Featured Listings

1A Pratt Island, Darien (Pratt Island), CT

$15,600,000

One-of-a-kind direct waterfront proposed new construction on Pratt Island! This 2+-acre utopia has a protected deep-water dock in Noroton Harbor. Hop on your boat at a moment's notice! Water lovers will delight in the 200' private sandy beach. Be lulled to sleep by the waves & watch thunderstorms roll down Long Island Sound. Enjoy the endless wildlife surrounding you. Prepare to be amazed by the high-end finishes of this house. The Nantucket shingle design boasts a classic layout, 9'+ ceilings with an open floor plan & an abundance of natural light throughout. This 5500SF home has 3 finished floors, fireplaces, 3 garages, generator, irrigation, central vac, and more. A large pool & spacious yard are perfect for entertaining or just relaxing. Beach life is calling you! Photos are from builders previous project. Colisted with Keiley Fuller

1 Pratt Island, Darien, CT

$15,600,000

1093 Pequot Avenue, Fairfield (Southport), CT

$12,999,000

ONE OF THE SINGLE MOST MAGNIFICENT, PREMIER, AND CUSTOM WATERFRONT ESTATE ON THE EASTERN SHORELINE. HUGE PRICE REDUCTION SELLER IS NOW MOTIVATED. Private and gated entry welcome you to this coastal home that was honored and selected amongst all mansions nationally & highlighted on an episode of Fox Business Mansion Global for its brilliance & beauty. Set on a level 1 acre lot of direct waterfront with views of Southport Harbor & Long Island Sound. Spend your days watching the boating activity from the Harbor, wake up to amazing sunrises, sip coffee from your balcony & enjoy all that this resort-like lifestyle offers. Abundant natural sunlight throughout the first floor w/ a wall of glass doors that span the width of home that provide a landscape of breath taking and brilliant water views. This modern day floor plan spared no expense w/ custom high end finishes, lighting, window treatments, mill work, & impressive details. Three levels of living, 9000+ SF, 17 spacious Rooms, 6 full & 2 half Baths, 5 en-suite Bedrooms including the Primary w/ a Sitting Room, his/her walkin closets, & private Deck overlooking the water, 2 car Garage w/ 2 car lifts that services a total of 4 cars, 2000+SF unfinished lower level (not often found in water front homes) & whole house generator. The back yard features multiple Patios/Terraces & seating areas that surround your salt water Gunite pool w/ sparkling water views. Minutes to Southport Beach, Village, Harbor, Train & Library & 1 hour to NYC.

"There are 160 wooded and open campsites within walking distance of the beach."

"Flora and fauna abound in this preserve, including endangered and at-risk species."

Featured Listings

1A Pratt Island, Darien (Pratt Island), CT

$15,600,000

1 Pratt Island, Darien, CT

$15,600,000

1093 Pequot Avenue, Fairfield (Southport), CT

$12,999,000

Let Us Help You Find The Perfect Escape