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Guilford is the ideal image of a New England town. It's both a wonderful place to visit and an excellent coastal getaway destination. There is so much to do, whether you're a foodie, shopper, or nature enthusiast.
Being a shoreline resident for over 15 years, I’d like to introduce to you…my town of Guilford. When you say New England….Guilford comes to mind. Guilford is a town in New Haven County, borders Madison, Branford, North Branford and Durham. Named one of the tops 100 places to live in the US by Money Magazine.
Along with being a great town to live in it is also a great destination to visit. Wonderful stops including Whitfield Museum, Hyland House Museum, Falkner Island Light on Falkner Island and many other attractions, Guilford offers you the beach in the morning and a hike on Bluffs Head in the afternoon.
"Guilford offers you the beach in the morning and a hike on Bluffs Head in the afternoon."
Venture out to our surrounding shoreline and enjoy the beauty and adventure it has to offer. Take a Thimble Island cruise and enjoy the afternoon cruising our scenic shoreline. The Thimble Islands is an archipelago consisting of small islands in Long Island Sound, located in and around the harbor of Stony Creek in the southeast corner of Branford, Connecticut. Once you depart your cruise, make a stop and take a tour at the Thimble Island Brewery, a local brewery producing ales, stouts & more, with tours, free tastings and don’t forget to take home a growler to enjoy later.
In the mood for local food, stop by The Guilford Lobster Pound and enjoy a sunset meal on their deck which sits on the beautiful Guilford Harbor with views of Falkner Island to the South, Grass Island to the East and acres of protected Salt Marsh to the West where you can view many different shore birds as well as deer. Guilford Lobster Pound is a family owned business established in 1991. Selling fresh caught lobster daily by its owner Capt. Bart Mansi. "Bart has been lobstering in Long Island Sound since the mid 1970's."
Guilford has so much more to offer than the sun and sea, take a day, and take a walk along our Guilford Green, the Guilford Green is in my opinion is one of most beautiful historic greens in all of Connecticut. Stop by our many art galleries and boutiques, the stores are all quaint and original. The Village Chocolatier and the Tea store are top of my list. There is also the historic Page's Hardware which has been there forever. There are some great restaurants nearby, many favorites are South Lane, Som Siam, Centro Pizza, or grab a coffee at Cilantro’s. Wonderful Historic churches and historic homes give the creative mind a photo opp. The green itself is huge and rectangular...a fantastic place for art festivals, concerts or a game of frisbee or just sit on a bench and take in the local sites and sounds.
A short drive east of Guilford brings you to 2 award winning outlets, Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets and the Tanger Outlets Westbrook. While you are out that way make a stop at Chamard Vineyards, Farm Winery Bistro, Established in 1983, Chamard Vineyards, is one of the Connecticut Wine Trails founding fathers. Tucked between the Long Island Sound and the Connecticut River, Chamard enjoys a unique marine micro-climate ideal for growing European vines. Take in a wine tasting or enjoy their farm to table menu.
Guilford has something to offer with any season, but there is something special in the air in the Autumn. Stop by Bishops Orchard for some hot cider, apple picking, and enjoy the petting zoo. While there select that special pumpkin and mum, and have fun in corn maze. Bishop Orchard is a family-owned and operated farm, the farm was started in 1871 by Walter Goodrich Bishop who engaged in general farming including dairy, vegetables and ice. A little further down the road is another local and old time favorite, Gozzi’s Farm where they paint the turkeys in bright colors for Thanksgiving, another selfie moment!
So take a ride down 95….stop for a while and enjoy.
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