Inside: Discover Extraordinary Living
Boasting scenic views, historic architecture, waterside charm, and an adorable village center filled with shops, restaurants, and cultural activities, it’s no surprise that Yankee Magazine dubbed Essex “the perfect U.S. small town.” Incorporated in 1639, the town comprises the villages of Essex, Centerbrook, and Ivoryton, and is bordered by both the Falls River and Connecticut River. Water plays a key role in the town’s allure — it has several yacht clubs and marinas, and activities such as fishing, sailing, and power boating draw locals and visitors alike. It’s also part of a unique wetlands area that has received natural recognition. Essex’s historic past is well-honored, too, thanks to traditions like the Burning of the Ships Parade, which commemorates an 1814 British raid that left dozens of ships ablaze in the harbor. It is also known as the home of Connecticut’s first battleship, built in 1774, and for its large annual Groundhog’s Day celebration.
Here are some of the best things to eat, buy, see, and do in Essex:
Culture
Connecticut River Museum
67 Main St, Essex
Dedicated to deepening appreciation of the Connecticut River’s history and to inspiring its stewardship, the Connecticut River Museum provides unique educational and recreational experiences to diverse audiences. With three floors of permanent and changing exhibitions, the waterfront museum and park displays manuscripts, books, art, and other artifacts of importance to the Connecticut River Valley. The Museum is home to two vessels, the RiverQuest and the Onrust, which are available for public and chartered cruises. A site of many local community events as well as private functions, the Museum provides a comprehensive view of the area’s history.
Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center (The Kate)
300 Main St, Old Saybrook
Legendary actress Katherine Hepburn is arguably the area’s most famous resident. Her namesake performing arts venue, the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center (known as “The Kate”) is also quite famous in the region. The 285-seat theatre, housed in a building on the National Register of Historic Places, presents various works of music, theater, opera, dance, comedy, and film, as well as children’s programming. Exhibits include Kate’s costume and personal wardrobe items, photographs, home movies, awards, and other memorabilia. Seeking to uphold her legacy, the Kate honors Hepburn’s devotion to creative culture through diverse offerings and a strong emphasis on providing educational opportunities in the arts.
Attractions
Essex Steam Train & Riverboat
1 Railroad Ave, Essex
Hop on one of two vintage steam/diesel locomotives or ride aboard the historic Becky Thatcher riverboat for an iconic trip throughout the Connecticut River Valley. In operation from May through October, Essex Steam Train & Riverboat offers various journeys: the one-hour train ride includes vintage Coach, First Class, open air (seasonal) or Caboose car options, providing scenic views including the tidal wetlands of Pratt Cove and Chester Creek. The 2.5-hour riverboat tour offers water lovers a narrated round-trip tour into the heart of the Valley. Visitors can also book Dinner Train experiences or charter the historic Essex Clipper for mid-week lunch excursions and private dinner events.
Dining & Hospitality
Griswold Inn
36 Main St, Essex
Open for business since 1776, the famous Griswold Inn is one of the nation’s oldest inns and a renowned spot for soaking up historic vibes while enjoying sophisticated dinner fare, award-winning wines, and charming lodging. With a formal dining room, a tap room first built in 1735 as a schoolhouse, a wine bar, and 33 period-designed guest rooms — complete with beds from the famed Leonard’s Beds that has supplied beds for The White House — the Gris (as it’s known) is a delightful place to spend a few hours, a night, or a weekend. An iconic and photo-friendly destination, the Inn also offers live music every night.
Copper Beech Inn
46 Main St, Ivoryton
The restaurant companion to the 22 guest rooms on premises, Copper Beech Inn serves French-American fare in an elegant, New England-style atmosphere. The friendly yet upscale Americana vibe starts with the bright yellow exterior graced with a wide, wrap-around porch (the glass-enclosed portion is available for dining) and continues with the cozy fireplace, casual bar area and intimate main dining room. Copper Beech offers menus for breakfast, happy hour, and dinner as well as special occasion dining options.
Parks & Recreation
Essex and its neighboring towns of Centerbrook and Ivoryton boast 23 different open-space preserves representing nearly 1,100 acres — all maintained and protected by the all-volunteer nonprofit Essex Land Trust. Ripe for exploring, these open spaces offer access to 32 miles of hiking over 73 trails throughout the Lower Connecticut River Estuary’s unique wetlands. The area has been designated an American Heritage River due to its historic and cultural significance to the nation and the Land Trust’s mission is to ensure its preservation and to provide beautiful spaces for exploration.
