Day Trips - Foliage Season

• Although the thermometer still shows nearly 80 degrees in spots of Southern New England it is about that time to plan, if you have not already, around those leaf peepers that travel from across the US to see the brilliant colors of New England's fall. Well instead of planning around why not jump in that car or on that bike and head out for a day trip to sample some of the New England Coast's fall colors.
  
  We begin with our first installment this time beginning on the Connecticut Shoreline at Route 1 in Clinton just off interstate 95. It matters not if you are coming from points north or south finding Clinton and Route 1 North is pretty easy. So instead of stressing on the highway head off at Route 1 North - driving through historic Clinton and it's well taken care of town center. Dotted with 18th and 19th century buildings and an impressive number of trees mostly oak, birch and maple the colors are brilliant.
  
  Head North through Westbrook another small historic Connecticut town, the David Bushnell House (1742) and the homestead of the "Turtle" inventor (1st US Submarine) offers a nice view of the countryside and gives you that classic New England fall feeling. Head toward Old Saybrook but at the Westbrook/Old Saybrook line head toward "Shore points" and follow to the end taking a left on Saybrook's Main Street, a toney user friendly, parking friendly street lined with trees, historic lamp posts and shops. Park and walk the streets for some fresh autumn air while taking a coffee at any of the local shops that range from small bakeries to larger coffee houses and of course Dunkin Donuts. End your sojourn at The Saybrook Country Barn, recently and most tastefully enlarged and soon to offer a sit down restaurant. Country Barn now offers interior products, clothing  and more and has really become a higher end tourist stop. Well worth the trip.
  www.saybrookcountrybarn.com
  
  Follow toward signs for "Essex" which take you past Pat's Kountry Kitchen, always packed and offering homemade meals. Follow further toward signs for Essex. Vin Baker- Ex NBA star has a nice restaurant here offering fresh seafood, nice for a light lunch or dinner. Vin's Fish House.
  
  Follow toward Essex while enjoying the fall colors, various antique shops along the way and other historic homes. Follow toward Main Street in Essex and here you will find such institutions as The Griswold Inn (1776)  which has nightly entertainment, see the flag hanging outside for what type for that evening... The Black Seal, offering seafood and a lively bar and of course Olive Oyls a great take out shop with everything gourmet to eat. Here in Essex it is best to drive to the end, park at the Connecticut River Museum  (Connecticut River Museum)
  
  Essex offers walkable historic streets with an abundance of trees! Follow out of Essex and meander up on the road to Deep River another hidden gem in Connecticut. Here you will pass historic house, after historic house and so forth. Wonderful sights!  Head to Chester, just when you think you are lost... here comes Chester! A small but handsome downtown with shops, galleries and restaurants. Stop at the River Cafe or the Pattaconk or Sage Mill...all great dining spots of various levels but each offering great scenery of the Connecticut Autumn.
  
   Main Street - Chester
  
  When done... there are various B&B's and Inn's in the lower Connecticut River Valley. The Griswold Inn offers rooms from about 100.00 per night (breakfast included). Check your local travel sites or email me for tips!
  
  When done... this small loop will actually take you the next day across the River via 18th century Ferry at Chester-Hadlyme. More on this in our next article.
  
  Enjoy the autumn... the colors are great!
  
  
  Loop in a NutShell
  
  Route 1 Clinton to Old Saybrook/Westbrook Line
  Follow to Shore Points (Stop downtown)-Breakfast
  Follow to Essex (Stop downtown)-Lunch
  Follow to Deep River
  Follow to Chester (Stop downtown)-Dinner
  
  See Eastern Connecticut and Western Rhode Island in the next installment of Day Trips from thenewenglandcoast.com!