Day Trip III- Eastern, Connecticut

Onward toward our third day trip to view the foliage along the New England Coast. Our next day trip takes us through Eastern Connecticut from the Historic Whaling City of New London to Mystic and Stonington, Conn.

To begin jump off i-95 anywhere you meet Route 1 or "Boston Post Road" and follow toward New London. Granted in places Route 1 is really not that attractive however if coming from New York once at Guilford take off and follow along the coast northward. As one passes historic towns along the coast like Guilford, Madison, Saybrook and Old Lyme the ride through the remainder of the "Lymes" aka. East on Route 1 is a nice one. A handful of historic structures greet you as well as apple orchards with farm stands (Worth a stop at any from Holmbergs in Clinton to Scotts in East Lyme). The smell of fresh apples fills the air like a hint of fall in the fresh crisp air of autumn.

Follow Route 1 through Waterford and eventually reaching New London. New London proper offers a more "urban" appearance and there at this point is not much fauna on the city. But the city offers a nice place to have a lunch or coffee. A side trip in New London to see some Foliage can be said to follow Route 1 until you reach signs for "Ocean Beach". Follow toward Ocean Beach and enjoy the historic homes of this pre great depression summer enclave formerly called "Pequot". Follow the loop around toward the historic Ledge Light and Harbor Light House follow up toward Mitchell College and Fort Trumbull and  return to Route 1 here called Bank Street.
 Harbor Light (New London)  Historic Starr Street (New London)

From Bank Street follow toward signs of I-95. Follow I-95 toward Connecticut College and Lyman Allyn Museum which is worth the stop.  

 Lyman Allyn Museum

Once at the museum the Arboretum at Connecticut College offers a very walkable journey into the heart of foliage and is worth the trip. Follow signs toward "Arboretum". 

Once finished here return to I-95 and follow toward Mystic. While driving toward Mystic one will notice the tremendous volume of thick growth along the highways. Mostly maple and birch there are oak and other tree types here giving the driver a pleasant and most relaxing view while "sitting on a highway"

At Allyn Street on "95" take this exit and follow to the right heading to Mystic for lunch. The loop to Mystic can lead you two ways. I suggest following to the light and down toward downtown. Stopping for lunch at Azu for example of the venerable 1756 Daniel Packer Inne on (Water Street). Park anywhere marked "parking" and get those sneakers on. A leisurely tour after a nice lunch on Granite Street, which has white clapboard homes dating to 1799, built by ship captains many with story to boot. Follow up and around the waterfront enjoy the sites of busy Mystic and the nearby Seaport. Follow up and around to Pearl Street and this loop takes about 20 mins and will deposit you and your sneakers off at once again Route 1.

 Mystic Seaport from Granite Street (Mystic, Ct.)  Capt. Daniel Packer Inne (Mystic, Ct.)

Across the bridge in Mystic is a nice waterfront park and is worth a meander. If your walking shoes are ready head down this park or the left and follow up the waterfront toward the Seaport. In about 10 mins you can reach the gates of the Seaport while enjoying great views of the Groton side of Mystic.

From here head back to your vehicle and up toward Mystic Seaport. Pass the seaport and stop in at Mystick Village where dozens of boutiques and the famous Franklins General Store have a home. One can then follow the road toward  Old Mystic, the original center of the town with a couple of dozen 18th century homes and buildings. The colors are awesome along the entire way.

Now head on I-95 toward Stonington. Exit at Stonington's first exit and follow toward the light. At the light drive straight until you reach Farmholme Road (Farm Home). Follow here toward "The Borough". This area is very popular with Manhattanites that opted to have their country estates here than in closer areas (to NY). Stonington the former home of tenor Sergio Francchi has a tremendously surprising cosmopolitan community with artists, businessmen and writers as well that hail from across the globe.

Follow to Route 1 and look for signs for "Stonington Borough". Follow toward the Borough and take a quick stop here to enjoy the historic homes, waterfront and foliage on, not main street (Water Street) but on the back streets that are excessible if you follow the loop through downtown and toward the cannons (War of 1812) at monument park- Follow around and back toward where you started enjoying many fine sites and the smells of autumn.

If the belly is crying "feed me" I suggest stopping at:

Noahs
Water Street Cafe

www.noahsfinefood.com

These two establishments offer GREAT selections of bistro-oriented food ever challenging the tastebuds of the customer. Definitely worth a stop.

On your way out of Stonington Borough note the Nathaniel Palmer House, the home to the explorer by the same name who discovered Antarctica in the 1820s. What a nice combination... colors of autumn foliage and the white clapboard, stonewall and black wraught iron fence.

Water Street Cafe (Stonington, Ct)



While exiting Stonington head toward either Route 1 North or back toward Farmholme Road. A side journey that is nice to take from I-95 is the Pequot Trail. A road built on the ancient native american trail takes you by farm estates and historic homes. Al Harvey Road another great loop is worth a trip as well.

 Mystic Seaport   Stonington, Ct 

 N.Palmer House (Stonington, Ct)

For accommodations... one can stay in Stonington at The Inne on Water Street, there are a handful of B&Bs in the area and of course one has Mystic with national chain hotels and privately owned Bed & Breakfasts. This loop should pretty much knock you out so enjoy a nice night in the area and then prepare for the next days round takings us in and up toward Norwichtown and the Casinos.


IN A NUTSHELL

*Follow 95 to Route 1- Follow Through Old Lyme, East Lyme and Waterford to New London.
*Follow toward Ocean Beach and then left at the end toward Pequot Ave.
*Stop for Lunch/Coffee in downtown New London
*Follow Route 1/Bank Street North toward Connecticut College
*Stop at Lyman Allyn Museum
*Stop at Arboretum
*Follow to 95 North
*Exit at Allyn Street / Mystic
*Follow to Downtown
*Stop Mystic (Lunch)
*Follow to Mystic Seaport / Mystick Village (Stop)
*Follow to Stonington Borough Exit
*Stop Stonington Borough (Dinner)