Location: Old Saybrook
Top Things to do in Old Saybrook
10 Things to Do in Old Saybrook That You Shouldn't Miss
Old Saybrook is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 10,242 at the 2010 census. It contains the incorporated borough of Fenwick, as well as the census-designated places of Old Saybrook Center and Saybrook Manor.
Restaurants in Old Saybrook
1. The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 77 reviews
Reviewed By SandyKNA - Old Saybrook, Connecticut
The Kate is a wonderful, intimate venue offering a wide variety of entertainment in Old Saybrook. There is almost always something happening at The Kate. We have enjoyed a number of excellent tribute bands and plays and look forward to returning often.
2. Florence Griswold Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 196 reviews
A 13-acre museum campus with a historic home museum, a modern art gallery with changing exhibitions, and gardens and river frontage along the delightful Lieutenant River. Visitors enjoy seasonal events including June's GardenFest and October's Wee Faerie Village. Discovery Sundays (April - September) give visitors of all ages the opportunity to take a mini-lesson in landscape painting and create their own masterpiece on the extensive grounds of the Museum. Visitors can enjoy lunch on the veranda at the outdoor Cafe Flo (May-October), and find unique gifts, exhibition catalogs and more at the Museum Shop. The Museum is named for Miss Florence Griswold, who at the turn of the 20th century opened her home as a boardinghouse which quickly became popular with American artists including Childe Hassam and Willard Metcalf. Museum docents share tales of the Lyme Art Colony and this home of American Impressionism. Check FlorenceGriswoldMuseum.org for a calendar of events and exhibitions.
Reviewed By ZCC414 - Sevenoaks District, United Kingdom
I really enjoyed my visit to Florence's home and boarding house. The volunteers interpreting the house were great with wonderful stories about the house and paintings. The dinning room is amazing- a magical room.
I wasn't so keen on the art gallery with the exhibitions although some of the paintings on display had interesting stories.
I felt the introductory video was long, repetitive and I didn't stay to see it all as a result which I then discovered meant I missed the explanation about the panel paintings. The introductory video at Olana is brilliant at setting the scene if the museum is thinking of doing a new one...
3. Essex Steam Train & Riverboat
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 578 reviews
Take one or both tours in combination for a delightful sightseeing excursion through some of the most scenic areas of Connecticut: scenic train ride in restored railroad cars pulled by a coal-fired locomotive and a ride up the Connecticut River by riverboat.
Reviewed By MrsS0613 - Branford, Connecticut
First class car definitely worth the upgrade. Very spacious and comfortable. Santa and friends each visited with every child. There was a sing alone at the end and the entire crew was super friendly.
4. Tanger Outlets Westbrook
Overall Ratings
4 based on 72 reviews
Find great savings on merchandise from your favorite designer and name-brands direct from the manufacturer at stores like: Hollister, Hanesbrands, Reebok, J.Crew, Old Navy, Williams Sonoma, Bath & Body Works, Carter's and many more. Before you travel, check out the Tanger Outlet website to find the latest Coupons & Sales Offers for Tanger Outlets in Westbrook. Or, when you arrive at the outlets, make your first stop Shopper Services to learn about the benefits of joining TangerClub (Tanger Club information is also available online). In Shopper Services you can purchase a coupon book full of great savings or if you are already a TangerClub member pick up a coupon book for free! Think Outlets, Think Tanger.
Reviewed By TheSecretVagabond - Connecticut
This outlet mall is conveniently located off I-95 in Westbrook. You'll find the standard variety of stores and a few places to eat. Parking is plentiful. I wouldn't make a special trip here hoping to get bargains. It's a mall disguised as an outlet center. I haven't seen a true outlet center in decades.
5. Ivoryton Playhouse
Overall Ratings
5 based on 71 reviews
Reviewed By aeschillaci - Old Lyme, Connecticut
Once a summer stock stalwart, this now Equity professional year round theater has been enjoying raves from audiences with this year's productions of WEST SIDE STORY and SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER....among a plethora of other hits. Go for a balcony seat..wonderful views of stage. Next up I HATE MUSICALS, THE MUSICAL!
6. Connecticut River Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 145 reviews
The museum covers the maritime history of the Connecticut River Valley.
Reviewed By yellowbirdVermont
Our group learned a lot about the history of the area and the Connecticut River. We got to see an amazing mural along the back staircase. There are some unusual exhibits to enjoy.
The beautiful fall day with refreshments on the lawn facing the river added to an exceptional visit for our group. The roses were in bloom across from the museum and the boats were cruising along into the marina. There is even a small gift shop at the museum.
7. Harvey's Beach
Overall Ratings
4 based on 76 reviews
Reviewed By Mary M - Old Saybrook, Connecticut
Ok, we are new to the area and were a bit disappointed to find that it was mostly a kids/parents type of a beach. And there is a a big area that looks like a black hole and has some kind of swampy looking grass in it? Town Beach is a better option but it is also very small and at high tide there is NO beach to speak of. But it's much nicer than Harvey's. We were impressed with a steel band one night and they do have movie nights but they are mostly geared towards kids.
8. Sculpture Grounds
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By Gerald G - Old Lyme, Connecticut, United States
Gil Boro is an incredible artist and person. We have visited his sculptor ground quite a few times, by ourselves, with visiting family, and shown guests as well. Simply put both the site and the sculptor are treasures. He adds stature to our community.
We feel blessed to have one of his sculptures. It is always a pleasure to enter that room and see it anew.
You will be enriched by visiting this extraordinary place.
9. Main Street Park, Essex Village
Overall Ratings
5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By yellowbirdVermont
This is such a lovely area to walk along. We got to see the decorations for Halloween. There were different attractions on the lampposts that you could judge for the occasion. These were all tastefully done. Some of the Halloween exhibits were on the porches along Main Street. This is a fun time of the year to visit. The roses were still blooming in the gardens.
10. The Pink Sleigh Christmas Shop
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By wildlime92 - Cape Coral, Florida
The Pink Sleigh has every ornament you might think of and possibly some you have not even thought existed. The array of ornaments, decorations, gifts and collectables are beautifully displayed and housed in what appears to be an old barn. Note that there are steps to a second floor that tends to be uneven and those unsure of steps and uneven floors might not want to go to the second floor but there is so much to see and purchase on the first floor that I would still recommend a visit if you are looking for holiday gifts.
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