Location: Niantic
Top Things to do in Niantic
The 10 Best Things to Do in Niantic, United States
Niantic is a census-designated place (CDP) and village in the town of East Lyme, Connecticut in the United States. The population was 3,114 at the 2010 census. It is located on Long Island Sound, the Millstone Nuclear Power Plant in nearby Waterford is visible on the bay's eastern horizon line, Rocky Neck State Park is also located in the area. Niantic was once famous for its Niantic River scallops, but the scallop population has been in decline for a number of years.
Restaurants in Niantic
1. The Book Barn
Overall Ratings
5 based on 191 reviews
Reviewed By Brian G - Middletown, Connecticut
This store has 10,000's of books on numerous subjects, distributed throughout at least three different locations in Niantic. You can find many obscure titles here. Prices are very reasonable, and books are in good condition. If you want to take your old books to a place besides your local town dump, perhaps you should consider trading them in here. Brian Ghilliotti
2. Niantic Bay Boardwalk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 70 reviews
Reviewed By Lora W
This was a highlight of our trip to CT! During the last weekend of good weather in October, we walked and played on the beach and watched the locals doing the same thing! The bridge for the train was surprisingly quiet when it raised and lowered. Such a peaceful place.
3. Harkness Memorial State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 152 reviews
This 1906 Roman Renaissance Classical Revival-style mansion belonged to philanthropist Edward Harkness.
Reviewed By LFS517 - Lakewood, Colorado
Even though it was late summer, there were still some nice flowers in the gardens. We enjoyed walking around the gardens and peeking in the mansion windows.
4. The Submarine Force Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 749 reviews
The home of the world's first nuclear submarine has several other exhibits on the history of submarines.
Reviewed By mclemons - Blacksburg, Virginia
I visited this museum during the summer of 2017. It was a great experience. First, you enter the museum area which has a lot of naval information, including history and information about our current US Navy. I am a Navy veteran myself, so this was very nostalgic.
As you make your way through the museum, you eventually come to the doorway that leads you the the USS Nautilus; a floating museum inside the first commissioned nuclear powered sub in the US Navy.
The walkways throughout the inside of the submarine are tight, which is to be expected. You travel along a predetermined route. There are also audio tours available for those interested.
In my opinion, this is a great experience for all ages. It's a must-see if you are visiting the area. The one word of caution I have is if you are concerned at all with tight spaces or tight stairwells, the submarine aspect may be one to skip. It does get a little tight in areas.
5. 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...
6. Three Belles Outfitters
Overall Ratings
5 based on 15 reviews
Three Belles outfitters is a authorized Hobie dealer as well as paddle sport shop where you can buy or rent some of the best gear out there. Open year round the Paddle Board and Kayak rental business runs from Memorial day though late September.
Reviewed By Cherbertct
I would highly recommend this marina business. Very cool staff especially Tay O and Devon. Thanks for hooking us up with a new water adventure. I tried the new stand up paddle pedal board. So cool. Great location.
7. Rocky Neck State Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 164 reviews
Reviewed By MarknJulie51212 - Connecticut
We went to this beach recently and was glad it wasn't closed due to bacteria. Parking is pricey and if you like brown cold water, this is the place for you. No toys or rafts allowed in the water....I'm 34 years old and I was disappointed. Try Harkeness park instead.
8. Waterford Beach Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By mikeeee8 - stcollege,pa ;us
Mainly went there to take my kid fishing. Nice rocky out croppings to cast from. Didnt catch anything except for small crabs we used as bait. Marshy, inlet in addition to open eater. Very clean. Water probably only warm enough for young, tough kids to enjoy during late june.free access after 5
9. Hole-in-the-Wall Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By Roman D - Cromwell, Connecticut
This is a nice Beach and Park combo. The beach is nice and clean with a nice big park right there. There are benches overlooking beautiful Niantic Bay. It's a wonderful place to walk through or just sit and watch nature.
10. Children's Museum of Southeastern Connecticut
Overall Ratings
4 based on 43 reviews
Make Discoveries!The Children's Museum of Southeastern Connecticut is a hands-on, interactive, educational place for children ages 9 and under to let their imaginations soar. Explore the Discovery Room featuring the Museum’s resident critters and science-based activities. Visit the Imagination Station and pilot a fishing boat, build skyscrapers with giant foam blocks, hop into an authentic fire truck cab, or explore the global market. Outdoor areas delight youngsters with a real tree house, obstacle course, whale drum, climbing wall, performing stage, and kid-sized zipline! Open year-round.
Reviewed By BillP1123 - Plainville, Connecticut
First impromptu visit to this museum located in an older building on the Main Street in downtown Niantic. Nicely decorated submarine out in front of the building.
Very inexpensive compared with most museums/attractions. ($7 versus $15-30 for many others throughout the state). Our 5 yo immediately ran in and started playing. First area had large foam building blocks, he enjoyed them. There was also a model boat to climb on.
There was a coloring, drawing station which he skipped as he headed for the fire truck. He loved putting on the pants, jacket and helmet and sitting in the seat while turning on the siren. He "planted" a vegetable garden, looked at himself on the news/weather, and created a "shadow" of himself in a Lightroom (only interested him for 30 seconds). He spent most of his time in the kitchen "cooking" and categorizing vegetables and foods by color. The submarine exhibit out back was closed. We did not go into the outdoor play area which seemed spacious.
We then went to the other side and viewed the Gecko, got up close and personal with the Australian dragon ( he was out of his terrarium) and viewed the Russian tortoise. The organ was interesting. The beehive was fascinating.
Restrooms were convenient and clean. There are low priced snacks available though there are several shops nearby, bakery, candy, ice cream, etc.
They have multiple ongoing programs that last 45-60 minutes as well during the week. A nice low-tech stop for younger kids. I would think best for those under 7-8 yo depending upon there development and proclivities.
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