Location: East Haddam
Top Things to do in East Haddam
- 1. Gillette Castle State Park
- 2. Chester-Hadlyme Ferry
- 3. Connecticut River Expeditions - RiverQuest
- 4. Norma Terris Theatre
- 5. Essex Steam Train & Riverboat
- 6. Haddam Meadows State Park
- 7. DEEP Marine Headquarters - Ferry Landing Park
- 8. Selden III
- 9. Devil's Hopyard State Park
- 10. Steady Habit Brewing Company
Top 10 Things to do in East Haddam, United States
East Haddam in United States, from Nouth America region, is best know for Historic Sites. Discover best things to do in East Haddam with beautiful photos and great reviews from traveller around the world here!
Restaurants in East Haddam
1. Gillette Castle State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 618 reviews
This 24-room mansion has undergone extensive renovations.
Reviewed By Ray R
This is such a magical place with amazing views of the Connecticut River and really impressive stonework. Although the castle was not open on this Saturday visit, the exterior was available ( AND the restroom !) for hiking and many folks were here to see the magnificence of the river. As the frozen portions and ice jams were melting, it gave us phenomenal views from high atop the cliffs where the castle sits. We must return when the weather improves and the castle is open. I think the rush of visitors were due to the news coverage all the ice jams created as this area is usually quiet in winter months, The park is open dawn to dusk and many were seen with picnic baskets or Dunkin Donuts meals and camped out to enjoy the moderate 50 degree temps on this day. Come to this State Park and enjoy. ALso visit just up the road the Goodspeed Opera House ! Great place for the kids to expand their imaginations ! A REAL castle !!
2. Chester-Hadlyme Ferry
Overall Ratings
5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By h0ylandm - Stamford, Connecticut
It was $5 for the car and one person and $2 for the additional person. It is about a 5 minute ride and takes you over to a trail of Gillette Castle. It was a nice sunny day and the views were clear. There's a picnic area on the Chester side.
3. Connecticut River Expeditions - RiverQuest
Overall Ratings
5 based on 66 reviews
View the scenic lower Connecticut River aboard the friendly, intimate, eco-tour vessel RiverQuest. As we cruise south on our Daytime Excursion, we'll see Goodspeed Opera House, Gillette's Castle. Light narration provided on local history, flora and fauna and other areas of interest. Other cruises: Sunset/Evening (may go north or south), Foliage, Eagle, Private Charters (company, family, birthday, etc). Leave from Eagle Landing State Park, Route 82, Haddam, CT. For schedule, prices, info see website.
Reviewed By Jd707700
We absolutely loved this river tour! We took an afternoon tour that lasted approximately 2 hours. Our guides and captain (the owners) were amazing and very knowledgeable tour guides, providing so much information on history and legends of the river homes and islands and are incredibly knowledgeable about the local wildlife, and are avid bird watchers. It shows they love what they do. They are very kind, gracious and wonderful people who (it is apparent) love what they do. Their boats are not only part of their business but an integral part of their lives. Initially, we looked at other boat tour options in the area and couldn't be happier that we made this selection over other choices. It was a great calm, relaxing and fun day with the family. We all enjoyed this tour, especially my elementary and high school age kids and the tour was easily accessible to an elderly handicapped family member. A portion of the RiverQuest boat is covered and surrounded by windows if you want to stay out of the sun. During the tour you can move between the front and the back of the boat for easier viewing; space and passenger load permitting. You can bring food or beverage on the boat during some day tours, to enjoy during your trip and they even provided some binoculars for us to view wildlife up close. Departs from a local park that has a lot of space for picnicking, boat and bird watching. Very well done and very reasonably priced! I would recommend this tour to anyone.
4. Norma Terris Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 40 reviews
Goodspeed Musicals, first regional theatre to receive two Tony Awards (for outstanding achievement, opened The Terris Theatre in 1984 for the development of new musicals. Goodspeed Musicals is dedicated to the preservation, development, and advancement of musical theatre. Goodspeed produces three musicals each season at The Goodspeed in East Haddam, Conn., and additional productions at The Terris Theatre in Chester, Conn.
Reviewed By NarragansettRIBonnet - Narragansett RI
This is not an uplifting show. I subscribe to the Norma Terris theatre (and four other theaters) but this show was a disappointment. Yes, the cast is talented, and the concept is interesting but the show just did not work for me and for my two fellow theatre-goers.
5. 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.
6. Haddam Meadows State Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By Diana M - Middletown, Connecticut
This state park is primarily a boat launch but is also a great space for picnics and grilling, some of which have their own parking spots right in front of them. They have a limited number of grills and benches, but several were available when we went for a late afternoon picnic. It's nice to see the boats come and go and get views of the river. We will definitely go back. **Good to know: there is no fee for parking and the park and picnic areas are handicap accessible**
7. DEEP Marine Headquarters - Ferry Landing Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By BillP1123 - Plainville, Connecticut
This is a great spot for a 30 minute visit or longer if you go crabbing. You get to see the Sound and the estuary as well as the train bridge to Old Saybrook. As you walk along the boardwalk you can see the local ecosystem and many crabs. If folks are crabbing and you are lucky you get an up clause view if a blue crab. Osprey have a best with young on top of the bridge right now. You can view other birds flying over the river and the estuary/wetlands. A quiet nice walk perfect for all especially little ones. It is very exciting when the train roars overhead.
8. Selden III
Overall Ratings
5 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By Citymominwoods
We don't take this ferry to save time, we take it because we love it. $3 for a lovely little boat trip across the river while looking at Gillette Castle perched on the cliff above you, fabulous views. Were so lucky they did not close down. Hope it stays as a CT institution forever.
9. Devil's Hopyard State Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 107 reviews
Reviewed By RagsKP94 - Lake Worth, Florida
Local family in the area took us here on a Monday afternoon. It wasn't very crowded. Our kids loved being able to swim up to and climb around and behind the waterfall. We also hiked down river to check out the covered pedestrian bridge. What beautiful natural AND manmade structures!
10. Steady Habit Brewing Company
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By nutsgoalie - Norwich, Connecticut
We stopped to try some beer, as we had heard that while they were still new, they did their beers well. The place is nothing exciting inside, as they are in a warehouse and really just have two folding tables set up and a bunch of taps. But decor doesn't matter at this point. What we did notice was the long line when we stopped in, mainly of people getting growlers filled. We thought we might get a growler filled as well, but mainly wanted to just taste, as did the people who came in after us. But they only had one line, so we had to wait in the long growler line (~30 min), just to taste. That seriously put a damper on the visit, as it seems it would be a little better business to have one side for fills and one side for tastings. They had 3 of them working, so it seemed as if that would not be hard to accomplish and would get them more business, as not everyone is going to want to wait in a long line, just to taste. Anyway they had three beers on tap, a cherry stout, an IPA, and a red, each taste being $1. We tried them and while they were good and well done, we weren't blown away by any of them. We would certainly stop by again to try and taste some different ones, but maybe would not drive out of the way, just to stop, especially if we have to wait just to taste. But they do seem to be off to a decent start, so I think with a little more time, they can get there.
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