Best of Connecticut from the Editors of Yankee Magazine

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Table Of Contents:

Best Attractions Best Lodging Best Dining Best Bargains Best Classic Attractions Best Outdoor Attractions Spotlight: Gold Coast Spotlight: Northwest Hills

Best Attractions in Connecticut

Looking for fun in the Nutmeg State? You won’t have to look far! Read our picks for the best attractions in Connecticut.

CINEMA OR DRIVE-IN

PROSPECTOR THEATER, Ridgefield

Lives forever changed. That’s not just some Hollywood tag line at the Prospector, a 1940 movie house rescued from demolition that’s become both a model for employment inclusivity and the state’s most accessible entertainment venue. The nonprofit four-screen cinema pulses with playfulness and pride, from its sparkly purple lobby walls to its must-see preshows starring employees, most of whom are disabled adults fulfillingly employed for the first time. Descriptive narration headsets and closed-caption glasses, low-mobility seating in prime viewing locations, and sensory screenings featuring turned-down audio, turned-up lights, and freedom to move about combine to make the thrills of movie­going. 203-438-0136; prospectortheater.org

COASTAL CRUISE

MYSTIC WHALER CRUISES, New London

The winds of fate brought husband-and-wife captains John Eginton and Pat Beck together, and when you sail with this duo, the voyage—whether it’s a brunch, lunch, or lobster dinner cruise or a multiday sleep-aboard adventure—will remind you that life’s little clues only reveal themselves when your senses are fully awake. Aboard the half-century-old Mystic Whaler schooner, you’ll savor every morsel of galley-cooked meals, rediscover simple joys such as conversing with friends, and find the relaxation that’s eluded you on land. 860-447-1249; mysticwhalercruises.com

FAMILY ADVENTURE

NASKART, Montville

Head socks are required. That’s the first clue that the world’s largest multilevel indoor go-karting facility isn’t just child’s play. A full bar is clue two. Toasting victory costs extra, but your mandatory protective headwear is included with the small annual membership fee charged for access to twisting tracks that challenge even experienced drivers. It’s easy to learn karting basics and safety rules. Racers must be 58 inches tall, but that doesn’t mean little family members are left in the dust: A massive trampoline park has fun features for all. 860-444-7700; naskartracing.com

FARMERS’ MARKET

COVENTRY FARMERS’ MARKET, Coventry

Connecticut’s largest market for growers and makers tends to back up traffic for more than half a mile along the tree-lined road that leads to the Nathan Hale Homestead. So set out early and allow plenty of time to sample and shop for in-demand products such as Norm’s Best marinated mushrooms and Dragon’s Blood Elixir hot sauces, plus handcrafted gifts, meats, cheeses, and a cornucopia of just-picked produce. Live music, food trucks, and free tours of the historic farmhouse satisfy diverse Sunday Funday cravings. Weekly themes keep the vendor lineup fresh from June through October. 860-742-6917; coventryfarmersmarket.org

HISTORIC HIGHLIGHT – BEST GARDEN REINCARNATION

THE GLEBE HOUSE MUSEUM & GERTRUDE JEKYLL GARDEN, Woodbury (1925)

Famed horticulturist Gertrude Jekyll designed more than 400 gardens in Europe. She lent her touch to only three in the U.S., and Connecticut’s is the sole survivor. Garden lovers are enthralled by the story of how Jekyll’s plans for the Glebe House grounds were lost, then rediscovered after a half-century and brought to life. 49 Hollow Road. 203-263-2855; glebehousemuseum.org

Best Garden Reincarnation | The Glebe House Museum & Gertrude Jekyll Garden, Woodbury
Credit: Julie Bidwell

NATURE EXPERIENCE

BLACK HALL OUTFITTERS, Old Lyme

Sharp-eyed ospreys, eagles, and egrets know the 500-acre Great Island salt marsh well, but odds are you’ve never heard of this paddling paradise. The savvy folks at Black Hall Outfitters are determined to introduce first-time and experienced kayakers to the wildlife refuge’s serene and shallow waters, which few humans have explored. Rent kayaks or SUPs, book a guided ecotour, or join a small group for a sunset outing, when each dip of a paddle sends iridescent ripples through the brackish liquid. 860-434-9680; blackhalloutfitters.com

NEW CULTURAL ATTRACTION

THE STORYTELLERS’ COTTAGE, Simsbury

Is that bookcase laden with antique volumes a secret door to a castle chamber? Of course it is. From the steampunk library to the Jane Austen salon, every room in this storybook Victorian is filled with details to create a book lover’s bliss. Since her literary attraction’s debut, Lisa Natcharian has embraced every plot twist, allowing diverse activities to flourish within the enchanting spaces she’s created. Visit during free open hours, when quiet nooks beckon to readers and writers, or attend a book talk, workshop, or vintage-themed event. Mystery-room “escape” games for any-age groups are best-sellers. 860-877-6099; storytellerscottage.com

SHORT HIKE

TALCOTT MOUNTAIN TOWER TRAIL, Simsbury

The visual rewards far outweigh the moderate effort required to hike the 1¼-mile trail up Talcott Mountain. Pause often to admire ever-expanding views of the verdant Farmington Valley; to the southeast, Hartford’s skyline juts up from the waves of green, looking regal and remote. Climb to the top of 165-foot-tall Heublein Tower, built as a summer residence in 1914. You’ll be following in the footsteps of presidents Eisenhower and Reagan, who visited back when this mountaintop exclamation point was owned by The Hartford Times. 860-242-1158; ct.gov/deep

SPECIALTY MUSEUM

NEW ENGLAND CAROUSEL MUSEUM AND MUSEUM OF FIRE HISTORY, Bristol

A rented space, a single carousel horse, a dream. Fast-forward 28 years, and this Bristol nonprofit now owns the 1837 factory building that houses a collection of 150 artfully carved carousel animals, plus a plethora of carnival memorabilia, a restoration workshop, a thunderous band organ, and a fully operating Venetian carousel you’re invited to ride. After an exhilarating spin, head upstairs to view installations devoted to firefighting history and Greek culture. Curious why they’re here? Ask your guide. 860-585-5411; thecarouselmuseum.org

SPORTS EXPERIENCE

365 SYNTHETIC SNOW PARK AT POWDER RIDGE, Middlefield

Skis? Check. Ski boots? Check. Helmet? Check. Snow? No longer required—not even on the hottest July day. Last year Middlefield’s small but spunky Powder Ridge became the Northeast’s first (and the nation’s fourth) ski area to install a synthetic skiing and snowboarding slope, plus two year-round, carpet lift–serviced “snow” tubing lanes. It takes only a handful of runs to adjust to the feel of the polymer surface, which mimics hard-packed snow. Downhill mountain biking and a free Saturday-night summer concert series add to the mountain’s burgeoning off-season appeal. 866-860-0208; powderridgepark.com

FARM EXPERIENCE

SUNFLOWER MAZE AT LYMAN ORCHARDS, Middlefield

Sunflowers—350,000 of them—tower above your head, their wall-to-wall angelic faces glowing with daylight. This room without a roof is the happiest place you’ve ever been lost. The annual Sunflower Maze makes August the best month to visit the Lyman family’s agritainment complex, with pick-your-own fields, the Apple Barrel market, even 45 holes of golf. Maze proceeds benefit the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center’s pediatric-cancer unit. 32 Reeds Gap Rd. 860-349-1793; lymanorchards.com/events/sunflower-maze

FREE MUSEUM

SUBMARINE FORCE MUSEUM & HISTORIC SHIP NAUTILUS, Groton

Climb down into the narrow passageways of the USS Nautilus and imagine a submerged voyage to the North Pole aboard this record-shattering, Connecticut-built vessel. Self-guided audio tours of the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine—which made science-nonfiction headlines by journeying 20,000 leagues under the sea—are the highlight of visiting this U.S. Navy museum. 1 Crystal Lake Rd. 860-694-3174; ussnautilus.org

HISTORIC HIGHLIGHT – CONCERT VENUE

INFINITY MUSIC HALL & BISTRO, Norfolk (1883)

Infinity has a new big sister in Hartford now, but the original 300-seat music hall still hosts the state’s most memorable concerts. Architecturally fabulous and acoustically superb, the venue is so intimate, it feels as though living legends are performing just for you. There’s even a chance that you’ll bump into performers in the bistro after the show. 20 Greenwoods Rd. 866-666-6306; infinityhall.com

NEW DOWNTOWN

STORRS CENTER, Storrs

Connecticut is rightfully proud of UConn’s academic and athletic accomplishments, and the all-new dining and shopping district that’s sprung up steps from campus is the place to embrace Huskymania. Tour the university’s colorful, free Ballard Institute & Museum of Puppetry. Shop for UConn gear at the Co-op. Dine at Geno’s Grille, and take home the Hall of Fame women’s basketball coach’s almost-as famous pasta sauces. 9 Dog Ln. storrscenter.com

SPECIALTY WINES

ARRIGONI WINERY, Portland

Want to pair wine with pancakes or pumpkin pie? Arrigoni’s specialty wines are subtly crafted, and your tasting favorites may surprise you. Chocolate Love, a red blend, has just hints of the chocolate infused at the end. Smashed Pumpkin is a crisp, autumnal white made with locally grown fruit. And maple-syrup-sweetened Sugar House belongs on your breakfast table. 1287 Portland–Cobalt Road. 860-342-1999; arrigoniwinery.com

NOSTALGIC PICNIC SPOT

FROG ROCK REST STOP, Eastford

The boulder that State Representative T.J. Thurber painted in 1881 was a popular picnic backdrop for generations. But when Route 44 was straightened, Frog Rock was no longer roadside, and the site became overgrown and vandalized. In 2013, new landowner Joe Lernould repainted the quirky attraction and opened an antiques shop and food truck. It’s worth the drive for buttery hot dogs, lobster rolls, and photo ops. 212 Pomfret Road. 860-942-0131; facebook.com/FrogRockEastfordCt

AUCTIONS

CANTON BARN, Canton

Forget eBay. Get in on the old-fashioned action, as auctioneer Richard Wacht and his partner, Susan Goralski, disperse estates before your eyes most Saturday nights. Order a slice of homemade pie, grab a seat cushion, and raise your hand to bid. There’s no buyer’s premium and no reserve. From fine furnishings to quirky possessions, everything’s going home with new owners. 75 Old Canton Road. 860-693-0601; cantonbarn.com

HISTORIC HIGHLIGHT

BEST UNDERGROUND DESTINATION CENTER CHURCH CRYPT, New Haven (1814)

Duck down into the basement of Center Church for a spine-tingling encounter with New Haven’s early settlers. Visiting hours on Thursdays and Saturdays April through October introduce you to the crypt’s inhabitants, who perished between 1687 and 1812. Notables include Benedict Arnold’s first wife and Rutherford Hayes’s ancestors. Colonial epitaphs still stir emotions. 311 Temple St. 203-787-0121; centerchurchonthegreen.org

BEACH

HAMMONASSET BEACH STATE PARK, Madison

Buoyant waves, two miles of sugary sand, nearly 600 campsites, cycling paths: “Good bones,” as they say, but battering tropical storms left Connecticut’s biggest beach craving a facelift. By Memorial Day, more than $10.5 million in enhancements will be revealed, including new bathhouse and concession buildings and an interactive, immersive, 4,000-square-foot nature center with a circular touch tank and live animal displays. 1288 Boston Post Road. 203-245-2785; ct.gov/deep/cwp/

ADVENTURE

ADVENTURE ROOMS, Middletown

It’s like a video game IRL (in real life). “Room escape is fairly new in the U.S.,” says game specialist Josh Becker of this craze imported from Europe and Asia. Reserve your experience for two to eight adults; enter a strange environment inside historic Sanseer Mill; solve your way out in 60 minutes. Your smartphone won’t save you; street smarts might. Only 30 percent of teams succeed, but “an amazing time” is guaranteed, or the adventure is free. 282 Main St. Extension. 860-358-9130; myadventurerooms.com/connecticut

FLEA MARKET

ELEPHANT’S TRUNK COUNTRY FLEA MARKET, New Milford

It costs peanuts to treasure-hunt at Connecticut’s largest flea market. But serious shoppers pay extra before 7:00 a.m. for dibs on what’s sprouted in this field of extremes. Each Sunday, nearly 500 sellers parade out antiques, collectibles, and curiosities, from chainsaw art to deep-discount Cheez-Its. The mesmerizing variety has kept this colorful bazaar going strong for 40 years. 490 Danbury Road. 860-355-1448; etflea.com

TOURIST HOTSPOT

LAKE COMPOUNCE, Bristol

There’s something for everyone here: water rides, classic rides, kiddie rides, dance and comedy shows—and, of course, roller coasters and thrill rides. America’s oldest amusement park celebrates 170 years of smiles and screams with its biggest investment yet in 2016. The magnetically propelled Phobia Phear Coaster—the first triple-launch roller coaster in the Northeast—will race at speeds of up to 65 mph and flip riders at 150 feet in the air, one of the highest inversions ever achieved. It’s the most hotly anticipated new thrill in park history. 186 Enterprise Drive. 860-583-3300; lakecompounce.com

RAIL TRAIL

AIR LINE STATE PARK TRAIL, East Hampton to Thompson

Jog, walk, or pedal any or all of the 50-mile, flat, easy, gravel trail that cuts a diagonal through northeastern Connecticut, and you’ll marvel at the same scenes that enchanted well-heeled “Ghost Train” passengers at the turn of the 20th century. The gold-trimmed, white-painted Pullman cars have vanished, but this stretch of the “Air Line” from New York to Boston has been reincarnated as a public path over viaducts and bridges, through wetlands and farmlands and forest preserves, for walkers, hikers, horseback riders, bikers, and cross-country skiers. See the website for downloadable maps. 860-295-9523; ct.gov/deep/cwp

FAMILY ATTRACTION

MARITIME AQUARIUM AT NORWALK, Norwalk

Harbor seals’ antics tickle preschoolers. Tweens can spend all day petting jellies, sharks, and stingrays. Even Game of Thrones–loving grown-ups find the dragons—including America’s only black dragon on public view—fascinating. Add in IMAX movies and excursions aboard a revolutionary new $2.7 million hybrid electric research vessel, and the only aquarium devoted to Long Island Sound is an all-day fun destination. 10 North Water St. 203-852-0700; maritimeaquarium.org

NEW MUSEUM

AMERICAN MUSEUM OF TORT LAW, Winsted

Consumer advocate and four-time presidential candidate Ralph Nader was the driving force behind the nation’s first law-focused museum, which débuted last fall; that’s why it’s in his Connecticut hometown. Inside, you’ll see a Corvair—the car Nader famously railed against in Unsafe at Any Speed—plus other exhibits and information on “cases that made a difference.” 654 Main St. 860-379-0505; tortmuseum.org

SPORTS OUTING

HARTFORD YARD GOATS, Hartford

The Eastern League AA New Britain Rock Cats have a new home and a new name, but affordable family entertainment is still the game. Yard goats are workhorse locomotives in a rail¬yard, and the ball club’s identity, selected via a name-the-team contest, is such a home run that logo wear shipped to all 50 states months before 6,000-seat, 360-degree Dunkin’ Donuts Park was constructed. New and cherished traditions and promotions highlight 71 inaugural-season home games. 1214 Main St. (stadium), 99 Pratt St. (team office). 860-259-1039; milb.com/index

CRUISE

CROSS SOUND FERRY LIGHTHOUSE CRUISE, New London

From the sundeck, the bow, or the windowed, climate-controlled cabins of the fast-gliding SeaJet catamaran, you’ll spy eight architecturally distinctive lighthouses and hear knowledgeable narrator Ted Webb’s tales of pirates, ghosts, and historic events. Bonus sights during these two-hour Long Island Sound voyages frequently include sunbathing gray seals, the world’s largest population of nesting common terns, and nuclear-powered submarines. 2 Ferry St. 860-443-5281; longislandferry.com

BREWERY

STONY CREEK BREWERY, Branford

Boat parking and Branford River views from multilevel, indoor/outdoor gathering spaces set this ultra-modern 2015 newcomer apart from the growing field of breweries in Connecticut. On a tour, learn how brewmaster Andy Schwartz, who’s made beer for 20 years, hybridizes hoppy West Coast and fruit-forward East Coast recipes to craft his potent trio of “Cranky” IPAs. 5 Indian Neck Ave. 203-433-4545; stonycreekbeer.com

COMMUNITY THEATER

BRADLEY PLAYHOUSEB, Putnam

This 115-year-old vaudeville theater in the heart of a revitalized mill town is home stage for a nonprofit, all-volunteer troupe that performs musicals, dramas, and comedies for enthralled audiences. The talent, staging, costuming, and effects are so superb, you’ll swear this can’t be 170 miles off Broadway. 30 Front St. 860-928-7887; thebradleyplayhouse.org

CHEESE LOVERS’ OUTING

CHEESE SCHOOL OF CT AT FAIRFIELD & GREENWICH CHEESE COMPANY, Fairfield & Cos Cob

Cheesemongers Laura Downey and Chris Palumbo fill their shops’ cases with rare selections, including New England’s most sought-after artisanal cheeses. On Cheese School nights, they’ll teach you to love and understand cheese with an ardor you usually reserve for your sweetheart. 2090 Post Rd., Fairfield; 203-292-8194. 154 East Putnam Ave., Cos Cob; 203-340-9227; fairfieldcheese.com/cheese-school

Best Lodging in Connecticut

Looking to rest your head in the Nutmeg State? We’ve got you covered! Check out our picks for the best lodging in Connecticut.

CAMPGROUND

HIDDEN ACRES FAMILY CAMPGROUND, PRESTON

Every activity on a 1960s kid’s summer to-do list is offered at this tucked-in-the-trees campground. Bring your tent or RV or rent a cabin, and within an hour of checking in you’ll feel like part of a big family. The pride that Bill and Priscilla Migliaccio and their children take in preserving traditions that stretch back to 1972—when Bill’s father bought Boy Scout Camp Quinebaug—makes this the rare destination where multigenerational bonds are knit tight. Kids will remember river tubing, fire truck rides, Saturday night dances, and free-ranging like the campground’s resident muster of peacocks.

860-887-9633; hiddenacrescamp.com

CITY STAY, AFFORDABLE

THE QUINNIPIACK CLUB, NEW HAVEN

Connecticut’s best lodging deal is unadvertised and exceedingly unusual. Walk past the colonial-looking brick “Q Club” building a half block from the New Haven Green, and you’d never know that nonmembers can instantly gain temporary memberships by booking one of 21 guest rooms. Fine dining and room service; billiard room, duckpin bowling alley, and 24-hour health club; and opportunities to view art and socialize with interesting professionals—these experiences, along with inexpensive rates (from $115), make it easy to forgive the rooms’ outdated decor. Plus, your stay helps sustain this 147-year-old community organization. 203-562-3147; graduateclub.com

CITY STAY, UPSCALE

THE GOODWIN, HARTFORD

Hartford’s grand dame hotel awoke last summer from a nine-year slumber looking as alluring as ever on the outside and dramatically rejuvenated on the inside. It’s not the first rebirth for this 1881 Queen Anne–style red-brick-and-terracotta building, but it’s a quantum leap forward for capital visitors who appreciate high-tech amenities, enticing dining, and a soothingly contemporary design aesthetic. Just enough woodwork and other architectural details have been preserved to honor the hotel’s original grandeur. 860-246-1881; goodwinhartford.com

HISTORIC INN

BOARDMAN HOUSE INN, EAST HADDAM

An expertise in architectural restoration makes Swedish innkeepers Andre and Mia Hymander ideal stewards of this 1860 mansion, built in dramatic Second Empire style more than a dozen years before Goodspeed Musicals’ famous opera house debuted nearby. You’ll perceive only comfort—in touches like downy bedding and heated bathroom floors—and none of the labor that the Hymanders put into fashioning this peaceful retreat. Claim a wicker porch chair and listen for the occasional strains of performers rehearsing their songs, as Goodspeed’s Artists Village for visiting talent is adjacent to the inn. 860-873-9233; boardmanhouse.com

INN FOR FOODIES

ROGER SHERMAN INN, NEW CANAAN

“Celebrity chef” doesn’t do Francois Kwaku-Dongo justice. The Wolfgang Puck protégé has been a superhero in the fight to save this landmark inn, which was on the brink of doom a year ago. With local support and a worldly vision, Kwaku-Dongo has boosted the property’s culinary profile. Evolving menus nimbly leap from pan-seared New England seafood to classic French dishes. Stay overnight in one of 17 simple yet spacious rooms, and you can linger late over chocolate desserts handcrafted with fair-trade Omanhene chocolate from Ghana (another of Kwaku-Dongo’s admirable endeavors).

203-966-4541; rogershermaninn.com

LAKESIDE LODGING

THE HOPKINS INN, WARREN

Even as competing inns that once ringed Lake Waramaug have fallen into private hands, Beth and Franz Schober—owners of the Hopkins Inn for 42 years and counting—have remained resolute that views of Connecticut’s prettiest lake should be shared. The cheery c. 1847 inn’s 12 rooms aren’t huge, but they’re priced reasonably, considering that many look out on the hill-surrounded lake. Son Toby’s European-inspired fare and an extensive wine list make lakeside outdoor dining popular even after dark. Sweaters are available to borrow: True hospitality is all about warmth. 860-868-7295; thehopkinsinn.com

NEW HOTEL

DELAMAR, WEST HARTFORD

With glossy magazine–worthy common areas, bold art on loan from the New Britain Museum of American Art, and champagne at check-in, Blue Back Square’s long-awaited boutique hotel is astonishingly sophisticated for its suburban location. Even visitors who aren’t staying in the quiet, natural light–filled guest rooms can book a restful session at the hotel’s European-style spa and savor farm-to-table fare at the indoor-outdoor restaurant Artisan, where the chef’s garden and dreamily illuminated pergola create the illusion that this is wine country, not West Hartford. 860-937-2500; delamar.com/west-hartford

OCEANSIDE LODGING

THE KELSEY HOUSE B&B, BRANFORD

Any thoughts weighing on you will dissolve the instant you step up to this Victorian cottage’s porch. On a clear day, you can see Long Island from this Maine-esque rocky point; ospreys nest on neighboring Kelsey Island. Innkeeper Susan Kelsey’s great-grandfather built the house, which she and husband Ken Olson now happily share with guests. Her ancestors—some of Connecticut’s earliest settlers—discovered this spot while searching for fish bone-meal fertilizer. Now, visitors in pursuit of calm are nourished by water views and three-course breakfasts starring freshly baked, seasonally inspired muffins. 203-481-5207; kelseyhousebb.com

ROMANTIC GETAWAY

THE WALLINGFORD VICTORIAN INN, WALLINGFORD

Built as a wedding present in 1891, this Queen Anne–style inn offers modern couples the gift they crave: carefree time away. Five posh suites are stocked with everything needed to unwind. The decor is period-inspired, yet restrained. Custom-cooked breakfasts are served at private, candlelit tables. And while restaurants and shops are just a two-block walk away, you’ll be content to porch-sit, play backyard chess, or listen to the player piano’s nostalgic tunes. 203-265-1200; thewallingfordvictorian.com

FAMILY CAMPGROUND

BEAR CREEK CAMPGROUND, Bristol

A day at Lake Compounce, America’s oldest amusement park, is doubly fun when you’re justa short tram ride away from marshmallow toasting and movie nights. An on-site campground is Lake Compounce’s newest thrill. Bring your own tent or RV, or rent a cabin or handcrafted tipi—with electricity. 185 Enterprise Dr. 860-583-3300; campbearcreek.com

MOTEL

MILESTONE INN, Woodbury

It’s a motel by definition: Doors open to the outside world. But once you’re behind closed guestroom doors at this affordable lodging option in the heart of antiques country, you’ll swear you’re staying at a fine country inn. 146 South Pomperaug Ave. 203-405-6261; milestoneinnct.com

COLONIAL INN

LATHROP MANOR, Norwich

When a house has stood longer than the U.S. has been a nation, its 12-over-12 windows still intact, its hand-hewn wood beams testament to colonial builders’ talents, its wide floorboards lovingly restored, it’s bound to pack some history. Sit down to breakfast at the period table that Marco Middleton crafted in his woodshop, and be wowed by course after course made with farm-fresh ingredients. Middleton, who owns this 1744 inn with wife, Sheryl, helmed kitchens at five-star resorts out West. 380 Washington St. 860-204-9448; lathropmanor.com

GUEST HOUSE

THREE STORIES AT SAYBROOK POINT INN & SPA, Old Saybrook

The Saybrook Point Inn’s owners couldn’t bear to watch the 1892 Italianate mansion across the street crumble. Their rescue effort, completed in 2014, has made eight designer rooms—themed to honor prominent locals, including Katharine Hepburn’s mother—available to adult guests. Alluring common areas include a rooftop deck, a Yale-themed lounge, and a billiards room with an intricately carved antique table. 2 Bridge St. 860-323-0143; saybrook.com/rooms/three-stories

WATERSIDE LUXURY

VILLAS BY THE SEA AT WATER’S EDGE, Westbrook

You can’t stay closer to the water in Connecticut than these 20 sleek, spacious two-bedroom suites outfitted with gourmet kitchens and gas fireplaces. Built in 2013 for eventual sale as private beach condos, the newest accommodations at the multifaceted and enduring Water’s Edge Resort sleep six and are rentable by the night or the week. 1525 Boston Post Rd. 860-399-5901; ownwatersedge.com

SPA ESCAPE

THE MAYFLOWER GRACE, Washington

Acquired by Grace Hotels in 2013, Connecticut’s notoriously luxurious 30-room country manor reinvented its uber-exclusive spa—open only to guests and members—last year, featuring the country’s only wellness experiences that utilize Earth Matters Apothecary’s formulations for delivering nutrients via the skin. A quiz determines the balancing blend for your body type and personality. 118 Woodbury Rd. 860-868-9466; gracehotels.com/mayflower

HISTORIC INN

THE GRISWOLD INN, Essex

There’s no inn in America with a longer continuous record of welcoming, nourishing, and entertaining guests. The Paul family has updated the Gris a bit—the wine bar’s a big hit—while devoting 20 years to fiercely preserving its traditions. Nightly live music in the Tap Room is more reliable than the postal service. 36 Main St. 860-767-1776; griswoldinn.com