Weekend Retreat: Connecticut Coast
Where to Stay
Greenwich’s hoity-toity hotel du jour, the Delamar, has come a long way since its days as a Motor Lodge. At this CEO hot spot, patrons can dock their yachts along the 600-foot pier before dining at the exclusive French restaurant, L’Escale. After a long day of sailing and fine dining, indulge in one of the hotel’s many spa services in the privacy of your own room.
At the Steamboat Inn, guests can enjoy spectacular views over the majestic Mystic River. This intimate luxury inn boasts only 11 rooms, fully equipped with blazing fireplaces and whirlpool baths. Be sure to check out the Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, where guests can chill out with belugas and penguins, or delve into the ocean at the interactive Titanic exhibit.
If you’re looking for ultra-luxurious digs, the Saybrook Point Inn & Spa fits the bill. This waterfront hotel, a former hangout of Sinatra and the Rat Pack, no longer serves the same clientele, but its facilities are still worth crooning over. In 2007, Saybrook Point was the first ever full-service hotel in the United States to be awarded the EPA Energy Star Award. There’s also the marina, a four-diamond restaurant, and breathtaking views of Long Island Sound.
Where to Eat
For a quick and tasty bite, stop by Mystic Pizza, a quaint, coastal pizza parlor with a star-studded reputation. Julia Roberts won’t be serving up your slice, but we can promise that it will taste as good as it looked on the big screen.
Checking out the hallowed halls of Peabody Museum of Natural History? We have the perfect place to grab a bite after a long day of perusing ‘dinos’, amphibians, and fossils. Ibiza, a local Spanish eatery, allows you to continue on your cultural journey. Chef Luis Bollo collaborates with restauranteur Ignacio Blanco to introduce patrons to the tastes of Barcelona, Mallorca, and San Sebastien.
At this Westport eatery, healthy and sustainable produce take center stage. The Dressing Room, co-owned by Paul Newman, has a menu of local delicacies that will have guests coming back, act after act. But don’t let the theatrical name fool you, this restaurant is actually more Connecticut country cottage than it is a backstage hangout.
Play
A meal at the Dressing Room will get you ready for some real theatrics. Join Ahab in his fight against the great white whale at the Moby-Dick Marathon, a dramatic two-part reading of the classic sea-faring tale by Herman Melville. It takes place on July 31 at Noon, and you can even spend the night on board the Charles W. Morgan, the world’s last remaining wooden whale ship.
Join fellow boat enthusiasts for a grand parade on the water in the annual Mystic Antique & Classic Boat Rendezvous. Dozens of antique vessels will take to the sea, including cruisers, sailboats, runabouts, launches and more. This year, the music and costume-filled nautical celebration will honor the Sabino, a 57-foot, coal-fired steamboat built more than 100 years ago in Maine. The vessels will be available for viewing on July 26 and 27.
Capture a piece of your Connecticut vacation at the Old Saybrook Arts Festival. Artists and crafters from around the country will gather on the town green, touting water colors, paintings, ceramics, jewelry, and more. After all the touring, you deserve to have a little something to show for it.