Shoreline East
For a scenic drive and quick escape from the city, take I-95 or even Boston Post Road north towards Providence. The small towns that dot the shoreline are full of delightful historic sights, beaches, eateries, shopping and hotels. The 17th-18th century homes in these towns are products of reconstruction after numerous hurricanes and raids by Native Americans and the British that often left the entire towns in ruins. Branford, the largest of these towns, is home to Stony Point (due to its rocky shore) and boats that go out to the nearby Thimble Islands for excellent daytrips. The next town over is Guilford, home to Bishop's Orchards and has one of the prettiest town greens in Connecticut that holds a renowned Guilford Art Center Craft Expo every July. Hammonasset State Park in Madison offers a fantastic stretch of sandy beaches for young and old to enjoy, pick up some books at R.J. Julia, and afterwards feast upon seafood at Lenny & Joe's Fish Tale. In both Clinton and Westbrook, indulge in some serious shopping at Clinton Crossing and the Tanger Outlet Center. Old Saybrook, where Yale University was chartered as Collegiate College back in 1701, and was home to actress Katharine Hepburn until her death in 2003, is the most developed and commercial of the shoreline towns with plenty of restaurants, stores and beaches for locals and tourists.