The Florence Griswold Museum is more than just a beautiful museum. To show even more support this…read moreyear, I decided to buy a family membership. For years my family has been visiting the museum in the fall for the Wee Faerie Village, an extraordinary outdoor display of faerie villages that are created by local businesses and individuals. There isn't enough room for me to gush about this event. The beauty, creativity, and the scavenger hunt keep us coming back. The museum offers a glimpse into history, beautiful art, extraordinary gardens, breathtaking views of the river. and more.

We ventured to Old Lyme, Connecticut on Sunday for the final day of Mystical Murmurs: An Enchanted…read moreEnvironment by Adrien Broom. The exhibit features a fairy ring of gigantic mushrooms. The artist was born and raised in Old Lyme. The installation is meant to encourages us ponder the magical mysteries of the forest. We also really enjoyed the Amanita sculptures outside the main building housing the museum's permanent collection. We were able to photograph these just before one of the museum staff sold them off to a local mushroom enthusiast (since Sunday was the last day of the mushroom exhibit). While we came specifically for the mushroom installation, we also really enjoyed our visit to the other galleries. The museum showcases the work of the artists of the Old Lyme Artist Colony, a nexus of American Impressionism and has some beautiful impressionist landscape painting, including many by female artists of the 19th and early 20th century. The grounds here are also beautiful with gorgeous views of the Lieutenant River. There was also an exhibit of small fairy houses when we visited. Beautiful spot with nice staff and docents. Would definitely return here!

Can confirm the first review's report that you can't see either this lighthouse or the one that's…read moreon land in Fenwick unless you own property in the immediate vicinity or are the guest of someone who does. We thought we would drive up to visit the nearer lighthouse like we did with the lighthouses in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, but there are signs telling you that access is restricted. We decided not to flout that but can verify that the golf course looks very nice. Stars awarded for the history of the lighthouses.

A light that's hard…read moreto see The Old Saybrook Breakwater Lighthouse was completed in 1888 and was built to replace the much older lighthouse at Lynde Point. It's a very typical lighthouse for this period and stands 48 feet tall and is constructed of brick and cast iron. These lights are frequently called bug lights, coffee pots of most commonly spark plugs. Strong and cheap to build they can survive just about anything, including massive hurricanes and ice and freezing cold. The one was automated in 1958 and recently went up for sale in 2013. It finally sold for 340,000 dollars but the price is somewhat misleading. The owners are responsible for maintenance and the Coast Guard still owns the land that the light sits on. This lighthouse isn't a particularly easy one to get close to. It's in the very expensive and exclusive area called Fenwick and they aren't very fond of people walking around there. The best way to view it is by the water or by kind of landing a yak on a beach in the off season and they walking down the breakwater up to the light. Just hope nobody sees you. This is a classic Connecticut lighthouse and is even featured on the CT license plate. The money for the special plate goes to hope preserve Long Island Sound. A cool little light that everyone sees while crossing over the Connecticut River on I-95 but one that very few people get to see up close.

This is hands down one of the cutest things I've ever seen. Emily from thesidedishers told me about…read morethis and I had to come and make a wish in the wish booth. There's so many negative things out there and this is just a ray of positivity in a cute little town in Connecticut. It boosts your self esteem and self worth and gives you hope. 100% recommend stopping here and sending your wishes into the universe. Because what is life without some hope and dreams. Hearts.

Beautiful park. If no one is at the booth when you arrive, scan the QR code near parking and pay…read moreonline. Plenty of picnic tables are scattered around the park and a few charcoal grills. Lots of port-a-john near the beaches and a building closer to parking. No swimming was allowed at the beaches. Plenty of fishing though. Nice place to walk and look for shells. The mansion gardens are small and beautiful. Lots of colorful plants. Graceful collonade. Definitely a nice spot for photos. Lots of pollenators enjoying the gardens too. Pathways through the park are a mix of paved and gravel. Watch out for goose poop when crossing through the fields. Pets are welcome on a leash and be sure to pick up after them. State parks are "carry in, carry out" so there are no trash bins. Be sure to bring your own trash bag to dispose of your trash at home.

A beautiful seaside park that was surprisingly busy on breezy November weekend. We walked around a…read morefew of the gardens which I imagine will be even more impressive in the spring and summer.

The light house and the place may be half decent but not if you have no access to it. For you to…read moreget to the light house you need to trespass through a private property. Not sure why this is listed as one of the places to see in Old Saybrook. It's misleading and would avoid the hassle. However the walk was fun, the so called private beach that you need to walk through is horrible.

Lights hurricanes and…read moreKatharine The Connecticut River is a huge and impressive river but the towns on the mouth never really developed into the large trading communities that you would expect. The main reason for this is because of the treacherous and ever shifting sandbars that guard the mouth of the river. The problem was recognized as soon as the first ships started sailing the area and in 1773 a public lottery was held to get funds to place some buoys out there. Lotteries were a common way of collecting money for building projects back then. The buoys were better than nothing but it was soon realized that better solution had to be found. So in 1803 a 35 foot tower was constructed. It was better than nothing but not by much. So in 1838 a 65 foot tower made from brownstone blocks was built. It received a 4th order Fresnel lens in 1852 that could be seen for 13 miles out to sea. The light finally became animated in 1975 and is still an active aid to navigation. The lighthouse was put to the test in Sept of 1938 when a massive hurricane tore into this area. The light was damaged but stayed together. Unfortunately much of the Connecticut shoreline wasn't so lucky. The famous actress Katharine Hepburn had her house right down the street from the lighthouse and was almost washed allowed but just managed to get out. The lighthouse is located in a very exclusive part of town and is very off limits to the pubic. It can be seen from the water and remains a very important part of the state's nautical history.

This camera obscura is one of only 50 in the entire world, only 5 of which are in the US. It was…read moreonly a dollar per person. We waited about ten minutes outside for the people before us to come out. It was a bit cloudy when we were there and I'd love to go back on a clear, sunny day. It was still a neat experience. The educator who showed us the camera obscura was fantastic. He had lived in Greenport for decades and gave us so much history and really fleshed out the experience. It was so much cooler seeing it and hearing stories about the area. This is well worth the $1 it will cost you and would be neat for kids as well. The sign said the it was open from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. this was on a weekday. I believe they are open weekends and weekdays in the summer and only weekends the rest of the year.

There are only 5 in the US and only about 50 in the world. Historically significant and only a…read moredollar to partake. That said, prepare for an experience that lasts only a few minutes and largely depends on a cloudless sky.

A little disappointed. It's not bad by any means but it was very underwhelming. I will say I'm not…read morereligious by any means, so those that are may feel different, but for me it was a 'meh' experience. Maybe I built it up in my head too much, as I had never even heard of it until a video came up on my fb feed. That said, getting there is a little tricky. There is a guard/checkpoint you have to pass through. The first time I didn't know that and wasn't expecting it and turned around. Today I when I came the checkpoint was unmanned. Apparently if you tell them you're going to enders they'll let you through, but I've heard of people getting turned away.

What a hidden gem! Lovely, tranquil, and healing! So picturesque there is no way you can take a…read morebad photo. The water views are gorgeous, the gardens and landscaping equally so, with many nooks and crannies to sit peacefully and meditate or ponder. The Arts and Crafts style house for functions and retreats is stately with hand-crafted tile work trim. The chapel itself is beautiful and rustic - plus it holds a bona fide relic of St Edmund of Canterbury!

Masters and Johnson Sears and Roebuck…read moreSimon and Garfunkle Say and Brooke! Historical nuggets from this plaque include: 1) The town today known as Old Saybrook goes way back to 1635. 2) It was originally known as Say-Brooke; named for a Mr. Say and a Mr. Brooke. 3) Say-Brooke was the first settlement on the South shore of New England This is a one-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission in the familiar white lettering on a blue background. It's located on a small but very pretty village green with benches near 315 Main Street in Old Saybrook. The marker was dedicated in 1971 and is in very good condition.