Being rated in of the top places to live in the United States, Guilford, Connecticut, is a coastal town in New Haven County with a growing population of over 21,000 people within its 47.6 square miles (76.6 square kilometers) of land. Although small, the place has been known for its rustic charms and great historical structures that date back to the 17th century. Enjoy various fun and relaxing activities as you go through Guilford’s farms, hiking trails, lakes, parks, museums, and beaches. It is a place where travelers can leave their stressful city lives behind and build a stronger connection with nature and its wonders. If you are visiting Guilford and do not have any specific plans on what you should do first, continue reading below for a list of things to do in Guilford, Connecticut.
1. Drop by Bishop's Orchards Farm Market & Winery
Operating for over 140 years as a farm, the Bishop’s Orchards Farm Market produces some of the highest quality fresh food for their friends, neighbors, and the entire community. If you are in the mood for a do-it-yourself activity, the farm now allows its visitors to pick their own fruits. It ensures that you get high-quality fruits to eat and have a great experience while at the farm. Visitors can pick fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, peaches, raspberries, pears, apples, and pumpkins. If you’ve visited Guilford together with your family, visiting the farm and picking your fruits would be an awesome way to bond with each other.
Bishop's Orchards Farm Market & Winery
Address: 1355 Boston Post Rd, Guilford, CT 06437, USA
Website: Bishop’s Orchards Farm Market & Winery
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 8am - 7pm, Sun: 9am - 7pm
2. Hike the Mattabesett Trail at Bluff Head
If you are in the mood to do some hiking in Guilford, the Mattabesett Trail is a great trail you should try out. The trail is approximately 10.60 miles (17 kilometers) that traverse the Broomstick Ledges and Bluff Head Preserve. In your journey, you will get a breathtaking view of the mountains, the rugged Broomstick Ledges, Coginchaug Valley, Mica Ledges, and a large boulder known as The Pyramid. If you love to be physically engaged while being wrapped in a therapeutic environment, the Mattabesett Trail is worth hiking.
Mattabesett Trail at Bluff Head
Address: Guilford, CT 06437, USA
Website: Mattabesett Trail
3. Visit Henry Whitfield State Museum
Once a private residence of one of the founding fathers of Guilford, Reverend Henry Whitfield built a house made of granite which was also used as a defensive fort for the settlers at that time. Today the house is made available to the public in a self-guided tour of all the three floors of this 19th-century building filled with artifacts and appliances of the bygone era. If you are interested in learning an in-depth history of the building its importance from the past, then you should visit Henry Whitfield State Museum itself.
Henry Whitfield State Museum
Address: 248 Old Whitfield St, Guilford, CT 06437, USA
Website: Henry Whitfield State Museum
Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 10am - 4:30pm (closed on Mon & Tue)
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4. Take a stroll at Chaffinch Island Park
Allowing great views of the West River, Faulkner’s Island, and Long Island Sound, the Chaffinch Island Park is a great place for you and your family to unwind and relax, fully immersed in nature. The park is about 22 acres (8.9 hectares) and allows its visitors to host their picnics, kayak over the river, catch fish, and grill. It is the perfect place for you together with friends and family to have a meaningful get together with all the distractions of the big cities. If you love fishing, grilling, or just generally spending time with the people you care for, Chaffinch Island Park is a great spot that you may want to consider visiting.
Chaffinch Island Park
Address: 39 Deepwood Dr, Guilford, CT 06437, USA
Website: Chaffinch Island Park
5. Swing by Guilford Town Green
The Guilford Town Green is another great option for you to get a refreshing stroll. The park has over 125 kinds of trees planted across 12-acres (4.8-hectares) of land. Half of the park is an area that is densely populated with trees, and the other half is flat and open-spaced, great for hosting some of your family activities. At the park, you will see a granite Civil War statue built as a memorial to the 1877 Civil War. There are also smaller memorials scatters around the place some of them are bronze plaques on a boulder commemorating the Spanish American Soldiers in 1941, the Soldiers of Guilford in 1941, and Koreans and Vietnamese soldiers (1974). If you are interested in visiting the park to chill while appreciating the heroes of the past, the Guilford Town Green is the park to do so.
Visit Guilford Town Green
Address: Park St & Broad St, Guilford, CT 06437, United States
Website: Guilford Town Green
6. Keep Thomas Griswold House on your itinerary
If you are interested in architecture and would like to see a well-preserved English colonial house, then the Griswold House is a place in Guilford you should visit. The house has been converted into a museum so visitors could go ahead and view the old building as well as some old items and appliances dating back to the 18th century. The museum is divided by the keeping room, sitting room, parlor, West bedroom, and Loom in Lean-to. Guests may also be able to view items such as a Chittenden sampler and some traditional dresses.
Visit the Thomas Griswold House
Address: 171 Boston St, Guilford, CT 06437, USA
Website: Thomas Griswold House
7. Dip into the waters at Jacobs Beach
Jacob’s Beach is a 25-acre (10.11-hectare) beach in Long Island Sound that has facilities to make your visit to the beach more pleasant. The beach has allowed visitors to use its facilities such as drinking fountains, playground, boardwalk, volleyball court, bathhouse, outdoor showers, half basketball court, and boat racks. With such facilities at your disposal, Jacob’s Beach is a neat place to host your family activities. The beach itself is large and beautiful and is still worth visiting even without all of the facilities they offer.
Swim at Jacobs Beach
Address: 140 Seaside Ave, Guilford, CT 06437, USA
8. Go trekking at Braemore Preserve
Braemore Preserve is an important area in Guilford as it serves as a protective habitat for wildlife, reduces floods, gives beauty to the town, and provides a natural retreat for contemplation. The preserve is open to all visitors for various activities such as trekking. If you love trekking in an untamed natural environment and get up and close with nature, then the Braemore Preserve is a great place that provides you an authentic experience.
Braemore Preserve
Address: 4851-4999 Durham Rd, Guilford, CT 06437, USA
Website: Braemore Preserve
9. Walk the Westwoods trail
Having approximately 39 miles (62.7 kilometers) of trail on 1200 acres (485.6 hectares) of land, the Westwoods trail is the largest recreational trail in Guilford. In your hikes, you will be able to view waterfalls, freshwater marshes, lakes, caves, streams, various rock formations, and rock sculptures. The Westwoods trail is available for hiking backpacking, picnicking and mountain biking, as well as hunting but only on the season. If you are looking forward to an extensive hike then the Westwoods trail is what you should plan for.
Westwoods
Address: 582 Dunk Rock Rd, Guilford, CT 06437, USA
Website: Westwoods
Opening hours: 6am - 6pm (daily)
10. Appreciate artworks at the Guilford Art Center
The Guilford Art Center is a non-profit organization that aims to spread artistry to the entire community of Guilford. They offer regular classes and workshops that help promote and hone the skills of the community when it comes to creating works of art. The school is regularly attended by over 2000 people enrolled in over 400 classes annually. They also host exhibitions and events that engage the community in holistic problem solving, creative thinking, visualizations, and mindfulness. If you are visiting Guilford with your family, then dropping by for a few workshops would be an awesome way to spend time.
Guilford Art Center
Address: 411 Church St, Guilford, CT 06437, USA
Website: Guilford Art Center
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm, Sat: 10am - 4pm, Sun: 12pm - 4pm
11. Relax right next to Lake Quonnipaug
Lake Quonnipaug is spread over 41 acres (16.5 hectares) of land, a beach, and a lake rich in natural resources. The place offers certain facilities such as a picnic shelter, kayak and paddleboat rentals, and a bathhouse. Lake Quonnipaug is a neat place for picnicking, swimming, boating, fishing, casual strolling, and hosting team-building events for employees, friends or families. It is the right attraction where you can take your entire group, engage in some fun activities with the charms of being immersed in nature.
Relax right next to Lake Quonnipaug
Address: 77 Quonnipaug Ln, Guilford, CT 06437, USA
Website: Lake Quonnipaug
12. Walk along the fascinating exhibits at Greene Art Gallery
Exhibiting and selling artworks for over 40 years now, Greene Art Gallery is a place where you can purchase works of art. They have been selling works made by over 70 artists who use different mediums and styles to create their art pieces. They have done over 70 openings and hosted many events that engage the community with arts. They have over 2000 square feet (185.8 square meters) of gallery space and a beautiful garden for visitors to enjoy. If you are interested in different kinds of painting or maybe even planning to purchase artwork as a souvenir, Greene Art Gallery is the place that will provide you with great pieces to choose from.
Greene Art Gallery
Address: 29 Whitfield St, Guilford, CT 06437, USA
Website: Greene Art Gallery
13. Experience the rural life at Dudley Farm
Dudley Farm is more than just a farm that gives a retrospective vibe of the rural lifestyle. The place is also a museum that exhibits old furniture and various household items that were only used in the past. The museum has an extensive collection of 460 tools and arrowheads that were used over 9000 years ago. If you are interested in such exhibits, then you should take some time to visit Dudely Far Museum and see such artifacts for yourself.
Visit the Dudley Farm
Address: 2351 Durham Rd, Guilford, CT 06437, USA
Website: The Dudley Farm
Opening hours: Thu - Sat: 10am - 2pm, Sun: 1pm - 4pm (closed from Mon - Wed)
14. Relax and rejuvenate at Massage Savvy
Guilford is a city that has a lot of fun and engaging in physical activities. If you ever feel that you may need to take a short break from your trekking and fishing, then Massage Savvy if a great spa that will help you relax and feel better while enjoying a luxurious environment. They offer various services such as full body massage, facials, skincare therapy and, float and sauna sessions. Massage Savvy takes pride in providing the highest quality spa services at the most affordable price range you’ll see in the market. So, if you ever feel down or maybe physically strained, then going to a spa is going to help you a lot in enjoying the rest of the days in Guilford.
Massage Savvy
Address: 2470 Boston Post Rd, Guilford, CT 06437, USA
Website: Massage Savvy
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 7pm, Sat 9am - 4pm, Sun: 10am - 4pm
15. Take a tour of Hyland House
A two-story saltbox structured house from the 18th century, the Hyland House is a historic landmark that is worth being visited. The house currently acts as a museum that is aimed at spreading the rich history of Guilford through various activities such as events, tours, and classes. If you are interested in the history of Guilford, then a quick visit will surely satisfy your curiosity.
Hyland House
Address: 84 Boston St, Guilford, CT 06437, USA
Website: Hyland House
16. Go fishing with Lucky Lou's Fishing Charters
Posted by Lucky Lou's Fishing Charters on Sunday, 15 June 2014
If you want a fun and engaging activity to enjoy with family and friends, Lucky Lou’s Fishing Charter has got your back. They offer to aid you in fishing, boating, and sightseeing in a safe environment. They welcome both new and inexperienced anglers and those experienced in the waters. Aside from the professional tour and guide, they also offer equipment rentals. You will be cruising in the most productive areas of the CT coast and be able to view some of the most stunning views of the beach while you relax and fish.
Lucky Lou's Fishing Charters
Address: 505 Old Whitfield St, Guilford, CT 06437, USA
Website: Lucky Lou’s Fishing Charters
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
17. Savor great dishes at The Place Restaurant
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
On Friday, April 27th we will open for the 2018 season. We are painting and prepping to be ready. Good food and good weather are on the horizon!
Posted by The Place on Saturday, April 14, 2018
An elegant restaurant that specializes in serving seafood to its customers, The Place Restaurant is a restaurant you should try out upon your visit to Guilford. Customers are allowed to dine in the beautiful outdoors where you are, at times, able to catch a whiff of a smoky lobster being cooked in the firewood. The Place Restaurant serves up to 50 tables and has 18-feet (5.4 meters) long ‘fire-pitis a sizzlin’. If you are craving for some savory grilled seafood on your visit to Guilford, The Palace Restaurant has got you covered.
Savor great dishes at The Place Restaurant
Address: 901 Boston Post Rd, Guilford, CT 06437, USA
Website: The Place Restaurant
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 5pm - 9pm, Sat: 1pm - 10pm, Sun: 12pm - 9pm
18. Engage in exciting activities at Bittner Park
The Bittner Park is a 136-acre (55 hectares) skating park that gives you great freedom in riding bikes, skateboard, scooters, and horses. Aside from being a place to exhibit your skating prowess, the park is also has a softball and soccer field that hosts three little league fields, a playground, and pickleball courts. Bittner Park is essentially a place where your children can play in a wide area with facilities that allow them to maximize their playtime pleasure. If you are visiting Guilford with the kids, then this park is a place you must certainly visit.
Bittner Park
Address: 1346-1450 Durham Rd, Guilford, CT 06437, United States
Website: Bittner Park
Guilford is a city that is in-sync with nature
Guilford is a town that is very close to nature. It has various trails, parks, beaches, rivers, museums, and farms that do a great job in helping you de-stress and be in better sync with nature. The place is also a great family vacation spot as it has several areas where you and your family can bond together away from the urban distractions. If you are planning to visit Guilford for trekking, swimming, camping and engaging in various sports activities, then you will certainly not regret visiting.
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