Keeping Cool on the CT Shoreline

Top Ten Ways to Beat the Heat in Heart of the CT Shoreline

It’s Summer! And heat waves happen, yes, even here in “Camelot,” the heart of the CT shoreline. I heard one of our guests say, just this morning, “I think today’s even too hot to go to the beach!” Once in awhile it just might feel a bit too hot and sticky to enjoy the great beaches and parks and trails of the great outdoors. Here are ten ideas for how to beat the heat while visiting the CT shoreline between the Quinnipiac River and the Connecticut River. So much to do and see and explore in air conditioned comfort – way better than hunkering down in front of the air conditioner (or the open doors of your refrigerator) and way beyond escaping to a shopping mall or the local 12-screen megaplex movie theater. Pick an idea, get up and get out there and enjoy this beautiful part of the Connecticut Shoreline. For details, locations and web sites of what you'll see here go to VisitCTShoreline.com .

10. Treasure Hunting – Seek and find the rare, the unusual, or just that special something that you just can’t live without.
 Go Antiquing in multi-dealer treasure troves where you’ll find a cornucopia of beloved items waiting for you to take them home.
 Poke around the many charity thrift shops. There’s at least one in every shoreline town, and donations pour in daily. You never know … this is beyond dumpster diving to clever treasure hunting, and you can feel good about supporting local charities too.
 Don’t forget the shoreline’s unique boutiques and mom-and-pop-owned shops. Hand made one-of-a-kind items and carefully selected merchandise that’s not to be found at the malls is their hallmark, and you get to chat with friendly locals and soak up some local culture too.

9. Matinee Performances – Take in a matinee daily at Madison Art Cinemas and on Wednesdays or Sundays at Ivoryton Playhouse, Goodspeed Opera House (musicals), or the Norma Terris Theater. Feel with the characters or laugh yourself silly. With so many to choose from there’s bound to be something you’ll want to see. You might even be able to catch an afternoon event at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center.

8. Take a class – Learn something new. Expand your horizons. Make a memento to take home.
 Art classes are available in nearly every shoreline community. The Art Center at Killingworth, Guilford Arts Center, Artisans Harbor in Old Saybrook, Branford Artists Cooperative and Tracy Art Center in Old Saybrook are good places to start.
 Capture your Creativity in pottery at the Clayhouse in Old Saybrook
 Make one-of-a-kind jewelry at the Bead Hive in Guilford.
 Learn a new technique at Madison Wool.
 Cooking classes are a treat for your taste buds at Homeworks in Old Saybrook
 Find a Yoga class at a fitness center - Bend, stretch and reach for the sky in cool comfort

7. Go Exploring in Local History Museums – Both small and large, these are precious gems of preserved history ready for you to learn and explore. Mostly in the care of local historical societies, you’ll meet curators and docents who will share their passion for their special topic, interest and site. Here are just a few suggestions to get you started:
 Museum of Early Engineering Technology, Westbrook
 Military Historian’s Museum, Westbrook
 Lee Academy – Currently featuring Madison CT’s history during the Civil War years
 Henry Whitfield State Museum, Guilford – CT’s oldest stone house
 Deacon John Grave House, Madison
 Hyland House, Guilford
 John Stanton House, Clinton
 Eli Whitney Museum, New Haven
 Yale’s Peabody Museum of Natural History, New Haven

6. Browse in Local Art Galleries and Art Museums – There’s some amazing talent out there, both old and new and so much of it is showcased in small galleries and in art museums in the area and a bit beyond. Gaze in awe and admiration, or possibly in shock. You might even meet an artist! Here are a few to get you started:
 M. Sarba Fine Art Gallery & Café, Clinton
 Branford Artists Cooperative
 Guilford Art Center
 Artisans Harbor, Old Saybrook
 Susan Powell Fine Art Gallery, Madison
 Sylvan Gallery, Clinton
 Stuart Alan Lerner Gallery, Madison
 Florence Griswold Museum, Old Lyme
 Yale Museum of American Art, New Haven
 Yale Museum of British Art, New Haven

5. Tour and Taste at a local vineyard and winery – love the coolness in the cellars where the barrels live and the wines build their character. Many that are listed on the Connecticut Wine Trail are within easy reach:
 Chamard Vineyards, Clinton – is right nearby
Several others are just a short drive away:
 Johnathan Edwards Winery, North Stonington
 Stonington Vineyards, Stonington
 Saltwater Farm Vineyard, Stonington
 Paradise Hill, Wallingford
 Gouveia Vineyards, Wallingford
 Priam Vineyards, Colchester

4. Meet an author – Get the “skinny” on their latest book. Hear about their inspiration. Ask about their motivation. Pick their brain about what fascinates them and what fuels their drive to write. Buy a new book to read for when you go back out to the beach.
 R J Julia Booksellers in Madison hosts 2 and 3 authors each week. Different dates and times, so it’s best to check the details on their web site.
 Breakwater Books in Guilford also invites authors for and book signings on some Saturday afternoons.

3. Waterside Dining Creatively – From the inside out! Lunch, afternoon snack or dinner – head straight to a waterside restaurant with wide and tall windows to enjoy dining with water views in cool indoor comfort. Here’s a short list of some of our favorites:
 Sandpiper, East Haven
 Stonehouse Restaurant, Guilford
 The Wharf, Madison (soon to be open again!)
 Rocky’s Aqua Restaurant, Clinton
 Boom, Westbrook
 Water’s Edge Resort – Dining Room, Westbrook
 Terra Mar, Old Saybrook
 Dock and Dine, Old Saybrook

2. Take a boat ride – Let the breezes blow. It’s always cooler on the water!
 Cruise the Thimble Islands at Stony Creek for a 45 minute tour that will delight you as much as it will cool you off.
 Enjoy nearby lighthouses from up close by boat.
 Sunset sails are so relaxing and so romantic. Bring a simple picnic to enjoy.

1. Escape to a Day Spa and have yourself a “Spa” day – Aaahhhhh …. What a wonderful thought. Treat yourself to a massage, facial, manicure, pedicure, whatever services appeal to you. It’s your time to pamper yourself any way you please. Might we suggest a couples massage?
Here are a few to book yourself in to:
 Rituals, Guilford
 Essence Center for Beauty & Wellness, Old Saybrook
 Christopher’s Salon & Day Spa, Guilford
 By the Sea Inn and Spa, Branford
 Yolo Aesthetic Boutique, Guilford
 Sonas Day Spa, Madison

Come to think of it, nearly all of these ideas are great for that occasional rainy day too!


Enjoy your visit to the CT Shoreline.