Coastal Connecticut

06/15/2026

With The Clam Castle – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

06/15/2026

The Cross Sound Ferry operates between New London, CT, and Orient Point, Long Island, NY. The traditional vehicle ferry takes about 80 minutes, while the high-speed, passenger-only Seajet takes just 40 minutes. It’s a great way to bypass I-95 and NYC traffic.

06/15/2026

New London has a nice breeze today ☀️

06/14/2026

Happy Flag Day, Coastal Connecticut! As the Stars and Stripes catch the salty sea breeze along our shores, let’s celebrate the liberty and unity our flag represents. Whether you are enjoying the maritime charm of Mystic or the historic docks of New London, wave your colors proudly today!

06/14/2026

Coastal Connecticut has the best beaches.

06/13/2026

Connecticut Open House Day is an annual statewide tourism event where over 200 museums, historical sites, farms, and cultural venues offer free or discounted admission and exclusive experiences to encourage residents to explore local hidden gems.

While several notable state parks participate with free exhibit entries or tours, the event is heavily focused on museums, historic homes, and cultural attractions. Standard park entry fees (like the Passport to the Parks vehicle fee) still apply to general park grounds.

State park highlights that typically offer special programming or free indoor exhibit access for the event include:

- Dinosaur State Park (Rocky Hill): Free admission to indoor exhibits.

- Fort Trumbull State Park (New London): Free entry to the fort and indoor exhibits.

- Gillette Castle State Park (East Haddam): Free castle tours on a first-come, first-served basis.

To see the full directory of participating locations and deals in your area, you can browse the Visit Connecticut Open House Day Guide. https://ctvisit.com/articles/celebrate-connecticut-open-house-day-june-13th-2026

06/12/2026

On Saturday, June 13, 2026, the Clinton Historical Society in Clinton, CT, is hosting a special open house in celebration of Connecticut Open House Day. The event runs from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM and is free to the public, offering residents and visitors a chance to explore the town's rich local heritage.

Visitors can explore the society's featured exhibits, including the Summer Exhibit focused on "The History of Local Firefighting" located at the Creek Meeting House.

The historical society often uses its open houses to showcase restored architecture, host engaging discussions on the American Revolution, and provide community heritage resources.

The Open House Day is a statewide tourism event with over 200 cultural institutions opening their doors to promote exploration. Nearby in Clinton, related historical gems such as the Adam Stanton House also offer wonderful glimpses into coastal 18th-century living.

06/12/2026

It’s the summer of lobster roll wars.

06/12/2026

06/10/2026

Ocean Beach Park in New London, Connecticut, originally opened on June 30, 1940. Making it 86 years old. It has remained a beloved local destination for decades, drawing over 500,000 visitors annually.

The park's creation was directly born out of the devastation left by the Great New England Hurricane of 1938, which completely destroyed the existing private cottages, rooming houses, and waterfront neighborhoods on the site. Following the storm, the City of New London acquired all the ruined property and decided to transform the area into a public beach park, taking inspiration from Jones Beach on Long Island.

Construction on the new park began in December 1939 and was completed in a swift 18-month turnaround. Planners designed the buildings in the Art Moderne architectural style, featuring nautical details like portholes and ship railings.

Over the decades, the park has served as a central hub for the community, offering an old-time boardwalk, an arcade, a massive beach, and an Olympic-size swimming pool. During the 1990s, it faced financial hardships, but a grassroots group called "Save Ocean Beach" (SOBs) stepped in to fundraise, organize cleanups, and preserve the park's attractions.