Enjoy a day at the beach!
As the river rat said to the mole in the classic tale Wind in the Willows, “There’s nothing — absolutely nothing — half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” If you agree, then Old Lyme is where you’ll want to come as often as possible from April to October. Here, you can sail, row, paddle, or float just about anywhere: on the Sound, along rivers, in local ponds and lakes, or through the tide-kissed marshland that defines this perfectly pleasing town. For front-row seats to some serious salt-seasoned beauty, start your weekend on Friday afternoon by checking into The Old Lyme Inn, where both the accommodations, dining, and on-site musical entertainment are all exceptional. In the morning, a quick stop at Coffees Country Market will yield hot coffee and plenty of to-go breakfast selections, after which it’s off to explore Griswold Point by way of White Sands Beach. Head into town for a leisurely stroll to the Florence Griswold Museum, with its captivating collection of Connecticut Impressionist artwork. And located right on the museum grounds is Café Flo, offering superb luncheon fare accompanied by stunning views of the Lieutenant River — the perfect prelude to an afternoon of browsing at the Lyme Art Association, as well as The Cooley Gallery. And since really good art has a way of elevating one’s taste in general, you’ll soon find yourself at The Chocolate Shell, where the sweets are simply sweeter than anywhere else. Slip back to the lovely Old Lyme Inn for a gourmet dinner fare and a good night’s sleep — but plan to awaken with the birds, because great things await you. Paddle the lazy Lieutenant River, put in at the Lord Cove Preserve or Uncas Pond, just up north a bit in Lyme, or skim alongside the riverside park at the DEP station off Ferry Road. Treat yourself to a little pampering at Salon Pure on the Boston Post Road or the Vitality Spa & Wellness Center on Lyme Street. Then top off the day with a freshly caught picnic-style shore dinner at The Flanders Fish Market, just minutes away in East Lyme. On the way back, grab a cone at Hallmark Drive-In, the new incarnation of Old Lyme’s beloved Hallmark ice cream drive in — and the oldest in the state. Then it’s on to an evening of some of the best jazz in Connecticut at the Old Lyme Inn’s Side Door Jazz Club — placing you just steps from your room when you begin to fade.
