Guilford, CT
Just east of Branford is Guilford, featuring an equally captivating shoreline, as well as an inland reach that offers a glimpse of The Shoreline’s exquisite countryside.
Founded on land called Menunkatucket by the Quinnipiac Indians, the town’s first settlers arrived in 1639, renaming Guilford after their original hometown in England.
Today, historic buildings from that time remain a fixture on the Guilford landscape — the town boasting “the third largest collection of historical homes in New England, with dwellings from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.”
Four centuries on, the heart of this quaint little village continues to be Guilford Green. Placed on the National Register as an Historic Town Center in 1976, Guilford Green is surrounded by as many as 500 protected historic buildings, including five residences that are now museums. Beautifully framed by three churches, the Green is fringed by Colonial, Federal, and Victorian buildings that house its retail and commercial enterprises — many historic in their own right, such as Page Hardware and Appliance Company, in business here since 1939, and The Marketplace at Guilford Food Center, where you can still pick up hot chowder any day of the week.
Ready to shop? Locate Whitfield Street — and enjoy! There’s Flutterby, featuring cool clothing and a superb selection of handmades and one-of-a-kinds; The Village Chocolatier for sweet treats; Breakwater Books for beach readers; and another classy little boutique called Tracy Brent Collections. Som Siam is the place to go for Thai Food.
At the southern end of the Green is the Henry Whitfield House, built the first year of the town’s founding and for whom Whitfield Street was named. Whitfield Street leads to the Guilford Town Marina, and to get to Jacob’s Beach, take Seaside Avenue. To find your way to Chaffinch Island Park and its 22 picturesque acres, take Chaffinch Island Road to the end.
Heading north on Whitfield leads toward the Boston Post Road/Route 1, which, in turn, heads west to Bishop’s Orchards Farm Market & Winery, established in 1971; then head east to Mr. J Asian Bistro, a popular spot; to Aquatic Pool & Spa, Inc., and to The Place — which is the place to go for casual al fresco dining and fresh seafood cooked to perfection on an outdoor grill. Continue on Route 1 and take 3 Course Mile to explore The Medad Stone Tavern Museum.
South of the Green are signs for Water Street, or Route 146 — a designated scenic highway heading west for a 12-mile run through the scenic neighborhoods at the edge of the Sound. You’ll find Lost Lake in the forest in Westwoods.
Just off the Green on River Street is West River, where daydreamers do their best dreaming. And scenic highway 77 also begins at the Green — its southern end home to the Guilford Art Center, featuring a delightful gallery and shop, and multiple artist studios and classrooms for their arts education programs.
If practical matters arise, such as a lost filling or a toothache, Friedler Dental Group, well known both in town and well beyond, is close by on the Boston Post Road. And should you lose your sunglasses or break your readers, the Guilford Optical Shoppe is just off Route 1 on State Street.
Northward is the Durham town line — but between here and there, enjoy a tranquil 11.5 mile ride past farmsteads and nurseries, with stone walls and pastures enclosing horses, cows, and even llamas. There you’ll find Dudley Farm, another historic spot with its 1840s farmhouse; their on-site Quinnipiac Dawnland Museum; its seasonal Saturday-morning farmers’ markets; bluegrass jams beneath its maples, and Munger Barn, where weddings and other private events are held.
