Page 169 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

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glorious fall colors. Many of
the 365 islands are little more
than large boulders, but some
privately owned islands have
small communities. Legend has
it that the privateer Captain
Kidd (1645–1701) hid
plundered treasure on Money
Island while being pursued by
the British fleet.
Coastal Fairfield County,
in the southernmost corner of
the state, has attractions for
The Charles W. Morgan, the last wooden whaling ship, in Mystic Seaport every taste. The shoreline is
dusted with beaches offering a
u Connecticut of the whaling industry – the variety of summer recre ation
Coast row of colonnaded Greek- opportunities, while naturalists
Revival mansions on Whale are drawn to its nature
Mystic: * 2,600. n 27 Greenmanville Oil Row attest to the affluence preserves and zoo. The area
Ave, (860) 536-8822. Madison: * of that era. also has numerous art galleries
16,000. n 1 Constitution Plaza, The resort town of Madison, and museums.
Hartford, (888) 288-4748. Stamford: full of antique stores and Bridgeport is home to the
Fairfield County. * 117,083. boutiques, also has several Beardsley Zoo, the Barnum
∑ visitwesternct.com
historic homes open for Museum, and the Discovery
Connecticut’s magnificent viewing. Among the fascinating Museum. The Barnum Museum
105-mile- (170-km-) long artifacts on display at the is currently closed for repairs.
shoreline, is scalloped by coves, Deacon John Grave House is The charming town of
inlets, and harbors, dotted with the family bookkeeping ledger, Westport on the banks of the
beaches, marinas, and state with entries from 1678 to 1895. Saugatuck River has the
parks. Historic towns and Also in Madison is Hammonasset Sherwood Island State Park.
villages also lie along the coast. Beach State Park, the largest Norwalk has historic buildings,
One of the most popular shoreline park in the state, with shops, and cafés along its
tourist destinations along the a 2-mile- (3-km-) long beach waterfront, as well as a Maritime
Connecticut Coast is Mystic that attracts swimmers, sailors, Aquarium. New Canaan, set in a
Seaport, a re-created 18th- sunbathers, and divers. landscape of woods, streams,
and 19th-century seafaring Neighboring Guilford has the and rolling fields, is spectacular
village, where nearly every Henry Whitfield House, a three- in fall. Stamford has a unique
home sports a nautical motif. story granite home. Built in First Presbyterian Church,
Mystic’s main attraction is its 1640, this historic house served shaped like a fish, and a lively
preservation shipyard and its as both a residence for Puritan downtown area.
fleet of antique ships, including minister Whitfield and his family, Greenwich, blessed with a
the restored whaling ship and also as a fort to protect the stunning coastline, is home to
Charles W. Morgan, built in comm unity against Native an art colony, the Bush-Holley
1841. Another highlight is the Americans attacking. The house Historic Site. A 44-mile (71-km)
Mystic River Scale Model, with is the oldest stone dwelling of drive through Fairfield County
more than 250 detailed its kind in New England. gives a good overview of the
buildings. The impressive From Guilford’s Stony Creek Connecticut coast.
Mystic Aquarium has a huge Dock, travelers can cruise to the
gallery of penguins, stingrays, Thimble Islands aboard tour E Mystic Seaport
sharks, and also has the largest boats that operate in the area, 75 Greenmanville Ave (Rte 7).
outdoor exhibit of beluga watching seals or taking in the Tel (860) 572-0711. Ships and exhibits:
whales in the country. Open Apr–Oct: 9am–5pm; Nov–Mar:
A short distance west of call for hours. Closed Dec 24 & 25. &
Mystic Seaport is New London. ∑ mysticseaport.org
This historic town was torched P Deacon John Grave House
by British forces during the Madison, 581 Boston Post Rd.
American Revolution, but, Tel (203) 245-4798. Open call to
remarkably, many of the houses arrange tour. & 8
survived. Among them is the O Hammonasset Beach
Joshua Hempsted House, built State Park
in 1678, which is insulated with I-95, exit 62. Park: Tel (203) 245-2785.
seaweed. By the 19th century Open 8am–dusk daily. & 8 7
New London had recovered The Thimbles, home to seals, whales, and Campground reservations: Tel (877)
to become a prosperous cen ter colorful legends 668-2267.
Federal-style rowhouses in the historic Beacon Hill neighborhood, Boston

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