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R.J. JULIA |
Start your pleasure trip in Downtown Madison, a historic, upscale shoreline town with boutiques, restaurants, coffee shops, and one of the state’s top independent bookstores. At R.J. Julia, you’ll find plenty of beach reads -- and if you’re having trouble making picks, the well-informed staff is happy to make suggestions. The bookstore hosts more than 200 readings annually by authors as diverse as Garrison Keillor and R.L. Stine (check www.rjjulia.com for a schedule).
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HAMMONASSET BEACH STATE PARK |
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Stake out a spot in the sand at Hammonasset Beach State Park, stretching for two miles along Long Island Sound. The park features a _-mile-long boardwalk, a nature center, abundant picnic areas, and campsites. Though snacks are available onsite, many locals love feasting on seafood at Lenny & Joe’s Fish Tale, a short drive the main entrance of the park. Clams, scallops, and lobster, are just a few of the delicacies, which can be packed to go, or enjoyed at the restaurant’s outdoor or indoor picnic tables. If kids are along, treat them to a spin on Lenny & Joe’s carousel, featuring hand-carved sea creatures (the $1 ride fee benefits local charities). |
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MADISON BEACH HOTEL |
After fun in the sun, check into the Madison Beach Hotel, a former boarding house for shipbuilders turned Victorian-themed inn. Take a moonlit walk on the beach by Long Island Sound or enjoy a drink on the open deck of the Crow’s Nest Lounge. Another great spot is the Tidewater Inn, a bed and breakfast with an English garden located near downtown Madison. The innkeeper can suggest a stroll leading past the town’s historic shoreline homes.
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