Less than a 30-minute drive from Mystic and The Whaler’s Inn is the beautiful town of East Lyme, CT, home of the village of Niantic. During your next visit with us consider a day trip to this quaint New England village.
Beaches and Boardwalk in Niantic
The downtown area of Niantic offers a charming downtown area with old-fashioned boutiques, restaurants offering locally sourced food, and an authentic 1950s-style ice cream and candy shop. A stop to Gumdrops and Lollipops for a cone and walk on one of the most beautiful waterfront walkways in Connecticut is a great way to pass a Summer’s day.
The Niantic boardwalk built on a rock foundation is 1.1 miles long with breathtaking views of the Long Island Sound. Open to the public with complimentary parking on either end, the boardwalk is ideal for long walks or relaxing on one of the many benches. Enjoy the view on the exquisite white sand beach, perfect for swimming, picnicking, fishing, and playing with friends and family.
For the Little Ones in Niantic
If you are traveling with little ones, be sure to visit the Children’s Museum of Southeastern CT. While this museum may be a bit smaller than the urban Children’s Museum, it sure is mighty!
The outdoor playscape, complete with a water table, treehouse, and rock wall, is a great way to get outside.
Inside, the Imagination Room transports children to a seaside village or grocery store and shows them the ropes as a firefighter. To get the brain really thinking stop into the Discovery Room where budding musicians can learn how an organ works or how wind affects different objects.
Seafood and Spice
Also located right on Main Street is Lillian’s Cafe. Enjoy their outdoor seating on Main Street in the Summer (or AC inside if it is too hot!) and locally sourced food any time of the year.
For Seafood and spice lovers, I highly recommend the Spicy Wile Louisiana Gulf Shrimp appetizer. Their daily specials are extensive and often offer some of their most loved dishes. Lillian’s menu also includes an extensive number of locally sourced Oysters, perfect for a hot day.
So, while our heart will always belong to Mystic, this quaint neighboring village is a great day trip from your home away from home.
The Facts:
Gumdrops and Lollipops: 334 Main Street, Niantic CT
Shoppe Hours: Daily 8 am-9 pm / Kitchen Hours (Breakfast and Lunch): 8 am-9:00 am
Children’s Museum of Southeastern CT: 409 Main Street, Niantic CT
Summer Hours: Monday – Thursday: 9:30am – 4:30pm / Friday: 9:30am – 8pm / Saturday: 9:30am – 4:30pm
Sundays: Noon – 4:30 / Closed Mondays
Lillian’s Cafe: 374 Main Street, Niantic CT
Open 7 Days a Week: Lunch Hours Sunday – Saturday 11:30 – 4 / Dinner Hours Sunday – Saturday 4 pm – 10 pm
