Exploring Essex, Connecticut
📍 Essex, Connecticut

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To no one’s surprise, including my own, I have fallen in love with a little slice of New England where the land meets the sea. Well, it actually meets the Connecticut River, but this is a coastal town nonetheless. With a population of less than 7,000, Essex is about as small as it comes. Despite its size, it is steeped in rich history with so much to explore. On a sunny weekend morning, we decided to make the short drive (1 hour from Norwalk and 2 hours 30 minutes from NYC) to experience the town for ourselves. Although it was a quick visit, here’s what we discovered while exploring Essex, Connecticut. 

Iced Coffee on the Water

Like so many weekend mornings, ours began with visiting the local coffee shop. Here, in Essex, that would be Essex Coffee & Tea Company. It’s a tiny space, but that’s what you can expect from a house built in 1720. On this particular visit, I opted for an iced seasonal latte (I believe salted caramel) and a cinnamon crumb cake to go. Next, stroll down Main Street. You won’t have to go far until you reach the water. We loved grabbing a bench and sitting by the water for a spell. While there, be sure to visit the Connecticut River Museum for their permanent exhibits on the town’s history.

Eye Candy with Historic Homes

After your caffeinated treat by the river, walk back into town for some mid-morning shopping. Take your time, though! You’ll want to linger on each historic home. Essex was originally part of the Old Saybrook Colony, which became a part of Connecticut in the 1640s. You can find rows of homes from the 1700s and 1800s. During the War of 1812, things got really interesting. Then, it became the target of a raid by British soldiers. Even though the town was quickly hijacked, the townspeople were able to spare their homes by promising not to deploy the local militia. The British then marched to the Griswold Inn, then called Bushnell Tavern, and proceeded to drink $100,000 worth of rum. 

Lunch at the Griswold Inn

After you walk through town, you simply cannot leave without a meal at the Griswold Inn. Although originally under a different name, it has been open for business since 1776, making it one of the country’s oldest continuously operating inns. That would also make it the oldest bar in all of Connecticut which is how it found its way on my radar. The decor inside is perfectly nautical, with ship portraits, an extensive collection of Revolutionary firearms, and prints from Currier & Ives. A place like this is the perfect spot for Fish and Chips, which is exactly what I ordered, while sampling the Griswold Inn’s own Revolutionary Ale. 

As you can see, I took so many pictures during our short visit, but I’m only scratching the surface. For my friends who are familiar with the Gasparilla Inn, Essex reminded me of a New England version of Boca Grande, Florida. That feeling alone instantly made me a lifelong fan, and I can’t wait to come back for a repeat visit to this slice of coastal Connecticut.

Love from Connecticut,
Katie

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