Historic Stonington CT Walk
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Stonington Connecticut sits on a mile-long peninsula jutting into the Atlantic Ocean. Settled in 1752, the narrow strip of land between Fisher’s Island Sound and Narragansett Bay is chockfull of captain’s houses, wharves, and fish markets. Our Historic Stonington CT walk will help you explore this pretty New England town.
The village’s small size, ocean vistas, and New England charm make it perfect for a walking tour. Visitors can explore a working waterfront, vibrant downtown, and neighborhoods full of merchant’s mansions. There is a lighthouse to climb, Wayland’s Wharf to trek, and Dubois Beach to relax on. Strolling in Stonington is one of the best things to do in Connecticut.
Use our Stonington CT self-guided walk to see all the sites. The walking route is a 2-mile (3.22km) loop that would take about 44 minutes to complete without stopping. With stops, plan for a 3 to 4-hour outing.
Pair our half-day walk with another area excursion. Here are some ideas for nearby tours and activities:
Visit Foxwoods Casino for some High Flyer Ziplining or fun at the Hard Rock Cafe
WHERE IS STONINGTON CT
Stonington CT is located roughly midway between the east coast cities of Boston and New York. It is about 5 miles from the town of Mystic CT. Try this link for information on car rentals in Connecticut.
WEATHER STONINGTON CT
Stonington is a New England travel destination that experiences four distinct seasons. Temperatures are usually in the 70’s (F) in the summer, and high forties (F) in the winter months. Stonington CT has a maritime climate with lots of sunshine, mist, rain, and wind. It occasionally snows.
BEST TIME TO VISIT STONINGTON CT
Stonington is sleepier than some other New England coast towns, but does get crowded during July and August. The best time of year to visit Stonington CT is early summer (May and June) and early autumn (September and October) when businesses are open, crowds are thinner, and the weather is pleasant.
THINGS TO DO IN STONINGTON CT
Shop the boutiques, antique stores, and galleries of downtown.
Go to a farmer’s market or flea market at the Velvet Mill.
Spend the day at Dubois Beach.
Learn about Stonington’s local and maritime history at the Captain Nathaniel B Palmer House, the Lighthouse Museum, or the James Merrill House.
See an art exhibition at the La Grua Center.
Hike one of Stonington’s nature preserves. Try: Dodge Paddock and Beal Preserve, Fennerwood Preserve, Paffords Woods, or Simmons Preserve.
Learn about Stonington’s working lobstering and fishing industries by strolling Stonington Harbor.
Go sailing, fishing, kayaking, or paddle boarding on Stonington Harbor.
Find a restaurant or lobster pound and enjoy a meal of local seafood.
Take a self-guided walking tour (see route below).
STONINGTON CT RESTAURANTS
These Stonington CT restaurants are all within easy walking distance of our self-guided walking tour:
Breakwater (66 Water Street): American menu with seafood specialties. Has large outdoor deck with happy hours and cocktail menu. Open lunch and dinner. Outstanding waterfront views.
Dog Watch Café (194 Water Street): Pub style restaurant specializing in BBQ, sandwiches, and seafood. Has outdoor seating.
Milagro Café (142 Water Street): Mexican restaurant specializing in classic Mexican food and margaritas.
Noah’s (113 Water Street): Specializing in New England favorites. Serves breakfast, lunch, and supper.
Stonington Fish and Lobster (4 High Street): Buy fresh seafood off of the docks.
Water Street Café (143 Water Street): American café with a raw bar. Specializes in local seafood and seasonal produce.
WHERE TO STAY IN STONINGTON CT
If you decide to spend the night in the town, consider the Inn at Stonington (60 Water Street). The 18-room inn sits upon the waterfront in the heart of historic Stonington. The Inn at Stonington features gas fireplaces in rooms and a cozy dining room – all within walking distance to the village’s shops, restaurants, and waterfront.
Or try these well-reviewed hotels:
WALKING TOUR – STONINGTON CT MAP
STONINGTON CT SELF-GUIDED WALKING TOUR
Walking Route Distance: 2-miles (3.22km)
Begin your walk at the Town Docks parking lot (15 Taugwonk Road, Stonington CT). If you have children along, let them play for a bit at the playground next to the parking lot. Then, begin your exploration of the Stonington Town Docks and Small Boat Park.
Blessed with a sheltered harbor, Stonington developed into a sealing, whaling, and fishing hub in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, Stonington is home to Connecticut’s the last commercial fishing fleet. Being respectful that this is a working port, trek the docks and commercial fish houses.
From the town docks, take High Street until reaching the Stonington Free Library. At the corner, turn right onto Water Street. Along Water Street explore an assortment of boutiques and galleries in colorfully painted New England storefronts.
Many of the Stonington CT shops are locally owned and one-of-a-kind. Look for Roberto Freitas Antiques, Bluebird Day Kids, Verdant, Grand and Water Antiques, Tom’s News & General Store, and the Water Street Café.
When you reach Noah’s Café: turn right onto High Street, then left onto Northwest. Look for a sign to Wayland’s Wharf. The public walk way leads to a pretty gazebo with outstanding panoramas of the waterfront. From here, you can see Stonington’s many docks, and understand how its calm waters helped the town to become a major yachting destination.
Retrace your steps to back to Water Street. Continue on past the Inn at Stonington, until you reach Cannon Square. In the center of the small green there is a flag pole, obelisk, and cannon which was used to defend Stonington in the War of 1812. The square is surrounded by 19th century historic homes and Greek revival bank building.
Across the street from Cannon Square is Stonington Commons. Walk through the parking lot next to the residential complex. Look for a “Shoreline Public Access” sign, and then a boardwalk. Facing the water, to the right you will see the Breakwater restaurant. Walk left along the gorgeous paved walkway that straddles Stonington’s waterfront homes and its marinas.
Walk as far as you like, and then retrace your steps back to Water Street. Stroll on past the Stonington Harbor Yacht Club until you reach the Stonington Lighthouse Museum. If the museum is open (Saturdays and Sundays), pay the small admission fee and climb to the top of the lighthouse.
A bit past the lighthouse, you will come to Stonington Point and Dubois Beach. On a clear day, there are views of Rhode Island’s Block Island and New York’s Long Island from the tip of Stonington Point. Relax for a bit at Dubois Beach. The short stretch of sand has outstanding ocean scenery.
Next, retrace your steps up Water Street until you reach Diving Street. If you are enjoying the lovely colonial, Greek revival, and Federalist homes in the neighborhood, continue on to the end of the street. Then trek for a bit on Hancox Street that runs along the water.
When you are ready, return to Diving Street and locate Main Street. Along Main Street you will pass the Portuguese Holy Ghost Society Building (a social society) and the Edmund Fanning Birthplace (a sea captain known at the “Pathfinder of the Pacific”).
When you reach the Stonington Free Library, take High Street back to the Town Docks.
Stop at the Lobster Pound before heading out, Laura and Randy
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