Welcome to the first of our series where we will be emphasizing the Out and About in our name. Over the next few weeks we will be coming to as many towns in the area in which we serve, telling you about the interesting places to visit,shop, and eat. The Shoreline is such a diverse area, we feel that each town deserves their own article, and this way when the urge to just wander happens, you can use these articles to choose your destination.

So first up, and this should surprise nobody, is my hometown of Guilford. One of the oldest towns in the state, Guilford abounds with all things historic, but we also take great pride in the fact that time does not stand still. Guilford boasts many great historic sites, fine restaurants, and unique boutiques and shops.

As Guilford has evolved, so has the architecture. It’s residences  and buildings represent virtually all forms of architecture throughout American history. As you drive through the downtown area, this is quite apparent. Guilford in fact is home to The Henry Whitfield Museum. The Whitfield House in the oldest house in the state of Connecticut, and the oldest stone house in New England. It is  one of the oldest remaining structures in the country, and a National Historic Landmark. The grounds are immaculate, and they host many historical events throughout the year. The town also has The Dudley Farm in North Guilford. In addition to showing rural Connecticut farm life, this farm is host to many cultural events, and a weekly farmers market. We also have The Griswold House, Medad Stone Tavern, Hyland House, and many other sites so typical of New England, all hosting events throughout the year.

The great thing about Guilford, is we take extreme pride in our open spaces, and go to great lengths to preserve it for future generations. Because of this, we have many opportunities for those who love the outdoors. If hiking is your thing,enjoy the peaceful serenity on the trails at Westwoods,The Timberlands, and at this time of year hiking the Bluff Head preserve is a must. The Guilford Land Trust maintains many of these locations. It’s corps of volunteers do an amazing job of acquiring properties and preserving them, so that generations to come can enjoy Guildford’s natural beauty. And they are all volunteers.  From the overlooks, you will be able to see the beautiful foliage for miles, and even Faulkner’s Island, and beyond to Long Island. Bring your camera, as it is truly a stunning sight.

Fishing is also a great option. What many people don’t know is that Lake Quonipaug is one of the state’s few trophy trout lakes. In order to labeled as such, the lake must be known to have fish of a record size, and for many years the state record rainbow trout came from this lake. I know of people who regularly catch trout in the 3plus pound range. If saltwater is your thing, get on down to the marina and fish the East River, where it flows into the sound. breathe in the fresh air, and if you get hungry, enjoy both The Stone House Restaurant for full service dining, and The Little Stone House for more informal dining.

As you head back into town, and shopping is what you want to do, then the Guilford Green is where you need to just park, and roam about. Shops such as Ella, Where She Shops, Flutterby’s, Page’s Hardware, and The Village Chocolatier await you. You can walk around the green or you can do what I did a few weeks ago and go over to Costumes And Characters and look for your Halloween get up, and take a tour of Guilford on a segway from Shoreline Segway tours. Trust me on this, it is an absolute blast. By now,you are getting a little on the hungry side, and the green is host to two more of Guilfords best. Quattro’s Italian Restaurant just off the green on Water Street, and Whitfield’s, which is right by the green itself. If you just are in the mood for some libation, then head back to Water street and stop in at Shep’s Tavern, or Augur’s Irish Pub. Good chance you will find me in either place,especially on a Tuesday or Wednesday night.

Finally, I can not let you leave our amazing town, without mentioning that you need to head west on Route One, no matter where you live, and stop in at Red Rooster Baking, and pick up some of the best damn cookies in the state . At 3.5 ounces per cookie, it is more than enough to keep you quite content on your ride home, but why limit yourself? Pickup a dozen. You will be glad you did.

So thanks for letting me tell you about my hometown, and hope to see you out and about in Guilford. If you should see me, make sure you stop me and say hi, as I love meeting all of the readers.

For more information on Guilford, visit the Chamber of Commerce website

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