Essex Park

Connecticut


This beautiful shoreline park is centered on a gazebo and features an illustration explaining the 25 tree species lining the perimeter. You can launch kayaks from here, too. It's a peaceful respite in any weather, and as an added bonus, it has a public bathroom!


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Connecticut attractions

1. Essex Art Association

0.14 MILES

The association hosts at least four different public shows during the high season and rents the space for other art showings the rest of the year. Located…

2. Connecticut River Museum

0.24 MILES

Adjacent to Essex's Steamboat Dock, this museum's meticulously presented exhibits recount regional history and include a reproduction of the world's first…

3. Florence Griswold Museum

3.62 MILES

Florence Griswold's house, which her artist friends decorated with murals (often in lieu of paying rent), is now the Florence Griswold Museum. The 'home…

4. Gillette Castle

5.33 MILES

Built in 1919 by actor William Hooker Gillette, who made his fortune playing Sherlock Holmes, this gaudy, medieval-style 'castle' is an eccentric turreted…

5. Nathan Hale Schoolhouse

8.02 MILES

Nathan Hale (1755–76) is famous for his (alleged) patriotic statement, 'I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country,' as he was about to…

7. Devil's Hopyard State Park

8.86 MILES

Legend has it that the round holes in the park's beautiful, 60ft Chapman Falls were made by the Devil itself, but you can thank the state of Connecticut…

8. Hammonasset Beach State Park

10.66 MILES

Though not off the beaten path by any means, the two full miles of flat, sandy beach at Hammonasset Beach State Park handily accommodate summer crowds…

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