Summary of Griswold, Connecticut Attractions
In Southeast Connecticut, Griswold stands as a town adorned with lakes adjacent to rolling hills and modest mountains.
Visitors can traverse Connecticut’s Blue-Blazed trails, engage in boating on serene waters, or relax on the beaches found within state parks.
The area offers opportunities to explore local agricultural businesses, including ethical livestock farms, creameries, and even alpaca breeders.
The most developed area is Jewett City, which was founded as a mill town in the 18th century and is home to a noteworthy library building financed by a local industrialist in the 19th century.
While Griswold’s state parks and forests may feel remote, the I-395 provides a swift route to the city of Norwich, and the grand casino resorts of Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods are merely 15 minutes away by vehicle.
Let us delve into the most captivating experiences available in Griswold, Connecticut:
1. Slater Library & Fanning Annex
The most prominent landmark in Jewett City is this Romanesque Revival library constructed in 1884, featuring impressive round-arched windows framed in brownstone.
The financing for this establishment came from the renowned philanthropist John Fox Slater, who hailed from a family of textile magnates and owned multiple mills in Jewett City.
The original library was expertly designed by esteemed New England architect Stephen C. Earle, and in 1930 the site nearly doubled in size with the addition of the Fanning Annex, creating an L-shaped layout.
The library continues to be a cherished community resource; however, visiting on the first and third Saturdays of the afternoon grants access to the Griswold Historical Society Museum located on the second floor.
This museum preserves an extensive collection of artifacts from the 18th and 19th centuries, encompassing items from toys to educational materials, agricultural tools, and kitchen utensils.
2. Buttonwood Farm
This family-operated farm in Griswold is renowned for two primary attractions: its homemade ice cream and sunflowers that support a charitable cause.
The creamery has been in operation since 1998, providing over 50 flavors, ranging from traditional to unique options, all produced in small batches to ensure a smooth texture and authentic flavor.
Notably, waffle cones are crafted fresh daily, utilizing genuine whipped cream and enticing toppings such as peanut butter, caramel, walnuts in syrup, and marshmallow.
Each year, the farm cultivates more than 14 acres of sunflowers, yielding 300,000 blooms.
This creates a picturesque display, with bouquets sold in sets of five, with all proceeds benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut.
3. Pachaug Pond
The largest public body of water east of the Connecticut River is located in Griswold, encompassing 840 acres.
Pachaug Pond was formed by damming waters from the Thames River Drainage, with the primary inflow sourced from the Pachaug River.
The shore is lined with peaceful residential neighborhoods, vacation rentals, and sections of public state land.
At the southernmost end lies the privately-owned Pachaug Marina and Campground, which features 122 sites and its own beaches.
The public boat launch is situated to the north, and on typical summer weekends, the lake attracts motorboat enthusiasts, kayakers, and paddleboarders.
Anglers can find a variety of fish species here, including largemouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch, white perch, chain pickerel, black crappie, catfish, and sunfish.
4. Pachaug State Forest
This expansive 27,000-acre forest represents the largest in the Connecticut state forest system, spanning across six towns, including Griswold.
Its development largely occurred during the Great Depression, and it was once home to a Civilian Conservation Corps barracks at Camp Lonergan.
Two primary sections exist within the forest: the western Chapman Area and the southeastern Green Falls Area.
The Chapman Area, which partly lies within Griswold, features an extensive network of trails suitable for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, motorcycling, and snowmobiling.
The Blue-Blazed Pachaug Trail offers a 30-mile journey stretching from the northern edge of Pachaug Pond to Green Fall Pond.
Sections of this trail coincide with the 15-mile Nehantic Trail, which connects Green Fall Pond to the Pachaug River, also located in Griswold.
Near the border with Voluntown, there is the 135-meter Mount Misery Overlook, providing breathtaking views of the forest.
An unmissable spot is the Rhododendron Sanctuary, where numerous rhododendron bushes bloom vibrantly in July.
5. Hopeville Pond State Park
It may be hard to believe, but Hopeville Pond in Griswold was once home to a thriving village centered around a series of mills powered by the Pachaug River.
This settlement was gradually dismantled during various periods at the turn of the 20th century, including a gristmill that operated from 1711 until 1908. In 1917, the river was dammed to create a 145-acre reservoir for hydroelectric power provisioning to the mills in Jewett City.
A solitary remnant of the former village is the manager’s house of Hopeville Pond State Park, a charming Colonial-style residence dating back to 1770. The pond serves as the park’s centerpiece for activities such as boating, swimming, and fishing, complemented by a lovely sandy beach for relaxation.
Trail systems weave through the park’s 400 acres of mixed woodlands, alongside a spacious campground featuring 80 sites.
6. Stone Bridge Farm
This farm in Griswold is dedicated to maintaining a herd of alpacas for breeding and their high-quality wool.
Stone Bridge Farm regularly hosts Open Farm Weekends from spring to fall and then opens its doors every weekend between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
During Open Farm Weekends, delightful food and arts and crafts vendors are present, allowing young visitors to walk and interact with the alpacas.
The Farm Shoppe is also available during these occasions, offering various gifts made of alpaca wool, along with yarn in a range of colors.
7. Prudence Crandall Museum
Located in an elegant house in Canterbury dating back to 1805, the museum recounts the legacy of Connecticut’s state heroine, Prudence Crandall (1803–1890). Between 1832 and 1834, she operated what is considered the nation’s first integrated secondary school.
Initially, her school catered exclusively to white girls; however, when an African American girl was enrolled, all white students withdrew, leading to a legal controversy.
In response to this, Crandall reopened the school specifically for black students, accommodating up to 24 pupils at its peak before it was forced to close in 1834 due to mob violence following a favorable court ruling.
The museum features exhibit galleries that narrate Crandall’s story and the history of the school, alongside four period rooms that bring this historical site to life.
8. Geer Tree Farm
A long-standing establishment in Griswold, Geer Tree Farm comes alive during the holiday season.
During this period, numerous vendors offer snacks and hot beverages, while children enjoy tractor trailer rides around the farm.
The expansive 100-acre site features a variety of trees, including white spruces, blue spruces, Fraser firs, Douglas firs, concolor firs, and white pines.
Visitors can use a handsaw to cut down their chosen tree, which the farm will then bale for easy transportation.
9. Lisbon Landing
This expansive shopping center is effectively an extension of Jewett City, situated across the Quinebaug River off the Connecticut Turnpike.
At Lisbon Landing, essential retailers such as Target, Home Depot, Kohl’s, Walmart, GameStop, and Michaels can be found.
The surrounding parking lots also host various food and drink chains, including Chili’s, Dunkin’, Starbucks, Panera, and Ruby Tuesday. For entertainment, the AMC Classic Lisbon 12 offers discounted ticket pricing on Tuesdays, and local residents can take advantage of the Annual Popcorn Bucket for $9.99, with refills available for just $4.49 each visit.
10. River Ridge Golf Course
Adjacent to the Quinebaug River south of Jewett City lies a public 18-hole golf course that presents a significant challenge, even for experienced golfers.
The course’s layout meanders over a varied landscape, providing distant views of the picturesque New England countryside.
The initial three holes, comprising two par 4s and a par 5, were situated on land that was once an apple orchard.
To accommodate varying skill levels, River Ridge offers four different sets of tees.
The course is well-maintained with the aid of a high-tech irrigation system, and it features a pro shop and a full-service restaurant with outdoor seating that offers scenic views.
As of 2019, fees were $36 for 18 holes walking on weekdays, and $44 on weekends.
11. Slater Memorial Museum
This museum, located in Norwich just a brief drive along the I-395, is situated on the grounds of the Norwich Free Academy.
The academy was endowed by John Fox Slater, and the museum was named in honor of his son William.
Once again, the designer of this striking Richardson Romanesque building, completed in 1885, was Stephen C. Earle.
The Slater Memorial Museum is celebrated for its plaster casts of iconic Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Renaissance sculptures, including the renowned Winged Victory of Samothrace from the Louvre.
Permanent exhibits also display works by 20th-century Connecticut artists such as Charlotte Fuller Eastman and Ozias Dodge, along with artifacts from the Slater family’s worldwide voyage on their private yacht in 1894-95. Notable exhibitions include significant collections of Asian and African art, alongside a record of three centuries of life in Norwich and its vicinity.
12. Mohegan Sun
It is quite remarkable that two Vegas-style megaresorts exist within a mere 15-minute drive from the serene surroundings of Griswold.
The Mohegan Sun, situated on the reservation of the Mohegan Tribe in Uncasville, features an impressive 1,563 rooms, in addition to the breathtaking Casino of the Sky, which lies beneath a Planetarium Dome.
Like all premier resorts, Mohegan Sun offers celebrity chef restaurants and various nightlife venues, alongside an impressive 17-meter indoor waterfall, a sculpture by master glass artist Dale Chihuly, and the intriguing Wombi Rock.
This feature at Casino of the Sky rises three stories and incorporates 12,000 pieces of onyx from Mexico, Pakistan, and Iran, fused into glass in Carrara, Italy.
Additionally, the Mohegan Sun Arena, with a capacity of 10,000, hosts top-tier recording artists and serves as the home ground for the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun.
13. Foxwoods Resort Casino
Established in the mid-1980s following the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe acquiring legal control of their reservation, Foxwoods Resort Casino boasts an impressive 2,266 rooms divided among two hotel towers that dominate the surrounding landscape.
As of 2019, the various gaming establishments at Foxwoods collectively feature 5,500 slot machines and 250 gaming tables.
The resort offers over a dozen dining experiences, while prominent music artists and comedians perform at the Fox and Grand Theaters.
In 2015, the Tanger Outlets Foxwoods opened between the hotel towers, featuring 85 stores mainly focused on high-end brands offered at discounted prices.
For an exhilarating experience, consider the Foxwoods HighFlyer Zipline, which stretches nearly a mile from atop the Fox Tower to the Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center, reaching speeds of up to 60 mph.
A shuttle service is provided to transport guests between the casino and the museum, established in 1998, and it is certainly worth a visit.
14. Firefly Farms
Several nearby locations in rural Southeast Connecticut are ideal for those who prioritize food provenance.
Firefly Farms in North Stonington raises various humanely-managed heritage breeds, including Muscovy ducks, Mulefoot hogs, Silver Dorking chickens, and Beltsville mall white turkeys, with a focus on Randall cattle.
A visit to Firefly Farms offers intriguing insights into sustainable farming practices in the 21st century, and the staff are eager to showcase their animals.
Tour costs amount to $5, which serves as a coupon for any same-day purchases, and tours are generally available on weekday mornings, although prior confirmation is advised.
15. Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm
A brief trip to Sterling leads to a family-managed farm specializing in pasture-raised turkeys.
Ekonk Hill is Connecticut’s largest operation in this sector, housing approximately 3,000 turkeys.
During September and October, the farm transforms into a popular visitor destination, featuring barnyard animals, a corn maze, and hayrides.
The farm store is particularly appealing, offering ice cream, milkshakes, and sundaes made with a variety of delicious flavors and toppings.
Unsurprisingly, Ekonk Hill’s primary product is its farm-raised turkeys, along with turkey pies and sandwiches crafted daily, complemented by specialty foods sourced from farms across Connecticut.
