Guilford Connecticut can be a wonderful place to escape to when a break from the everyday routine is in order. A rather upscale and attractive village, it offers plenty of charm and a rich history. These aren't the only things that help to define Guilford CT, however. Less than fifteen miles to the west of town is the larger city of New Haven, and to the near north of town, outdoor enthusiasts can indulge in any number of recreational activities along the Metacomet Ridge. This long ridge is very picturesque, and thanks to the trails that run along it, hiking and mountain biking are among the most popular activities.

Guilford Connecticut was first settled in 1639, which makes it one of the oldest Colonial settlements in the state. A number of historic houses attest to the town's age, and a handful of them are open to the public. These museum homes include the Henry Whitfield House. Found at 248 Old Whitfield Street, this home is not only the oldest in the state. It is also the oldest stone house in all off New England. Remodeled and restored on more than one occasion, the Henry Whitfield House, or the Henry Whitefield State Museum, as it is also known, offers plenty of seventeenth-century appeal, and the period furnishings certainly warrant a tour of the interior.

Coincidentally, the Guilford visitor center is located adjacent to the Henry Whitfield State Museum. This visitor center is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, but only during the early April to mid-December period.

Connecticut Map

Many of the historic homes in Guilford CT are found along the perimeter of the town's expansive green. Also found along the perimeter of the park-like Guilford Green are churches, art galleries, restaurants, and shops, and it should be noted that the green itself is among the largest in New England. The town government of Guilford actually operates a number of parks, the likes of which can be used for all kinds of recreational activities. At Jacobs Beach Park, for example, visitors can go swimming and play some volleyball, and during the winter, it is possible to go ice skating at Mill Pond Park.

Guilford is situated along the Connecticut shoreline, and this helps to make it an especially good place to be in the summer. A number of Long Island Sound beaches are within easy reach, and they include the beach at Hammonasset Beach State Park. Hammonasset Beach is more than two miles long, and running along it is a boardwalk. Other features at this largest public beach park in the state include walking trails, a nature center, and more than 500 campsites for those who wish to do some coastal Connecticut camping. Hammonasset Beach State Park is just east of Guilford. The address is 1288 Boston Post Road, Madison CT.

Whether you are just visiting Guilford Connecticut for the day or you are spending an extended amount of time in town, getting bored will be difficult. There are simply too many options for things to do. Exploring the campus of Yale University in nearby New Haven is just one way to keep busy for those who are looking for things to do on the side, and in Guilford proper, Bishop's Orchards can be a great place to hang out. Found at 1355 Boston Post Road, this large agricultural operation is a few things rolled into one. Among its roles are that of a farm, a winery, a retail market, and a bakery. Bishop's Orchards is open year round, and admission is free.

For those who are planning on staying overnight in lovely Guilford Connecticut, there are some delightful lodging options to consider. As you might imagine, some of the Guilford hotels are bed and breakfast inns. There is also at least one relatively cheap chain brand operation in town, and Guilford visitors who wish to add to their overall lodging options can consider the hotels in other nearby towns and cities, such as Madison and New Haven.