Small Town Travel: Stratford, Connecticut
EducationSmall Town Travel: Stratford, Connecticut
Stratford, Connecticut is a small New England town located on the coast of Long Island Sound. Ocean breezes, hidden gems and historic importance make the Town of Stratford a great destination for small town explorers. Road trippers and vacationers looking to visit New York City, New York or Hartford, Connecticut can easily find their way to the streets of Stratford. Fans of Shakespeare and early New England architecture will fall in love with Stratford and the surrounding area, that embraces the diversity of colonial towns and townships without losing its authentic, seaside charm.
Historic Landmarks
When visiting a historic New England town the best place to start is the local historic society. Travelers can find the Stratford Historic Society located on Academy Hill.
967 Academy Hill
Stratford, CT 06615
Inside the historic society headquarters, visitors will discover a handful of exhibits that touch on a number of historic points of interest including a collection of hand carved wooden decoy ducks. Small town explorers searching for genealogical roots in old New England can contact the historic society and make use of the town’s expansive books and documentation on the subject.
Two historic landmarks you may not have expected can be found in Stratford, Connecticut. In one small town you can find the country’s oldest postal route and Connecticut’s smallest park. Any attraction that ends in “est” is worth visiting when exploring small town destinations.
At the corner of Elm Street and East Broadway in the heart of Stratford you will find the smallest park in Connecticut as well as the sign post that marks the oldest mail route in the United States. For more detailed directions, visit the official Stratford website.
One of the most interesting landmarks in Stratford, Connecticut is the historic American Shakespeare Theater. The town’s name is associated with William Shakespeare’s home city of Stratford-on-Avon, making the city a perfect choice for the theater, and accompanying festival, that honors the British playwright and his works. Every year from August 12th through August 15th the town throws a multi-location event known as Festival Stratford. The festival centers around a series of Shakespearean plays performed at the beautiful and spacious Shakespeare Theater.
1850 Elm Street
Stratford, CT 06615
Dining Out
With the ocean so close at hand it should come as no surprise to visitors that the best fare in Stratford, Connecticut is fresh, tasty seafood. Locals and tourists alike swear by the catch of the day style cuisine in relaxed and beachy atmospheres.
Marnick's Restaurant & Motel
10 Washington Parkway
Stratford, CT 06615
(203) 377-6288
While some say the food is consistently average what inspires tourists to sit and stay awhile at Marnick’s Restaurant and Motel is the peaceful, panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean lolling through Long Island Sound. Marnick’s caters to out of town patrons, who more often than not choose to stay in their motel, by offering three meals a day. Breakfast is homey and delicious while the lunch and dinner options are usual seafood options that really hit the spot.
Hungry diners not in the mood for authentic New England seafood can find a number of take out and storefront restaurants that feature everything from handmade pizzas to shockingly great Thai food.
Stratford, Connecticut is a charming seaside New England town that nestles next to New York City on Long Island Sound. August may be the most lively time to visit Stratford, at any point in the year travelers will find authentic colonial charm, relaxation and yummy seafood delights.