There is a plethora of outdoor activities within minutes of the barn. All of the activities below are amazing during the warmer months but don’t underestimate a stroll on the beach or a hike through a snow covered state park during the colder winter months. If you need assistance planning your trip, we are here to help.

BEACHES

Harvey’s Beach - Old Saybrook, CT (7.1 Miles)

Rocky Neck State Park - Old Lyme, CT (9.9 Miles)

Hammonasset Beach State Park - Madison, CT (15 Miles)

Misquamicut Beach, Rhode Island (38.4 Miles)

HIKING

Essex Land Trust & Other Designated Open Spaces - Essex, CT (Mileage Varies)

Bushy Hill Nature Preserve - Deep River, CT (4.7 Miles)

Rocky Neck State Park - Old Lyme, CT (9.9 Miles)

Chatfield Hollow State Park - Killingworth, CT (12 Miles)

Gillette Castle State Park - East Haddam, CT (15 Miles)

Devil’s Hopyard State Park - East Haddam, CT (15 Miles)

Hammonasset Beach State Park - Madison, CT (15 Miles)

Harkness Memorial State Park  - Waterford, CT (20 Miles)

Bluff Neck State Park - Groton, CT (24 Miles)

FARMS

Scotts’ Farms Orchards - Deep River, CT (5.1 Miles)

Lavender Pond Farm - Killingworth, CT (12 Miles)

White Gate Farm - East Lyme, CT (17 Miles)

Bishop’s Orchards - Guilford, CT (21 Miles)

Lyman Orchards - Middlefield, CT (26 Miles)

Fair Weather Growers - Rocky Hill, CT (27 Miles)

Wicked Tulip Flower Farm - Preston, CT (39 Miles)

Buttonwood Farm & Ice Cream - Griswold, CT (42 Miles)

Wicked Tulip Flower Farm - Exeter, RI (51.3 Miles)

BARNS

The Connecticut Barns Trail - by Region

HORSEBACK RIDING

Baldwin Stables - Deep River, CT (7.7 Miles)

Claddagh Ridge Equestrian Center, Clinton CT (12 Miles)

Ray of Light Farm - East Haddam, CT (13 Miles)

GOLF

Essex Indoor Golf Center - Essex, CT (0.6 Miles)

Fenwick Golf Course - Old Saybrook, CT (7 Miles)

Black Hall Golf Club - Old Lyme, CT (7.5 Miles)

Guilford Lakes Course - Guilford, CT (22 Miles)

Lyman Orchards Golf Center - Middlefield, CT (26 Miles)

MINI GOLF

Saybrook Point - Old Saybrook, CT (6 Miles)

Copper Creek - Oakdale, CT (19 Miles)

LIGHT HOUSES

New London Harbor Light House - New London, CT (22.2 Miles)

Avery Point Light House - Groton, CT (25 Miles)

Morgan Point Light House - Noank, CT (27.2 Miles)

BOATING

The barn is located along the CT River close by to marinas, public access and launch points. Kayaks can be rented at the CT River Museum in town.

Connecticut River Museum Onrust - Essex, CT (Thurs - Sun, 1.8 Miles)

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat - Essex, CT (0.9 Miles)

Thimble Island Cruise - Stonycreek, CT (26 Miles)

Picnic, Sunset & Custom Cruises with Seabird Cruises - Essex or Old Saybrook, CT (Walking or Short Drive)

BIKING

There are beautiful riverside roads and rolling hills around the area. Peek out the front door and you are bound to see pelotons of bikers speeding by along Saybrook Road in the morning. We have a shed with a lock that your bikes can be stored in safely if you are traveling with them (the shed will comfortably hold 2 bicycles). We have three recommended biking routes:

154 through Essex Village and down River Road (no car necessary)

Hammonasset Beach State Park, Greenway Trail - Madison, CT (15 Miles)

Air Line State Park Trail starting in Colchester, CT (24 Miles)

PADDLE BOARDING

Black Hall Outfitters - Westbrook & Old Lyme, CT (6.6 Miles)

Adventure Mystic - Mystic, CT (27.6 Miles)

AMUSEMENT PARKS

Celebrating its 175th season, Lake Compounce is the Premier Family Theme Park & Water Park in New England and the oldest continuously operating amusement park in North America. Located just 45 minutes from the barn.

Lake Compounce, Bristol, CT (44 Miles)

SKIING

Ski areas in Connecticut are an easy jaunt from the River Barn, some as close as 35 minutes. For more information visit the link below.

Connecticut Ski Resorts - Various Locations, CT (25 - 73 Miles)

GOOD FOR KIDS

Connecticut’s fastest growing family-fun destination and they have attractions for the whole family, including the beloved Dinosaur Place.

Nature’s Art Village - Oakdale, CT (19 Miles)