I would like to plan a trip up the Conn. River this August. With three kids and the need to keep their intrest, any recomendations. I heard there is a marina resort on the river that is geared toward family. Any help would be appreciated.. Thanks Nick
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Conn River
- Thread starter mariner61
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 16, 2003
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- 12563
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Having spent many years on the Connecticut, I can only tell you that it is a beautiful place to cruise. Consider it in three sections: Old Saybrook to Haddam; Haddam to Middletown and Middletown to Hartford. There is almost always a lot of boating traffic in the lower river but there are many marinas for fuel or transient dockage there. If you want to stop in Old Saybrook on arrival, pull up to a gas dock on either side and ask about accommodations. Old Saybrook is a nice small town but quite a long walk from the marinas. The next town up river is Essex and it is certainly a worthwhile stop, although not much of a "resort" for kids. Brewers has two marinas there and Essex Island Marina is a favorite for many visitors. The Griswold Inn in Essex is wonderful.
If you want to go further - and I would - go up as far as Haddam, where there is a swing bridge with better than 15-16 feet of clearance at very high tide. There are marinas in the Haddam area (Hay Haven in Chester and Midway in Haddam are two I can think of). Again, these are small marinas in small towns but that's what many boaters are looking for.
Most visitors don't venture north of Haddam but the river is easy to navigate and plainly marked. The next fuel and transient stops are in Portland, across from Middletown, 33 miles up from the mouth of the river. Yankee Boat Yard has gasoline and takes transients. There is no diesel in the upper river. From Portland you can get a ride across the river to Middletown which has many nice restaurants and a main street that looks like the 1940s. You can also usually tie up at the Middletown municipal dock (no water or electric) but put of lots of fenders.
It is rare to see visitors head up north from Middletown, although the river is easy to navigate and passes through some beautiful Connecticut countryside. There are no marinas in this final stretch of the navigable river and at the end, Hartford has a beautiful skyline but no real place to tie up.
At that point, you'd be about 60 miles from Old Saybrook.
I don't know of any marina on the Connecticut that I would classify as a "resort," although some of them have pools. The best part of the river (especially on weekdays) is that you can slow down and enjoy yourself. There are eagles nesting above Haddam now and in deep summer, it is just a beautiful place to enjoy being on the water.
For help once you are in the river, just put out a call on Channel 16 for "local info on the CT River" and you'll get plenty of information.
If you want to go further - and I would - go up as far as Haddam, where there is a swing bridge with better than 15-16 feet of clearance at very high tide. There are marinas in the Haddam area (Hay Haven in Chester and Midway in Haddam are two I can think of). Again, these are small marinas in small towns but that's what many boaters are looking for.
Most visitors don't venture north of Haddam but the river is easy to navigate and plainly marked. The next fuel and transient stops are in Portland, across from Middletown, 33 miles up from the mouth of the river. Yankee Boat Yard has gasoline and takes transients. There is no diesel in the upper river. From Portland you can get a ride across the river to Middletown which has many nice restaurants and a main street that looks like the 1940s. You can also usually tie up at the Middletown municipal dock (no water or electric) but put of lots of fenders.
It is rare to see visitors head up north from Middletown, although the river is easy to navigate and passes through some beautiful Connecticut countryside. There are no marinas in this final stretch of the navigable river and at the end, Hartford has a beautiful skyline but no real place to tie up.
At that point, you'd be about 60 miles from Old Saybrook.
I don't know of any marina on the Connecticut that I would classify as a "resort," although some of them have pools. The best part of the river (especially on weekdays) is that you can slow down and enjoy yourself. There are eagles nesting above Haddam now and in deep summer, it is just a beautiful place to enjoy being on the water.
For help once you are in the river, just put out a call on Channel 16 for "local info on the CT River" and you'll get plenty of information.
We don not have any "resorts" on the river, but it is a great place to cruise. I am not surewhat it takes to keep your kids busy, but there is Essex. Lots to do there. The Gris is good, but with kids try the Black Seal. Very good food and you will not go broke. If you are looking to stay at a marina try Essex Island Marina. They have a great pool and a small restaurant that has breakfast and lunch. Its ashort walk into town. I am at a Brewers yard just up river in Deep River and love the whole area. Brewer has a yard in Essex as well. You can check them out online and it has all there marinas and ammenities listed. If you have a dink check out Selden Creek. I will take you abot 45 minutes to get all the way through, but very nice. If you can do a day on a mooring try Hamburg Cove. Grab a rental mooring and there is a giant trampoline in the water that the kids love. There are also alot of places to anchor for the day or overnight. Nott island across from Essex is very popular. enjoy your trip
No gas, no marina, no anything. Just alot of boats and one big party.Its alot offun. We were just there yesterday. Plenty of other places for fuel. If you need to gas up, try Chrisholm is Chester, usually they are the cheapest and not far up.
My guess would be that the "marina resort" you are hearing about is Essex Island Marina...calling it a resort is a stretch, but it is an active marina right on the edge of a great town. We're in the Brewers yard right next door which tends to be much quiter. EIM has a larger pool, game room, restaruant, and many more planned activities.
Hamburg Cove is basically just across the river from there...as mentioned the main body of the cove is basically just moorings, very well protected beautiful place to hang out...it actually does have a couple of marina / yacht clubs if you follow the fairly narrow channel to the north...if you stray from the channel you will most likely ground your boat...best to moor and take a dink, the marina are small and not much to see other than a different part of the cove which is all pretty nice. Have fun.
Hamburg Cove is basically just across the river from there...as mentioned the main body of the cove is basically just moorings, very well protected beautiful place to hang out...it actually does have a couple of marina / yacht clubs if you follow the fairly narrow channel to the north...if you stray from the channel you will most likely ground your boat...best to moor and take a dink, the marina are small and not much to see other than a different part of the cove which is all pretty nice. Have fun.