Located just a few miles from Long Island Sound lies Essex, Connecticut. This quaint community is one town comprised of three smaller villages - each with its own distinct identity and charm.
Dubbed “The Perfect Small American Town” in the “1,000 Places To See Before You Die” travel guide and among “The 100 Best Small Towns in America”, Essex is located in the Connecticut River Valley.
"Essex truly has something for everyone - history, art, shops, restaurants, theater, and so much more," said Kazantzis Real Estate Owner and Agent Andrea Kazantzis. "With three distinct villages, homebuyers can choose an area that best suits their lifestyle."
Essex
The Village of Essex is the town's historic waterfront district. Steeped in history, this welcoming port features charming colonial architecture, museums shopping, dining, and welcoming places to stay. Throughout the year, there is also an ongoing lineup of parades, free concerts, and exhibits on the village green.
Photo: Connecticut River Museum
The Connecticut River Museum is one of the main attractions in the village.
There, visitors can climb aboard Turtle, the world's first submarine used during the American Revolution.
The museum offers various tours throughout the year, including cruises aboard the Onrust, a replica of Adriaen Block's 1614 vessel, from June through October; and EagleWatch boat tours in February and March, which give you an up-close view of majestic bald eagles as they winter in the lower River Valley. Visitors can also sign up for a canoe and kayak paddle to explore local marshes and tributaries with Connecticut River Museum educators, June through September.
Photo: The Griswold Inn/© Robert Benson Photography
The Village of Essex is also home to the Griswold Inn, one of the oldest continuously operated inns in the country, which opened its doors for business in 1776. Although the Inn exudes the charm of days gone by, it offers sophisticated cuisine, comfortable accommodations, and modern amenities.
Centerbrook
If you like hustle and bustle, Centerbrook may be for you. The village features both the river and train tracks running through it.
While you're there, you'll want to take the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat tour. This 2.5-hour journey starts aboard a steam locomotive, which takes you through quintessential New England Towns. You'll then go aboard the multi-deck, Becky Thatcher riverboat for a cruise along the Connecticut River before returning to Essex Station via steam locomotive.
Outdoor enthusiasts love to paddle or, in the winter, skate down the Falls River. You'll also want to check out the old Grist Mill and the falls.
Ivoryton
The arts are alive and well in the village of Ivoryton.
Theater lovers will want to check out award-winning performances at the Ivoryton Playhouse - a turn-of-the-century theater that exemplifies the period architecture found throughout the village. Built in 1911, the Ivoryton Playhouse says it is the oldest, continuously running, self-supporting summer theater in the nation having hosted some of the great names of the American stage including Katharine Hepburn, Marlon Brando, Helen Hayes, and Tallulah Bankhead. The theater now features a year-round professional season of musicals, comedies, and dramas as well as summer children’s theatre and many special events.
Photo: Ivoryton Playhouse
In addition to theater, the village also features several art galleries, quaint shops, and local eateries.
The Ivoryton Green features several seasonal events including a weekly Farmers’ Market, the Fall Pumpkin Festival, and the holiday Ivoryton Illuminations.
If you like three for the price of one - you'll definitely want to check out Essex. Kazantzis Real Estate has a team of agents ready to help you find which village is right for you!