Nothing says New England charm than the seaside towns in the southeast corner of Connecticut. From quaint shops to charming, rocky beaches - many of these communities will make you feel like you're on a permanent vacation.

Mystic, CT 

From colonial-era homes to a world-class aquarium, Mystic is a quaint, seaside town in New England dedicated to all things maritime.

Mystic - which is nestled along both sides of the Mystic River - is one of the oldest communities in Connecticut and is known today as a premier, family-friendly vacation destination and for its New England charm.

While there is no shortage of things to do, Mystic is perhaps best known for the Mystic Aquarium and Mystic Seaport.

If shopping is your thing, right next door to the aquarium is Olde Mistick Village, which consists of 50 unique shops & eateries in distinctive buildings designed to represent an 18th century New England village.

"Shopping at the Village is the best. There are so many great stores covering everything from kitchen essentials, clothing, and even a pet shop," said Kazantzis Real Estate Agent Debra J Prevost. "Mango's Wood Fired Pizza Co. is a great place to have a great meal and a dring with your furry family."

Old Lyme 

If you're looking for a flourishing artist community, beach town and historical neighborhoods all rolled in one - then look no further than Old Lyme, Connecticut.  

Located where the Connecticut River meets the Long Island Sound, Old Lyme is a popular bedroom community for people who work in New London, Groton, New Haven, and Hartford. It's also very driveable from New York City, Boston, and Providence. 

"Old Lyme has everything you'd want in a New England seaside town," said Kazantzis Real Estate Owner and Agent Andrea Kazantzis. "It's a small town with a big sense of community. I love going to the beach here or strolling along historic Lyme Street."

Old Lyme is a true artist community and home to several museums, most notably the Florence Griswold Museum. 

If you want to stay in Old Lyme while house hunting, you may want to consider the Old Lyme Inn. Built in 1856, the Inn was once a working farm and even housed a riding academy where Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis took lessons.  It was transformed into an inn in the 1950s when construction on the Connecticut Turnpike began and now features 13 guest rooms, indoor and outdoor dining, and live music in its world-class jazz club The Side Door. 

Griswold

If you want to live in a small town, but be close to some of the state's largest employers, Griswold may just be the place you're looking for.

Buttonwood Farm is one place you'll have to take the family.  

"Family-owned since 1975, we're famous for farm-fresh ice cream and growing sunflowers for a good cause," the farm said on its website.

Each year, Buttonwood said it plants more than 14 acres of sunflowers, harvesting about 300,000 blooms. For a $10 donation, you receive five flowers. All of the proceeds from the sunflowers go to the Make a Wish Foundation of Connecticut. 

Kazantzis Real Estate Agent Denise Moore also suggests Tulli's Taphouse. 

"Tulli's Tap House Gastropub has your cravings covered! Come enjoy Chef Calvin's menu, start with a delicious appetizer and entrés, mouth-watering desserts," the restaurant said on its website.

Located on River Ridge Golf Course, the views from Tulli's deck are spectacular. 

Stonington 

Stunning views and a tight-knit community is what you'll get when you come to the seaside town of Stonington, Connecticut. 

"I always love to visit Stonington," said Kazantzis. "It's coastal living at its finest, with some of the best views in the state. That combined with a small-town feel makes it the ideal place for a family to settle down." 

Situated on the southeastern corner of the state, Stonington was voted by Yankee Magazine as one of the "Top 10 Prettiest Coastal Towns in New England."

Settled in 1649, Stonington is also rich in history. You'll find streets lined with colonial homes, along with quaint shops and seaside restaurants.

Waterford 

If you're looking for a small New England town with pristine beaches, a beautiful state park, and an acclaimed theater, look no further than Waterford, Connecticut.

Intersected by two major interstate highways. Waterford is located two hours from New York City and Boston, with easy commutes to Hartford and New Haven. 

For those who love the sea, Waterford certainly lives up to its name. Located in the southeast corner of the state, the town is 33 square miles surrounded by water on three sides. There are plenty of water activities in which to take part - including fishing, boating, and swimming.

For theater lovers, The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center is for you.  Called "the gem of Waterford" it's one of the many things that make the community a wonderful place to live.

The country’s preeminent organization dedicated to the development of new works and new voices for the American theater is named in honor of Eugene O’Neill, the four-time Pulitzer Prize-winner and America’s only playwright to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. 

Groton 

A regional center for commerce, the home to beautiful rocky shores, and the "Submarine Captial of the World" - these are just a few ways to describe Groton, Connecticut.

Also along the Thames River is the Thames River Heritage Park - which describes itself as a park without boundaries. Instead, it is a collection of almost 20 national and historic sites along the shores of the Thames River – linked by a water taxi – that tell the stories that shaped our nation. 

Groton is also home to three state parks.

For beach lovers, there is Eastern Point Beach - a local, family-oriented beach with a playground, snack bar, and historic houses. There is also Esker Point Beach, which features sandy beaches, a picnic area, and volleyball courts. During the summer, the beach also hosts concerts.

Niantic

If you're looking for a quaint New England town to visit or live in, look no further than Niantic, Connecticut. 

The town, located right along the shore close to Mystic Aquarium and the casinos, is somewhat of a hidden gem. While the excitement of New York City and Boston is just two hours away in either direction, Niantic will provide you with that small-town feel.

According to discovereastlyme.com, Niantic is the only community on the Connecticut coast where the “Main Street” - featuring boutiques, specialty shopping, and a one-of-a-kind bookstore - runs parallel to the beautiful Long Island Sound.  

To the right of the boardwalk is McCook Point Park and Beach.

Described as a "central part of life" in East Lyme, "the park consists of a beautiful bluff between two white, sandy beaches," the town said on its website. "On the bluff, where the McCook summer home once stood, is a green lawn with a picnic pavilion, a bandshell, and an events tent. The lawn is shaded by copper beeches, perfect for picnics, games, or a relaxing walk." 

Kazantzis Real Estate has listings in all of these communities, and more. Let us show you around!