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 a smaller town of fewer than 20,000, Waterford really packs a punch. It's close to everything, but maintains that small-town feel," said Kazantzis Real Estate Owner and Agent Andrea Kazantzis. "All of the school buildings have recently undergone renovations, so it's a great place to raise a family as well."
The Beaches
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.
At Waterford Beach Park visitors can experience an unmodified natural beach with breathtaking vistas of Long Island Sound as well as an extensive tidal marsh. Parking is limited, so plan to arrive early on the weekends. Those who have not purchased a seasonal pass will not be able to enter Waterford Beach during the 2020 season.
If you like to fish, there are several charter boats that can take you out for a deep-sea adventure.
Harkness Memorial State Park
Picturesque views are in no short supply at Harkness Memorial State Park.
This 230-acre state park along Long Island Sound is a great place to walk on the beach, fish, fly a kite, and picnic. The stately Eolia Mansion - 42-room Roman Renaissance Classical Revival-style mansion - sits on the grounds and is open for tours on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
While the water views are amazing at the park, there is no swimming allowed.
The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center
Photo Courtesy: The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center
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 makes 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.
The O’Neill - which is just a short walk from Waterford Beach Park - has been home to more than 1,000 new works for the stage and thousands more emerging artists. It also owns and operates the Monte Cristo Cottage as a museum open to the public. The cottage is the childhood summer home of Eugene O’Neill and a National Historic Landmark.
Around Town
Established in 1801, history is also rich in Waterford.
The 1740 Jordan Schoolhouse is the oldest surviving public building in the town. The schoolhouse features a gambrel roof, two rooms, a garret, and two fireplaces.
For gear heads, Waterford Speedbowl offers NASCAR stock car auto racing and other special events.
If this information about Waterford revs your engines, we have a team of agents waiting to show you your dream home.