Events/Culture

Explore the Connecticut River Valley and Neighboring Communities

In an area as rich with art and culture, fine dining and history as ours, it’s a pleasure to go exploring. Here’s a sampling of what’s within easy reach of Chester Village West.

Downtown Chester — The historic Main Street offers a medley of shops, galleries and eateries, a Sunday piazza-style farmers market, holiday parades and festivals.
Pattaconk and Cedar Lakes— Enjoy summer activities like boating, fishing and swimming, and ice fishing and hiking in the winter.
Chester Winter Carnival — In February, the village comes alive with Brazilian music, dancing and food, an ice carving competition, chili cook-off, tractor parade, gallery openings, shop receptions and more.
The Annual Four on the 4th Road Race in Chester — In July, some 700 runners take on a hilly four-mile course through Chester.
Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam — Enjoy award-winning theatre productions in the historic Victorian-styled opera house that overlooks the river, the East Haddam swing bridge and a small riverside park. The players also perform at the Goodspeed at Chester — The Norma Terris Theatre Stage.
Nathan Hale School House in East Haddam — Visit the tiny, one-room schoolhouse where Connecticut's Nathan Hale served as schoolmaster.
Nature Preserves in East Haddam — Travel by foot or canoe to see hundreds of acres of forest, brooks, a tidal pond, flood plains, marshes and abundant wildlife.
Connecticut River Museum in Essex — Visit this family-friendly waterfront museum in historic Essex to learn about the people, places and stories of the river.
Gillette Castle State Park in East Haddam — Take the East Haddam swing bridge or the Hadlyme Ferry to see the secret passages, cunning locks and exotic stonework in the recently refurbished castle built by the late actor William Gillette.
Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme — Discover amazing art by the Lyme Art Colony at Miss Florence’s boarding house and country retreat.
Whitfield State Historical Museum in Guilford — Built in 1639, the late Rev. Whitfield’s family home is now Connecticut's oldest house. A national historic landmark, the stone building features three floors filled with 17th through 19th century furnishings and artifacts.
The Dinosaur Place at Natures Art in Oakdale — Treat grandkids to an interactive exhibit on science, nature and dinosaurs.
Ivoryton Playhouse — Built in 1911 and known for its parade of stars such as Katharine Hepburn, Betty Grable and Marlon Brando, the Ivoryton Playhouse is a charming, historic playhouse with year-round professional performances.
Garde Arts Center in New London — The performing arts center hosts national Broadway musical tours, operas, orchestras, ballet, children’s theater and more. The center is home to the 1,472-seat Garde Theatre, which was built in 1926 during the golden era of the motion pictures and vaudeville theaters.
Essex Steam Train and Riverboat — The Valley Railroad Company has been in existence in one form or the other since 1868. The history of this little railroad is as exciting as a ride on the railroad today, and reflects the ups and downs of the American rail system from the early days of steam to the present. Visitors can enjoy riding both the steam train and riverboat.
Water’s Edge Resort & Spa — The enchanting Water's Edge Resort & Spa is secluded along the beautiful Connecticut shoreline overlooking Long Island Sound, in rustic Westbrook.
Inn at Middletown — Formerly a National Guard Armory, the historic hotel offers New England ambiance with contemporary convenience for our leisure and business travelers. It also features the award-winning Tavern at the Armory, where you'll able to enjoy traditional regional and seasonal New England cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner in a charming colonial tavern.
Saybrook Point Inn & Spa — The tranquil waterfront elegance of Saybrook Point Inn & Spa is just one welcoming feature of this spectacular New England treasure. Guests sample gourmet cuisine, surrounded by stunning views of Long Island Sound, in Terra Mar Restaurant, their AAA Four Diamond restaurant.