CTMQ’s Guide to Branford

Everything Branford

I’ve been exploring and writing about Connecticut since 2006. After a decade, I began compiling CTMQ guides for each town in the state. I plan on “completing” Branford CTMQ-style… as well as the other 168 towns, cities, and boroughs in Connecticut. That is the ultimate goal of CTMQ.

If I’ve missed anything in town or if anything has closed or changed, please let me know.

Museums

Harrison House Museum & Barn
Shore Line Trolley Museum
Stony Creek Museum

Hikes & Bikes

Branford’s trail system is unique. They all blend together in a beautiful show of collaboration, so the listing below is a little different.

CFPA’s Stony Creek Trails – which are a network of Branford Land Trust trails (Intro) and Branford’s Town Trails (Intro). The Branford Trail is a combination as well. Just go with it.

The Branford Trail:

Beacon Hill Preserve
Brooks R. Kelly Preserve
Hoadly Creek Preserve
Lucy T. Hammer Woodlands
Pisgah Brook & Saltonstall Mountain Preserve
Short Beach Preserve
Stony Creek Preserve
The Stony Creek Partnership, Washburn Preserve, & Weil Property
The Supply Ponds & Queach Preserve
The Trolley Trail, Goss & Vedder
Van Wie Preserve
The Weis Preserve
Young’s Pond & Bob’s Woods

RWA Trails – Intro

Lake Saltonstall

Multi-Use/Rail Trails

Shoreline Greenway Trail
Trolley Trail

Food & Drink

Roadfood List: Lenny’s
CT Beer Trail: Caius Farm Brewery
CT Beer Trail: DuVig Brewing Company (Closed)
CT Beer Trail: Stony Creek Brewery (Closed)
CT Beer Trail: Thimble Island Brewing Company (Closed)
CT Spirits Trail: AppStraw Brandies/Branford Distillery

Looking for your favorite restaurant? Here is an explanation as to why it’s not here.

Everything Else

US First: Connecticut Hospice
National Champion: Umbrella Magnolia
The Interesting Thimble Islands:

Kelsey Island
Lovers Island
Umbrella Islands
Devil’s Footprint
Supply Pond Fishway
Sleepyhead
Bill Miller’s Castle
Stony Creek Puppet House
CT Cool Library Tour: James Blackstone Memorial Library
CT Cool Library Tour: Money Island Library
Thimble Islands Cruise
Progressive ET Sign

Branford Wrap-Up

Completion Celebration TBD

Comments

Henry S says
September 4, 2026 at 8:58 pm

Some content for those ready to further explore Branford. It has wonderful hiking, including a CT Forest and Park property. Funny anecdote: I did the Branford Trail, without much prior research, besides knowing that it’s 28 miles. That’s a long day, right? The Branford Land Trust writes on their website: ” a 28-mile trail around the perimeter of the town.” It turns out that the trail leads to Branford Point, and I’d have to swim across a 100 ft ocean section in early April. I got my first ever uber to get back to my car. Also, Stony Creek is an extremely picturesque village with quaint shops. The only Thimble Island accessible to the public is Outer Island, from Stony Creek, by ferry. It’s wonderful! Part of the Stewart B McKinney National Wildlife Refuge. I live in central CT, so this is a shout out to a nice town.