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. After all, that is the ultimate goal of CTMQ.

What do you know about the town that is home to the Thimble Islands? You can scroll down for my list of things to do in town. Or, as always, you can click on the town’s tag to see what I’ve done.

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

All The CTMQ Branford Stuff

Links take you to my reports.

Museums

Harrison House Museum & Barn
Shoreline Art Space
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

SCCRWA Trails – Intro

Lake Saltonstall

Multi-Use/Rail Trails

Shoreline Greenway Trail
Trolley Trail

Food & Drink

Roadfood List: Lenny’s
DuVig Brewing Company
Stony Creek Brewery
Thimble Island Brewing Company
AppStraw Brandies/Branford Distillery
Bellis Bourbon

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
James Blackstone Memorial Library
Money Island Library
Thimble Islands Cruise
The Founding of Yale
Progressive ET Sign