July 9, 2011 Off the beaten path destination: Avery Point, Groton, CT



Me near the brick walkway leading to the Lighthouse

Here is an off the beaten path attraction on the Connecticut shoreline.   Gloria and I spent the afternoon at our favorite low-budget ocean front spot, the Avery Point Campus of the University of Connecticut in Groton, CT.  This park-like campus is one of the best values (free) in ocean side recreation in eastern Connecticut. Avery Point is a great alternative for out of town visitors banned from private beaches and tired of crowded state parks.



View of Pine Island with Fishers Island in the distance.

There is no swimming at Avery Point, but on weekends and most days in the summer parking is ample (and free).  The grounds contain a snack bar (Fin’s) open 7 to 7 seven days a week, a paved shoreline walk, beautiful grounds dotted with sculptures by local artists, a university book store, a hulking great granite mansion- The Branford House, an adjacent private marina providing lots of boat traffic, a restored light house, and gorgeous views of the mouth of the Thames River and Long Island Sound. 

Rose lined walkway outside Fin's Cafe

A short walk up the road is a second marina where kayaks and jet skis can be rented for the more hands on tourist. If you plan ahead, Project Oceanology on the campus has lighthouse and oceanographic research cruises every day except Sunday. Probably the best part of Avery Point is what it doesn’t have: crowds.



Gloria with a town beach in the background

I don’t think the locals will be too upset that I am revealing this attraction. Most locals know someone with a cottage or summer home that includes a pass to the many private beaches along the shoreline and prefer that kind of accommodation.  But if you don’t have those connections and swimming is not what you have in mind, just follow Thames Street to Shennecossett Road and check out this little gem by the sea.

To my friends from the Pacific Northwest, this coastline is not as dramatic as yours, but the sun shines here more than 200 days of the year!

David