Exploring Essex, Connecticut
📍 Essex, Connecticut

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To no one’s surprise, including my own, I have fallen in love with a little slice of New England where the land meets the sea. Well, it actually meets the Connecticut River, but this is a coastal town nonetheless. With a population of less than 7,000, Essex is about as small as it comes. Despite its size, it is steeped in rich history with so much to explore. On a sunny weekend morning, we decided to make the short drive (1 hour from Norwalk and 2 hours 30 minutes from NYC) to experience the town for ourselves. Although it was a quick visit, here’s what we discovered while exploring Essex, Connecticut. 

Iced Coffee on the Water

Like so many weekend mornings, ours began with visiting the local coffee shop. Here, in Essex, that would be Essex Coffee & Tea Company. It’s a tiny space, but that’s what you can expect from a house built in 1720. On this particular visit, I opted for an iced seasonal latte (I believe salted caramel) and a cinnamon crumb cake to go. Next, stroll down Main Street. You won’t have to go far until you reach the water. We loved grabbing a bench and sitting by the water for a spell. While there, be sure to visit the Connecticut River Museum for their permanent exhibits on the town’s history.

Eye Candy with Historic Homes

After your caffeinated treat by the river, walk back into town for some mid-morning shopping. Take your time, though! You’ll want to linger on each historic home. Essex was originally part of the Old Saybrook Colony, which became a part of Connecticut in the 1640s. You can find rows of homes from the 1700s and 1800s. During the War of 1812, things got really interesting. Then, it became the target of a raid by British soldiers. Even though the town was quickly hijacked, the townspeople were able to spare their homes by promising not to deploy the local militia. The British then marched to the Griswold Inn, then called Bushnell Tavern, and proceeded to drink $100,000 worth of rum. 

Lunch at the Griswold Inn

After you walk through town, you simply cannot leave without a meal at the Griswold Inn. Although originally under a different name, it has been open for business since 1776, making it one of the country’s oldest continuously operating inns. That would also make it the oldest bar in all of Connecticut which is how it found its way on my radar. The decor inside is perfectly nautical, with ship portraits, an extensive collection of Revolutionary firearms, and prints from Currier & Ives. A place like this is the perfect spot for Fish and Chips, which is exactly what I ordered, while sampling the Griswold Inn’s own Revolutionary Ale. 

As you can see, I took so many pictures during our short visit, but I’m only scratching the surface. For my friends who are familiar with the Gasparilla Inn, Essex reminded me of a New England version of Boca Grande, Florida. That feeling alone instantly made me a lifelong fan, and I can’t wait to come back for a repeat visit to this slice of coastal Connecticut.

Love from Connecticut,
Katie

Thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about my travels and style, be sure to visit throughout the week! Be sure to check out my exclusive adventures in NYC and New England. 

My Favorite CT Coffee Shops
📍 New Canaan, CT

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I’ve been working from home since 2020, and my coffee routine is almost entirely at home. While it’s a great way to save money, I love treating myself with some caffeine to-go. In short, coffee shops are for the weekend! This past year, we’ve used our Saturday and Sunday mornings for early wake-up calls and visiting new-to-us coffee shops. In my mind, there are six that stand out as my favorite. Keep in mind, this post will focus on my picks in Fairfield County, but know there’s a whole state of charming small towns to explore!

Arden’s

Oh, Arden’s, how much I love you! This was the first coffee shop we visited while daydreaming about moving to Connecticut. Did it fully influence my decision? I’m not entirely sure, but you can say it holds a special place in my heart. This seaside-inspired café has all the charm you could expect from a picturesque New England town. Their dirty chai latte is probably my favorite in the area, but they also stand out for their breakfast tacos and olive oil cake. Now that they just received their liquor license, I can’t wait to visit for some after-work drink cocktails. 

CFCF Coffee

Because of the great shopping and perfectly manicured Main Street, Greenwich has become one of our favorite towns to relax in on a weekend morning. CFCF Coffee may be exclusive to Greenwich, but it’s taken a page from the European cafes. Founded in 2012, they’ve offered a long menu of bites. I particularly love their scone and lattes. Grab a coffee-to-go as you wander the designer boutiques for a perfectly caffeinated treat. 

GG & Joe

Since it’s just a stone’s throw away from us, we find ourselves in Westport on most weekends. With so many incredible shops and restaurants, it’s no wonder this New England town is highly coveted. GG & Joe is where you’ll find the locals: moms gabbing away about after-school activities, high schoolers doing homework, and everything in between. It makes for great people-watching! For a caffeinated summertime treat, I recommend the Energizer smoothie.

Maman

Being one of my go-to coffee shops in NYC, I was over the moon to find a location close to my little slice of Connecticut. What can I say about Maman that hasn’t already been said? Named after the French word for mother, the menu offers up all of the Parisian treats with a twist, like croissants and tartines. Have a seasonal pastry, but feel free to stay a while. It’s the perfect spot to meet your bestie for brunch.

Mercantile at GrayBarns

For a surreal country getaway without actually driving to the country, look no further than the Mercantile at GrayBarns. This Norwalk gem is tucked away in the rolling hills of the Silvermine district and has become a fast favorite. Located in a renovated 1860s farmhouse, the Mercantile is the kind of place you’ll want to spend all morning. Order one of their delicious quiches, made fresh daily, and sit on their garden patio for a spell. Later in the afternoon, they also offer a wine hour, so grab your closest friends for a curated girls’ night out. 

Rowayton Market

No weekend is complete without a trip to Rowayton Market. Truly! David and I have made it part of our grocery shopping routine. After going to Whole Foods, we always swing into Rowayton to pick up ground coffee, one of their incredible deli sandwiches, for lunch and breakfast. On either Saturday or Sunday morning, you’re almost guaranteed to find us sitting on the back patio overlooking the 5 Mile River. The fact that little Brennan is now part of that routine is all the sweeter. While it serves up a seasonal menu of lattes and teas, along with a solid BEC sandwich, Rowayton Market is also one of Connecticut’s oldest continuously run markets. 

Cheers to so many great coffee shops! Is there any place that I missed? I will take any excuse to crawl out of bed, bright and early, on the weekend to have a cafe all to myself. I am already researching where else to visit and brainstorming a blog post for my favorite NYC coffee shops. What can I say? I’ll never turn down an extra dose of caffeine. 

Love from Connecticut,
Katie

Thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about my travels and style, be sure to visit throughout the week! Be sure to check out my exclusive adventures in NYC and New England.