EAST HADDAM
CONNECTICUT
THINGS TO DO
East Haddam is packed with many different activities, and with something for every season.
Anderson Sugarhouse
75 Daniels Road, East Haddam
(860) 316-8368
Producer of high quality maple syrup and syrup products. Utilizing sustainable practices, Anderson's protects the long term health of its trees and uses the farm to build positive relationships with the community. Weekends 9-5 or by appointment.
Earthshine Massage
16 Rae Palmer Road, Moodus
(860) 615-9383
A variety of massage services provided in a professional and relaxing environment. Services include chair massage, hot stone, prenatal, Ashiatsu, and customized massages.
East Haddam Stage Co.
East Haddam & Hadlyme
(860) 873-3521
EHSCO is a local performance troupe in residence at Gillette Castle State Park during the summer season. In the winter months, EHSCO tours throughout Connecticut.
Local performances include William Gillette - Senator's Son to Super Sleuth, sponsored by Staehly Farm Winery.
East Haddam Historical Society
264 Town Street, East Haddam
(860) 873-3944
Exhibits highlighting town artifacts, citizens, businesses, industry, and art; spanning from the pre-Colonial period up through the modern day. Featuring an extensive exhibit of the collections of W. Langdon Kihn, noted for documenting the cultures of the Native American West.
Open Saturdays and Sundays Memorial Day through Columbus Day, and by appointment.
Essex Steam Train
1 Railroad Avenue, Essex
(860) 767-0103
While not located within East Haddam, the Essex Steam Train operates all the way up to Goodspeed's Station Country Store just across from the East Haddam Swing Bridge.
The Valley Railroad is a heritage railroad, following the original track line from 1868. Seasonal events for children, families, couples, and groups.
Gillette Castle State Park
67 River Road, East Haddam
(860) 526-2336
Constructed for William Gillette, the first actor to portray Sherlock Holmes, this hill-top castle was completed in 1919. Three miles of narrow gauge railroad have been converted to hiking trails that are open year-round, and the castle museum is open for tours seasonally.
JUL Yoga
4 Norwich Road, East Haddam
(860) 685-1366
JUL Yoga is a donation-based studio that gives directly back to the community. Founded on joy and self-love, its doors are open to all who wish to practice mindfully.
Morefit, LLC
62 Creamery Road, East Haddam
(860) 873-1860
Massage therapy, acupuncture, physical training, cardio classes, and yoga available within a beautifully restored historic building in the heart of Goodspeed Village.
Goodspeed Opera House
6 Main Street, East Haddam
(860) 873-8668
Goodspeed is a two-time Tony Award winning theater that is easy to get to and has that quaint, classic New England charm. The Goodspeed produces America's musical treasures to delight, inspire, and entertain you. Performances Wednesday through Sunday, April through December.
Land Trust Hiking Trails
East Haddam, Moodus, & Hadlyme
The East Haddam Land Trust, in cooperation with the East Haddam Conservation Commission, maintains an extensive network of hiking trails throughout the town's open space properties.
Limited guides are available online as well as in the printed "East Haddam Visitors Guide" distributed at local businesses.
Nathan Hale School House
29 Main Street, East Haddam
(860) 873-3399
One-room school house from 1750. Nathan Hale served as schoolmaster from 1773 to 1774. The structure was later moved from Goodspeed Plaza to its present location with stunning views of the River Valley and the East Haddam Swing Bridge. Open May through October and by appointment.
Ray of Light Farm
232 Town Street, East Haddam
(860) 876-1895
A nonprofit horse and donkey rescue farm providing lessons, therapeutic riding/driving, pony rides, birthday party venue, seasonal activities, and a small-animal interaction area with chickens, goats, ducks, and many other wonderful animals.
River Quest
14 Little Meadow Road, Haddam
(860) 662-0577
Cruise excursions to suit everyone! Daytime and sunset cruises, birding, spring osprey and eagle nesting cruises, kid's cruise, fall foliage cruises, and many more! Tour up and down the Connecticut River Valley and discover all it has to offer.
Staehly Farm Winery
278 Town Street, East Haddam
(860) 873-9774
Family-owned farm winery using 100% estate grown fruit in its wines. Member of the Connecticut Wine Passport Program. Winery tasting room open May through October, check website for hours.
Pick-your-own fruit available as well. Visit website.
State Parks
East Haddam, Moodus, and Hadlyme
East Haddam and the surrounding area is home to an extensive network of Connecticut State Parks. Gillette Castle is the most famous and has the most amenities, but other parks include:
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Babcock Pond
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Brainard Homestead
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Devil's Hopyard
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Eight Mile River
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Machimoodus
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Sunrise Resort
Venture Smith Grave
499 Town Street Street, East Haddam
(860) 873-9084
The grave of Venture Smith (1729 - 1805) is a site on the Freedom Trail and is the final resting place of Venture Smith, an African child who was captured and sold into slavery in the United States. Smith, despite being a slave, was allowed to work other jobs and earned enough money to purchase his freedom as well as the freedom of his wife and children.
Yankee Cider Company
23 Petticoat Lane, East Haddam
(860) 873-2433
The Cider Barn at Staehly Farms is home to Yankee Cider Company, Connecticut's first farm cidery tap room. Enjoy tastings and glasses of hard cider set in a beautifully barn from the early 1900s with views of the orchard and farm. Member of the Connecticut Cider Association. Open year round, visit website for current seasonal hours.