Things to Do in East Haddam

East Haddam is the Connecticut River town where Gillette Castle sits on its hill. Beyond the castle, the main draws are the Goodspeed Opera House, which calls itself "The Home of the American Musical"; the 1913 East Haddam Swing Bridge; the seasonal Chester–Hadlyme ferry; and two quieter DEEP parks, Machimoodus State Park in Moodus and the island of Selden Neck. The Friends of Gillette Castle State Park list attractions within a 10- to 30-minute drive of the castle.

Gillette Castle State Park

Start with the castle: a self-guided tour of William Gillette's 24-room stone house, the Train Trail through the old railroad tunnel, and the river views from the terrace and the Grand Central picnic shelter. The grounds are free and open 8 a.m. to sunset (hours).

Goodspeed Opera House

The Goodspeed Opera House, home of Goodspeed Musicals, sits on the Connecticut River in East Haddam village and bills itself as "The Home of the American Musical." The Friends of Gillette Castle State Park note that it has won two special Tony Awards and is where Annie, Man of La Mancha and Shenandoah were first staged. Shows, tickets and parking are on the theatre's own site, goodspeed.org.

The East Haddam Swing Bridge

The Swing Bridge carries Route 82 across the river at East Haddam. The Friends say it opened in 1913, is 899 feet long and is reputed to be the longest bridge of its type in the world. It swings open for recreational boats on the hour and half hour, so expect a short wait at those times. It is the year-round way across the river when the ferry is not running (directions).

The Chester–Hadlyme Ferry

From April 1 to November 30 the state ferry crosses between Chester and the landing below the castle, on demand, for $5 to $6 a car and $2 on foot (ferry hours and fares).

Machimoodus State Park

DEEP's Machimoodus State Park in Moodus covers 300 acres of uplands, woods, meadows and river and cove frontage on the Salmon River and Salmon River Cove. Four and a half miles of old farm roads and trails cross the park, and its ponds and wildflower meadows draw birds and birdwatchers in every season. It is a good pick if you want a longer walk than Gillette Castle's 3.8 miles (hiking).

Selden Neck State Park

Selden Neck, in Lyme just downriver, is an island despite its name: DEEP says it was cut off from the mainland in the 1850s and is the largest island in the Connecticut River. You can only reach it by boat. See kayaking for the launch at the Gillette Castle ferry landing and river camping for the park's own boat-in site.

More Theatre and Art

The Friends list more nearby:

• East Haddam Stage Company, which has staged a one-person play about Gillette's valet, Yukitaka Osaki.
• Ivoryton Playhouse in Ivoryton and The Kate in Old Saybrook.
• I-Park, an artists' residency in East Haddam's woods, usually closed to the public except for open studio or trail days.
• Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, the home of American Impressionism.

Eating

There is no food service at Gillette Castle. The Friends suggest bringing a picnic or stopping at nearby sandwich shops such as Hadlyme Market, Two Wrasslin' Cats or Higher Grounds (plan your visit).