Dining - Madison is host to a number of restaurants and cafes ranging from casual and family friendly to upscale fine dining. Nearby towns also offer some prime spots for good eats. A listing of Beech Tree recommended dining options is available for guests upon arrival at the front desk..

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Shopping - Madison’s town center provides shoppers with a selection of independent gift shops, dress boutiques and renowned independent book shop. Travel to the town greens in Guilford and Branford or head into the villages of Essex and Chester for more wonderful options. For name brand shopping, outlet malls in Clinton and Westbrook are less than 15 minutes away. For fresh and local produce, dairy, baked goods and sundries, we suggest visiting the farmer’s market held on Friday afternoons on the town green. During your stay, be sure to take a look around our gift shop, The Little Station.

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Hammonasset Beach State Park - Hammonasset Beach, named Connecticut’s best beach by Yankee Magazine and the largest beach in the state, is just a stone’s throw away from Beech Tree Cottages. Take a walk across the street or borrow one of our complimentary bicycles to enter the park via the Shoreline Greenway Trail. Enjoy nearly 2 miles of sandy beachfront with facilities for swimming, picnicking, saltwater fishing, scuba diving, hiking and boating; plus an interactive nature center. For rates and information, visit: www.ct.gov/deep/hammonasset

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Madison Town Beaches - The Town of Madison manages three beaches for residents, including East Wharf, West Wharf and the Surf Club. Beech Tree Cottages can provide guests with discounted day passes for entry into any of these beaches. Enjoy swimming or sunbathing at all locations, with concessions, playground and recreation sites available at the Surf Club.

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Shoreline Greenway Trail - Enjoy a leisurely hike or bike ride along the Madison portion of the Shoreline Greenway Trail accessible from Beech Tree Cottages.  Heading north along the trail, follow  a  winding  path  through  shady  trees  to  an  eco-friendly  pedestrian  bridge  crossing  over  marshlands for  entry  into  Hammonasset  Beach  State Park. Heading  south  along  the  trail,  follow  a  wooded   peninsula  with  scenic  views  of  Long  Island Sound  around  a small sloping  path  to  meet  Liberty  Street. For more information, visit: shorelinegreenwaytrail.org

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Connecticut River Valley - From Old Saybrook or Old Lyme to Essex, Ivoryton, Deep River and Chester, the towns and villages surrounding the Connecticut River feature charming historic locations, cultural attractions, and an array of independent shops and restaurants. Enjoy a scenic drive through the area or visit some of its many highlights. | Connecticut River Museum  |  Essex Steam Train & Riverboat  |  Florence Griswold Museum  |. Gillette Castle State Park  |  Goodspeed Opera House  |  Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center

 

New Haven - Tour the campus of Yale University, visit world renowned museums, or enjoy a slice of the country’s best pizza or try the birthplace of the hamburger. | Yale University Art Gallery | Yale Center for British Art | Peabody Museum | Frank Pepe Pizzeria | Sally’s Apizza | Modern Apizza | Louis’ Lunch

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Mystic - A must-see spot on any New England travel guide, Mystic is rich in history and attractions, and boasts a charming walkable downtown area with excellent restaurants and great shops (don’t miss the drawbridge or the tall ships) | Mystic Aquarium  |  Mystic Seaport Museum  |   Mystic Museum of Art  |  Olde Mistick Village

Travel Information - To help plan your trip, please feel free to call our office and speak to our very helpful staff. To learn more about the local area, scenic drives and tourism in the state, we suggest starting with these websites:

ctvisit.com  -  visitnewhaven.com  -  the-e-list.com