Old Lyme

Old Lyme is a coastal town in Mystic-Eastern region of Connecticut. Old Lyme is a quaint little town at the bottom of the Connecticut River on the East banks. It is generally regarded as a summering destination as it has many gorgeous beaches.

Understand
Off-season, Old Lyme has a small population, and the locals generally know each other. Although you may stick out, the locals are very friendly and willing to help direct you where you need to go.

Lyme Disease got its name from Old Lyme. A local doctor first discovered the disease here!

Get in
The best way to get into Old Lyme is by car. Although there is a public transit bus (Bus Number 9), it is very infrequent and hard to catch. As for other means of getting to Old Lyme, across the Connecticut River in Old Saybrook is a train station owned by Amtrak and also served by Shoreline East trains. Many people come from Boston and New York this way. This is the easiest way to get close to Old Lyme without a car; however, upon arriving in Old Saybrook you will need to rent a car unless you have brought a bicycle or are in no rush (there is a foot and bicycle path across the Connecticut River on the I-95 Baldwin Bridge).

Get around
A car is useful for getting around Old Lyme, though biking is also an option. The beaches are far from the quaint town center, and many of the parks or lakes (including in neighboring Lyme) are a 20 minute drive from the center of town, though some beautiful hiking trails on large town-owned and land conservation trust-owned properties are close to town.

See


The thing Old Lyme is most known for is its beaches. There are many to choose from, so it shouldn't be hard finding one.

Other things to see include:



Do
Swim, fish, hike, shop, kayaking.



Beaches

 * Griswold Point This beach makes for a long walk on a sandy beach where there is always sea glass and shells to find. Every so often an arrow heads gets found so keep your eye out, especially sticking out of the orange clay to your right in the beginning of your walk. When getting to the end of the beach stay to the sand and water because the grassy areas are private property. The end of the beach is also home of a nature/bird preserve.


 * White Sands Beach This is a town beach. A town resident sticker is needed to park as a parking attendant is on duty whenever the beach is open. Lifeguards are on duty at all times, unless there is rain or bad weather. There are cottage rentals available for summer and winter, all the cottages are a very short walk to the beach. This beach is connected to Griswold point. There are frequent visits from the Ice Cream Man here as well as indoor bathrooms and outdoor showers.


 * Old Lyme Beach Club This is a private beach club. Members only, unless the guest is with a member. There is a snack Bar with a deck. Tables with umbrellas are provided, as well as a deck with an awning. Restrooms, dressing rooms, foot showers and  stand up showers with hot and cold water are there for member's use. An attendant and life guard are always on duty unless it is raining or there is bad weather. A raft with a swim area around it is where swimming is guarded by the life guard and a pier extends into the water. A swimming test is required for children under 12. The test is done by lifeguards.


 * Mile Creek Beach Club The beach is members only. It has a covered deck with picnic tables. There are Men’s and Women’s Restrooms available. Open showers and foot showers are also on premise. A lifeguard and parking attendant are on duty 7 days a week. There is a raft and swim area provided that is watched by the lifeguards. A raft test is administered by the lifeguard here.


 * Hawks Nest Beach A portion of this beach is open to town residents. There are no lifeguards on duty. Almost all of the beach butts up to cottages built right on the sand. Some cottages are owned but most are rented out to visiting renters from out of town. A small convenience store is on premise with food, ice cream, toys and clothing bearing the Hawks Nest Beach name and logo. Tennis courts are available for renters. Hawks Nest is a very kid-friendly area.


 * Sound View Beach Sound View is a public beach. Though for parking there is a fee. This beach is not watched by lifeguards so it is swim at your own risk. It is often a very busy crowded beach. There are no bathrooms other than port potties in the parking lots and those are only accessible if you have parked in that lot. There are many places to eat within walking distance including an ice cream shop and an Italian ice shop. In addition this area is available for cottage rentals.

Kayaking

 * Rentals are available at the Black Hall Marina.
 * Launching is also available at Black Hall as well as at the End of Smiths Neck Road.

Hiking

 * Watch Rock has many trails that mostly end at the water. It is good for hiking, bike riding, fishing and blue crabbing.

Fishing

 * Watch Rock is a good fishing area for brackish water fish.
 * The D.E.P. Dock is also brackish water fish.
 * Griswold Point for salt water fish.
 * Rodger's Lake for fresh water fish.

Swimming

 * Rodger's Lake (fresh water)
 * White Sands Beach (Long Island Sound/salt water)
 * Sound View (Long Island Sound/salt water)
 * Griswold Point (Long Island Sound/salt water)

Buy

 * Bowerbird - Boutique of children's toys, jewelry, games, clothing, bath and beauty, Vera Bradley, Seasonal items.
 * Treasures - Antique Store
 * E.F. Watermelon - High-end jewelry
 * Cooley Gallery - Art
 * Carousel Shop - Beach toys, beach jewelry, candy
 * The Woman's Exchange - Hand-made objects made by the women in town.

Drink
There are not many places to drink in Old Lyme. Your best bet is to go to a restaurant. If you are looking for a bar, head to Cherrystone’s or The Hideaway. If you are looking for a more “high-class” experience, go to either the Bee and Thistle Inn or Old Lyme Inn.

Sleep
In addition to hotels, another lodging option is to rent a Summer Home. If you are visiting Old Lyme in the summer, you can rent a home for as little as a week or as long as 5 months. Contact a local realtor in order to find a suitable home.



Go next
Old Lyme is located right on Interstate 95. Follow the northern route to get to Providence and Boston, and the southern route to get to New Haven and New York City.