http://www.usresident.com/content/articles/us-travel-guides/connecticut/ Sat, 19 May 2012 19:11:00 +0000 43200 http://www.usresident.com/content/articles/us-travel-guides/connecticut/greenwich-ct-reviewed-by-sharon-watson-r32
While there are many wonderful hotels and bed & breakfasts in Greenwich, CT, a favorite place to stay is the Homestead Inn, owned and operated by the Henkelmanns. It is absolutely gorgeous, and a true luxury. I especially recommend it for people who consider themselves "foodies." You can't really even refer to it as mere food. It is gourmet cuisine at its best, as German-born Thomas Henkelmann is a classically trained, French Chef.

For those with a smaller budget in mind, another good choice for accommodations in Greenwich CT, is the Harbor House Inn, located out on Shore Road. This charming bed and breakfast feels like something right out of a Currier & Ives painting. The picturesque setting is lovely all year round, with plenty of fall and spring color, beautiful snowy winters and of course, a quick walk to the beach is perfect for summer visitors.

Greenwich is only 45 minutes from New York City, so when you travel in the USA, a visit to Greenwich gives you the best of both worlds: the old country charm of small town itself is a great contrast to a bustling day of shopping and sight seeing in the Big Apple.

I really enjoy antiquing, and Greenwich is an especially fun place to go on an antique treasure hunt. Guild Antiques is a terrific place to look for special 18th and 19th century items, including furniture, paintings, and accessories. Guild has been around since 1978, and have their main location right on Greenwich Ave.

Those who enjoy natural settings and the quiet solitude of a walk in the woods may want to check out Greenwich's Montgomery Pinetum, off Bible Street. This place is amazing and rivals park all over the USA with it's miles of beautiful hiking through acres and acres of pine trees. This park has many miles of foot trails that wind around creating a scenic area for walking, biking, and just getting away from it all. The Pinetum has a great Garden Education center that is open to the public. So avid, or even casual gardeners will want to check this out.

Shopping in Greenwich is fun, although most of the stores are the typical national chains you will find in most affluent cities as you travel the USA. The exception to this is the group of independent stores on Lewis Street. While you are shopping, stop in at "Restaurant Jean-Louis", 61 Lewis Street, for a meal that you won't soon forget. This restaurant was voted the "best deal for lunch" statewide in the 2005 Zagat review.

Greenwich, CT has a lot to offer, and is a great place to visit. For relaxing in luxury, or as a springboard to trips into New York City, it is a lovely town and wonderful vacation spot.]]> Sun, 28 Nov 2010 13:06:20 +0000 65ded5353c5ee48d0b7d48c591b8f430 http://www.usresident.com/content/articles/us-travel-guides/connecticut/hartford-ct-reviewed-by-sharon-watson-r31
This may seem a little strange at first, but I like to visit historic cemeteries when I travel the USA. They are fascinating places with interesting old headstones and monuments, and you never know what, or who, you will find there. Often - especially in the coastal areas - you can find the grave sites of famous early Americans.

In Hartford, I recommend the Center Church and Ancient Burying Ground. The Church was built in 1807, and was modeled after St. Martin-in-the-Fields in London. The stained glass windows are by Louis Tiffany, and as you can imagine, they are gorgeous.

Katherine Hepburn was born in Hartford in 1907, almost one hundred years ago. She is buried in her family's plot at Cedar Hill Cemetery on Fairfield Avenue. If you are interested in Hepburn, famous or historic graves, this may be a stop you want to make just out of curiosity.

My final recommendation for traveling and touring free USA monuments, especially one that is connected to the deceased in Hartford, is a trip to the 1886 Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch on Trinity Street.

Civil War buffs tend to be attracted to it as it honors the 4000 Hartford citizens who served in the war, and especially the 400 men who died for the Union. This Gothic landmark is really fascinating, and free tours are available. One of the really cool things about the tours is that you can get inside and climb almost one hundred steps for a great view of the city and surrounding park.

If you are looking for things that aren't readily available in other areas to travel in the USA, check out Gillette Castle state Park in East Haddam, just 45 minutes from Hartford. The castle is a 24 room mansion in the style of a medieval castle, and it was designed and built by an actor/director/play write: William Hooker Gillette. There is simply nothing like this anywhere you may travel in the USA! All the woodwork is hand-hewn southern white oak, and just about everything in the castle is unique. The doors are intricately carved, the furnishings are amazing and ingenious with built-in couches and other fanciful creations. Simply put, this is worth seeing.

For me, it is almost about choosing what not to do in Hartford, as opposed to finding things to do, since there is so much available. I usually feel like I am missing things in this great town!]]> Sun, 28 Nov 2010 12:51:13 +0000 1afa34a7f984eeabdbb0a7d494132ee5 http://www.usresident.com/content/articles/us-travel-guides/connecticut/stamford-ct-reviewed-by-sharon-watson-r30
I like Oceans 211 on Summer Street in Stamford, with its traditional Nantucket faire - which is really a code term for lobster. Delicious, delicate, delectable. What else is there to say? Yes, there are other choices if lobster isn't your favorite, or if you prefer turf over surf! I am a little partial to the Lobster Rolls, if you are looking for a recommendation. Lunch is relatively affordable here, and the atmosphere is elegant but relaxed. Oceans 211 is a great travel USA destination for the food lover.

Places that the locals consider "must sees" are the Stamford Museum & Nature Center, SoundWaters cruise, and Maritime Aquarium located in Norwalk, just north of Stamford. The Museum is on Scofieldtown Road, in Stamford, and is pretty easy to get to. They really have a little of everything for your family. It compares very favorably with other museums I have visited in my USA travels, and I really recommend this for families who want a hands on opportunity to explore exhibits themed with space travel, nature, and life on a small New England farm. Staff here are friendly and helpful. They want your visit to be pleasant and educational.

A SoundWaters Cruise is great fun, and it is educational, too. The mission of SoundWaters, is to educate children and adults about the wonders and beauty of Long Island Sound and its watershed. Well, I think they really put on good programs here. You have to check out the offerings for your trip, but general offerings include ecology education sails, and canoe trips with a certified canoeist/naturalist. They offer opportunities to view and identify wildlife and discovery local history. The SoundWaters Center is located in Cove Island Park, and is really worth adding to your travel USA destinations.

The Maritime Aquarium is about a five or ten minute drive north of Stamford, to Norwalk, and the aquarium is right on the waterfront of the Norwalk River and Long Island Sound. The Aquarium is devoted entirely to the sea life living specifically in the Long Island Sound. As such, they actually have a 110,000 Open Ocean tank with nine-foot sharks, among other sea creatures that you might find in the Sound. The Aquarium is really devoted to education and there are several hands-on opportunities such as the Jellyfish Encounter, for your family to participate in. I know there are IMAX theatres across the USA, but this is the only one in Connecticut, and the movies are really worth seeing as long as you don't have issues with motion sickness.

Stamford, CT is a terrific waterfront town. Whether you are looking for educational opportunities, rest and relaxation, historical sightseeing or just the beauty of an ocean town, it makes a great travel USA destination.]]> Sun, 28 Nov 2010 12:48:21 +0000 9b8619251a19057cff70779273e95aa6