Summer Bucket List: Ten Things to Do in Stonington Borough
Whether you want low-key, relaxing days, or a summer filled with sports and recreation, we have enough activities to keep you busy until September. Here are ten things to put on your summer bucket list, and they’re all right here in Stonington Borough.
#1 Take a self-guided walking tour
The official walking map and self-guided tour of Historic Stonington Borough has just been updated. Copies are available at the Stonington Free Library and through select merchants. The walking tour guides you through the village, detailing its history and diverse styles of architecture when farming, shipbuilding, and fishing defined a way of life. You’ll also discover cultural assets, museums, parks, and a directory of businesses that make the Borough such a wonderful place to be. An illustration by local artist Susan Scala graces the cover.
#2 Pack a picnic and enjoy a concert on the lawn
There are a number of dreamy spots to picnic, but add live music and it’s an event! La Grua Center hosts a series of Summer Concerts on the Green right in the heart of the Borough. Ed Fast & Conga Bop, the US Coast Guard Band, Ms. Bergin, and guitarist James Harris are all lined up for this season.
In July, Salt Marsh Opera is hosting Music at the Lighthouse. It’s a mesmerizing evening of opera arias and popular Broadway songs with the most beautiful view of Little Narragansett Bay.
There’s plenty of room to picnic at Saltwater Farm Vineyard. Their Thursday Night Summer Music Series includes live music by a variety of musicians (Dan Watson, Thor Torgersen, Nick Bosse, Dave Alves, Phil Smith, Colin Callahan, Shawn Taylor), food trucks, and of course, wine. You can also purchase cheese, crackers, and charcuterie in the tasting room.
#3 Plan for happy hour
If you missed The Bee’s Knees (prohibition-style cocktails at the Lighthouse hosted by the Stonington Historical Society), bummer, but we have some other options for you. If you’re looking for drinks on the dock with a sunset view, Dog Watch Café’s Dog Pound and Breakwater at Stonington Harbor are ideal locations. Breakwater also hosts happy hour from 3-6 pm, as does Noah’s Restaurant (3-5 pm).
New to the Borough is Cove Ledge Beer, Wine & Spirits and they’ve got big plans! They’re hosting tastings every Friday night from 5-7 pm. Their new tasting station has 8 bottles on tap at all times and word has it that a cheese shop is coming soon.
You can also mosey on over to the Velvet Mill where you’ll find Beer’d Brewing (Hoppy Hour 2-5 pm Thursdays and Fridays), and Rum Tropic Distillery, which recently opened to rave reviews!
#4 Connect with Mother Nature
Peek behind the walls and gates of some of Stonington Borough’s historic properties. The Stonington Garden Club is hosting the Gardens by the Sea Walking Tour Friday, June 10, and Saturday, June 11. There’s a tour, marketplace, Plein air painters, and more. For full details, read our last post or visit the Stonington Garden Club.
There are a number of ways to escape and connect with nature in the Borough. Grab a coffee at Indulge or Macondo and go for a walk along scenic Stonington Harbor. Pick up the path at the waterfront gazebo in front of Stonington Commons on Water Street (a large condo complex that includes an eatery and dock access). For more details, visit our parks and nature page.
Located at the end of Wall Street, you'll find Dodge Paddock & Beal Preserve, the loveliest walking trail on an open salt marsh meadow filled with wildflowers and beach roses, with panoramic views of Little Narragansett Bay.
Wander off Water Street and you’ll discover the Borough in bloom — roses spilling off arbors and stone walls, hydrangeas in the prettiest seaside hues, and gardens full of pollinators. Don’t forget that walking map!
#5 Get your endorphins flowing
Get your heart pumping with athletic programs offered by The Stonington COMO. Learn the basics or improve your tennis or paddle tennis game. There are programs and clinics for both kids and adults. They’ve also added some new half-day basketball options for grades 5-8.
On Thursday, July 28th, take part in the 2022 Blessing of the Fleet 5K Race. It’s a timed race through the Borough that starts and ends at the Town Dock. You can also choose to register for a non-competitive 2-mile walk.
The Stonington Historical Society is offering Yoga at the Lighthouse every Wednesday morning and the Palmer House every Thursday morning. All levels are welcome.
If you want to go it alone, check out the outdoor exercise equipment in the Borough Playground sponsored by the Stonington Village Improvement Association (SVIA). The first in a multi-location fitness loop, it has three stations, each providing several different exercise opportunities.
#6 Get out on the water
Take advantage of one of Stonington’s best assets — the water! You can sail, fish, kayak, and paddleboard with one of New England Science & Sailing’s (NESS) many programs. Treat the kids to an incredible summer experience — NESS camps are highly desirable, so make reservations asap!
Summer Day Camp at the Como involves the beach, among other stimulating activities like games, STEAM in their Makerspace, and nutrition in their kitchen. Frequent trips to duBois Beach mean your camper is tuckered out at the end of the day!
For residents or Borough visitors who want to get in some beach time, day passes and season passes are available. It is strongly encouraged that you purchase your day pass online from your cell phone upon arrival since they are only valid on the date of purchase and inclement weather closes the beach. For more information, visit the Stonington Como.
For those interested in fun, low-pressure racing, the Stonington Dinghy Club has been hosting small boat racing every Wednesday night in the summer for over 50 years. The Wednesday Night Racing Series is definitely a local favorite.
Stonington Point is a very popular dive site for the local diving community - so much so that Southeastern Connecticut Skin Divers (SECONN) donated two picnic tables to the site and placed a series of Geocaches in local waters. During the summer, there are groups of divers exploring the site nearly every night, home to a myriad of fishes, invertebrates, and colorful algae.
#7 Climb the cupolas
Take advantage of Connecticut Open House Day on Saturday, June 11 when admission to both the Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer House and the Lighthouse Museum is free. Climb to the top of the cupolas for spectacular views of Stonington. From the lighthouse lantern room on a clear day, you can see three states! Also of note, the James Merrill House will be open for the day. Tour the residence of American poet James Merrill, a National Historic Landmark, located at 107 Water Street.
#8 Catch a small-town parade
The 4th of July Parade and reading of the Declaration of Independence in Stonington Borough is enchanting, and immediately following, the Stonington Village Improvement Association hosts an ice cream social, with ice cream donated by Dog Watch Café.
The event is organized and hosted by The Stonington Historical Society year after year, and it’s a quintessential small-town parade that captures the charm of our quaint village. The parade usually starts at 10:00 am on Wadawanuck Square. For photos from a past parade, click here.
#9 Visit the Fair
The Annual Stonington Village Fair is celebrating its 70th year! Don’t miss this event on August 6th which draws thousands. With the assistance of more than 100 volunteers, it’s a day full of shopping, games, music, food, and crafts. The COMO partners with the Stonington Free Library for a used book sale. It features all genres in both hardcover and paperback.
#10 Support Local Artists
La Grua has a new exhibit opening Friday, July 8th featuring Stonington artists. For the littles, check out their youth summer workshops where kids can work with local artists on painting, crafting, clay, and more. All ages are welcome and registration is not required.
Now through July 17th, the Artists at the Velvet Mill (22 Bayview Avenue) are exhibiting mixed media on the second floor. While you’re there, don’t miss the sculpture garden in Wimpfheimer Park located on the east end. The Hollycroft Foundation Connecticut Coastline Sculpture Exhibit was installed in October 2020, in collaboration with the Stonington Village Improvement Association. They’ve also provided benches and a Little Free Library.
The 4th Annual Art Walk in Stonington Borough is planned for Saturday, September 17, 2022, and this year is going to be huge! Water Street between Pearl and Church is going to be closed to vehicular traffic to accommodate artists’ tents, plus we’re pairing artists with merchants up against storefronts. There will be pop-up musical performances on the hour, and food trucks are in the works. For more information or if you are an artist and would like to participate, visit the Art Walk event page.
*Please note: A correction was made after this post was published. New England Science and Sailing is not doing NESSIE Harbor Cruises this year.
All photos by Sandy Alexander / Dessa Lea Productions unless otherwise noted