Guidebook for Branford's Blue Heron Airbnb
Food Scene
Sushi: Takumi.
Italian: LoMonaco's (or anywhere on Wooster Street)
Seafood: Lenny & Joe's or Dockside.
Burgers: Five Guys.
Coffee: Common Grounds.
Waterfront? Nellie Greens or Shell & Bones.
LoMonaco's Ristorante Italiano
990 W Main StHigh quality Italian dishes priced very reasonably.
Some of the best selection and highest quality we've seen, and we've heard the same from sushi lovers everywhere who've come and tried it.
Takumi Sushi Ramen&Lounge
906 W Main StSome of the best selection and highest quality we've seen, and we've heard the same from sushi lovers everywhere who've come and tried it.
Very popular with the locals. 1 of 2 breakfast places located on the Branford town green that we recommend for breakfast - the other is G Cafe just up the street from Common Grounds.
7 locals recommend
Common Grounds
1096 Main StVery popular with the locals. 1 of 2 breakfast places located on the Branford town green that we recommend for breakfast - the other is G Cafe just up the street from Common Grounds.
We used to have a Ben & Jerry's a few spots away on the town green but the ice cream at Ashley's is just that good... The locals LOVE to line up at Ashley's.
16 locals recommend
Ashley's Ice Cream
280 York StWe used to have a Ben & Jerry's a few spots away on the town green but the ice cream at Ashley's is just that good... The locals LOVE to line up at Ashley's.
When you want a Junior Bacon Burger along with the best Chocolate shake in Branford, this is where you want to go.
Five Guys
75 Amity RdWhen you want a Junior Bacon Burger along with the best Chocolate shake in Branford, this is where you want to go.
You can't pass up a chocolate shake at the Shake Shack. They're the best.
14 locals recommend
Shake Shack
986 Chapel StYou can't pass up a chocolate shake at the Shake Shack. They're the best.
Friday nights are always busy at Pacileo's, the nearest pizza place to us. If you like lobster, they serve a lobster pizza (we recommend with white not red sauce). Eat in or take out.
Pacileo's Apizza & Pasta
312 Harbor StFriday nights are always busy at Pacileo's, the nearest pizza place to us. If you like lobster, they serve a lobster pizza (we recommend with white not red sauce). Eat in or take out.
Very few restaurants in Branford have an "island feel" but this does. It's ambiance is simply "different" than any other in town. You feel like you're in Key West when you eat here. The worries just melt away. Now OPENED for the season...
14 locals recommend
Dockside Seafood and Grill
145 Block Island RdVery few restaurants in Branford have an "island feel" but this does. It's ambiance is simply "different" than any other in town. You feel like you're in Key West when you eat here. The worries just melt away. Now OPENED for the season...
Well-known hometown-Branford style italian meals right on the Branford Green. Great location and very convenient!
10 locals recommend
Pasta Cosi
1018 Main StWell-known hometown-Branford style italian meals right on the Branford Green. Great location and very convenient!
G Zen
2 E Main StAward-winning vegan restaurant!
Parks & Nature
Got bikes? Do the FCT.
Got kayaks? Put in at Parker Memorial Park.
Got kids? Take them to Hammonasset State Park (huge beach, nature center, food & drink, lots of walking) or Lighthouse Point.
Got time? Take the boat tour of the Thimble Islands.
The 100-year old merry go round is fun for adults or kids to ride and it's only 50 cents to ride.
61 locals recommend
Lighthouse Point Park
2 Lighthouse RdThe 100-year old merry go round is fun for adults or kids to ride and it's only 50 cents to ride.
It's a walkable distance from home. It's free. And it provides a view of the Branford Harbor out into Long Island Sound. It borders Parker Memorial Park, which has swings and a playground for kids.
7 locals recommend
Branford Point
4 Harbor StIt's a walkable distance from home. It's free. And it provides a view of the Branford Harbor out into Long Island Sound. It borders Parker Memorial Park, which has swings and a playground for kids.
Meigs Point has great hiking trail right along the Long Island Sound. Many people pitch tents and camp for a week at a time here. Just beware of lines to get in and the park selling out. Otherwise it's a lot of fun to visit and is well known far and wide.
173 locals recommend
Hammonasset Beach State Park
1288 Boston Post RdMeigs Point has great hiking trail right along the Long Island Sound. Many people pitch tents and camp for a week at a time here. Just beware of lines to get in and the park selling out. Otherwise it's a lot of fun to visit and is well known far and wide.
Take the boat from Stony Creek pier out to Outer Island, get dropped off, and roam around the outermost Thimble Island, part of a federal wildlife sanctuary. No cost to enter the island (only to get out by boat). It's just not the same as being ashore. Talk to the docents about the wildlife there and the woman who donate the island. Watch the kayakers arrive for a respite and listen to great conversation. Small island, but very entertaining to just sit and relax with all different kinds of folks there. BRING FOOD & DRINK. No concessions there.
Outer Island
Take the boat from Stony Creek pier out to Outer Island, get dropped off, and roam around the outermost Thimble Island, part of a federal wildlife sanctuary. No cost to enter the island (only to get out by boat). It's just not the same as being ashore. Talk to the docents about the wildlife there and the woman who donate the island. Watch the kayakers arrive for a respite and listen to great conversation. Small island, but very entertaining to just sit and relax with all different kinds of folks there. BRING FOOD & DRINK. No concessions there.
If you like to bike, the Farmington Canal Trail can be accessed from multiple places not far from us and goes for many miles safe from cars.
8 locals recommend
Farmington Canal Greenway
Winchester AvenueIf you like to bike, the Farmington Canal Trail can be accessed from multiple places not far from us and goes for many miles safe from cars.
Sightseeing
Got high schoolers? Show them Yale.
Like Italian food? Wooster Street for dinner!
Like easy hiking? Nothing beats the Trolley Trail.
Want a boat ride? Go to Stony Creek for tour boat ride.
Stone buildings, museums, sports venues, tradition, theater, and all very close and easy to get to
156 locals recommend
Yale University
Stone buildings, museums, sports venues, tradition, theater, and all very close and easy to get to
Do you like Italian food? Then you can't miss Wooster Street in New Haven. Pick a restaurant - any restaurant. You have quite a few here to choose from - all old school Italian.
Wooster Street
Wooster StreetDo you like Italian food? Then you can't miss Wooster Street in New Haven. Pick a restaurant - any restaurant. You have quite a few here to choose from - all old school Italian.
Our very FAVORITE thing to do on a gorgeous day... Tour boats leave from Stony Creek in Branford to head out around the 100+ Thimble Islands. Take a tour and enjoy the captain's description of pirates, treasure, fortune, and misfortune as you take in the sights. They may even point out a mansion or two for sale out there for those who are interested in moving to the land of barefoot living.
7 locals recommend
The Thimbles
Our very FAVORITE thing to do on a gorgeous day... Tour boats leave from Stony Creek in Branford to head out around the 100+ Thimble Islands. Take a tour and enjoy the captain's description of pirates, treasure, fortune, and misfortune as you take in the sights. They may even point out a mansion or two for sale out there for those who are interested in moving to the land of barefoot living.
An easy, level, but spectacularly beautiful hiking trail that takes you either from Pine Orchard (free parking) to Stony Creek (also free parking) or vice versa, but either way, across the water on a walking trail. Just gorgeous. Hidden treasure HIGHLY recommended on a nice weather day.
Branford Trolley Trail
Branford Trolley TrailAn easy, level, but spectacularly beautiful hiking trail that takes you either from Pine Orchard (free parking) to Stony Creek (also free parking) or vice versa, but either way, across the water on a walking trail. Just gorgeous. Hidden treasure HIGHLY recommended on a nice weather day.
Drinks & Nightlife
Want to see where everyone under 40 goes? Head to Stony Creek Brewery!
Ready for upscale with a great view? Shell & Bones!
Want something low-key nearby? Pasta Cosi or Donovan's Reef...
The hottest place in town without a doubt. Absolutely THE in place to visit and try local craft beer.
56 locals recommend
Stony Creek Brewery
5 Indian Neck AveThe hottest place in town without a doubt. Absolutely THE in place to visit and try local craft beer.
The prettiest place in New Haven. An open air bar overlooking Long Island Sound. You'll pay a pretty penny for the view, but it's top notch. Order the New England Clam Chowder for a unique sight. And order the Dark & Stormy or the Moscow Mule for the mug.
61 locals recommend
Shell & Bones Oyster Bar & Grill
100 S Water StThe prettiest place in New Haven. An open air bar overlooking Long Island Sound. You'll pay a pretty penny for the view, but it's top notch. Order the New England Clam Chowder for a unique sight. And order the Dark & Stormy or the Moscow Mule for the mug.
TIBC supplies a lot of the favorite beers in the area.
21 locals recommend
Thimble Islands Brewing Company
16 Business Park DrTIBC supplies a lot of the favorite beers in the area.
Getting Around
Shoreline East is moments away with free parking (you can't get free parking on any Metro North Stops heading towards NYC - this is the closest train station with free parking). Connect one stop away in New Haven and head into NYC.
Branford station
Shoreline East is moments away with free parking (you can't get free parking on any Metro North Stops heading towards NYC - this is the closest train station with free parking). Connect one stop away in New Haven and head into NYC.
Terminus for Shoreline East (on which Branford is minutes away) and Terminus for Metro North (to Grand Central Station NYC). The connection point for getting anywhere by train from Branford's train station.
45 locals recommend
Union Station
50 Union AveTerminus for Shoreline East (on which Branford is minutes away) and Terminus for Metro North (to Grand Central Station NYC). The connection point for getting anywhere by train from Branford's train station.
Entertainment & Activities
Have tennis racquets? Foote Park!
Want to rent SUPs or kayaks? BRP...
Rainy Day activity? World's Largest Indoor Ropes course!
Look for shells? Owenego after 5 pm.
Play tennis on public clay courts. Just be sure to sweep the court when you are done playing. First come, first serve. No membership required. Lots of grassy areas for Frisbee and other fun. Borders Branford River, so you can walk to a pavilion with a nice water view that won't be obvious when you first arrive.
7 locals recommend
Foote Memorial Park
12 Melrose AvePlay tennis on public clay courts. Just be sure to sweep the court when you are done playing. First come, first serve. No membership required. Lots of grassy areas for Frisbee and other fun. Borders Branford River, so you can walk to a pavilion with a nice water view that won't be obvious when you first arrive.
After 5 pm the public is welcome into this beach and tennis club. They have a small bar upstairs and a small dining area outside and in. Members only before 5 pm. Some nights they have pay at the door for live music inside as well. The BEST views of the Thimble Islands in Branford are from here.
Owenego Beach & Tennis Club
40 Linden AveAfter 5 pm the public is welcome into this beach and tennis club. They have a small bar upstairs and a small dining area outside and in. Members only before 5 pm. Some nights they have pay at the door for live music inside as well. The BEST views of the Thimble Islands in Branford are from here.
The largest indoor activity area of its kind. Zip lines, ropes courses, free fall - all for $25 for as long as you want to stay up there on it all. Go round and round and have a blast. Even if you don't want to DO a ropes course, just take a peek!
18 locals recommend
It Adventure Ropes Course
40 Sargent DrThe largest indoor activity area of its kind. Zip lines, ropes courses, free fall - all for $25 for as long as you want to stay up there on it all. Go round and round and have a blast. Even if you don't want to DO a ropes course, just take a peek!
Rent a SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) or a Kayak here. When you're done, walk over to the Brewery. 'nough said... What a day!
8 locals recommend
Branford River Paddlesports
50 Maple StRent a SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) or a Kayak here. When you're done, walk over to the Brewery. 'nough said... What a day!
Arts & Culture
Rainy Day activities? Most of these will work!
Into plays? Long Wharf is intimate; Shubert is great.
Historic buildings? Must see Blackstone Library.
Natural Museums? Visit Yale!
Very easy and quick to get to. Every seat is very close to the actors. If you've never been to a "small" theater, this will wake you up. Not a bad seat in the house - guaranteed. Very intimate if you're not "into" theater usually.
28 locals recommend
Long Wharf Theatre
222 Sargent DrVery easy and quick to get to. Every seat is very close to the actors. If you've never been to a "small" theater, this will wake you up. Not a bad seat in the house - guaranteed. Very intimate if you're not "into" theater usually.
The big shows come here and they are electric. Why go to Broadway, when you can be in downtown New Haven in 10 minutes and sitting in your seat at the Shubert in 10 more? We saw the Lion King here and it was fantastic. Don't settle. Visit the Shubert!
57 locals recommend
Shubert Theater
247 College StThe big shows come here and they are electric. Why go to Broadway, when you can be in downtown New Haven in 10 minutes and sitting in your seat at the Shubert in 10 more? We saw the Lion King here and it was fantastic. Don't settle. Visit the Shubert!
From birds to dinosaurs, this place has everything. I was a member of Audubon for years and coming here and seeing the birds up close (instead of through binoculars all the time) was very illuminating.
122 locals recommend
Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History
170 Whitney AveFrom birds to dinosaurs, this place has everything. I was a member of Audubon for years and coming here and seeing the birds up close (instead of through binoculars all the time) was very illuminating.
Stony Creek in Branford is like an artist's colony. Visit the beach, take the tour boat, but also be sure to stop in to the various shops there, where locals take painting lessons and gather in friend's houses every week to paint together.
12 locals recommend
Stony Creek Market
178 Thimble Island RdStony Creek in Branford is like an artist's colony. Visit the beach, take the tour boat, but also be sure to stop in to the various shops there, where locals take painting lessons and gather in friend's houses every week to paint together.
The building looks for all intents and purposes like the back of a nickel (the Jefferson Memorial). It's a 25 minute walk from our house into town and you can walk right by this iconic library. The building appears as if it could have been a state capitol building, but it's original intent was as a library and it's beautiful to behold - inside and out.
James Blackstone Memorial Library
758 Main StThe building looks for all intents and purposes like the back of a nickel (the Jefferson Memorial). It's a 25 minute walk from our house into town and you can walk right by this iconic library. The building appears as if it could have been a state capitol building, but it's original intent was as a library and it's beautiful to behold - inside and out.