17 Things to Do in Stonington Connecticut
- Rey Eleuterio
- May 5
- 15 min read
The little coastal town of Stonington has been quietly holding onto everything that makes New England feel like New England, and once you take a short trip long enough to notice, it's hard to leave.
You get a working harbor with real fishing boats, a stone lighthouse from the 1840s, vineyards in old WWII airplane hangars, and a borough so walkable you'll forget where you parked. There are also two completely different sides of town to know about, and yes, there's even a Stonington in Maine that gets confused for this one.
The town earns its reputation as one of the prettiest coastal spots in New England, and a lazy afternoon here is enough to prove it.
Key Takeaways
The best things to do in Stonington Connecticut include walking Water Street, climbing the Old Lighthouse Museum, sipping wine at Saltwater Farm Vineyard, and catching sunset at the Point. The town sits about 5 miles east of Mystic along U.S. Route 1, with easy access from I-95 Exit 91. Plan for a half-day if you're passing through and a full weekend if you want to slow down and actually enjoy it.
Stop | Area | Why You'll Like It |
Old Lighthouse Museum | Stonington Borough | Climb 29 steps for a three-state view |
Water Street | Stonington Borough | Boutiques, galleries, and lunch spots |
Cannon Square | Stonington Borough | Two cannons that helped fight off the British in 1814 |
DuBois Beach | Stonington Borough | Small, quiet swimming beach |
Saltwater Farm Vineyard | Stonington | Wine tasting in a restored airplane hangar |
Stonington Vineyards | Stonington | Connecticut Wine Trail favorite |
Stonington Point | Stonington Borough | Sunset views across three states |
Hewitt Farm | North Stonington | 104 acres of trails, fields, and a pond |
Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer House | Stonington Borough | Home of an Antarctic explorer |
Quick Picker
Best for history buffs: Old Lighthouse Museum, Cannon Square, Captain Palmer House
Best for foodies: Water Street restaurants, Velvet Mill Farmers' Market, Noah's
Best for couples: Saltwater Farm Vineyard, Stonington Point at sunset, the borough at dusk
Best for families: DuBois Beach, Hewitt Farm, the harbor walk
Best for wine lovers: Saltwater Farm, Stonington Vineyards, Jonathan Edwards Winery
Best for nature: Barn Island Wildlife Area, Hewitt Farm trails, Stonington Point
Wayback Tours is built for trips like this. Save the stops you love and we'll keep them ready when you're ready to road trip.
Where Stonington Sits and Why It Matters
Stonington is the easternmost coastal town in Connecticut, tucked into the corner where the state meets Rhode Island. It sits on a mile-long peninsula that pokes south into Fisher's Island Sound and Little Narragansett Bay, with Watch Hill, RI right across the water and Mystic just a few miles to the west.
What makes the town a little confusing at first is that it's really two places. There's the Town of Stonington, which is the bigger area covering 10 miles inland, and there's Stonington Borough, the small historic village at the tip of the peninsula. When people say "the most charming part," they almost always mean the Borough.
You also have North Stonington, a separate town just north of all of it. It's quieter, more rural, and home to wineries and hiking trails worth a half-day on their own. If you're searching for things to do in North Stonington CT or things to do in North Stonington, this is the area you want.
Fun Fact:
Stonington Borough has long been considered one of the prettiest coastal towns in New England, and it's the only Connecticut town with a working commercial fishing fleet still based there.
A Look at Stonington's History
This town has been around since 1649, when Thomas Stanton and William Chesebrough settled on land that had belonged to the Pequot people. The name comes from the rocky soil. It was literally called "stony town" before someone polished it up.
The most famous chapter happened in August 1814, during the War of 1812. Five British warships, led by Commodore Thomas Hardy, sailed in and shelled the village for three days. The town was badly outgunned but managed to fight back with just two 18-pounder cannons. Those same cannons still sit in Cannon Square today, which is wild when you think about it.
After that, Stonington became a major whaling and sealing port, then a stopover on the Boston-to-New York steamship route. When the railroad eventually connected the two cities directly, the town faded from the map, and that quiet era is probably what saved its historic charm.
Stonington vs. Stonington, Maine
Quick note before you start planning. There's another Stonington up in Maine on Deer Isle, and people mix them up all the time.
If you're searching for things to do in Stonington Maine, you're looking at a totally different place. Deer Isle Maine is a remote fishing village known for lobster boats, granite quarries, and dramatic coastal scenery up Down East way.
This article is all about the Connecticut version. If you're after Maine info, the Stonington Maine trip is its own road trip, several hours north.
17 Best Things to Do in Stonington Connecticut
Here are 17 stops worth your time, organized so you can hit them in a logical loop. We'll start in Stonington Borough at the southern tip, work our way through the wider town, then head up to North Stonington.
1. Walk Water Street in Stonington Borough
Start your trip here. Water Street is the main spine of the Borough, lined with art galleries, antique shops, boutiques, and small restaurants in 18th and 19th-century buildings. Some of the best things to do in Stonington Borough CT happen right along this stretch.
Why this one stands out: It's one of the few historic main streets in New England that still feels lived-in, not staged. You'll see locals chatting outside the general store, fishermen heading to the docks, and visitors taking photos of clapboard houses. The pace here is genuinely slow.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: Water Street, Stonington Borough
Hours: Shops generally open 10am–5pm, restaurants later
Cost: Free to walk; bring spending money
Time needed: 1–2 hours
Worth it or skip it? Worth it. This is the heart of every visit, and skipping it means missing the point of the town.
Save this stop to your bucket list so you don't lose it
⭐ What is a Bucket List? Save places you want to visit and come back to later. Your Wayback Tours bucket list keeps track of stops you don't want to forget. Perfect for planning future trips.
2. Climb the Old Lighthouse Museum
Built in 1840 and run as a museum since 1927, this stone lighthouse sits at the southern tip of the Borough and is one of the oldest lighthouse museums in the country. Climb the 29 circular steps and a short ladder to the top, and you'll see across three states on a clear day.
Don't skip this if you like: maritime history, old buildings, or the kind of view that makes a road trip feel earned. Inside there are six rooms of exhibits with whaling tools, items brought back from China by sea captains, and artifacts from the 1814 British attack.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: 7 Water Street, Stonington Borough
Hours: Open seasonally May through October, generally daily except Wednesdays
Cost: Modest admission fee; ticket also includes the Captain Palmer House
Time needed: 45 minutes to an hour
Worth it or skip it? Worth it for the view alone, and the exhibits are a nice bonus.
Want to remember this spot for later?
3. See the Cannons at Cannon Square
A short walk up Water Street brings you to Cannon Square, where two 18-pounder cannons still sit in place. These are the same cannons that helped repel five British warships during the Battle of Stonington in August 1814.
Why this one stands out: It's a small park, but the story behind it is a big one. The town was outnumbered and outgunned, with about 158 British naval guns aimed at it, and somehow held the line for three days. Standing in the square gives you a real sense of scale.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: Cannon Square, Water Street, Stonington Borough
Hours: Open 24/7
Cost: Free
Time needed: 15–20 minutes
Worth it or skip it? Worth a quick stop, especially right before or after the lighthouse.
Don't let this one get away. Add it to your list
4. Visit the Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer House
Nathaniel Palmer was a Stonington sea captain who is widely considered one of the first Americans to sight Antarctica, back in 1820 when he was just 21 years old. His Victorian-era home on Palmer Street is now a museum.
The quick pitch: It's a beautifully preserved house with original furnishings, and the story of the man who lived there is genuinely incredible. You also get a sense of how wealthy Stonington became from sealing and trade in the early 1800s.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: 40 Palmer Street, Stonington Borough
Hours: Seasonal, typically May through October
Cost: Combined admission with the Old Lighthouse Museum
Time needed: 45 minutes
Worth it or skip it? Worth it for history fans. If museums aren't your thing, the lighthouse is the higher priority.
Save this to your bucket list before you forget
5. Relax at DuBois Beach
DuBois Beach is a small, sandy stretch right at the southern end of the Borough, just below the lighthouse. It's not a big swimming beach, but it's quiet, scenic, and surrounded by stone walls that make it feel tucked away.
What makes this stop different: Most New England beaches are crowded and loud. This one is the opposite. You can spread out a towel, watch the boats, and actually hear the waves.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: Wadawanuck Square, Stonington Borough
Hours: Daily during summer
Cost: Small fee for non-residents
Time needed: 1–2 hours
Worth it or skip it? Worth it on a warm day, especially with kids or a book.
Want this one on your list?
6. Catch Sunset at Stonington Point
The Point is the absolute tip of the peninsula, and it's where everyone ends up at golden hour. From here you can see across Fisher's Island Sound to Long Island, Watch Hill in Rhode Island, and the open Atlantic.
Why it's worth stopping: There's a small grassy area, benches, and not much else, which is exactly the appeal. It's one of the most peaceful sunset spots on the Connecticut coast.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: End of Water Street, Stonington Borough
Hours: Open daily, best around sunset
Cost: Free
Time needed: 30–45 minutes
Worth it or skip it? Worth it. If you only do one thing in the evening, do this.
Save this sunset spot for later
7. Tour the Velvet Mill
The Velvet Mill is a converted 19th-century textile factory now home to artist studios, galleries, a brewery, and a Saturday morning farmers' market. It's a different vibe than the Borough. More industrial, more creative, more local.
Don't skip this if you like: local art, craft food, or weekend markets. The space hosts events year-round and is a good rainy-day option.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: 22 Bayview Avenue, Stonington
Hours: Vary by tenant; market is Saturday mornings
Cost: Free to wander
Time needed: 1–2 hours
Worth it or skip it? Worth it, especially on a Saturday.
Add this to your bucket list before you forget
8. Sip Wine at Saltwater Farm Vineyard
This is one of the most unique vineyard settings in New England. The tasting room is housed inside a restored World War II-era airplane hangar, and you can still see traces of the old grass landing strip running between the vines.
The quick pitch: The setting is unforgettable, the wines are good, and the outdoor seating overlooks rolling vineyard land that runs right to a tidal marsh. It's a popular wedding venue for a reason.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: 349 Elm Street, Stonington
Hours: Seasonal; check ahead
Cost: Tasting fees apply
Time needed: 1–2 hours
Worth it or skip it? Worth it. This is one of the most unique things to do in Stonington CT for adults, and one of the best things to do in Stonington, CT if you love wine country.
Save this for your next trip
9. Taste at Stonington Vineyards
Stonington Vineyards is part of the Connecticut Wine Trail and has a beautiful tasting room that opens onto a patio overlooking the vines. It's more relaxed and traditional than Saltwater Farm.
Why this one stands out: If you're doing a vineyard hop, this one pairs naturally with Saltwater Farm. The estate-grown wines and casual outdoor seating make it an easy afternoon stop.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: 523 Taugwonk Road, Stonington
Hours: Generally open daily, with seasonal hours
Cost: Tasting fees apply
Time needed: 1 hour
Worth it or skip it? Worth it if you've got time for two vineyards. If you're choosing just one, Saltwater Farm wins on setting.
Want to remember this place?
Planning a wine hop, a beach day, and a sunset stop in one weekend? Wayback Tours lets you save them all and build the kind of road trip bucket list that actually gets used.
10. Hike Barn Island Wildlife Management Area
Barn Island is the largest coastal wildlife management area in Connecticut, with miles of quiet trails through salt marshes, fields, and woodlands. It's a great spot for birdwatching and an easy way to stretch your legs.
What makes this stop different: Most visitors never make it here, which means you often have the trails almost to yourself. The marsh views are quietly beautiful, especially in fall.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: Palmer Neck Road, Stonington
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Cost: Free
Time needed: 1–3 hours depending on how far you walk
Worth it or skip it? Worth it for nature lovers and anyone needing a break from the Borough.
Save this trail to your list
11. Eat Fresh Seafood on the Water
Stonington has the last working commercial fishing and lobstering fleet in Connecticut, which means the seafood you eat here actually came off boats you can see from your table. Look for casual spots along the harbor and in the Borough for fresh local catches.
The quick pitch: Lobster rolls, oysters, mussels, and the kind of fish-of-the-day chalkboard that means it really was caught that morning. Some of the best fun things to do in Stonington CT revolve around food.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: Various spots along Water Street and the harbor
Hours: Lunch and dinner, varies by spot
Cost: Mid-range to high, depending on the place
Time needed: 1–2 hours
Worth it or skip it? Worth it. You can't visit a working fishing town and skip the seafood.
Add this one to your bucket list
12. Browse the Velvet Mill Farmers' Market
Held Saturday mornings at the Velvet Mill, this market is small but solid. You'll find local produce, baked goods, cheeses, flowers, and prepared foods from area farms and makers.
Why it's worth stopping: It's a great way to meet locals and pick up snacks for a picnic at the Point or DuBois Beach. The market runs year-round, with the seasonal outdoor version in warmer months.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: Velvet Mill, 22 Bayview Avenue
Hours: Saturday mornings
Cost: Free entry
Time needed: 30–60 minutes
Worth it or skip it? Worth it if your visit lines up with a Saturday morning.
Save this for next time →
13. Visit Stone Acres Farm
A few miles outside the Borough, Stone Acres has a long history supporting local agriculture. It's a working family farm where you can pick up fresh produce, flowers, and seasonal goods.
Don't skip this if you like: small farms, local food, or quiet country roads. The farm has been around for generations and has hosted dinners and events tied to the local food scene.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: 393 North Main Street, Stonington
Hours: Seasonal, varies
Cost: Free to visit; pay for goods
Time needed: 30–45 minutes
Worth it or skip it? Worth a stop on the way between the Borough and the vineyards.
Save this stop for later →
14. Hike Hewitt Farm in North Stonington
Head here if you're looking for things to do in North Stonington. Hewitt Farm is a 104-acre park with more than a mile of trails, an 18th-century farmhouse, fields, and a 3.5-acre pond.
The quick pitch: It feels like walking into a Currier & Ives print, with stone walls, an old dam, and trails that wind past the historic Old Plains Cemetery. The Shunock River that runs through it is a designated National Wild and Scenic River.
Fun Fact:
The Hewitt Farm property is said to date back to around 1750, when it operated as a woolen mill and farm. Flora Hewitt eventually left the land to the Mystic Seaport Museum, which preserved it before the Town of North Stonington took it over in 2008.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: 8 Hewitt Road, North Stonington
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Cost: Free
Time needed: 1–2 hours
Worth it or skip it? Worth it for hikers and anyone who likes quiet, less-traveled trails.
Save this trail to your list →
15. Sip at Jonathan Edwards Winery
A few minutes from Hewitt Farm, Jonathan Edwards is a "bi-coastal" winery that has been producing Connecticut and California-sourced wines for decades. The countryside setting is gorgeous, and the tastings often come with cheese and charcuterie boards.
Why this one stands out: It's one of the most popular wineries in southeastern Connecticut, and it makes North Stonington feel a lot more polished than you might expect from a quiet rural town.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: 74 Chester Maine Road, North Stonington
Hours: Generally open daily, seasonal hours
Cost: Tasting fees apply
Time needed: 1–2 hours
Worth it or skip it? Worth it if you're already up in North Stonington for a hike or a meal.
Add this to your bucket list
16. Eat at the Tin Peddler
The Tin Peddler is a small farm-to-table spot in North Stonington that focuses on showcasing local farmers, fishermen, and artisans. The menu rotates with what's in season, and the pantry stocks local dairy, eggs, jams, and specialty goods.
Don't skip this if you like: scratch-made food, small businesses, or meals that come from within a few miles of your table. It's one of the more unique things to do in Stonington, CT if you wander beyond the Borough.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: 230 Norwich Westerly Road, North Stonington
Hours: Varies; check ahead
Cost: Mid-range
Time needed: 1–1.5 hours
Worth it or skip it? Worth it if you're already up here. Pair it with a Hewitt Farm hike.
Save this for next time
17. Drive the Coastal Backroads
Last one, and maybe the most underrated. Plenty of the best things to do in Stonington CT happen behind the wheel, with no specific destination. The roads outside the Borough wind past stone walls, salt marshes, old farms, and quiet inlets that you'd never see if you stuck to the main strip.
The quick pitch: Take North Main Street, Greenhaven Road, or Pequot Trail and just drive. You'll see why people fall for this corner of the state.
What you need to know before you go:
Location: Anywhere outside the Borough
Hours: Anytime, but golden hour is best
Cost: Just gas
Time needed: 1 hour or however long you want
Worth it or skip it? Worth it. This is the kind of slow drive that ends up being the best part of the trip.
Save this drive to your bucket list
Fun Fact:
Stonington is said to be the only Connecticut town with a port that faces directly on the open Atlantic, which made it a major player in early American whaling and sealing trade.
Best Time to Visit Stonington
Late spring through early fall is the sweet spot. The Borough comes alive between Memorial Day and Columbus Day, with shops, restaurants, museums, and vineyards all running on full schedules.
June and September are the best months overall. Warm weather, fewer crowds, and most things still open.
July and August are peak season. Beautiful, but busier and harder to find parking.
October is gorgeous for foliage drives and vineyard visits.
November through April is much quieter. Some museums and seasonal spots close, but the Borough still has its charm if you don't mind a colder, slower visit.
If you're searching for things to do in Stonington CT this weekend or things to do in Stonington, CT this weekend, summer Saturdays are when the farmers' market, vineyards, and galleries all line up nicely. Pair the day with a stop in Mystic Connecticut, just a few miles down the road.
How to Get to Stonington
Stonington is easy to reach from most of the Northeast. Interstate 95 is the main artery, with I-95 Exit 91 dropping you closest to the Borough. From there, follow Route 1 east, then Route 1A south into the village.
Coming From | Drive Time | Route |
New York City | 2.5–3 hours | I-95 North to Exit 91 |
Boston | 1.5–2 hours | I-95 South to Exit 91 |
Providence | 45 minutes | I-95 South to Exit 91 |
Hartford | 1 hour | I-95 South via I-91 |
Amtrak also stops at Mystic Station, just a few miles away, which makes a car-free trip possible. If you're working Stonington into a longer trip, it pairs well with a coastal road trip route up the Northeast or a bigger East Coast itinerary.
Where Stonington Fits in a Bigger Trip
Stonington works as a half-day, a full day, or an entire weekend. Here's how to slot it in:
Half-day stop: Walk Water Street, climb the lighthouse, grab lunch.
Full day: Add a vineyard, DuBois Beach, and sunset at the Point.
Weekend: Stay overnight in the Borough, hit North Stonington for hiking and wineries, and add a day trip to Mystic or Block Island.
Longer Northeast trip: Pair with Narragansett, Providence, and New Haven.
For travelers thinking about budget-friendly East Coast stops, Stonington is a good one. Most of the best things to do here, including the harbor, the Point, the cannons, and Barn Island, are completely free.
Ready to start planning the trip? Save these stops, sketch out your route, and keep everything in one place when you're building your bucket list.
Conclusion
The 17 things to do in Stonington Connecticut above cover the lighthouse, the wine, the harbor, the trails, and everything in between. It's a small town, but the kind of small town that rewards you for showing up. You leave with the feeling that you've seen something quieter, older, and more honest than the typical New England trip.
Stopping for an afternoon or settling in for a weekend, Stonington gives you the version of the Connecticut coast that most travelers miss. The Borough alone is worth the drive, and the wider town and North Stonington only add to the case.
Save these stops, build your own road trip bucket list, and keep track of every place you want to visit, all in one place with Wayback Tours.
FAQs
Is Stonington worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you like quiet coastal towns with real history and working harbors. It's smaller and less crowded than Mystic, but just as rewarding for a slow afternoon.
How long should I spend in Stonington?
Plan on at least half a day for the Borough and lighthouse. A full weekend lets you add vineyards, hiking in North Stonington, and a sunset at the Point.
Is Stonington Connecticut the same as Stonington Maine?
No. They are two different towns in different states. Stonington Maine is on Deer Isle and known for its working lobster fleet, while Stonington Connecticut is a coastal village near Mystic.
What's the difference between Stonington and Stonington Borough?
The Town of Stonington covers a 10-mile area inland and along the coast. Stonington Borough is the small historic village at the southern tip of the peninsula, with the lighthouse, Water Street, and most of the shops.
Can you visit Stonington without a car?
Yes, if you take Amtrak to Mystic Station and use rideshares or taxis to reach the Borough. A car gives you much more flexibility, especially for the vineyards and North Stonington stops.