Guilford Travel Guide

Trek Zone

Town

Facts and practical information

Nestled along the picturesque coastline of Connecticut, Guilford is a charming town that offers a delightful blend of history, natural beauty, and small-town charm. With its colonial architecture, vibrant downtown area, and proximity to stunning beaches, Guilford is a hidden gem waiting to be explored.

One of the main highlights of Guilford is its rich history, which can be experienced through its well-preserved architecture. Take a stroll through the historic district, where you'll be transported back in time with its beautiful colonial homes and buildings. The Henry Whitfield State Museum, known as the oldest house in Connecticut, is a must-visit for history enthusiasts. Built in 1639, this museum provides a fascinating glimpse into the town's colonial past.

Nature lovers will also find plenty to enjoy in Guilford. Head to the Guilford Lakes Golf Course, where you can tee off amid the stunning natural surroundings. If you prefer a more leisurely outdoor experience, visit the Guilford Town Green, a picturesque park that hosts various events and concerts throughout the year.

For those seeking a beach escape, Guilford's shoreline offers some of the most beautiful beaches in the region. Whether you're looking to relax on the soft sands, go for a swim in the crystal-clear waters, or indulge in water sports such as kayaking or paddleboarding, Guilford's beaches have it all. Hammonasset Beach State Park, with its expansive sandy beach and nature trails, is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike.

After a day of exploring, Guilford's downtown area beckons with its charming shops, boutiques, and restaurants. Browse through the unique stores and art galleries, where you can find everything from handmade crafts to locally produced goods. When it's time to satisfy your taste buds, Guilford boasts a diverse culinary scene, offering everything from fresh seafood to international cuisines.

Alternative names: Settled: 1639Established: 1644 (380 years ago)Population: 22.5 thous.Area: 49.7 mi²Elevation: 43 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 41°17'16"N, 72°40'51"W

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ConnecticutUnited States

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Guilford Top Attractions

Guilford Attractions - What to See and Explore

Guilford offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Henry Whitfield House, Medad Stone Tavern, Hyland House Museum, Falkner Island Light. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Specialty museum • Museum • History museum
Henry Whitfield House
The Henry Whitfield House is a historic house located in Guilford, Connecticut, down the street from the town green. This house dates from 1639, having been built just before the town of Guilford was settled. It is the oldest house in Connecticut and the oldest stone house in New England.
Museum • History museum
Medad Stone Tavern
The Medad Stone Tavern is a historic house museum at 191 Three Mile Course in Guilford, Connecticut. Built in 1803 but never actually used as a tavern, it is well-preserved example of early 19th-century Federal period architecture. It is now maintained as a museum by a local historical society.
Historical place • Museum • History museum
Hyland House Museum
The Hyland House Museum or Hyland-Wildman House is a historic house museum at 84 Boston Road in Guilford, Connecticut. Built in 1713, it is one of the town's best-preserved houses of that period. It has been open to the public as a museum since 1918, under the auspices of a local historic preservation group.

Lighthouse • Vernacular architecture
Falkner Island Light
Falkner Island Light, also known as the Faulkner Island Lighthouse, is a lighthouse in Connecticut, United States, on Falkner Island which is off Guilford Harbor on Long Island Sound.
41°16'60"N • 72°40'60"W
Greene Art Gallery
Art gallery • Shopping • Museum
41°17'7"N • 72°40'49"W
Sabbathday House
The Sabbathday House, also known as the Daniel Bowen House is a historic house at 19 Union Street in Guilford, Connecticut. Built about 1735, it is one two surviving houses in the town built for the purpose of sheltering church-going families between morning and afternoon services.
Winery • Farm • Wine tours
Bishop's Orchards
Bishop's Orchards is an agricultural operation in Guilford, Connecticut, that serves as a farm, retail market, tourist attraction and winery. Bishop's Orchards began operating as a family farm in 1871.
Neighbourhood • Colonial architecture • Greek Revival architecture
Guilford Historic Town Center
Guilford Historic Town Center is a large historic district encompassing the entire town center of Guilford, Connecticut, in the United States. It is centered on the town green, laid out in 1639, and extends north to Interstate 95, south to Long Island Sound, west to the West River, and east to East Creek.
41°16'17"N • 72°41'17"W
Jared Eliot House
The Jared Eliot House is a historic house at 88 Mulbery Farms Road in Guilford, Connecticut. Built in 1723, it is a well-preserved example of period residential architecture, built by Rev.
41°18'56"N • 72°42'7"W
Elisha Pitkin House
The Elisha Pitkin House is a historic house at 173 High Woods Drive in Guilford, Connecticut. With a construction history estimated to date to 1690, it is one of Connecticut's small number of surviving 17th-century buildings.
Museum • History museum
Griswold House
The Griswold House is a historic house museum at 171 Boston Street in Guilford, Connecticut. Built about 1764, it is a well-preserved example of New England colonial architecture, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
Saltbox architecture • Guilford Center
Comfort Starr House
The Comfort Starr House, located at 138 State St. Guilford, Connecticut, is a classic saltbox house with an added lean-to. According to a dendrochronology study, completed in 2014, the house was built in 1695.
Saltbox architecture • Guilford Center
Acadian House
The Acadian House is a historic house on Union Street in Guilford, Connecticut. Built about 1670, it is one of Connecticut's oldest surviving houses, notable for its occupation by refugee Acadians following their 1755 deportation from Nova Scotia.
41°16'56"N • 72°40'41"W
Thomas Burgis II House
The Thomas Burgis II House is a historic house at 85 Boston Street in Guilford, Connecticut. With a construction history dating to about 1735, it is one of Guilford's finest and best-documented colonial-era houses, standing on property with a documented history to the 17th century.
Sailing • Yacht club
Sachem's Head Yacht Club
The Sachem's Head Yacht Club is a private yacht club located on the shore of Long Island Sound in Guilford, Connecticut near the Thimble Islands. It serves an active racing fleet and is a summer base for member families and juniors involved in sailing, swimming and tennis. The club was founded in 1896.
41°15'55"N • 72°43'28"W
Pelatiah Leete House
The Pelatiah Leete House is a historic house at 575 Leete's Island Road in Guilford, Connecticut, United States. Built in 1710 by Pelatiah Leete, it is the oldest surviving house associated with the locally prominent Leete family, who were among the founders of the New Haven Colony.

Day trips

Guilford – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Guilford, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Long Island Aquarium (Riverhead), Discovery Museum and Planetarium (Bridgeport), Beardsley Zoo (Bridgeport).

26 milesS
Shark and sea lion shows plus boat rides
Long Island Aquarium, Riverhead
The Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead, New York, is a premier aquatic adventure in the heart of Long Island. Established as an educational and interactive marine exhibit, the aquarium offers visitors an up-close view of a diverse range of sea life, making it an ideal...
29 milesW
Museum, Children's museum, Observatories and planetariums
Discovery Museum and Planetarium, Bridgeport
Nestled in the heart of Bridgeport, Connecticut, the Discovery Museum and Planetarium stands as a beacon of learning and exploration for individuals of all ages. This educational landmark offers a wealth of interactive exhibits and displays that ignite curiosity...
27 milesW
Animals from North and South America
Beardsley Zoo, Bridgeport
Nestled in the heart of Bridgeport, Connecticut, Beardsley Zoo offers an enchanting wildlife experience for visitors of all ages. As the only zoo in the state, it has been a cherished destination for families, tourists, and animal lovers since its opening in 1922.
13 milesW
Museum, Natural history museum, History museum
Peabody Museum of Natural History, New Haven
Nestled in the heart of New Haven, Connecticut, the Peabody Museum of Natural History offers a captivating journey through the Earth's past for visitors and locals alike. This renowned institution is a part of Yale University and stands as an educational landmark...
13 milesW
Museum, Art gallery, Art museum
Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven
The Yale University Art Gallery is the oldest university art museum in the Western Hemisphere. It houses a major encyclopedic collection of art in several interconnected buildings on the campus of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.

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Best Time To Visit Guilford

Learn when is the best time to travel to Guilford weather-wise and what to expect in each season.

Popularity among visitors

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June, July, August and September are the busiest months in this location. Many people also choose to visit in May and October.

Average temperatures in °F

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The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January and February.

Monthly rainfall in inches

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The lowest rainfall is recorded in January, February, June, July, August, September and October. Most of it rains in March, April, May, November and December.

Length of day in hours

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We can expect the longest days in June, while the shortest in December.

Sunrise

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the top attractions to visit in Guilford?

The top attractions to visit in Guilford are:

What is the best time to visit Guilford?

June, July, August and September are the busiest months in this location. Many people also choose to visit in May and October. The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January and February.