Overview
Branford is a city of 28,000 people (2014) in the Greater New Haven region of Connecticut. Branford has six historic districts that are listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places (NRHp). These include buildings in Federal, Arts and Crafts, and Queen Anne styles of architecture. Five NRHP-listed districts are Branford Center Historic District, Branford Point Historic District, Canoe Brook Historic District, Route 146 Historic District, and Stony Creek-Thimble Islands Historic District.
1 sights · 2 things to do · 5 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Branford
Shore Line Trolley Museum
Museum features displays and hands-on exhibits, a collection of nearly 100 vintage trolleys, guided tours, and trolley rides along the historic Branford Electric Railway. Children under 2 are free. Open seasonally, sched…
Branford Point Beach
While visiting the park there are facilities for swimming as well as picnicking. There is a small playground for younger children to enjoy. Fishing is prohibited in the swimming area, but is allowed from the end of the p…
Thimble Islands tour
See an archipelago of tiny islands, many with lavish homes. Legend says that Captain Kidd buried his treasure here. Three 45-minute tours per hour leave during peak season. No reservations.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 83°F; winter lows dip to about 15°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Aug. (climate data from nearby Waterbury)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- HVN Tweed New Haven Airport, New Haven — 5 mi away. Directions
- ISP Long Island MacArthur Airport, Islip — 37 mi away. Directions
- BDL Bradley International Airport, Hartford — 46 mi away (major hub). Directions
The Branford train station is on the west side of Maple Street and includes a high-level handicapped accessible south side platform for level boarding and bicycle racks. Shore Line East tickets cannot be purchased at this station. Tickets can be purchased on Shore Line East trains in cash with bills no greater than $20. Free parking is available for Shore Line East commuters.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Typical meal: about $6 per person at listed restaurants.
Options are grouped as Budget, Mid-range in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Shore Line Trolley Museum, Branford Point Beach
- Lunch Gourmet Wok
- Afternoon Thimble Islands tour
- Dinner Parthenon Diner
- Evening Stony Creek Brewery
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
There are many places to eat in Branford, ranging from restaurant chain classics to exquisite fine dining. If you're on a tight budget be sure to check out the Gourmet Wok for all of your favorite, yet inexpensive Chinese food. If you don't like Chinese, the Parthenon Diner has a wide variety of food for cheap. It even has some expensive things if you please, but the majority of the food is relatively inexpensive. If you're looking for a good mid-priced bar & grill, be sure to check out Eli's or Humphrey's for good burgers and fun. If you're looking to splurge on some fine dining be sure to check out La Luna for amazing Italian food, or the USS Chowder Pot III, which is home to some of the best seafood in New England.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Get in
By train
The Branford train station is on the west side of Maple Street and includes a high-level handicapped accessible south side platform for level boarding and bicycle racks. Shore Line East tickets cannot be purchased at this station. Tickets can be purchased on Shore Line East trains in cash with bills no greater than $20. Free parking is available for Shore Line East commuters.
By car
Branford can be reached on I-95. Branford's exits are 53 (only on the northbound side), 54, 55, and 56.
By plane
Branford is only a few miles away from Tweed New Haven Airport.
By boat
Brewer Bruce & Johnson's Marina is near New York City and only a few miles from New Haven. In addition, Brewer Bruce and Johnson's is very close to wonderful weekend cruising destinations. The Thimble Islands, with 30 islands for anchoring, birding and exploring, are only three miles away. Port Jefferson, with its great shops, numerous restaurants and historic houses is a short jaunt across the Sound. Additional sites to see include: Stony Creek's Trolley Trail and the Harrison House Museum. With 20 miles of coastline on Long Island Sound, Branford is an idyllic setting for traveling boaters plus offers endless opportunities for hiking, cycling and kayaking.
See
See Shore Line Trolley Museum (Branford Electric Railway Association)
Museum features displays and hands-on exhibits, a collection of nearly 100 vintage trolleys, guided tours, and trolley rides along the historic Branford Electric Railway. Children under 2 are free. Open seasonally, scheduling may vary, be sure to see website for details.
Do
Branford also has a number of beaches to spend a lazy day in the sun. There are numerous marinas in the town as well, so bring your boat for a fun day in the water. At night be sure to check out Regal Cinemas. With its easy location right off the highway and showing all the hottest movies, the movie theater is a great way to spend a night out or find something to do on a boring Sunday.
Do Branford Point Beach
While visiting the park there are facilities for swimming as well as picnicking. There is a small playground for younger children to enjoy. Fishing is prohibited in the swimming area, but is allowed from the end of the pier. Small boats, canoes, kayaks, jet skis, etc. maybe launched from the State Boat launch, located on Goodsell Point Road.
Do Thimble Islands tour
See an archipelago of tiny islands, many with lavish homes. Legend says that Captain Kidd buried his treasure here. Three 45-minute tours per hour leave during peak season. No reservations.
- Branford Supply Ponds trails. Several scenic forest trails wind around the Branford Supply Ponds.
- One of the largest events in Branford every year is the Branford Festival on the third weekend in June. It features food, crafts, children's rides, music and a 5-mile (8-km) road race.
Buy
Shop Branford Art Center Gallery
Various local artists are featured in displays, and their works are frequently up for purchase.
Eat
There are many places to eat in Branford, ranging from restaurant chain classics to exquisite fine dining. If you're on a tight budget be sure to check out the Gourmet Wok for all of your favorite, yet inexpensive Chinese food. If you don't like Chinese, the Parthenon Diner has a wide variety of food for cheap. It even has some expensive things if you please, but the majority of the food is relatively inexpensive. If you're looking for a good mid-priced bar & grill, be sure to check out Eli's or Humphrey's for good burgers and fun. If you're looking to splurge on some fine dining be sure to check out La Luna for amazing Italian food, or the USS Chowder Pot III, which is home to some of the best seafood in New England.
Budget
Eat Gourmet Wok
Excellent Chinese food, big portions! Can eat in or take out.
Eat Parthenon Diner
Great selection of food, ranging from breakfast favorites to big steaks. Personal jukeboxes are found on every table! Beware of the drunken young adult crowd in the early morning hours on weekends.
Mid-range
Eat Branford Breakfast Connections
Great breakfast food.
Eat Eli's on the Hill
Burgers and steaks are good, nice selection of drinks.
Splurge
Drink
Drink Stony Creek Brewery
Local drinking place on the water. Food trucks park outside and sell food, while the brewery sells its own beers.
Sleep
There are numerous places to stay in Branford. While the town does not have any "high class" hotels, they do have some very accommodating chains. A good one to pick from is the Holiday Inn Express on Rt. 1. You can't miss it with its dolphin fountain in front of the lobby. Beware of the places that look dingy, they most likely are. The Branford Motel is a haven for high schooler's parties and drug deals. If possible, Stay away!
Budget
Stay Branford Motel
Small, single bed rooms that look dingy. Young people are known to throw parties here. Avoid if possible.
Mid-range
Nearby
East Haven
City / town · 21 listings · 3 mi away
Guilford
City / town · 16 listings · 6 mi away
New Haven
City / town · 52 listings · 7 mi away
North Haven
City / town · 3 listings · 8 mi away
West Haven
City / town · 6 listings · 9 mi away
Hamden
City / town · 23 listings · 10 mi away
Madison
City / town · 11 listings · 10 mi away
Orange
City / town · 3 listings · 12 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.