Overview
East Haddam is a town of about 9,000 people (2020) in the Connecticut River Valley in the state of Connecticut.
3 sights · 7 places to eat · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about East Haddam
Gillette Castle State Park
Costing $6 for adults and $2 for children ages 6-12, Gillette's Castle offers plenty of hiking (map), picnicking, food, gifts, and even a tour inside of the stone-made castle designed by William Gillette between 1914 and…
Nathan Hale School House
Nathan Hale School House, open from Memorial Day to Columbus Day, is open from noon to 4PM. Over two hundred years old, this red building served as a school house from 1750 to 1799. In 1772, Yale Graduate Nathan Hale cam…
Devil's Hopyard State Park
Open from 8AM, until sunset, this state park offers a wide variety of entertainment, including camping, hiking (Map of Hiking Trails), fishing, and even scary folk tales. The most famous tale was the story of the Devil g…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 85°F; winter lows dip to about 19°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Sep. (climate data from nearby Hartford)
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 — 26 mi away. Directions
- WST Westerly State Airport, Westerly — 35 mi away. Directions
- BDL Bradley International Airport, Hartford — 36 mi away (major hub). Directions
95 North:
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $199–$199 a night (typical $274), from 2 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$240, mid-range ~$350, comfortable ~$360.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Gillette Castle State Park, Nathan Hale School House
- Lunch Gelston House
- Afternoon Devil's Hopyard State Park
- Dinner Hilltop Barbecue And Steakhouse
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
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
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
95 North:
95 South: Follow 95 South and take exit 69 to Route 9 North. From Route 9, you can either:
- Take exit 6 to the ferry (which only runs seasonally), or
- Take exit 7 to the East Haddam Swing Bridge.
From exit 7, follow Route 82 East to East Haddam.
395 South:
- On 395 South, take Exit 77
- Turn right on Route 85 North.
- Follow Route 85 North to Route 82 West.
- Arrive on Route 82 East.
East Haddam is 1½ hours away from Boston, 2 hours away from New York City, and 1 hour away from Providence, depending on traffic.
See
See Nathan Hale School House
Nathan Hale School House, open from Memorial Day to Columbus Day, is open from noon to 4PM. Over two hundred years old, this red building served as a school house from 1750 to 1799. In 1772, Yale Graduate Nathan Hale came to teach thirty-three pupils, all ranging from ages six to eighteen, until the winter of 1773. During this time, Nathan Hale taught his students from seven in the morning until nine in the evening, with only one hour's lunch break in between. Shortly after his teaching in East Haddam, Nathan Hale took a position in at a Union Grammar School in New London.
See Devil's Hopyard State Park
Open from 8AM, until sunset, this state park offers a wide variety of entertainment, including camping, hiking (Map of Hiking Trails), fishing, and even scary folk tales. The most famous tale was the story of the Devil getting his tail wet in the famous Chapman Falls, and becoming so angry that he 'burned holes in the stones with his hooves.' Chapman Falls, fall over 60 feet over a series of steps in a Scotland Schist stone formation.
See Gillette Castle State Park
Costing $6 for adults and $2 for children ages 6-12, Gillette's Castle offers plenty of hiking (map), picnicking, food, gifts, and even a tour inside of the stone-made castle designed by William Gillette between 1914 and 1919. Built from farmer's fieldstone from around the state, and supported by a steel frame, 25 men worked together for five years to complete this dream castle located on 84 acres of land. Gillette, born in Hartford in 1853, is known for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in plays and a 1916 film. Onlooking the Connecticut River on the Seventh Sister Hill, Gillette's magnificent architecture captures the essence of nature that surrounds the area.
Buy
Shop Flights of Fancy ad Hoc Est
Shop Hillside Sweet Shoppe
Sells delicious ice cream, candy, toys and gifts. Sweets include homemade fudge and hot fudge.
Shop Mary Roz Designs LLC
Shop The Fish Sisters
Eat
Eat Gelston House
Offers a beautiful view of the Connecticut River and Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam. They offer a great dine-in area, great for banquets and weddings.
Eat Hilltop Barbecue And Steakhouse
Eat La Vita Gustosa
The view from the outdoor patio offers a scenic view of the surrounding Connecticut River as well as the famous Goodspeed Opera House, weather permitting. Indoors is beautifully decorated with Italian murals on the walls, a cozy dining room setting, and a fireplace. Live entertainment is also available on certain nights.
Sleep
Nearby
Essex
City / town · 2 listings · 8 mi away
Clinton
City / town · 10 listings · 11 mi away
Old Saybrook
City / town · 40 listings · 12 mi away
Madison
City / town · 11 listings · 12 mi away
Middletown
City / town · 22 listings · 12 mi away
Old Lyme
City / town · 21 listings · 12 mi away
Cromwell
City / town · 8 listings · 14 mi away
Middlefield
City / town · 6 listings · 14 mi away
My experience
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