Overview
Preston is a town in Connecticut. It is a small, mostly rural town with multiple historic districts. It is between Montville and Ledyard, giving easy access to both Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods.
9 sights · 2 things to do · 2 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 Preston
Amos Lake
115-acre natural lake. Stocked with trophy bass and trout. Local wildlife can be seen here, including bald eagles.
Hallville Mill Historic District
National Register of Historic Places designated place, known for its old mill.
Long Society Meetinghouse
A national historic place and one of the few surviving meetinghouses in Connecticut. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Norwich State Hospital
Do not enter; view from a distance while driving in from Norwich. Old hospital complex listed on National Register of Historic Places, famous for its Gothic and Colonial revival architecture. Allegedly haunted. Local pol…
Poquetanuck
National Register of Historic Places designated place known for its 18th and 19th century buildings.
Preston City
National Register of Historic Places designated place known for architecture.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 83°F; winter lows dip to about 22°F. Cold months (Jan) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Mar. (climate data from nearby Narragansett)
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.
- WST Westerly State Airport, Westerly — 15 mi away. Directions
- PVD Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport, Providence/Warwick — 33 mi away (major hub). Directions
Route 164 allows entrance to Preston from Griswold.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Preston City Bible Church, Amos Lake
- Lunch Jimmies
- Afternoon Norwich State Hospital, Preston Community Park
- Dinner Village Pizza
- Evening Preston Ridge Vineyard
Day 2
- Morning Hallville Mill Historic District, Poquetanuck
- Afternoon Spotty the Rock Dog, Tri Town Trail
Day 3
- Morning Long Society Meetinghouse, Preston City
- Afternoon Wicked Tulips
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
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
History
Preston is a small town in southeastern Connecticut that originated in the 17th century. Following King Philip's War, the area was granted to colonists by Owaneco, son of the Mohegan sachem Uncas. For much of its history Preston was a farming town, but the decline of farming and the presence of two major tourist centers has caused a slow transition into a town focused on historical tourism.
Because Preston is home to over a dozen old cemetaries, many old buildings and churches, and the ruins of the Norwich State Hospital, it is sometimes alleged to be a haunted place.
Local information
- Preston Town Council website
Get in
By car
Route 164 allows entrance to Preston from Griswold.
Route 165 allows entrance to Preston from Norwich and Griswold.
Route 2A allows entrance to Preston from Montville after crossing the Mohegan–Pequot Bridge.
Get around
A car is necessary in Preston. The nearby casinos are walkable and have shuttles to use, but Preston is a rural area with minimal public transportation options. Casino traffic makes walking inadvisable on the main roads. Off the main roads there is much less traffic, making it a nice place to take scenic walks. However, there will likely not be many tourist attractions within walking distance regardless.
See
See Hallville Mill Historic District
National Register of Historic Places designated place, known for its old mill.
See Long Society Meetinghouse
A national historic place and one of the few surviving meetinghouses in Connecticut. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.
See Norwich State Hospital
Do not enter; view from a distance while driving in from Norwich. Old hospital complex listed on National Register of Historic Places, famous for its Gothic and Colonial revival architecture. Allegedly haunted. Local police are stationed nearby to catch anyone sneaking in. The plan is to demolish all but the old administrative building.
See Poquetanuck
National Register of Historic Places designated place known for its 18th and 19th century buildings.
Do
Buy
Shop Lu-Mac's Plaza
Holds a package store (local term for a liquor store), a place to buy lottery tickets, and a post office.
Eat
Eat Jimmies (Jimmies Ice Cream Shoppe)
Ice cream parlor and restaurant. They operate at the Preston Ridge Vineyard while their new building is under construction.
Eat Village Pizza
Local pizza restaurant with a full bar. Holds weekly events like karaoke and trivia.
Drink
Drink Preston Ridge Vineyard
Vineyard that has a tasting room and store. Also hosts weddings, food trucks, and live music.
Sleep
Go next
Nearby
Ledyard
City / town · 12 listings · 4 mi away
Norwich
City / town · 4 listings · 6 mi away
Griswold
City / town · 10 listings · 7 mi away
North Stonington
City / town · 10 listings · 7 mi away
Montville
City / town · 6 listings · 8 mi away
Mystic
City / town · 57 listings · 10 mi away
Stonington
City / town · 16 listings · 11 mi away
Groton
City / town · 7 listings · 11 mi away
My experience
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