Enjoying summer vacation means that on my trips to Connecticut I can make sure to hit up all of the places that I really love. One of these places is Niantic’s Book Barn. Additionally, lobster to me is the ultimate summertime food. Although I often opt for Captain Scott’s Lobster Dock in New London or Ford’s in Noank, I have been hearing rave reviews of the Lobster Landing in Clinton. (spoiler alert: the lobster roll was amazing!) Finally, driving through coastal towns such as Old Saybrook and capping off the journey with a well-deserved beer at 30 Mile Brewing Company were definitely on the menu. Put it together and it’s a backyard road trip for books, lobster, and beer; you can’t do much better than that!
BOOKS, lobster, and beer – Niantic’s Book Barn
The first stop on my books, lobster, and beer trip was the Book Barn. Lately, my son has very much enjoyed the Magic Tree House book series. I figured what better place to pick up some of these than the Book Barn in Niantic. Yes, I’ve already spoken highly of this destination in an earlier post (and in my book, Connecticut Lore), but I can’t stress enough how magical this place is. I thought this would be a quick trip into the store, but honestly, I don’t think there can be a quick trip to this place. With four branches all located a short distance of one another in Niantic, I opted for the main store since it’s collection included children’s books.
The Book Barn’s four stores house different genres. Make sure to visit their website first to be directed to the store/genre you desire before making the trek. I like to just peruse, knowing I’m going to find something. Their main location is a wonderland. Books are seemingly everywhere! From the main building to the Haunted Bookshop near the back, from Ellis Island (new arrivals) to an outbuilding consisting of fiction and poetry, this place is stocked!
Bringing my son here for the first time put a whole new perspective on the Book Barn. For one, I didn’t realize quite all of the features here for kids, such as the playscape that he loved, the koi ponds, gardens, and collection of Cozy Coupes available for him to ride in. Of course, the numerous cats and the pen of goats I knew would be a hit (and they were). There are so many things to look at while visiting here (and I’m not even mentioning the books themselves!). If you are in coastal or eastern Connecticut, stopping here is a must!
Books, LOBSTER, and beer- Lobster Landing
Taking much longer than I originally thought, we were on to the next stop on our books, lobster, and beer backyard road trip. My parents have been going to the Lobster Dock in Clinton (about a 25-minute ride west from Niantic) for over ten years, but I had yet to go. What a classic look! It’s a small parking lot in a residential neighborhood with a weatherbeaten shack perched next to the sea. That’s where you buy the fish. The eating establishment is next to it, a no-frills seafood stand-style place. Order your lobster rolls, with a few other things on the menu like a salad, hot dog and a cup of chowder, and sit at the plastic deck tables waiting for these delights.
I’ve eaten lobster and lobster rolls for more than 30 years, and, quite honestly, this could be the best I have ever had! I prefer the southern Connecticut lobster roll, hot, buttery, no mayo, no salad. This was exactly this, with a hint of lemon. Divine! I want another right now. At $18.50 per roll, the price was reasonable too.
Detour into Old Saybrook
Upon leaving Clinton, we drove back on Route 1 through Westbrook before arriving in Old Saybrook. Old Saybrook is a beautiful town situated at the mouth of the Connecticut River where it meets Long Island Sound. Recently I had seen Jonathan Richman play at the Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, better known as The Kate, a state of the art music venue housed in the former town hall. Old Saybrook’s Main Street is quaint. It’s a wide road with a host of restaurants, cafes, stores, and galleries lining it.
After a quick walkthrough, we took Route 154 as it loops through town, passing through the neighborhoods of Saybrook Point, Fenwick, and Harvey’s Beach. Back to Route 1, we ended our books, lobster, and beer road trip at 30 Mile Brewing Company.
Books, lobster, and BEER – 30 Mile Brewing Company
I once had a beer by 30 Mile at Tony D’s, one of my favorite Italian restaurants, located in New London. Like many breweries, it is situated in an industrial park, different than the seaside locales of much of Old Saybrook. I ordered a flight including a brown ale, a porter and two IPAs (one named Baby Fight Club, which with the behavior of my older son on this trip, I thought was a pretty apropos name). The rest of my family (sans the kids) ordered the sour. It was raspberry with hints of lactose and vanilla, really tasty.
30 Mile has plenty of opportunity for play for kids too. With board games including Connect 4, it kept my older son plenty busy. The warehouse feel was open and inviting. All of my beers were very good, including the Thunder Pump IPA. I would definitely go back when I’m in the Old Saybrook area.
Summertime fun!
Overall my backyard road trip to enjoy books, lobster, and beer was a complete success. My favorite book store, coupled with the best lobster roll I’ve ever had, a beautiful drive, and stellar beer, this was a backyard road trip to remember!
Coastal Connecticut is close to the backyard I grew up in, what’s in your backyard?
