Gillette Castle, Essex, CT

One day we spent in and around Essex – a Colonial seaport town about a half hour's drive from New Haven and New London on the west bank of the Connecticut River, which is the only Connecticut town mentioned in Norman Crampton's second edition of ''The 100 Best Small Towns in America'' .
First we took the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat for a 2½-hour journey (see details at http://www.essexsteamtrain.com/steam.html).
Back at the rail yard, where we parked our car, we had a lunch picnic-style. The Trackside Café in an old train car offering hot dogs, hamburgers, snacks, and beverages was a nice addition to the food basket we brought with us.
Our next and main attraction for the day was Gillette Castle. To get there, we took the Chester - Hadlyme ferry across the CT River from Chester. While crossing the river, the castle is in full view. The ferry can take 9 cars and the trip across takes less than five minutes, yet is exciting. You may have to wait a while to get your car on board - up to 15 minutes if you hit the road just as the ferry's leaving full for the other side, more if there are more than 8 cars in front of you - but there's no schedule or reservations. The Ferry operates April through November, weather permitting. For directions, hours, and contact phone number go to http://www.ct.gov/dot/cwp/view.asp?a=1390&Q=499780&PM=1
The alternative is to drive north along Route 154, to the famous East Haddam Swing Bridge, and then follow signs to the castle.
About W. Gillette: Since his childhood, William Gillette was captivated with the stage and acting pursuits, an interest that his parents did not encourage. At age thirteen, he reputedly had built a small stage and amused himself by frequently putting on puppet shows for his friends. At age twenty, he left home to follow his chosen career. He is most famous for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes. Gillette presented Sherlock Holmes approximately 1,300 times (third in the historical stage-record), before American and English audiences. In 1929, at the age of 76, Gillette started the farewell tour of Sherlock Holmes. Scheduled for two seasons, it was eventually extended into 1932.
The following quote from one of the visitors says it all:”This is a well engineered and well thought out structure. The attention to detail is amazing...no two doors are alike and there are a lot of beautiful doors. The mirrors - so he could observe his guests - are unnoticeable until they tell you where they are...” The Castle is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Tickets are sold until 4:30 PM, Memorial Day Weekend through Columbus Day. The grounds are open year round.
…We concluded the day with a nice dinner at the Griswold Inn in downtown Essex. The Inn’s taproom was recognized by Esquire (magazine) as "one of the top 100 bars in America". One of the oldest continuously operated inns in the country, The Griswold Inn opened its doors for business in 1776 and has been catering to yachtsmen and overland travelers ever since. Reservation is recommended.