**NOTICE** For at least the month of April and probably into May, we are limiting our rentals to:
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--Health care workers, first responders, and other essential workers;
-- Connecticut residents who need a place to self-quarantine away from family or roommates;
We will require time periods between reservations on our end for proper disinfection of the home. For health workers we are approximately 20 minutes away from L&M, or Backus, or Westerly Hospitals.
**If you are traveling to CT from out of state, even if you are an essential worker, you must be coming for work purposes only. Although many health care workers and first responders deserve a much needed vacation and time to quarantine in nature, that purpose is currently not allowed under the CT governor's executive order 7T, to prevent COVID-19 transmission. Thank you for understanding, and we hope you can vacation here in the near future!
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The cottage feels like you are at a cabin up in Maine. It has a rustic feel and it is on a quiet lake where time seems to have been forgotten. It is literally right on the water, as you can see in the pictures. The cozy cottage is perfect for a vacationing couple, or two, or a family. The waterfront cottage has 2 bedrooms with queen beds and a spacious living room with a wood stove. The large screened-in porch is a favorite place for meals overlooking the water. A large oak tree provides shade with picnic tables, chairs, and a rocking bench by the fire pit, all with water views. There are horseshoes and a second fire pit on the bank looking down the whole lake, and a badminton/volleyball net in the front yard during the summer. The kitchen is fully stocked and ready, just bring your food. Coffee, tea, sugar, and spices are provided. There is a gas grill and firewood provided for the wood stove and the two outdoor fire pits.
The beautiful and attractive town of Mystic is only ten minutes away! You will love walking along the boardwalk and through the cute shops and array of restaurants while also seeing the boats sail by. The Mystic Aquarium is popular for families with children, and the Mystic Seaport is enjoyed by all ages. Old Mystic Village is another place full of quaint shops and good food.
Back at the lake, each season of the year has its own charm at the cottage. The fall brings beautiful colors surrounding the lake, perfect to enjoy the days on the deck, the porch, and the kayaks during warm afternoons, and to cozy up by the wood stove on chilly evenings. The winter can freeze the lake and allow for ice skating and ice fishing . The spring is great for get-aways on the water that refresh your mind and get you excited for summer after the cold winter. And summers at the cottage are full of swimming and outdoor fun.
Kayaks and a canoe are provided for your use at no additional charge. We also have horseshoes, croquet, badminton/volleyball in July & August, internet, DVD player, a TV with an amazon fire stick with some free movies and the ability to sign into your Netflix (but no cable), and board games. If you choose, we have a discount paddleboard rental for just $20, and hot tub rental for $100 or less depending on the length of your stay. The tub sits over the water and under the stars, or enjoy a campfire with firewood provided with no charge.
Dogs are welcome for an additional $30/dog if you notify us in advance.
We also have a massage therapist that you could schedule a massage with if asked in advance, right by the lake. Also, I am a portrait photographer, and can also offer familycouple/friends/solo portraits if you want!
There is also a small, organic "Earth Friendly Farm" that sells vegetables and sometimes other goodies at the beginning of your street. And Ledyard center has a farmer's market every Wednesday 4-7pm from June to September.
You will love your stay at the cottage- enjoying the serenity of nature and the lake, and you are just a 10 minute drive from Mystic-- a favorite tourist town, 5 area wineries, the Connecticut Shoreline, and 5 minutes from Foxwoods casino. Take a walk or a bike ride along the coast, through Mystic, or in the woods such as up Lantern Hill- a hike overlooking cliff views only 5 minutes from the cottage. You can also enjoy activities in Westerly, Mystic, and New London, ask us for more ideas if interested.
There are endless recommendations for all sorts of places less than 20 minutes away. Here are a few suggestions:
Local “New England Feeling” Attractions:
-Buttonwood Farms in Griswold is famous for its delicious farm fresh ice cream and over 14 acres of sunflowers that will peak during the end of July. From mid-September through October the farm has a corn maze and several fun family activities
-Holmberg’s Orchard in Gales Ferry is a beautiful place to go pick your own fruit of the season, whether that’s blueberries, peaches, raspberries, apples, or even nectarines this year. Tractor rides will bring your family to the perfect picking location. In the fall, there are fields of pumpkins, as well as squash, gourds, Indian corn, hay bales, and mums. There are also events, such as Farmer’s Markets.
- Mystic Aquarium is great for families! www.mysticaquarium.org
-The Mystic Seaport Museum, a Historic Whaling Village from the 1800’s, has many attractions indoors and outdoors, with incredible sights and tours of historic ships.
- The Pequot Indian Museum is very interesting and Smithsonian-quality. Interactive for children and quite educational. Open Wed- Sat 9am-5pm, a 6 minute drive from the cottage.
110 Pequot Trail, Mashantucket, CT,
-Old Mystic Village and its many shops are great for both adults and children
-If you’re looking for a sunset excursion and tour of the Mystic River, my brother has an inflatable boat and is willing to give boat tours for our cottage guests for a small fee.
-Clydes Cider Mill is a hot spot in the fall! Sample or purchase cider (and hard cider), and homemade goods (the donuts are highly recommended). 129 N Stonington Rd, Pawcatuck
FRESH SEAFOOD AND RESTAURANTS:
-If you would like to indulge in New England’s fresh seafood, be sure to visit the restaurants and markets in Pawcatuck, Mystic, Stonington CT and Westerly, RI. If you need directions or recommendations, please ask us for more information.
-MYSTIC has a variety of restaurants, both casual and high-end. Some popular places include: Mystic Pizza, Pizzetta, S & P Oyster House, Latitude 41, the Engine Room, Bravo Bravo, and Go Fish. Karma Kitchen is a healthy cafe with smoothies, nutritious juices, acai bowls, & more. Drawbridge Ice Cream is very popular on the bridge.
HIKING/PARKS
- Ledyard and neighboring towns have many interesting parks offering a variety of trails. Listed are some of the more popular:
-Lantern Hill- There are great views overlooking cliffs on a mountainous trail, which is about 30 minutes to the top. There are two trailheads: One is at the far rear of the parking lot of the Two Trees Inn, and the other one is .4 in from Route 2 on Wintechog Hill Road in North Stonington, CT, (6 minutes away)
-Copp Park - Offers a number of trails and two dog park areas
-Bluff Point - This is a beautiful 2.5 mile round trip dirt road that you can walk or bike on. Beautiful views of the shallow waters, and open ocean with sandy beach at the end of the road..
Depot Rd., Groton, CT, (860) 441-6600 (17 minutes away)
-Haley Farm State Park is a popular trail for biking or jogging, along with Bluff Point.
SWIMMING
- Long Pond of course! You are welcome to take the kayaks or the raft and bring them over to the nice rock areas of Long Pond to swim off of.
BEACHES
-if you are looking for swimming in the sound or ocean, these are the closest beaches:
-Ocean Beach - on Long Island Sound,
-Misquamicut Beach - Beach is on open ocean. In Westerly, RI (30 min away)
-Watch Hill and East Beach. A touristy area with restaurants, ice cream, a carousel, and shops. A beautiful walk to the beach. (Taylor Swift’s summer house on the edge of the beach)
WINERIES:
-Tastings, and often entertainment or events
-Jonathan Edwards - Call to see if there is entertainment, 74 Chester Maine Rd, North Stonington, CT, (860) 535-0202, http://www.jedwardswinery.com
-Maugle Sierra Vineyards - Entertainment Friday Evenings 6-9pm, & most Sundays 2-5pm. 825 Colonel Ledyard Highway Ledyard, CT, (860) 464-2987, http://www.mauglesierravineyards.com/
-Stonington Vineyards - Entertainment most Saturdays, look online or call for schedule. 523 Taugwonk Rd - PO Box 463, Stonington, CT, (860) 535-1222
GOLF
- Lake of Isles - 1 Clubhouse Drive, North Stonington, CT, (860) 312-2093 www.lakeofisles.com (10 minutes/3.7miles away)
Be sure to watch our 2-minute preview of vacation time at the cottage: https://youtu.be/WOnoIeq3OBs
If dates are full or if you are looking for a second rental nearby for a family and friends, please check out our other cottage on this same lake. The listing is HomeAway #3945127 to see pictures and reviews. If you have trouble finding it, just send us an inquiry and ask.
Book early if you need specific dates. Note that we have a discount for stays of 7 nights or more. We are happy to answer any questions you may have, email us for more information or ask us to call you back.