My favorite Connecticut fall drive starts in Essex, follows the river through Deep River and Chester, climbs to the views at Gillette Castle, and ends with a beach walk in Old Saybrook. Here’s the route, my favorite stops along the way, and what to know about the Chester–Hadlyme Ferry before you go.
October in Essex with kids means scarecrow walks, pumpkin hunts, waterfront ducks, and plenty of reasons to stop for a treat. From FestiFall and the Ivoryton Pumpkin Festival to our family’s favorite everyday stops, here’s how I’d spend a fall afternoon with the kids—and where we go when it rains.