1. Delamar
City: Southport, CT
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (203) 259-2800
Address: 275 Old Post Rd.
Insider Pick:
Description: On the Old Post Road in historic Southport, the white clapboarded Delamar makes for a lovely rest in one of America’s most exclusive communities. When you walk past the gold-lettered sign into the lobby, with its antique marble floors and museum-quality art, you’ll immediately feel like royalty. There are 44 rooms in this boutique hotel, some of which are suites. Each is different and features marble-floored baths, Italian linens, and all the amenities you could possibly want. Make sure to drive or, better yet, walk around Southport, with its enormous homes and old beech trees. You can also use the fitness room at the Delamar, and afterwards you should splurge for the on-site spa, which is a private suite complete with steam shower, couples massage room, and fireplace. You can now dine at the Delamar, too, with the new restaurant and bar that opened in 2011 (and features produce from local farms on its menu).
2. Pequot Library Book Sale
City: Southport, CT
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (203) 259-0346
Address: 720 Pequot Ave.
Description: You might be thinking that this should be in the events section (if that) rather than in shopping, but this is not like any other library book sale you’ve ever been to. Founded in 1961, it has become one of the largest in the country, with an average of 140,000 books. You can find literally anything here in any genre, as well as collectible LPs and 45s, CDs, and DVDs. Some collectors just come for the comic books, which are numerous and rare. The summer sale lasts almost a week (check the website for exact dates in a given year), and the library has instituted one in midwinter as well. On normal days a thematic selection is available for sale in the lobby. While you’re here, take some time to drive around beautiful residential Southport, and marvel at the huge houses, well-kept lawns, and ancient beech trees.