1. When Pigs Fly Cafe
City: Waterford, CT
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (860) 444-1110
Address: 97 Rope Ferry Rd.
Description: Owners Sarina and Gwen McGugan swore they would never open a restaurant again, or only “when pigs fly,” but we should be glad that they reneged on that promise. This cafe has become a favorite among tourists and locals. You will probably notice the Christmas tree ornaments hanging from the ceiling, which went up and became a permanent part of the decor, along with pictures and statues of pigs. The menu is much more creative than most breakfast and lunch places, and they take customer suggestions and experiment with combinations regularly. They make everything on the spot, with no precooked items, not even the soups. Some things are seasonal, like pumpkin pancakes in autumn and French toast made with eggnog in winter. They have a number of whole-grain, vegetarian, and gluten-free options as well.
2. Crystal Mall
City: Waterford, CT
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (860) 442-8501
Address: 850 Hartford Tpke.
Description: The Crystal Mall in New London is anchored by JCPenney, Macy’s, and Sears. They also have 125 specialty stores in a clean, white indoor mall with such favorites as Forever 21, Victoria’s Secret, Bed Bath & Beyond, and a Christmas Tree Shop. You’ll find plenty of parking here without squeezing into spots a mile from the mall. A Target and Best Buy are also nearby. In 2011 and early 2012 the renovation of this mall (its second recently) will take it to the next level and improve the food court significantly. And though most mall walkers don’t notice it, this is the home of the world’s largest Waterford crystal chandelier. Look up.
3. Harkness Memorial State Park
City: Waterford, CT
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (860) 443-5725
Address: 275 Great Neck Rd.
Description: Once the summer home of Edward and Mary Harkness, today this 234-acre former estate on the shores of Long Island Sound is the best place to fly a kite in Connecticut. You’ll see many people attempting to keep their multicolored kites in the air along the slopes down to the beach, and others picnicking on the grounds. Tour the house on free guided tours. The gardens by the mansion are some of the loveliest in the state, and make this a hugely popular place for weddings. Careful of swimming here, though: There are no lifeguards, and the tidal inlet has a powerful current. Don’t miss the huge old beech trees around the property, with their smooth gray bark and green or copper leaves. The one (or is it many? you’ll see) in front of the house on the way in is one of the most impressive specimens in America.
4. Eugene O’Neill Theater Center
City: Waterford, CT
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (860) 443-5378
Address: 305 Great Neck Rd.
Description: The O’Neill Theater overlooks the Sound, and provides you with another unique experience. The center is really the home for intensive workshops between master and student writers, actors, directors, musicians, and designers. The very reasonably priced public performances by the National Theater Institute allow you the opportunity to see the openings of new plays, with minimal stage production, before the rest of the world. Staff and alumni of the O’Neill have won every major award in the theater world, and the plays and musicals developed here include John Guare’s House of Blue Leaves, August Wilson’s Fences, and Wendy Wasserstein’s Uncommon Women and Others. Eugene O’Neill was the only American playwright to ever win the Nobel Prize, and he racked up four Pulitzers, too, for good measure. Come here and watch performances that keep his high standards alive.
5. Sunbeam Express Nature Cruise Center
City: Waterford, CT
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (860) 442-2710
Description: Leaving from Captain John’s Sport Fishing Center, technically called the Nature Cruise Center, the Sunbeam Express Fleet offers private whale watching, yes, but also a number of other interesting options, from seal-watching trips in Mar, Apr, and May to bald eagle cruises in Feb and Mar. In the summer you can take the famous lighthouse cruises on Wed, Sat, and Sun; this twice-a-day trip lasts 5 hours and crosses the Sound, passing 11 lighthouses. Whatever you do, don’t forget the binoculars and camera. The small fleet of boats owned by Sunbeam can also be chartered for deep-sea fishing, daily from June to Labor Day. Try the night bass-fishing excursion, an exciting ride out onto dark waters, when the struggle of the fighting fish is illuminated only by the stars.
6. Waterford Speed Bowl
City: Waterford, CT
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (860) 442-1585
Address: 1080 Hartford Tpke.
Description: Not every place to go in New London County has to do with boats. One very important one has to do with cars: the Waterford Speed Bowl. Opened in 1951 as the New London Speedway, the short oval track is a third of a mile long, and you can watch stock cars, late models, minis, and modifieds tear it up every Sat night. They also feature legend cars and wacky race series. There are 7,500 seats up for grabs, with general admission seating, so get there early to make sure you get your favorite spot. There’s a midway with burgers, Italian sausages, and fried dough, as well as all sorts of NASCAR gear. Bring sunglasses, since the grandstand faces southwest, and early in the evening you might have some glare. You’re also allowed to bring a cushion for the wooden bleachers: a good idea, since you’ll be glued to your seat.