Hop on the other Thimble Island ferry service. We asked BestReviews cooking expert Andrea Boudewijn for her best recommendations for Mothers Day gifts. Earned the New Brew Thursday (Level 10) badge! And the best location to hear all about it is the upper deck of the 44-foot Carman boat Sea Mist as Captain Mike takes you on an hour-long narrated tour of the 25 inhabited islands that glisten silver and pink in the sun after being carved by ice age glaciers eons ago. Examine the shape - remove any crossing or weak stems. You can leave your car to enter the adjacent farmland of the Meadows along the river that stretches to Wethersfield or take the car ferry to Glastonbury, which brings you to strawberry picking at Rose Orchards and other farms. Cruises range in price from $10-$50 and typically last between 1 1/2 and four hours. We had fabulous weather. You will enjoy it!!! Craft beer (food trucks available in parking lot). He was super informative and entertaining. Before Europeans arrived, the Mattabesec Indians used the islands as summer camping grounds. Which boat do you go on? Captain Matt was super chill, friendly and a vessel of Thimble Island and Stony Creek knowledge. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. The Seal Spotting and Birding Cruise offers the opportunity to see seals and birds in their natural habitats among the Norwalk Islands. Make a day of it with a picnic lunch, plenty of sunscreen and a large beach blanket. Infantino has been operating The SeaMist, showing off the landscape and the architecture in this charming spot for an astounding 40 years. Troy David Johnston/Flickr The tours are roughly 45 minutes long, featuring narration. Several cruises depart from the Norwalk Maritime Aquarium Dock. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. And if youre not up for a drive, Seaside Home and Gifts is worth a browse to find not just gifts, but housewares and clothes. It is named after the largest group of islands in Connecticut, the Thimble Islands, located off the coast of . How much? In total, Captain Mike says 25 inhabited islands make up the Thimble Islands. Captain provides lively narration of history and pirate legends. Thimble Islands cruises take you out on open waters. Taste: Hoppy, Citrusy, Piney, Spicy. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Yes but only on the downstairs section of the boat. It is the perfect way to finish your day with some well-rounded information about the quarry and insights into life in a quaint Connecticut coastal village. Gorgeous views and a great experience!!! What better way to celebrate 40 years on the water than to have your own beer made? Ghost Island is a west coast style double IPA. 16 Business Park Drive Thimble Island Cruise, Branford: Address, Phone Number, Thimble Island Cruise Reviews: 5/5. Matt is an islander and a middle school science teacher and he knows his TI history. The Bridgeport and Port Jefferson Steamboat Company serves many purposes. Latitude 41.296755 Longitude -72.771529 Thimble Island Brewing Company Our Beer Brewpub Reservations Click to book a reservation Here! By far the most populated is Money Island, an upper middle class community of about 30 families. Then while visiting Stony Creek Quarry, be sure to visit the. The boats are seasonal and I believe run til the end of September. Chose this tour b/c wanted a more intimate experience. Documentation provided within the Thimble Islands or out into Long Island Sound. Thimble Islands cruises take you out on open waters. This ferry is the longest continuously operating ferry in the country, according to ct.gov. The Thimble Islands are located just off the shore of the charming Stony Creek. Matt grew up on the islands and gives a great tour! If the name alone isnt enough to get you to drive out to Taken For Granite, the unique souvenirs and thoughtful displays should do the trick. I understand that there are three different boats, the Sea Mist, Volsunga IV and Captain Dave (This one is the smallest boat - only 18 or passengers). Contact our Tour Department at 631-473-5138 or 631-473-6282 (8:30 AM-4:00 PM Monday thru . As the weather gets warmer, dust off your life jackets and your pirate hats. 203.208.2827, [2010] Thimble Island Brewery I wish I could remember the name of the older boat ride. Cruise of Thimble Islands on the Sea Mist. Well worth the trip! The boat tour is only about an hour long and there is a gazebo at the dock you can have lunch at or a small restaurant right at the corner and also a pizza place right down the street. I highly recommend this tour. This is among my favorite of island/harbor cruises. 45-minute narrated cruises of the Thimble Islands, available hourly during the summer. Dave's tour but the boat only holds approx. Copyright 2023 Connecticut Office of Tourism. The boat is very comfortable and Captain Mike gave a great narrated tour that was informative, educational, and also respectful to the people who own those beautiful homes on the Thimble Islands! Weekends from Memorial Day through mid-June. At risk of beating a dead horse about the local pink granite, it truly is lovely. Images scanned by Joshua GUANINE. 24 Rotating Tap Lines Branford, CT 06405 Contact: (203) 481-3345 http://www.thimbleislands.com Latitude 41.296755 Cruise durations range from 1 1/2-2 1/2 hours and cost between $31 and $34. Boat holds around fifty people, my guess. Colonial owners occupied the last of the islands by 1773. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. A close neighbor to the Stony Creek Market youre sure to find something for someone even if just for yourself. Was so easy to get a reservation. The Sea Mist is located at the Town Dock in Stony Creek, offering the best way to see the wondrous line of islands. Milne took over the business in 2016 after her father Bob suffered traumatic brain injury as a result of a motorcycle accident and later died. Architects viewed it as a highly durable material with a unique undulating veining that made it seem alive. Under the leadership of founder and CEO Justin Gargano, Thimble continues to thrive . Currently departs quarter past the hour 10:15am-4:15pm daily . Earned the Cheers to Independent U.S. Caramel malt aromas with notes of mild citrus and floral hops. Greenwich, CT 06830 Read More Location: Departs from Stony Creek Town Dock. then borrowed back into English (e.g. On the afternoon Marine Life Encounter Cruise, the crew teaches animal-spotting techniques and educates guests on fish, crabs, and mollusks. CRUISES RETURN: The R/V Spirit of the Sound will resume the Norwalk Aquariums bird and seal spotting cruises Jan. 9-10. Pours deep golden in color. This was a nice and relaxing tour. Cruise tickets are $16 for adults, $15 for seniors and $!0 for children ages 4-12. He told us that he recently purchased the business from Captain Dave. Arms tired? The Thimble Islands is the largest group of islands in Connecticut. View all products by Thimble Island Brewing Company California Residents: Click here for Proposition 65 WARNING. The Connecticut River Museum offers two types of cruises: One aboard the Onrust, a recreation of a 1614 vessel, and one that takes passengers on an eagle-spotting journey along the river in winter. I would do it again. Mystic River Cruises run through November in a classic wooden picnic boat, according to the website. This local archipelago is called the Thimble Islands. There are no year-round residents. You may have even hopped aboard one of the three tour boats that will take you on a cruise around the scenic islands while giving you a short history lesson. The Thimble Island chain consists of 25 small rocky, wooded islands topped with beautiful summer cottages built during the Victorian Era-complete with ginger bread trimmings. Captain Matt was no show. Some isles have many homes and some just have one, all the islands are private except for one, Outer Island is trusted to the Federal Fish and Wildlife Department. Foliage cruises, seal watch cruises, party or dinner cruises. Daytime cruises on the Onrust run at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays for $30 per person. It is the perfect way to finish your day with some well-rounded information about the quarry and insights into life in a quaint Connecticut coastal village. The cost is very reasonable. Youll find Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge on the outermost Thimble Island, appropriately named Outer Island. Earned the Tamarack Wine & Spirits (Level 64) badge! We hadnt a reservation but were accommodated as there was plenty of room for the 10:15 departure. The Greif family that runs it are also thimble-makers. Take a tour around Norwalk Harbor and take in the view of Norwalks three historic lighthouses, including a tour and excursion to Sheffield Island Lighthouse. With a bit of the archipelagos history in hand, what is there to do on the Thimble Islands? Sample artisanal beer at their indoor-outdoor taproom, Grab a bite at their cleverly planned rotating array of food trucks. Call tour operators for details, or visit the Web sites listed here. For more information, visit www.thimbleislandcruise.com. 76 Maple Avenue Tickets are $33 for adults and $16.50 for children ages 2-11. Yes, its a ferry service between Bridgeport and Port Jefferson, but it also offers a myriad of themed tours throughout the year. . Explore our hotel and hospitality jobs. If youre shopping for top products on the market, here are the best 14 products the BestReviews Testing Lab loved in March. I live around here, so its just kind of a hidden gem, said Luke Tuozzola of Milford. The captain and his assistant were very knowledgeable and very friendly. If you cannot get there in time then you have to sit in whatever seats are available. The last boat covered many more interesting facts including getting electricity,water, groceries, etc out to the houses. Follow signs to Ferry landing located on Route 160. Youll hear lofty stories, both rumored and confirmed, that took place on the islands. My husband said to me just leave it alone we will sit downstairs. The ferry runs 7 a.m.-6:45 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday April 1 through Nov. 30. The Thimble Islands Cruise on the Sea Mist in Stony Creek, Branford was fantastic! A middle school science teacher and native of the Thimble Islands he provided outstanding commentary on the geology and history of this most beautiful area. Sun, 05 Mar 2023 19:10:20 +0000 View Detailed Check-in. 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