Branford Travel Guide

Branford is a coastal town located on Long Island Sound in Connecticut, roughly eight miles east of New Haven. This shoreline town offers a variety of activities for land and sea. With over 20 miles of sandy beaches, a number of local breweries, restaurants and unique shops that will suit just about everyone's taste.

Things to Do in Branford

One of the best things to do is jump on the Thimble Islands cruise, which takes you around a group of small islands in the harbor of Stony Creek, which is just off the coast of Branford in the Long Island Sound. This archipelago of islands are actually the tops of old mountains that were submerged during the last ice age. These islands are all that remains of these ancient mountains and they make a great day trip!

While on the islands you might want to pay a visit to the Thimble Islands brewery. The brewery offers tours and you can sample some of its finest microbrews. You’ll also find a couple of nice food trucks to fill you up after a busy day exploring.

Another brewery you may want to visit is the Stony Creek Brewery located in Branford itself. Tours and tastings are available and it makes for a great afternoon activity.

New Haven is just a short, six-mile drive from Branford. When in New Haven you can visit Yale University, which offers tours of the campus. New Haven also is home to the Peabody Museum of Natural History and the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, if you’re looking for a history fix.

Best Places to Stay in Branford

There's everything from vacation homes to apartments, condos, hotels, motels and more in Branford.

Best Time to Visit Branford

Branford summers are warm and humid and the winters are freezing and wet. The best time to visit is from June to September when you can enjoy a tour of the islands, or kick back on a nearby beach.