The Little Station is one of my favorite gift shops in Connecticut. Whenever I visit Hammonasset…read moreduring the summer, I make a point to stop in at the Little Station afterwards, but it's definitely worth a trip into Madison unto itself! The shop wares are eclectic, whether you're looking for a beach tunic or bag, lotions and lip balms, loose leaf teas, jewelry, candles, perfumes and eau de toilettes... They've got it. There are always special little treats that you just won't see elsewhere, which makes this a great stop if you're looking for stocking stuffers or small gifts. On my most recent visit, they had wildflower confetti: biodegradable confetti containing wildflower seeds, so you can celebrate and garden at the same time! I got a packet of those for my nephew, so hopefully he can have fun planting his own little garden. Highly recommend the Little Station, whether you're just passing through the area or making a special trip of it!

A sure sign of summer is the annual opening of The Little Station at Beech Tree Cottages. It's a…read morecharmer of a shop, the sort of place you can pick up a beach hat or bottle of water on your way to Hammonnasset. But that's never all. Owner Amanda has sweet taste in everything from breezy scarves and sarongs, to Rifle Paper Company Cards (a personal favorite), and cheap and cheerful costume jewels. If you don't know about the Beech Tree Cottages, it's become a popular Shoreline spot for a rustic wedding or family gathering. Either throw your bash on the tented lawn out back, or rent the entire venue, including eight tidy cottages. Their famous CT Roadside BBQ Truck provides a full-on Southern feast, from brisket and pulled pork to corn bread. There are plenty of fancy venues on the Shoreline, but if you're looking for something a bit out-of-the-box, Beech Tree Cottages could be just the ticket.

We ended up coming to Lobster Landing twice during our trip -- once on the way to Mystic and again…read moreon the way back -- which probably says everything you need to know. It's definitely a little more expensive than some of the other lobster spots we tried, but I honestly liked the food here the most. The lobster meat is lightly seasoned with what tasted like butter and lemon, and it all worked perfectly together without overpowering the lobster. The bun was incredibly soft and loaded with so much meat that it was practically falling apart in the middle. We got the half-pound lobster roll both times and would absolutely order it again, but it is $60. The clam chowder was also excellent. It's creamy without being too thick, and you can really taste all the ingredients. The hot dogs seem to be really popular -- almost everyone was ordering a lobster roll and a hot dog combo. My son loved them so much he had two the first visit! The outdoor seating and water views make it such a relaxing place to sit and eat, and there's also a market on-site where you can buy lobster and shellfish. Definitely one of our favorite stops and somewhere we'd happily return to.

I found my visit to Lobster Landing to be extremely satisfying, even considering all of the acclaim…read moreit receives and the years I have anticipated going. I went early, only about 20 minutes after they opened at 11. I had seen pictures of the building ahead of time, but they had an outdoor setup as well. The setting along the waterfront was gorgeous, a there were lots of tables, but I imagine they fill up quickly. Business was already beginning to pick up a lot in the 20 or so minutes I was there. Service was friendly, and my order was ready extremely quickly. It probably took 3 minutes tops. I ordered the quarter pound lobster roll and a side of coleslaw. Prices were pretty average, the roll was $31. The lobster was chopped a bit more than usual, but also not overly so, and there were still lots of large chunks of claw meat throughout. I appreciated that the buns were simply grill toasted, as the generous butter drizzled over the roll would have been too much for me had the bun been buttered much itself. It was a simple and straightforward CT style lobster roll, executed very well. Such a straightforward approach really requires strong execution, and I was impressed. It was delicious, and the lobster was perfectly cooked. The coleslaw had a great balance of tang and sweetness, and wasn't overly dressed. Solid coleslaw. No complaints. If you're a fan of just a good, classic hot buttered lobster roll, this is a fantastic choice.

If you need a souvenir, this is your place to go. They have your local Connecticut seaside vacation…read morechockskeys, book about the area, jewelery, and books and toys for children. It's located across from the Griswold Inn, and there is parking available behind the store. Sadly, no postcards though!

The Griswold Inn Store is one of my favorite holiday shopping destinations. If you're completely…read moreflummoxed by your list, this shop will have you exclaiming, "oh, my sister would love those" or "finally, the perfect tchotchke for my mother-in law"! There is truly something for everyone in this packed and charming shop. Me, I loved the recycled Christmas stockings, the vintage inspired stationery and fountain pens, unisex mismatched wool fleece slippers, stunning wrapping papers from Caskata, cufflinks crafted from old copper pennies, and the giant lollipops from classic Hammond's candies. From hostess to baby to best friend, you can get it done here. The buyer has a keen eye and the staff is lovely.

Great local farm. Best corn ever. and the musk melons, peas, lettuce are also wonderful. Friendly…read morefun people....highly recommended 1

I love sweet corn. Growing up in Upstate New York, we had fields and fields of it. So accessible…read morethat sometimes I just had to walk past my backyard. I guess what I am saying is that I consider myself a cornnoisseur to add some context to this claim I am about to make. This stand has the best sweet corn around! Hands down!! It is always sweet and the kernels perfectly poppy on every single one. From week to week and year to year, they always have the best corn. Extra points for the consistency! The ears they put out are always nice. No need to do the half shuck to see if it's nasty or weird on the inside. They take a lot of pride in what they put out and it shows. There is a great selection of other veggies too, but their corn is extra. I highly recommend you find out for yourself!

It is a log Cabin! Highly recommend if you are hungry! The food was delicious and the service was…read moresuper friendly! We took home tons of leftovers because the portions were so large. The prices were very reasonable too. The best part was how good the food tasted and it was in such a friendly, casual setting!

Food was delicious and everything was huge portions fried mozzarella was delicious and four huge…read morepieces i had fried seafood combo it was so much I had to take it home and it came with a big bowl of pasta that I also took home wife had meatballs grinder that was huge and delicious she also took home service was excellent and the ambiance of very nice with wood structure I would highly recommend this place especially after shopping at the outlets

Such a solid stop went on the go! I typically stop by here for a lunch sandwich and I'm super…read moresurprised by how fantastic their breakfast sandwiches are. I ordered egg and cheese with roasted red peppers. The eggs were fluffy and delicious! The roasted peppers added a ton of flavor but layered so they didn't soak the freshly baked roll. I will definitely be back to this small business for a quick on the go breakfast again. They have amazing chicken sandwiches, hand made meatballs and tons of other goodies. Stop by if you are in the area!

I have been going here for years. The staff is always friendly and welcoming. Great food, efficient…read moreservice. Good prices.

Italian Food Store is a hidden gem! They offer such high-quality products to cook at home from…read moreolive oils to pastas and sauces (but so much more!) I also can't say enough good things about their fresh coffee and pastry menu. Their Italian coffee menu is spot on from their cappuccinos to their affogatos, they offer something everyone will love! There is also cute nook areas inside and outside seating to enjoy your fresh cannoli's (THE BEST) or other menu items at. Everything we've had from there has exceeded our expectations. Not to mention the staff at Italian Food Store is the best, you will not meet anyone like them: truly the nicest group of people. We can't wait to stop in again!

This store was really cute, and the man at the counter was nice, but I was quite disappointed…read moreoverall. The classic cannolo was decent, but my main issue is actually with the branding. There was a sign with a phrase that was also written on the box for the cannoli I ordered that said "pleaza donta squeeza da cannoli!". The saying was around what looks like an ai generated stereotype of an Italian chef. I understand that the store is clearly Italy themed and claims to bring the culture and authenticity to the area which is great, I just think there is a better way that doesn't involve mocking a people or accent for that purpose. Again very cute store, great options, and wonderful service. Just consider the impact that the branding may have on the community you are trying to support. Thank you.