I only heard about the winter market because I've been stalking Fat Orange Cat, one of my favorite…read moreConnecticut breweries who only sells at this market during the winter. I was very surprised to see how many vendors there were and how popular the event was. Most of the vendors are in a small barn area, though on this warm day, there are even some outside. The vendors I could see include bakeries, popcorn vendor, some jewelry, and some soaps. There isn't a lot of parking on the grounds, but plenty of people park on the roads.

A beautiful working farm and family. Jeff and Jess are heavily involved in their community. They…read morework hard to support other small Ct businesses by running the local farm markets. They continually strive to educate customers and neighbors about environmentally responsible farming and ways to help other makers.

Last night, a charitable organization I belong to (if you work in the insurance industry anywhere…read morein the US or Canada and want to know more about it, message me), held a big fundraiser here for the Arthur C. Luf Children's Burn Camp. For many years, we held this gala at the Aquaturf Club, but in an effort to switch things up, this year's board wanted to try a new venue. I have to say, I'm very glad they did so, because my first experience with The Riverhouse at Goodspeed Station was a very positive one. The building is gorgeous, the entry foyer and grand staircase are impressive, the banquet room can hold 300 and it is beautiful, the servers and bartenders were wonderful, the view from the big rear balcony is stellar, and the food was excellent. We had 130 guests who started off the evening with a big hors d'oeuvres station of tomatoes with mozzarella and basil, balsamic prosciutto and artichokes, and a hot crab dip served with crackers and rye toasts. The ribbons of prosciutto and artichokes were excellent, but the crab dip stole the show. When the main food stations opened up, there was plenty - a carving station with ham and turkey with salads and rolls to make a sandwich, and a penne station with terrific green and quinoa salads. I loved the sound system too -when our speakers took the podium, the sound was excellent and filled the room easily. We had a wonderful time at the Riverhouse, and I hope we hold next year's function here again.

Sadly, this is a tale of unfulfilled potential. What could have been a true destination spot for…read moreweddings and special occasions has unfortunately only succeeded in becoming a somewhat fancy social hall. Situated adjacent to the Connecticut River, this location has beautiful views of the river that should have been the backdrop for a place to remember when hosting weddings and other important events. Too bad the designers decided to not go all out on the interior design. The main room is basically one large, open space with little charm or character. Bulky, dark and brown-colored chandeliers light the hall- my wife remarked that it looks like something out of a scene from "Game of Thrones". Crystal chandeliers would have brightened the space and made it more magical. The space itself could have been designed to make it feel more intimate, by using partial partitions and half-walls to subdivide the hall into smaller units. And the rest of the interior decor was minimal at best- unremarkable window treatments and other decorative effects. This place could have been something very special- if only more thought had been put into the final design.

Great selection of wine to choose from as well as local beers and snacks. Super friendly staff,…read moregreat events and an exceptional environment to spend the day. I love this place!

Salmon River White - I always leave with bottles! Nice for them to offer some food to buy from the…read moregrab and go, wish there was a more permanent option on site. Would be nice to get small bites like fry's, eggplant fry's, Pizza, chicken fingers, simple food. However, food trucks that frequent typically have some good options. Staff is super friendly and does not bother you. Love that there is games to use! We always play Uno! Beautiful in the summertime, cozy in the winter!

The campground itself is nice. The facilities are clean, and you can tell that the owners are…read moreworking to upgrade and maintain everything. There is a nice, cool, pool that the kids absolutely loved playing in. The campground is also pet friendly as long as you are in an RV or at a campsite. They don't allow pets in the cabin. That wasn't an issue for us this time, but it's something to consider if you are planning on traveling with pets. The cabins themselves are fine. Nothing extraordinary and nothing to nitpick about the structure. We only had a few issues. The first was with the AC. It was set to the lowest temperature, and it still couldn't keep the room cool. Granted, we came during a heat wave, so it's probably not so bad when it's just in the 80s or lower and the humidity isn't so high. The other issue was the mattresses on the bed. They were like prison mats. So uncomfortable, and even a two inch mattress topper didn't help. If you're a young person, then it probably isn't such a major problem, but if you are over 40 or have back pain, then you definitely want to avoid these cabins or plan to bring something that may help to make it more comfortable. The last issue is the cost. We stayed for two nights, and it cost over $300. My wife booked the cabin without my knowledge, so we were stuck with it, but for that price we could have stayed in a really nice hotel with amenities and towels and all of the things that are typically provided. In these cabins, there is toilet paper, a bath mat, and a couple of trash bags. You have to bring all of your own linens and towels. You also need to bring all of your own toiletries. And if you want coffee in the morning, either plan to bring a small machine and your own coffee, or you can take a 10-15 minute trip into one of the nearby towns. So, for the price and all things considered, I would not recommend booking a cabin here. The RV and campsites seem fine, and our in-laws paid a little less than half of what we paid for their RV site, so I would recommend it for that purpose.

Grandview camp ground. Cooking our own food and an open fire and sleeping in a cabin at night with…read moreair-conditioning and heat absolutely perfect for a weekend getaway. The owners Valerie and Bob are very friendly. And everybody is having a great time.

This is a fun spot to kill an hour or so. It's priced decently at $15 per adult, and kids under 6…read moreare free. The history and submarine are cool, but what really stood out was the train exhibit on the top floor. Just a super cool and detailed train set. Very fun for younger kids!

We recently visited the Connecticut River Museum. I had learned that a ship that my great-great…read moregrandfather emigrated on was built in the shipyards near Essex, Ct. Wanting to learn more about the shipping history of the area we stopped in to the museum. It is packed with three floors of ship building and shipping history. The staff was excellent and helpful, and we learned so much about the history of the area. There is a replica of the "turtle" considered to be the first submarine and the history of wars and British ships in the harbors. Some exhibits are interactive. On our visit the third floor covered the history of boat racing on the river which was fascinating. We were thrilled with what we learned and saw. The museum is very well done. There is plenty of parking and it sits right on the water. Definitely worth the visit if you are in the area.

The lodging is cozy and comfortable. The food was good and the staff very helpful and kind. I will…read morebe back again for a retreat.

November 2022 - COVID Review:…read more I had the opportunity to attend a 4-day, 3-night retreat at Guest House and the staff were absolutely great from even before I stepped foot in Connecticut! It's located in the cute small town of Chester, which is a good activity to do if you happen to have some free time during your visit. The Guest House also has an airbnb on site and although there may be other retreats/groups occurring during your stay, it doesn't feel overcrowded and everyone has their own designated meeting areas. Meal times were also handled well where we didn't overlap too much. I appreciated that they posted the food menus every day by the dining room so that you know what to anticipate. Water and tea are available around the clock, but if you have some late night munchies, you would need to pack and bring your own snacks with you. My main complaint was that the building is a little older so the rooms are a little outdated and the walls are quite thin. Overall, it was a good stay and I would visit again if I had the opportunity.

Lovley location wonderful staff, this is a business functioning like a family, they care about your…read moreevent and my daughters wedding was amazing... Outdoor ceremony with a nice bridesmaids cottage for preparation... The appetizers and dinner were fabulous overlooking the lake... a very special day/night with high expectations, all of which were met by a friendly caring staff. Thanks Shelby! James & Annelise

Our 2018 wedding was absolutely perfect at Pavilion on Crystal Lake. CT Wedding Group are the best…read morewedding planners you can ask for - and the food served is incredible! We still have guests to this day who rave about how amazing the food was!! The staff decorates everything so well and does a great job incorporating your floral arrangements with some of the decor they have in-house. When the bridal party was off taking photos, the staff brought over cocktails & all the passed hors d'oeuvres so that we all could enjoy and didn't miss cocktail hour! The staff here is truly on their A game and makes your wedding day run smoothly. Definitely puts you at ease as the bride! Couldn't recommend them more!

Susan is fabulous! Her attention to every little detail is what sets her apart from all the other…read morecaterers. Her staff is professional and her food is incredibly delicious!

Susan and the Seaflour team were fabulous caterer for our wedding reception. They produced…read moredelicious food and totally got our vibe. Susan is very personable and you can tell she really cares about her product and clients. She also was very understanding as our numbers shifted and were larger than we anticipated. She also has many connections within CT to support finding other vendors. We have hosted two weddings at my parents place and with Susan, I can definitely say we had the better food!

It's hard to find something original to say about the beloved Goodspeed Opera House. Nestled…read morebetween Main Street and the Connecticut river, this beautiful building has been operating as a musical theater since 1963. We have been very lucky to have had many talented singers and actors light up the stage. I love to visit the area in the spring and summer, just so that we can see the river, visit Goodspeed's Station Country Store (over the bridge) and Gillette Castle (10 min away). On this visit on November 23rd, we celebrated my mother-in-law's birthday with dinner next door at the Gelston House and one of my favorite Christmas musical movies, White Christmas. The production was beautiful and everyone in our group enjoyed it. If you've never been here, you will want to get here early for the best parking. We arrived around 4:30 and were behind Goodspeed and Gelston and were only able to find parking toward the very back. It is quite the walk for people with leg or feet issues. It's best to drop these people off at the doors before finding a parking spot. Our tickets were at will call, which can be found on either side of the grand staircase. Before they allow you to your seats you can go to the back of the building where you will find a bar, restrooms and a concession stand that also sells a few keepsakes (hats, ornaments, etc). Being sensitive to people with mobility issues, I would again suggest getting floor seats as the orchestra is many flights up and the low ceiling and narrow aisles makes it hard for many to maneuver. The acoustics are wonderful, so even if you get a seat with a slightly obstructed view, you won't miss any part of the show. If you are buying tickets as a gift or just for yourself, you will be happy to know that you are supporting the arts and keeping this beautiful location around for others to enjoy.

This old world theatre is beautiful! The decor is beautiful! All of the staff was helpful and so…read moreenthusiastic when they heard it was our first time there. We saw the show " RAGTIME"- an amazing cast- beautiful actors and their voices unbelievable! It was also great that we could see an actor that we have known from west Hartford. Joseph Fierberg! My only complaint is that the walk is long back to the parking lot behind the Gelstan House and the Good peed needs to add more lighting on the long stethoscope...