Essex Village
Essex, CT
A riverside village of well-kept 18th-century houses along the Connecticut River, centered on Main Street and the old harbor. Walk to the waterfront, browse the small shops, and consider the nearby steam train and riverboat.
Essex on the Connecticut River was an important center of shipping and shipbuilding between the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. On April 8, 1814, about 136 British marines and sailors raided the village and burned 28 ships worth an estimated $200,000; one historian called it the "Pearl Harbor" of the War of 1812. The Connecticut River Museum on the waterfront has exhibits on the raid. On Main Street stands the Griswold Inn, formerly the Bushnell Tavern.
Essex Village is one of three villages in the town, which also includes Centerbrook and Ivoryton; the town was incorporated in 1852 and renamed in 1854, and the village was previously known as Potapoug Point. A stroll from Main Street to the waterfront does not take long; allow about two to three hours including the museum. The Essex Steam Train departs from the historic Essex station.
- Nearest town
- Essex, CT
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 41.3515, -72.3993
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Wolf's Den Family CampgroundCampsite7 mi from Essex Village
- Aces High RV ParkMotorhome stopover10 mi from Essex VillageMotorhomes
- Deer Lake CampCampsite10 mi from Essex Village
- Salem Farms CampgroundMotorhome stopover11 mi from Essex VillageMotorhomes
- Witch Meadow Lake CampgroundCampsite11 mi from Essex VillageTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterToilets
- Hidden Acres Family CampgroundMotorhome stopover24 mi from Essex VillageMotorhomes
All campsites in Connecticut · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Essex Village?
Essex Village is in Essex, CT, at GPS 41.3515, -72.3993. It is about 22 mi from Mystic.
Can you camp near Essex Village?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Quarry Knob Camp Area, about 3 mi away; within 25 mi there are 47 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Essex Village?
Places worth a stop nearby: Gillette Castle State Park (5 mi), Chapman Falls, Devil's Hopyard (10 mi), Hammonasset Beach State Park (10 mi) and Mystic Seaport Museum (22 mi).
When is the best time to visit Essex Village?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)