Comments Off on Plan the Ultimate New England Summer Vacation in Connecticut
It’s never too early to start planning for summer vacation. And with the COVID restrictions finally ending here in Connecticut, now is the perfect time to grab your friends and family for the ultimate New England summer vacation experience.
From sandy beaches and lush forests to small beach towns brimming with that New England charm, here are just some of the many ways to experience Summer in Connecticut.
Connecticut is home to some of the best coastal towns in New England. During the summer, these towns come to life with tourists, a vibrant dining scene, and of course, picturesque sandy beaches. Westport, Greenwich, Guilford, and Old Saybrook are just some of the many towns located off the Long Island Shore with great beaches, shopping, and dining.
Westport, located just minutes from Delamar Southport, is home to one of the most popular shopping areas in Connecticut. The bustling Main Street area is home to a variety of retailers including Vineyard Vines, Tiffany’s, J. Crew, Lululemon, Anthropologie, and more. It also boasts New England charm with architectural beauty and water-view shops. Westport is also located near countless beaches in Fairfield County, including Jennings Beach, Sherwood Island State Park beach, and Southport Beach.
No trip to New England would be complete without some fresh seafood overlooking the ocean. Some of the best restaurants in Connecticut are seafood restaurants. In fact, the Lobster Roll was invested right here in Connecticut at a restaurant named Perry’s in Milford, back in 1929!
Artisan Southport
Here are some local seafood favorites to try during your stay:
Lenny and Joe’s (Westbrook, Madison, and New Haven) – With three locations along the shoreline, Lenny and Joe’s is known for their lobster rolls. Their signature lobster roll is served on a buttered bun with a quarter pound of meat that has clarified butter and lemon.
Harbor Lights (Norwalk) – This upscale restaurant overlooks the Norwalk Harbor and offers Mediterranean-inspired seafood.
The Whelk (Westport) – Located along the Saugatuck River, The Whelk offers an ever-changing menu that features sustainable seafood and local produce.
Our Delamar locations along the shore are home to award-winning restaurants. offers a New-England-style farm-fresh dining experience in a beautiful location. L’escale, our Mediterranean–inspired restaurant, has a waterfront view right on the harbor in Greenwich. Both of these innovative restaurants feature tantalizing seafood dishes, expertly crafted by our Executive Chef Frederic Kieffer. Be sure to pair your selection with a fine wine from our Wine Spectator awarded list. Our sommeliers will be happy to suggest the perfect accompaniment for your plate from the sea.
Hit the Trails in Our National & State Parks
From the hill country to the seaside on Long Island Sound, Connecticut is home to gorgeous state and national parks that are perfect for outdoor summer activities. On top of that, the historic Appalachian Trail also winds through the state.
Here are a few other options:
Silver Sands State Park (Milford) – Located off the Long Island Sound, the state park consists of 297 acres of beach, restored salt marsh, open areas, woods, and trails, as well as a 14-acre bird sanctuary on Charles Island.
Lovers Leap State Park (New Milford) – Hike the trails of this 160-acre park to the scenic views of the Housatonic River at Lover’s Leap gorge and walk across the restored 1895 Berlin Iron Bridge to the rock formation that gives the park its name.
Pequonnock River Trail (Bridgeport) – Spanning over 13 miles, the trail runs from Bridgeport through Trumbull and Monroe along the Pequonnock River Valley. The trail features a river and is great for hiking, running, and mountain biking as well.
Book Your New England Vacation at the Delamar
Location is key when visiting Connecticut. Delamar has three distinct locations throughout the state in Greenwich, Southport, and West Hartford, allowing you to explore and venture about while enjoying the utmost level of excellence and luxury in hospitality.
When you choose to stay at Delamar, you can unwind, relax, and rejuvenate with our great amenities and attention to detail at every turn. Book your stay with us today and enjoy the New England charm in all its glory.
Comments Off on Pride Month 2021 in Connecticut – Festivities & Events for the LGBTQ+ Community and Allies
Pride Month is held every June, around the world, to celebrate and recognize the LGBTQ+ community. With parades and events happening across Connecticut all month long, there’s plenty of ways to get involved.
Grab the rainbow flags and get ready to be your true self during this Pride Month.
History of Pride Month
On the night of June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club in Greenwich Village, New York City. Following the raid, a series of riots and demonstrations broke out that called for the establishment of places that LGBTQ+ people could go to and be open about their sexual orientation, without fear of arrest. These riots became the catalyst for the rights of the LGBT community to marry, to fight discrimination, hate speech, and hate crimes.
The following year, the “Christopher Street Liberation Day Parade” was organized on the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. This eventually turned into what we now know as the New York City Pride Parade. June became Pride Month to honor and pay tribute to those involved in the riots and to continue the tradition of raising awareness and encouraging inclusiveness of all people, regardless of their sexual orientation.
Celebrate Pride Month in Connecticut
After the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, in-person gatherings and events are scheduled to return this June for Pride Month 2021.
Here are some of the events and destinations to visit in Connecticut.
Kick off the month of June with Pride Night at Dunkin’ Donuts Park when the Yard Goats host the Baltimore Orioles affiliate the Bowie Baysox. Fans will receive a pride wristband to show their support and get a chance to see special Pride Jerseys worn on the field.
Events Throughout June, Main Event June 26th, 2021
The second annual West Hartford Pride celebration is scheduled to take place throughout the entire month of June, starting with a Pride flag raising at Unity Green in West Hartford Center on June 1st. West Hartford Pride will include a mix of online and in-person events, including a day-long event on Isham Street in Blue Back Square on Saturday, June 26th.
The festival will consist of 14 feature films, 3 documentaries, 83 short films, and so much more. The hybrid festival this year will be comprised of both in-person screenings at Cinestudio in Hartford, as well as virtual screenings through an online festival platform. Come support the creativity of filmmakers in support of inclusivity and tolerance.
Westport Pride, a CT-based organization, is hosting virtual and in-person events throughout June to increase the visibility of LGBTQ+ residents, issues, and concerns. Some of the celebrations include a panel discussion hosted by LGBTQ+ activist, soccer coach, and educator Dan Woog, and Westport’s first-ever Pride Rally on Jesup Green.
In honor of Pride Month, Greenwich Audubon center is hosting a special birding tour and celebration of diversity and inclusion of both birds and people. Walk through the fields, orchards, and woods to learn about the colorful birds that call Audubon Greenwich home. The program is free, but space is limited. Register today for your spot!
Celebrate Pride at Delamar
As in the past, Delamar is pleased to be a part of the Pride month of celebrations. We invite you to enjoy a relaxing getaway to West Hartford with a higher purpose with our True Colors Package. In support of the LGBTQ community in Connecticut and nationwide, Delamar is donating 10% of every package booked to True Colors, Inc., a Hartford-based, non-profit organization dedicated to meeting the needs of sexual and gender-minority youth, and a producer of the largest LGBTQ youth conference in the country.
Have you ever wondered, “What things were invented in Connecticut?” Connecticut may be small but it’s rich in history and was the birthplace of many great firsts, inventions, and cultural developments.
From literary firsts to life-changing inventions, here is a list of things that have originated in Connecticut, the home of the first three Delamar hotels.
1) The American English Dictionary
That’s right! Noah Webster, the author of An American Dictionary of the English Language, was a Hartford Native. The original dictionary took 26 years to complete and contained more than 65,000 words and definitions. You can still visit his home-turned-museum to learn about his life and legacy.
George Smith, the owner of a confectionery company called the Bradley Smith Company, is credited with inventing the modern version of the lollipop which he began making in 1908 in New Haven. Although the word “lollipop” is a generic term today, it was initially patented by and registered to the Bradley Smith Company.
3) The Frisbee
You didn’t see this one coming, did you? Who was the first to come up with the invention is a topic for hot debate. But according to legend, Yale University students would toss and catch empty pie tins from The Frisbie Pie Company while yelling “Frisbie.” This game was picked up by students on nearby college campuses and the rest is history.
4) Polaroid
In an era of selfies and smartphones, Polaroids have suddenly become fashionable again, especially for weddings. But did you know that the first Polaroid camera was invented right here in Connecticut? Edwin Land, born in Bridgeport, was the co-founder of the Polaroid Corporation and is credited with inventing the Polaroid Camera in 1947.
5) The Cotton Gin
Eli Whitney attended Yale University and lived in New Haven, where he worked on his invention. The cotton gin—a machine that quickly and easily separates cotton fibers from their seeds—changed the course of American history, speeding the way for the Industrial Revolution.
After its invention, the yield of raw cotton increased significantly each decade after 1800, but so did the demand for a slave-labor force. The invention had a profound effect on the social and economic conditions of the South leading up to the Civil War.
6) The Hamburger
A staple of American cuisine, the Hamburger was first served by Louis Lassen in 1900 from his New Haven lunch wagon. Answering a customer’s rush order for something “quick and delicious,” Lassen sandwiched broiled, ground beef between toasted bread slices and offered it to the customer as a new creation. This new sandwich grew into the national phenomenon that it is today.
Louis’ Lunch is still in operation today at 263 Crown Street in New Haven. Stop by and try the original burger served on white toast with only cheese, onion, and tomato as garnishes.
7) The Can Opener
Ezra J. Warner of Waterbury invented and patented his design of a can opener back in 1858. Considering the fact that canned food started to be sold almost half a century earlier, we can only imagine what a hassle it must have been to open cans before this invention!
8) The Submarine
While studying at Yale in 1775, Saybrook, CT native David Bushnell created the first submarine ever used in combat. Calling it the “Turtle,” Bushnell trained a man named Ezra Lee to pilot the submarine into New York Harbor and attempt to bomb a British Warship anchored in the bay. While all attempts failed and the “Turtle” was sunk by the British, Bushnell became the man responsible for the first submarine warfare.
9) The Constitution
There’s a reason we’re known as the “The Constitution State”. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, established in January 1639, was the first written constitution in North America and served as an example for The Constitution of the United States almost 100 years later.
10) Vulcanized Rubber
While this may not seem as significant as the Hamburger or the American dictionary, this is one invention that we rely on every day. This kind of rubber is stabilized and used for car tires. It was invented by Charles Goodyear, who was born in New Haven in 1800. By treating rubber with chemicals, Goodyear made rubber that was more durable, waterproof, and had resistance to rust, corrosion, and mold.
The Delamar Hotels
We can’t talk about things that originated in Connecticut without mentioning the Delamar hotels. Our first hotel, Delamar Greenwich Harbor, opened its doors in October 2002, providing Fairfield County with much-needed luxury accommodations. Our other two hotels in West Hartford and Southport embraced the unique boutique qualities of the Delamar brand, offering a sense of luxury, comfort, and escape. All of our hotels include award-winning restaurants, as well as full-service Spas to provide our guests with relaxation and comfort.
Our Delamar family looks forward to welcoming you and your loved ones to our hotels!
Comments Off on Famous Connecticut Authors: Literary Landmarks in the Nutmeg State
When it comes to literary legacy and excellence, Connecticut has no shortage of famous authors. The homes of many famous authors have been transformed into museums that help visitors get a sense of the experiences that inspired these authors’ stories.
Here’s a look at some of the must-see literary attractions in the nutmeg state and the authors who called it home. And when you are done with your tour, grab a book and snuggle up in a luxurious guestroom at a nearby Delamar location.
The Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society is located in the restored 18th-century birthplace and childhood home of Noah Webster. Although a prolific writer, he is best known for creating the first American English dictionary that also bears his name.
Webster was an ardent patriot and believed that to be an independent country, America needed to teach its children to speak, write, and spell in American English, rather than British English. His The Blue-Backed Speller and An American Dictionary of the English Language—whichtook 26 years to complete and contained more than 65,000 words and their definitions—helped to standardize American spelling. The house and museum preserve and celebrate Noah Webster’s legacy through poetry nights, book talks, and author events.
Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811-1896) was an abolitionist and the author of over 30 books, but she is perhaps best remembered for her best-selling anti-slavery novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Published in 1852, the novel became widely popular in the north for exposing the inhumanity of slavery and the treatment of African-Americans in the south. It is said that the novel helped lay the foundation for the American Civil War.
The Harriet Beecher Stowe Center is home to Stowe’s home, as well as Victorian grounds and gardens. The museum explores her life and works but also holds regular programs that help visitors connect the social issues of the past — such as slavery and the role of women — to the present.
The Mark Twain House was once home to legendary writer Samuel L. Clemens, who wrote under the name Mark Twain. He first came to Hartford in 1868 while writing The Innocents Abroad and fell in love with the city. A few years later, he hired Edward Tuckerman Potter to design and build his dream house in Hartford in the style of Victorian Gothic architecture.
This 25-room Victorian home-turned museum is where he lived with his family from 1874 to 1891 and wrote many of his famous novels, including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Prince and the Pauper, A Tramp Abroad, and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. The house has been named “one of the ten best historic homes in the world” by National Geographic and is a must-see for anyone exploring the rich literary history of Connecticut.
The Monte Cristo Cottage is the childhood summer home of Eugene O’Neill, America’s only Nobel Prize-winning playwright. Registered as a National Historic Landmark in 1971, the Cottage is the setting for two of O’Neill’s most notable works, Long Day’s Journey Into Night, and Ah, Wilderness!
The cottage is named in honor of Eugene O’Neill’s father, actor James O’Neill, and his role as Edmond Dantès in the 1934 film The Count of Monte Cristo. It now operates as a museum with a permanent exhibition on the life and works of Eugene O’Neill, as well as an extensive collection of artifacts and memorabilia.
Built atop one of a series of hills known as the Seven Sisters, this castle was once home to William Gillette, an American playwright, screenwriter, and actor. Gillette initially got his start being cast by Mark Twain in a theatrical adaptation of The Gilded Age. But his real stardom came with the play he adapted from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories, and later in the film, which he also wrote.
The outside of the castle looks like a medieval fortress. It went through extensive restoration in the early 2000s, and now includes a visitors’ center, museum, hiking trails, and picnic areas.
Connecticut has been a vital part of American history and story, whether it’s in the arts, government, or literacy. When you’re exploring the rich literary history of Connecticut, be sure to book your stay at a hotel that offers a convenient home base to your landmarks, but doesn’t compromise on luxurious details, comfort, and COVID protocols.
With three elegant, dog-friendly locations throughout Connecticut (Greenwich, Southport, and West Hartford), Delamar offers relaxing stays and joyful experiences to all our guests.
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