Short Beach Historic District

Branford is a city of 28,000 people (2014) in the Greater New Haven region of Connecticut. Branford has six historic districts that are listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places (NRHp). These include buildings in Federal, Arts and Crafts, and Queen Anne styles of architecture. Five NRHP-listed districts are Branford Center Historic District, Branford Point Historic District, Canoe Brook Historic District, Route 146 Historic District, and Stony Creek-Thimble Islands Historic District.

Get in

By train

The Branford train station is on the west side of Maple Street and includes a high-level handicapped accessible south side platform for level boarding and bicycle racks. Shore Line East tickets cannot be purchased at this station. Tickets can be purchased on Shore Line East trains in cash with bills no greater than $20. Free parking is available for Shore Line East commuters.

By car

Branford can be reached on I-95. Branford's exits are 53 (only on the northbound side), 54, 55, and 56.

By plane

Trinity Episcopal Church

Branford is only a few miles away from Tweed New Haven Airport.

By boat

Brewer Bruce & Johnson's Marina is near New York City and only a few miles from New Haven. In addition, Brewer Bruce and Johnson's is very close to wonderful weekend cruising destinations. The Thimble Islands, with 30 islands for anchoring, birding and exploring, are only three miles away. Port Jefferson, with its great shops, numerous restaurants and historic houses is a short jaunt across the Sound. Additional sites to see include: Stony Creek's Trolley Trail and the Harrison House Museum. With 20 miles of coastline on Long Island Sound, Branford is an idyllic setting for traveling boaters plus offers endless opportunities for hiking, cycling and kayaking.

See

James Blackstone Memorial Library

• Shore Line Trolley Museum (Branford Electric Railway Association), 17 River Street (East Haven), ☏ +1 203 467-6927. Seasonal - check website. Museum features displays and hands-on exhibits, a collection of nearly 100 vintage trolleys, guided tours, and trolley rides along the historic Branford Electric Railway. Children under 2 are free. Open seasonally, scheduling may vary, be sure to see website for details. 

Do

Branford also has a number of beaches to spend a lazy day in the sun. There are numerous marinas in the town as well, so bring your boat for a fun day in the water. At night be sure to check out Regal Cinemas. With its easy location right off the highway and showing all the hottest movies, the movie theater is a great way to spend a night out or find something to do on a boring Sunday.

• Branford Point Beach. 10AM-10PM (park). While visiting the park there are facilities for swimming as well as picnicking. There is a small playground for younger children to enjoy. Fishing is prohibited in the swimming area, but is allowed from the end of the pier. Small boats, canoes, kayaks, jet skis, etc. maybe launched from the State Boat launch, located on Goodsell Point Road. 
• Thimble Islands tour (I-95 to exit 56, south on Leetes Island Rd to Thimble Islands Rd; all tours depart from Stony Creek Public Dock). See an archipelago of tiny islands, many with lavish homes. Legend says that Captain Kidd buried his treasure here. Three 45-minute tours per hour leave during peak season. No reservations. ~$14. (updated Aug 2016)
• Branford Supply Ponds trails. Several scenic forest trails wind around the Branford Supply Ponds.
• One of the largest events in Branford every year is the Branford Festival on the third weekend in June. It features food, crafts, children's rides, music and a 5-mile (8-km) road race.

Buy

• Branford Art Center Gallery, 1227 Main St., ☏ +1 203 208-4455. Various local artists are featured in displays, and their works are frequently up for purchase. 
• Branford Book & Card Shoppe, 1024 Main St., ☏ +1 203 488-5975. This quaint store sells various goods including decorations, cards, magazines, candies, books, and unique Branford pillows with various locations and coordinates in the town. 

Eat

There are many places to eat in Branford, ranging from restaurant chain classics to exquisite fine dining. If you're on a tight budget be sure to check out the Gourmet Wok for all of your favorite, yet inexpensive Chinese food. If you don't like Chinese, the Parthenon Diner has a wide variety of food for cheap. It even has some expensive things if you please, but the majority of the food is relatively inexpensive. If you're looking for a good mid-priced bar & grill, be sure to check out Eli's or Humphrey's for good burgers and fun. If you're looking to splurge on some fine dining be sure to check out La Luna for amazing Italian food, or the USS Chowder Pot III, which is home to some of the best seafood in New England.

Budget

• Gourmet Wok, 365 E Main St, ☏ +1 203 481-7988. Excellent Chinese food, big portions! Can eat in or take out. $6-10. 
• Parthenon Diner, 374 East Main St, ☏ +1 203 481-0333. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (except for select holidays). Great selection of food, ranging from breakfast favorites to big steaks. Personal jukeboxes are found on every table! Beware of the drunken young adult crowd in the early morning hours on weekends. $5-20. 

Mid-range

• Scotty's Breakfast Connections, 1188 Main St, ☏ +1 203 483-4597. Great breakfast food. 
• Eli's on the Hill, 624 West Main Street (Rt. 1 on Branford Hill ~ site of the former Cook House Restaurant), ☏ +1 203 481-2700. Burgers and steaks are good, nice selection of drinks. 
• Augie's Restaurant, 130 Shore Drive, ☏ +1 203 315-8200. Tu-Th 5-9PM; F Sa 5-10PM; Su 11AM-3PM, 5-9PM. A selection of Mediterranean and American comfort food prepared fresh using quality local ingredients. Some of the menu is different each time, although favorites are always served. Sunday 11AM-3PM is a fixed price brunch, all other times dinner is served. Very fresh, very local, family run, and the owner takes preparing quality food seriously. 

Splurge

• La Luna Ristorante, 168 North Main Street, ☏ +1 203 483-9995, fax: +1 203 483-8335, lalunact@gmail.com. 
• USS Chowder Pot III, 560 East Main Street, ☏ +1 203 481-2356. Excellent seafood. The lobster and Poppy John Shrimp (grilled shrimp wrapped in bacon with mozzarella cheese) are great choices. 

Drink

• Stony Creek Brewery, 5 Indian Neck Ave., ☏ +1 203 433-4545. Local drinking place on the water. Food trucks park outside and sell food, while the brewery sells its own beers. 

Sleep

There are numerous places to stay in Branford. While the town does not have any "high class" hotels, they do have some very accommodating chains. A good one to pick from is the Holiday Inn Express on Rt. 1. You can't miss it with its dolphin fountain in front of the lobby. Beware of the places that look dingy, they most likely are. The Branford Motel is a haven for high schooler's parties and drug deals. If possible, Stay away!

Budget

• Branford Motel, 470 East Main St, ☏ +1 203 488-5442. Small, single bed rooms that look dingy. Young people are known to throw parties here. Avoid if possible. 
• Rodeway Inn, 81 Leetes Island Rd, ☏ +1 203 481-4528. (updated Aug 2016)

Mid-range

• Baymont Inn & Suites, 3 Business Park Dr (I-95 Exit 56 N/S , Easy on/ off), ☏ +1 203 488-4991. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. From $79. 
• Holiday Inn Express, 309 East Main Street, ☏ +1 203 488-4035, fax: +1 203 488-2030. Clean rooms, WiFi accessible 

Go next

Routes through Branford

Providence ← Guilford ←	N  S	→ East Haven → New Haven
Providence ← Guilford ←	N  S	→ East Haven → New Haven
Stamford ← New Haven ←	W  E	→ Guilford → New London