Gillette Castle State Park

With this sudden Indian summer weather that has hit Connecticut, now is a perfect time to take a ride to Gillette Castle State Park in East Haddam, CT. The Castle overlooks the Connecticut River and is surrounded by 200 acres of scenic grounds along the River. Ever since its restoration reopening in 2002, the park gets 100,000 visitors each year. The park has a museum, hiking trails, and a picnic area, and the castle itself puts on several theatrical celebrations.

I have visited the castle several times and I always go during the fall because that is the most beautiful time to view the scenery and hike around the park. It is also free to walk around the outskirts of the castle from October to April and the castle's scenery allows for great photo opportunities.

The castle was originally the home of William Gillette, an American actor who also designed the castle and a Hartford native who descended from the city’s founder. He first found the location to build Gillette Castle during a boat trip on the Connecticut River in 1912.

From there, Gillette spent $1 to build the famous castle that was completed in 1919. Inside the castle are a number of hidden mirrors, a lock-protected bar and intricate, hand-carved door latches on each of the castle's 47 doors. As part of William Gillette’s original design, the castle grounds used to have a railroad track with a working steam engine that visitors could ride on. Lake Compounce in Bristol later purchased some of the track to transport guests around the lake. The rest of it was converted into walking trails for tourists to hike at the park.

The town of East Haddam also has alot to offer including several quaint restaurants and shopping on main street. After a few hours at the castle, hiking and sight seeing, you could have lunch or dinner at one of East Haddam's restaurants like the River Tavern or the Blue Oar.

Gillette Castle is located at 67 River Road in East Haddam, Connecticut-an easy drive, right off of Route 9