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Alfresco Essex
August 1, 2023 - September 23, 2023
The three villages of Essex – Centerbrook, Essex, and Ivoryton – are about to buzz with restaurant diners spilling onto patios, terraces, and decks. Essex marinas and boat launches will be active with boaters, kayakers, and paddleboarders accessing the beautiful Connecticut River.
Special Events highlight the Alfresco Essex 2023 summer experience, on Thursday evenings, July 6 – August 24.
Connecticut River Museum is hosting their weekly, free to the public concert series, “Thursdays on the Dock.” Beer, wine, snacks, and dinner are available for purchase. Just bring a blanket and lawn chair to enjoy the music and spectacular waterfront views! 5:30pm. ctrivermuseum.org/events
Essex Park & Recreation’s weekly “Yoga in the Park” will take place Thursday evenings, from 5:15 to 6:15 pm at Main Street Park, in Essex. Pre-registration required at: essexct.recdesk.com/Community/Program
Thursday afternoons, July 6 – August, 24, 1:00 – 5:00 pm
The RiverLane, “Wine & Light Bites.” If customers bring in a receipt from an Essex restaurant that day, they can shop the $100 sale rack up in the Vault. | theriverlane.com
Experience Essex – the go-to Dining & Shopping Destination on the CT Shoreline!
Starting June 16, The Griswold Inn will introduce a new “Summer Spritz” menu, offering a variety of these light and refreshing libations! Enjoy on The Gris Terrace or Patio for the quintessential alfresco experience. | griswoldinn.com
Noah’s Restaurant & Bar, at 63 Main Street, Essex, is the newest entry onto the alfresco dining scene. In fact, Essex now boasts a dozen outdoor dining spots including Olive Oyl’s, The Griswold Inn, Privateer’s Pizza, Dockside at Dauntless, Scotch Plains Tavern, Surfridge Brewery, Savour Café, Brickside Pizza, and The Blue Hound. Many of these restaurants will occasionally offer live music to heighten your Alfresco Essex experience.
Shop the specialty boutiques in Essex and include a cup of coffee, lunch, a stroll in the park, or a Sweet P’s ice cream cone…we call it shopping alfresco! Essex has 5 NEW retail businesses for Summer 2023, contributing to its identity as a go-to shopping destination on the shoreline.
New in Summer 2023…
· Bluegill Home…opening mid-June at 45 Main Street, GRIS Corner
· Essex Mercantile | essexmercantile.com
· Joy Chocolate | joychocolateco.com
· Privé-Swiss Wellness | priveswisswellness.com
· Port + Willow | portandwillow.com (located inside Privé-Swiss Wellness)
Plus, mark your calendar for Saturday, July 15, 1 – 4pm, when J.Alden Women’s will be hosting a trunk show with jewelry designer, Stonington Designs! | jaldenclothiers.com
Alfresco Essex! Our charming historic and waterfront villages are an invitation to alfresco your way, every day!
Stay up to date on all the latest alfresco happenings this summer. Visit our Experience Essex website at essexct.com, or Instagram @experienceessex.