The East Lyme center point is around 2 miles north of Niantic, CT and 3 miles west of Crystal Mall.
East Lyme experiences warm and humid summers and very cold, windy, and wet winters. Temperatures typically range from 23 degrees to 80 degrees Fahrenheit over the course of a year and seldom go below 9 degrees or above 87 degrees. If you're planning to do a lot of warm-weather activities while you're in East Lyme, the best time to visit is from mid-June to mid-September, when average temperatures range from the mid-60s to mid-70s.
Other than the weather, you may also want to take accommodation availability and prices into consideration while you're planning your East Lyme trip. The town gets the largest numbers of tourists in April, June, and July. If you're going there during these months, you'll have to pay significantly more for accommodation because hotels are most expensive at these times of the year. Also, since many hotels will be fully booked, you may have difficulty finding a suitable accommodation. If you want a more cost-effective and hassle-free vacation, you should visit East Lyme in August or September.
If you're an AAA member, government employee, or member of the military, you're eligible for a discount at Sleep Inn & Suites in Niantic. This hotel is 1 mile south of downtown East Lyme, 5.5 miles from the historic Hempsted Houses, 5.7 miles from Garde Arts Center, and 6 miles from Fort Trumbull State Park. Each of its 73 rooms is equipped with free wired and wireless internet connection, satellite programming, a refrigerator, and a safe. Available amenities include a newsstand, a computer station, and event facilities.
Holiday Inn New London – Mystic Area is another hotel that offers special rates to military and government personnel. Situated 6.1 miles east of East Lyme in New London, it offers convenient access to attractions such as Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park, Lyman Allyn Art Museum, and Mohegan Sun. This hotel has 120 rooms with complimentary Wi-Fi, cable programming, flat-screen TVs, refrigerators, and hair dryers. In addition, it offers on-site amenities such as an indoor pool, a picnic area, a fitness center, a restaurant, a bar and lounge, a newsstand, a business center, event facilities, laundry services, and a free casino shuttle.
If you're looking for a hotel that provides good value for money, try Days Inn by Wyndham Niantic Near Casinos. This hotel is 1.3 miles south of East Lyme in Niantic, 3.4 miles from Crystal Mall, 5.7 miles from Connecticut College Arboretum, and 11.1 miles from Mohegan Sun. It features in-room amenities such as free Wi-Fi, 40-inch LCD TVs, satellite programming, microwaves, refrigerators, and coffee makers, as well as an outdoor pool, garden, picnic area, and event facilities. Complimentary continental breakfast is served every day.
Groton Inn & Suites also offers a great stay at a reasonable rate. Located 7.6 miles east of East Lyme in Groton, it's close to attractions such as Garde Arts Center, Fort Trumbull State Park, and Ocean Beach Park. It offers 111 individually decorated rooms with complimentary wired and wireless internet connection, flat-screen TVs, digital programming, DVD players, refrigerators, and pillowtop beds. While you're staying here, you can make use of amenities such as the fitness center, a picnic area, barbecue grills, a restaurant, the bar and lounge, the business center, and event facilities.
The main reason East Lyme attracts many tourists is because of its beautiful beaches. McCook Beach and Park is perhaps the most popular beach in the area. Overlooking Niantic Bay, this park comprises two white, sandy beaches, which are separated by a picturesque bluff. On the bluff, a well-shaded green lawn provides the ideal environment for picnics and quiet contemplation. Other beaches worth checking out include Niantic Bay Boardwalk and Beach and Railroad Beach.
East Lyme is also a great place for outdoor activities. Just a short drive southwest of the town, you'll find Rocky Neck State Park. Encompassing 710 acres of diverse terrain, this park features a gently sloping white sand beach, salt marshes, picnic areas, nature trails, and campsites. It's a favorite destination for bird-watchers and anglers because it's home to a wide variety of waterfowl and saltwater fish. Notable attractions in the park include the historic Ellie Mitchell Pavilion, Baker's Cave, and Tony's Nose. You can also have great outdoor fun at Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve and Harkness Memorial State Park.
If you're interested in history, you'll have a field day in East Lyme. You can begin exploring the town's rich history with a tour of Smith-Harris House. Built in 1845 for Thomas Avery, this Greek Revival-style house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Thomas Avery House. Today, it houses the Brookside Farm Museum, which showcases a wide selection of artifacts that provide an interesting insight into local life during the 19th century. Other historic sites you should visit include Thomas Lee House and Museum (1660) and Samuel Smith House (1695), and Elisha Beckwith (Tory) House (1760).
East Lyme has everything you need for a great vacation, from interesting attractions to quality accommodations. If you want to make your trip smoother and more enjoyable, choose a hotel that's located close to your intended destinations and adequately equipped to provide a comfortable stay. Staying at the right hotel can help you save time, effort, and money during your vacation.