While Max and Jodi are firm dog lovers, Two Wrasslin' Cats is wonderful enough to turn us into cat people for the morning! Only a 4 minute drive from Smith Farm Gardens, the owners, a cat-loving couple, make the best cup of coffee Max says he has ever had! Aside from the coffee, they have delicious breakfast and lunch options and a "cat room" where you can go in to hang out with the cats - and if you catch the schedule right, even do a yoga class.

If you're not a cat person or are allergic but still love them - no worries - their cat room is fully enclosed and separate from the coffee shop. You can admire the cats through the windows or sit outside on their beautiful deck or in the garden near their pond. Cat lovers, dog lovers, or just plain good food lovers will appreciate our favorite spot in East Haddam!

Yankee Cider Company specializes in crafting delicious New England Style
hard ciders from apples grown in East Haddam, CT. They are open for beverage service, growler fills, and bottle sales. Try flights and pours of their ciders and Staehly Farm Winery wines.

Forgot an accessory or had a wardrobe malfunction? Clinton Premium Outlets is about a 30 minute drive from Smith Farm Gardens and has lots of stores at outlet pricing.

Ray of Light Farm is an animal rescue and therapy center. They aspire to be a "healing presence in a wounded world." You can visit the farm for free, but donations are appreciated to help keep the farm running and helping their animal rescue efforts. You can feed their goats and sheep for $1/cup during their regular operating hours or visit any of their other animals, which include: Equines (horses, ponies, donkeys, mules and a Zedonk), Goats, Sheep, Llama, Miniature cattle, Poultry, Waterfowl, Guinea Pigs, Rabbits, Tortoises

Bisected by the Eight Mile River, the 860 acre park features trout fishing, picnic areas, and 15 miles of hiking trails. The Connecticut Ornithological Association lists the Hopyard as one of the 10 best birding sites in Connecticut. A main feature of the park, spectacular Chapman Falls drops 60 feet in three main cascades. According to the Eastern Waterfall Guide, it is one of the Top 10 falls in Connecticut. The potholes at the base of the falls are said to be the hoof prints left by the devil as he hopped from ledge to ledge to keep dry.

The grounds of the Castle are almost as interesting as the Castle itself. William Gillette had three miles of narrow gauge railroad, which are now hiking trails and include river views, trestles and tunnels. The railroad station "Grand Central" has been restored and one of Gillette's trains is on display at the Visitor’s Center. Stone walls, a goldfish pond, scenic overlooks and wooded areas with picnic facilities are just some of the other highlights of the park. Admission to the grounds is free.