In the warm season, a small ferry, Thimble Island Ferry Service, transports people and goods between the islands and the Stony Creek harbor on the hour from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Whether you want to experience the city like a tourist or follow the locals, check out this great resource for your trip. When is the best time of year to visit Thimble Islands? The first European to discover the islands was Adrian Block in 1614. Things to do near Thimble Islands on Tripadvisor: See 1,810 reviews and 1,911 candid photos of things to do near Thimble Islands in Branford, Connecticut. Joli Abott, Alana. 4 reviews. We value your privacy. Money Island Home W/deck, Kayak, Paddleboards. Top Hotels in Thimble Islands; Vacation Rentals in Thimble Islands; Top Hotels in Thimble Islands. Thimble Islands archipelago in the Long Island Sound, Branford, Connecticut - Library of Congress, Prints and Photograph Division, The George F. Landegger Collection of Connecticut Photographs in the Carol M. Highsmith's America. Only 15 minutes out of New Haven and 2 hours out of New York City, Stony Creek and Thimble Islands presents you with a slice of New England living. Today, the inhabited islands are home to local residents, small businesses, and remain steeped in folklore and history. Essex Steam Train. Thimble Island Brewery started with a lot of inspiration, hard work and was built all by hand. Islands. Money Island Home W/deck, Kayak, Paddleboards. Nevertheless, some infrequent oak, maple, beech, and other trees do appear in scattered locations about the islands; from their locations they appear to have been deliberately planted by residents, or they are the descendants of such plantings. Sailing trips and charters on Long Island Sound and the Hamptons. The Thimble Islands are a chain of 365 islands in Stony Creek Harbor off the southeast coast of Branford in Long Island Sound. Sailing through the islands can be tricky for those unfamiliar with the area, because of the disorientation caused by the myriad of similar islands (particularly at night), the hidden underwater rocks and ledges, and the complex currents caused by the tides acting on the channels between the rocks. The inhabited islands bear a total of 81 houses: 14 islands have only one, one (Governor) has 14, one (Money) has 32, and the rest have between two and six. For other uses, see, "Kidd's Island" redirects here. The Thimble Islands is an archipelago consisting of small islands in Long Island Sound, located in and around the harbor of Stony Creek in the southeast corner of Branford, Connecticut. Mammals other than human beings are generally not found on the islands; although a rare squirrel or deer may be seen, they appear to be isolated arrivals, and no mammalian populations have established themselves other than bats, voles, and some mouse and rat infestations closely associated with the human habitations. Residents built private summer cottages, hotels, and guesthouses and welcomed tourists from near and far. By the next summer Bryan expanded his hotel, offering two bowling alleys, boating, swimming, and fishing. [3] Georgian architecture is represented.[2]. Lot 32 0 Money Island, Branford, CT. Get Rates. Trip.com. Legend says that Captain Kidd buried his treasure here, causing intermittent interest among treasure hunters who believe they have unearthed a clue to its location, although more interest is generally paid to Gardiners Island, 30 miles (48 km) away. Additionally, in the area you'll find East Rock Park and Yale Bowl. Christine Svenningsen now owns approximately half of the populated Thimble-Island properties. They were, however, good spots for fishing, oystering, and seaweed harvesting. Thimble Island boat tours run from May through October. Other cultivated plants, such as ivy and some types of climbing roses, have established themselves on the islands to the point of becoming invasive species. We took a 45-minute tour of the islands, and the captain gave us an informative tour of the islands, including the history of how the islands have been settled and used, their current settlements, and an overall history of the area. Help. Visit our website. No sewers serve the islands, requiring the use of septic tanks for all sewage treatment.[4]. This site uses cookies and similar technologies to analyse traffic, personalise content and ads, and provide social media features. 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