Preston (Connecticut)

town in New London County, Connecticut, United States

Preston is a town in Connecticut. It is a small, mostly rural town with multiple historic districts. It is between Montville and Ledyard, giving easy access to both Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods.

Understand

History

Preston is a small town in southeastern Connecticut that originated in the 17th century. Following King Philip's War, the area was granted to colonists by Owaneco, son of the Mohegan sachem Uncas. For much of its history Preston was a farming town, but the decline of farming and the presence of two major tourist centers has caused a slow transition into a town focused on historical tourism.

Because Preston is home to over a dozen old cemetaries, many old buildings and churches, and the ruins of the Norwich State Hospital, it is sometimes alleged to be a haunted place.

Local information

Get in

By car

Route 164 allows entrace to Preston from Griswold.

Route 165 allows entrace to Preston from Norwich and Griswold.

Route 2A allows entrace to Preston from Montville after crossing the Mohegan–Pequot Bridge.

Get around

A car is necessary in Preston. The nearby casinos are walkable and have shuttles to use, but Preston is a rural area with minimal public transportation options. Casino traffic makes walking inadvisable on the main roads. Off the main roads there is much less traffic, making it a nice place to take scenic walks. However, there will likely not be many tourist attractions within walking distance regardless.

See

  • 🌍 Amos Lake, 36 Lake View Dr. 115-acre natural lake. Stocked with trophy bass and trout. Local wildlife can be seen here, including bald eagles. (updated Jun 2024)
  • 🌍 Hallville Mill Historic District. National Register of Historic Places designated place, known for its old mill. (updated Jun 2024)
  • 🌍 Long Society Meetinghouse, 45 Long Society Road. A national historic place and one of the few surviving meetinghouses in Connecticut. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. (updated Jun 2024)
Norwich Hospital Administration Building
  • 🌍 Norwich State Hospital. Do not enter; view from a distance while driving in from Norwich. Old hospital complex listed on National Register of Historic Places, famous for its Gothic and Colonial revival architecture. Allegedly haunted. Local police are stationed nearby to catch anyone sneaking in. The plan is to demolish all but the old administrative building. (updated Jun 2024)
  • 🌍 Poquetanuck. National Register of Historic Places designated place known for its 18th and 19th century buildings. (updated Jun 2024)
  • 🌍 Preston City. National Register of Historic Places designated place known for architecture. (updated Jun 2024)
  • 🌍 Preston City Bible Church, 293 Route 164, ☏ +1 860 889 6529. Historic church in the Preston City Historical District, part of its National Register of Historic Places designation. (updated Jun 2024)
  • Spotty the Rock Dog. Painted rock on the side of the road. A popular piece of local culture. (updated Jun 2024)
  • Wicked Tulips, 382 Route 164. Flower farm, only operational in the Spring. Requires a ticket. (updated Jun 2024)

Do

  • Preston Community Park, 10 Lincoln Park Road Ext. Public park. Has a playground, baseball fields, a gazebo, and a short hiking trail. Often hosts local events, such as farmers markets. (updated Jun 2024)
  • Tri Town Trail, 10 Lincoln Park Rd Ext. (updated Jun 2024)

Buy

Eat

  • Jimmies (Jimmies Ice Cream Shoppe), ☏ +1 860 237 2777. Open Fridays and some holidays. Ice cream parlor and restaraunt. They operate at the Preston Ridge Vineyard while their new building is under construction. (updated Jun 2024)
  • Village Pizza, 353 Route 165, ☏ +1 860 887 1930. Local pizza restaraunt with a full bar. Holds weekly events like karaoke and trivia. (updated Jun 2024)

Drink

Sleep

Connect

Cope

  • Islamic Center of Preston, 128 CT-2. Only mosque in town. One of few mosques in the region. (updated Jun 2024)
  • 🌍 Preston City Congregational Church. Historic Congregationalist church. (updated Jun 2024)
  • 🌍 St. Catherine of Siena. Only Catholic church in town. (updated Jun 2024)
  • 🌍 St. James Episcopal Church. Only Episcopal church in town. Part of Poquetanuck historical district. (updated Jun 2024)

Go next

  • Neighboring Ledyard hosts Foxwoods, a prominent casino
  • Neighboring Montville hosts Mohegan Sun, another casino
  • Mystic is nearby and has many historical attraction
  • Neighboring Norwich is a larger city with more nightlife options
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