Everything you need for a beach holiday and entertaining awaits in this charming 104 year old cottage with manicured private back garden and a professional 5 burner range with built in rotisserie and coup de feu. It's just a 2 minute walk to beach entrance at the foot of Naugatuck Avenue where you'll find shops and restaurants around the corner.
Originally called Villa Rosa when the area was a beach destination at the turn of the century, my cottage was a boarding house where meals where served on what was once the front porch (now the sunroom).
Today the beach is a mecca for SUPers and if you don't have your own, one SUP and a kayak are available for guest use. Additional rentals are available at the beach entrance from Scoot and Paddle, you'll just have to walk past what we affectionately call "Temptation Corner". It's where you find long lines for the very popular Walnut Beach Creamery.
Enjoy watching the regattas from the front garden bench or an alfresco dinner by tiki torch in the back. Play a game of croquet in its just the-right-sized-back yard. On Sundays you can enjoy live music at the beach pavilion or walk out on the pier and cast for bluefish. (You'll need a permit.) You can play volleyball on the beach or stroll over via the boardwalk to Silver Sands State Park. At low tide there you can walk over to Charles Island on the tombolo and look for Captain Kidd's buried pirate booty.
Enjoy an morning espresso on the back deck's comfy bench whilst birdwatching or stroll down to the Audubon Center and watch the sea eagles nesting on the Housatonic marsh. The center, a landmarked old hotel has wonderful viewing deck with rocking chairs. You'll find a pair of binoculars for guest use hanging on the foyer mirror. There you'll also find beach totes, sun hats, beach roll, tennis rackets and yoga mat. There are tennis courts at the top of the street at the neighborhood recreation center.
For family and friend BBQs, the back herringbone brick patio has two grills - one propane and one charcoal - along with seating for 4. Its chiminea is the spot for S'mores at night and perhaps a ghost story or two. S'more skewers can be found in the fully equipped kitchen. The gravel picnic table area seats 8 more and is a favorite spot for breakfast under the shade of its umbrella.
Everything you need for entertaining from lobster pot to pasta and bread makers, fondue set, panini press, juicer, microwave, blender, bowl mixer, Cuisinart and ice cream churn along with beautiful serving dishes and plateware is provided for memorable meals by the beach. Channel your inner Martha Stewart!
If cooking isn't your thing, you can grab pizza from the Beachside Pizzeria or a lobster roll from the Lazy Lobster - both just around the corner. Or head up the block to the Nautilus Tavern for a family dinner or just a frosty libation at the bar. Their Davy Jones Locker libation is not to be missed. Across the street is the Walnut Beach Coffee Cafe with wonderful pastries and sandwiches in a wonderful setting.
You'll find the kayak and SUP on the side yard. For trips to the beach pavilion farmers market on Thursday, take the adult tricycle with large basket or ride the beach cruiser. After a day at the beach the outdoor shower allows for a quick rinse off.
Beach towels can be found in the bedroom baskets. Umbrellas, beach cart and small folding picnic table are in the shed along with beach paddles, inflatable Orca, Swan and float and sandcastle pails. Coolers are in the cellar where you'll find a wine cooler for additional chilled wine storage, washer/dryer and ironing board. An additional ironing board is upstairs in the beige guest room closet and a steamer is in the master bedroom closet.
A favorite day trip is just up I-95 to the Thimble Islands for a boat tour or a little further up to the Trolley museum. Kids enjoy the Bridgeport Zoo or seeing Tiny Tim's bed in the Barnum Museum. He really was TINY!!! On rainy days the ProBass shop has a bowling alley that is like taking an under the sea adventure. Or jump on the MetroNorth and ride into Grand Central Station for a day of sightseeing in the Big Apple followed by a Broadway show. No traffic jams to worry about!
June is a big month here with the annual Pirate Festival. In July the annual sand sculpture competition is held. In August we have the famous Oyster Festival and Lobster Bake. And free music abounds all summer long on Sunday afternoons at the Walnut Beach Pavilion and Friday night's "Summer Nights and Harbor Lights" down by the water at the Rotary Pavilion at Fowler Field behind the Library in the downtown village. Thursday afternoon the Firehouse Gallery has music on its patio.
If you need an office, the sunroom has a driftwood desk complete with wi-fi printer and other office items.
Everything you need is here. Just bring your toothbrush, swimmers and clothes!
For the off season, enjoy chilly nights by the chiminea or reading a good book (There is a Free Library in the sunroom) in a sumptuously comfortable bed with duvet and feather bed topper. It's so cozy and there are still fun neighborhood events like the annual Zombie Run and Halloween Parade.