Getting There -- The Shoreline can be reached from exit 57 off I-95. Pick up Route 1 (the Boston Post Rd.), which serves as the main street of several Shoreline towns. There are farm stands along the road in the summer and fall.

Several daily Amtrak (tel. 800/USA-RAIL; www.amtrak.com) trains stop at Old Saybrook. The Shore Line East (tel. 800/255-7433; www.shorelineeast.com) commuter line uses the same tracks to service towns between New Haven and New London, but only Monday through Friday.

Visitor Information -- Information about the towns described in this section is online at www.newhavencvb.org, the Greater New Haven website. Other good listings, special hotel packages, and a "This Weekend" page of suggested activities are at www.ctvisit.com, the website of Connecticut's Commission on Culture & Tourism (tel. 888/288-4778). The Commission has a free vacation guide, too.

Note that the highway signs on I-95 at exit 56 for a "tourist information service" are something of a misnomer: The TA Travel Center in Branford has showers and a laundry primarily for use by truckers, a few fast-food outlets, and just a small rack of brochures.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.