Guilford, CT

Historic town green, harbor views and small-town charm

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About Guilford

Guilford sits on the shoreline between Branford and Madison, about 15 miles east of New Haven. Settled in 1639, it’s known for its historic town green, colonial-era homes, and harbor.

Quick Facts

  • Population: 22,073 (2020 U.S. Census)

  • County: New Haven

  • School district: Guilford Public Schools

  • Getting around: I-95, and a Shore Line East train station in town

  • Size: about 47 square miles, from the shoreline to wooded inland areas

Restaurants

  • The Place: seasonal, BYOB seafood roasted over an open fire

  • Prime on Whitfield: steakhouse near the Green

  • Guilford Lobster Pound: lobster rolls by the harbor

  • South Lane Bistro

Coffee Shops

  • Cilantro Specialty Foods: cafe and fresh-roasted coffee right on the Green

  • Belle Vie Cafe: woman-owned, scratch-made breakfast and lunch

Shops

  • Bishop’s Orchards: farm market, winery and year-round ice cream

  • The Marketplace at Guilford Food Center

  • Boutiques and galleries around the Guilford Green

Things To Do

  • Henry Whitfield State Museum: built in 1639, believed to be Connecticut’s oldest house (the house is closed for restoration; the visitor center is open)

  • Chaffinch Island Park: picnics, paddleboarding and shoreline walks

  • Pick-your-own fruit at Bishop’s Orchards, June through October

  • Community events on the Guilford Green

Thinking about buying or selling in Guilford? Let’s talk.

For more town data, see the U.S. Census Bureau’s QuickFacts and EdSight, the state’s school data site. Local business listings are my personal recommendations, not paid endorsements; please check hours before visiting.