While You Wait: What To Do Near RoamRig HQ
Share
Something really unique about New England is just how close everything is. When you drop off your van at RoamRig HQ, you’ll have easy access to an enormous variety of things to do. Whether your install takes hours or a few days, there’s plenty to do while you wait, from low-key walks and great food to full-on city and island escapes.
RoamRig does not have a waiting area, but we do have a ton of local knowledge, which we've compiled in this post to help you start planning your visit while we upgrade your van. If you find a local gem that isn't on the list, let us know!
View our Upgrade Logistics guide for information about dropping off your van.
Getting Around
What about walking? We don’t consider the area around the shop to be bikeable or walkable. The main road is curvy, doesn’t have a shoulder, and traffic flies by at 50+ mph.
For short trips, download a ride share app: Both Lyft and Uber are available in the region. Depending on our schedule, we may be able to drop you off somewhere nearby, but please be ready with a backup transportation option, just in case.
Rent a car: Many customers have recommended Turo or Enterprise for rentals in Branford.
Trains from New Haven: The New Haven Line departs for NYC every 30 minutes and you can also catch the Amtrak to Boston, Providence and even Washington D.C and Philadelphia.
Boats and ferries: Consider a boat tour of the nearby Thimble Islands, the ferry to Montauk or visit Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket.
Stay Close: Easy Wins Nearby
If you want to take some time off of traveling, there’s plenty right around North Branford.
For overnight stays: consider the Holiday Inn Express in Branford, which is the closest hotel. If you travel with a pet, then Home2 Suites in East Haven is a good option. There are also short term rentals if you're looking for an experience that feels more like home.
Nearby trails and open spaces: Go for a short walk, bike ride or just decompress outside at North Farms Park or Queach Preserve. If you’re looking for more mileage, the New England Trail and Westwoods Hiking Trails offer an expansive network of trails. For cycling, take a quick peek at Strava and you’ll see many miles of popular trails and bike riding routes.
Dining: You could plan an entire visit around food, drinks and farm-fresh delights in the area.
Grab a coffee at Willoughby’s (which roasts their own coffee), or settle into a classic New England seafood meal at Lenny’s Indian Head Inn. Rose’s Orchard is about as close to RoamRig as it gets and is one of our favorite spots for breakfast (the Recovery Wrap from Buck’s Grill) and grab-and-go farm fresh baked goods and groceries. Nearby Caius Farm Brewery hosts events and different food trucks throughout the week.
Bishop’s Orchards in nearby Guilford has a farm market, winery, seasonal pick-your-own orchards and an ever-changing calendar of events. In warm months, Durham Dari-Serve is worth the short drive for ice cream alone. Also open seasonally, The Place has unique outdoor dining with fire pit roasted chicken, steaks, clams, fish and corn (don’t skip the corn!). If you’re willing to go a bit further, Lobster Landing in Clinton has the best lobster rolls in Connecticut.
History & Culture: Take a boat tour of the Thimble Islands for interesting stories about the islands, inhabitants and to see beautiful architecture on the coast. The Guilford Green is the largest Green in New England and is surrounded by colonial homes, restaurants and stores. While in Guilford, visit Faulkner’s Island Lighthouse – Connecituct’s second-oldest lighthouse, which is still active.
For more ideas nearby, click over to Branford’s Directory of Shops and Restaurants and Guilford’s Things To Do list.
A Classic New Haven Day
If you want to make a full day of it, New Haven is an easy choice. It’s about 20 minutes away and easy to explore on foot once you arrive.
Start at the Yale University Art Gallery (free and genuinely world-class), then walk over to the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, one of the most striking buildings you’ll ever step into. The Yale Peabody Museum rounds out the cultural trio with natural history, anthropology, and dinosaurs.
When hunger hits, this is apizza territory. Pepe’s coal-fired pies are the legend, and Zuppardi’s in nearby West Haven is a favorite among locals. Make it a full pizza tour by swinging by Modern Apizza. No matter where you go, expect a short wait outside before getting a table.
If your day also needs to include focused time for catching up work,
Finish the day wandering Yale’s historic campus or catching a show downtown then capping off the day at BAR for fresh beer, pizza and nightlife.
Make It a Mini-Trip
If your upgrade window allows for an overnight stay, North Branford sits within reach of some iconic destinations that are easiest enjoyed when you don’t need to worry about the logistics of parking and ferries.
New York City and Boston are both easy trips by car or train. With a little more planning, ferries can take you from Hyannis to Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket for a true New England escape.
Visiting an iconic eastern city or exploring historic islands are excellent excuses to turn your upgrade visit into a getaway. We have plenty of space to store your van while you adventure so that you aren’t rushed to pick it up if you want to explore the region longer than your scheduled appointment.
When There’s Work To Do
Consider visiting a local coffee shop (Sidcare Coffee or Willoughby’s in Branford, Atticus Bookstore Cafe in New Haven) to catch up on emails and digital to-dos.
Libraries are a great option if want to avoid the chatter at a coffee shop. Head to the Guildford Free Library or one of the two North Branford Libraries. Reach out to the branch directly to discuss booking a quiet room for focused time or remote meetings.
We’re also a big fan of working from an Air BNB or hotel if you need room to spread out.