Guilford holds the distinction of being one of the top places to live in the United States, and is rich with history. Many houses and churches from the 1600s to 1800s, as well as three museums, are within walking distance of the Town Green.

This community of 22,000 residents is also outfitted with parks, wineries, food and arts festivals, shops, art galleries, fine restaurants, and, like the other shoreline towns on the tours, several centuries of personal history.

Start exploring Guilford's Colonial past at its museums, which include the oldest stone house in North America, 1639's Henry Whitfield State Museum (248 Old Whitfield Street); the 1774 Thomas Griswold House Museum (171 Boston Street); the Hyland Parmalee House (84 Boston Street), built in 1720; the Medad Stone Tavern from 1803 (197 Three Mile Course); and the 1844 Dudley Farm (2351 Durham Road).

The Guilford Fairgrounds (Lovers and Stonehouse Lanes) is the town hub for summer celebration, including annual events like the Guilford Fair (Friday, Sept. 20 to Sunday, Sept. 22), which is the second oldest agricultural fair in Connecticut; the Guilford Rotary LobsterFest (Saturday, June 22), which features a silent auction and various entertainment; and the town's annual fireworks event (Saturday, July 13).

Guilford has its arts and cuisine down to a science, and proudly puts them on display. Guilford happenings in this arena include The Guilford Art Center Craft Expo (Thursday, July 18 to Sunday, July 21), a three-day arts fair held on the Town Green; the Shoreline Wine Festival (Saturday, Aug. 10 and Sunday, Aug. 11) at Bishop's Orchards Farm Market & Winery (1355 Boston Post Road), which has been passed through generations of Bishops since 1871; and Guilford Taste the Shoreline (Sunday, June 23), when area chefs offer samples of their finest fare.

Work off wine and food calories, or simply enjoy the pristine beauty of Guilford at one of its parks or trails, including Bluff Head Preserve (Great Hill and Route 77), Guilford Lakes Golf Course (200 North Madison Road), Chaffinch Island Park (Chaffinch Island Road), Jacobs Beach (Seaside Avenue), or Lake Quonnipaug (Route 77 North).www.ci.guilford.ct.us or the Guilford Chamber of Commerce at www.guilfordct.com.

For more info about Guilford or for links to town businesses and activities, visit the town of Guilford online at