Home Any Recommendations?

[soocool]

We are heading out to Connecticut and New Hampshire in a week. We are doing some rock mining in Grafton, NH (Ruggles Mine) as welll as visiting friends. On the way back we are going to Mystic Seaport in Ct. A friend mentioned going to some wineries in nearby Stonington which will be one possibility. Any other places of interest in or near Mystic that anyone can recommend?

 

[Loves Vintage]

Are you driving through CT? Which part? Will you be driving down 95?

I was recently at the Mystic Seaport and found it to be a bit on the boring side. My DH, who has a sailing background, was not even too into it. We went through the whole place in maybe 2.5 hours. I would have preferred the Mystic Aquarium over the Seaport, but it all depends on what you're interested in.

Mystic has a very cute downtown. A nice vintage/antique jewelry shop: http://www.nlshaw.com/?sec=sec&s=1. There are also lots of little antique shops, some of which had some rings with OECs. It's a very cute area for spending an afternoon -- cute coffee shops and Mystic Pizza is there too, from the movie.

How do you feel about Casinos? There are two in that area of the state. I've only been to one and that was years ago.

The Goodspeed Opera House is not far from Mystic. Maybe you can schedule a show, if that interests you.

How long will you be in CT?

 

[soocool]

We are staying at the Hilton in Mystic right across from the aquarium and will be there for 4 days. We thought about going to the aquarium, but weren''t sure. Casinos are out since my DD is underage (16). A friend also mentioned a tour of the USS Nautilus in Groton that seems interesting. We may check out a show; the website says that Camelot is playing there now. I will check with DD and DH and see what they think.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Soocool! I just saw this and I''M SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!!! Ruggles Mine is literally, 10 minutes from my parents house. Warning, it''s in the middle of nowhere! LOL...Where else in NH are you going and how long will you be there for???

 

[Loves Vintage]

I've got a few more CT ideas for you.

You can go to Block Island for a day. Ferries leave from New London: https://www.longislandferry.com/bif/schedule.htm The ferry is probably a 20 minute drive from Mystic.

Gillette Castle is nearby and has some hiking trails. Hmm, actually it's 45 minutes away, so maybe not so much.

There's also the Thimble Islands, which are an hour west, but definitely worth a mention if you'll be going in that direction. You can take a short 45 minute cruise around the islands. The houses on them are really neat!!

 

[zoebartlett]

Date: 7/30/2009 9:52:49 PM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
Soocool! I just saw this and I''M SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!!! Ruggles Mine is literally, 10 minutes from my parents house. Warning, it''s in the middle of nowhere! LOL...Where else in NH are you going and how long will you be there for???

I was going to ask the same thing. NH is beautiful -- you''ll love it!

 

[sap483]

If you enjoy beaches, you could head over to Misquamicut Beach in Westerly, RI or go west towards New London (Ocean Beach Park comes to mind). You are right near Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun the two casinos someone else mentioned. Although your daughter is underage, she can still go into the casinos, just not the gaming areas. Both have some nice restaurants if you want to go for dinner one night. If you''re up for an hour or so drive, I would recommend checking out Newport, RI. I also second someone else''s suggestion on going to Block Island. Finally, if you''re driving through New Haven, do stop over to Worcester Street for some pizza. Pepe''s and Sally''s are two of the local favorites.

 

[soocool]

Date: 7/30/2009 9:52:49 PM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
Soocool! I just saw this and I''M SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!!! Ruggles Mine is literally, 10 minutes from my parents house. Warning, it''s in the middle of nowhere! LOL...Where else in NH are you going and how long will you be there for???

We''re staying with friends in Waterville Valley in NH. They have 2 kids my DD''s age and they suggested Ruggles Mine as something different and interesting to do. We will be mountain biking and attending the Curious George Festival when we get there (DD was a huge Curious George fan when she was liitle and kept all her books). We will be there for 5 days and the NH part is all mapped out.

We thought it would be nice to stop in Mystic, Ct on the way back home. We pretty much decided that we will visit the Submarine Force Museum and the USS Nautilus in Groton , the seaport and aquarium in Mystic and hopefully visit the 2 wineries that are in Stonington, plus see the lighthouse there. (I love lighthouses, especially the ones in Maine!). Depending on the weather and time we have available we may check out the ferry ride to either Block or Thimble Islands like LV suggested. If it is rainy perhaps go see Camelot at the Goodspeed Opera House (another great suggestion from LV!)

 

[soocool]

Hudson Hawk: Just wanted to let you know that we are back from our vacation and Ruggles Mine was a big hit with DD. We now have a ton of mica (plus some other rocks) and we have to figure out what to do to display them. We didn''t realize how cold!!! it was up there, so the hammering away in the caves warmed us up a bit and the scenery was breathtaking!

Also, to those who are ever interested in traveling to Mystic, Ct. we had the absolute greatest time! We visited the seaport and climbed aboard an over 100 year old wooden whaling ship called The Morgan, that the seaport is currently restoring with the help of volunteers and visited the many little shops that would have existed in the 1800 and early 1900s. At the aquarium we got to pet stingrays! and saw 3 beluga whales, sea lions (plus a show), penguins, and Nemo Fish!! (clown as well as skunk fish!)plus lots more. We also bought some wine at Stonington Vineyards (did some tasting as well) and from there drove about 10 miles to Rhode Island to Watch Hill (beach and shops!!!!) We also picnicked at Stonington Point and ate outside near the water in Noank at Abbott''s - great lobster. We toured the Naval Museum and the USS Nautilus (1st nuclear powered sub) in Groton, plus went to Ocean Beach there as well. We really lucked out with the weather in CT and had cool (75 degrees) and sunny days.

On Saturday and today Sunday downtown Mystic had a fantastic art festival. Too bad we din''t go next week. The Doobie Brothers will be giving a free concert at the Naval Station in Groton on August 15th (in case anyone was interested) We''re definitely going back there again!