Year-round adventures for children and families in Mystic CT

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Submarine Force Museum

1 Crystal Lake Road Groton, CT 06349 Phone: 800-343-0079

Explore the memorabilia of historical interest about the submarines rich place in history.

COME ABOARD…YOU WON’T BE BORED!

Step aboard the Nautilus — the world's first nuclear powered submarine at the only museum dedicated to the science, courage and history of the US Submarine Force. Whether you’re a kid or a history buff, there’s something here of interest for you.

  • Sit in the control room and experience hands-on what submariners had to manage.
  • Explore the memorabilia of historical interest about the submarines rich place in history.
  • Tour the world's first nuclear powered submarine and experience where the crew ate, slept, trained & played.
Live their adventure beneath the ocean’s waves. Our admission is always free. The experience is priceless!
 

Argia Mystic Cruises

Schooner Wharf - 15 Holmes Street Mystic, CT 06355 Phone: 860-536-0416 Fax: 860-536-0000

Discover islands, lighthouses, and traditional windjammer sailing

Step aboard the traditional sailing schooner, Argia, for a 2˝ hour journey. The adventure begins with a tour by water of the famous Mystic Seaport Museum. See the Tall Ships: the whaling ship Charles W. Morgan, the fishing schooner L.A. Dunton – both national historic landmarks - the sail training ship Joseph Conrad, and many more. Peer into the museum village and the Dupont Preservation Shipyard. Next, watch Mystic’s Historic Bascule Bridge operate as you pass through it (another National Historic Landmark) and learn about its unique design and workings. Help set sail as you pass down the river, or make friends with the Captain and take a turn at the wheel as you sail through Fishers Island Sound. This cruise includes snacks and lemonade and you may bring your own picnic basket, etc. US Coast Guard inspected.

May 1st through late October, choose a half-day or sunset cruise aboard ARGIA!

Connecticut College Arboretum

270 Mohegan Avenue New London, CT 06320 Phone: 860-439-5020

Over 750 acres of beautifully preserved open space

Connecticut College Arboretum's 750 acres include the college campus, plant collections, natural areas, and managed areas. Its three major plants collections for public enjoyment are the Campus Landscape with 120 acres of trees and shrubs from around the world; the Native Plant collection, with 20 acres of woody plants and wildflowers indigenous to North America with a pond, and walking trails; Caroline Black Garden with an exquisite display of diverse woody plants in a garden setting. Open every day from sunrise to sunset. Free public guided tours every Sunday afternoon May - October at 2 p.m. Call 860-439-5060 for more information. Private group tours can be arranged upon request.

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

One Railroad Avenue Essex, CT 06426 Phone: 860-767-0103 Toll-Free: 800-377-3987 Fax: 860-767-0104

Ride the Steam Train, Ride the Riverboat!

Gather family and friends for the adventure of a sightseeing journey... aboard the only steam train and riverboat connection in the country! Your 2˝ hour narrated journey begins at the historic 1892 Essex Station. Meander through the countryside aboard vintage rail cars pulled by an authentic steam locomotive. At Deep River Landing, you’ll be escorted onto to the Becky Thatcher Riverboat for a 1˝ hour cruise along the Connecticut River - bursting with lush scenery and historic sights, such as Gillette Castle and Goodspeed Opera House. Upon Becky’s return to Deep River Landing, the steam train welcomes you for the return trip back to Essex.

Family Fun Mystic

Mystic, CT 06355

The Coolest Places under the Summer Sun are in Mystic Country

Looking for family-friendly places to visit this summer? Check out Family Fun Mystic Country for the coolest getaway packages that promise great times and fun memories for all ages. Soak up the summer sun and build castles on the white sugar sand of Ocean Beach; All aboard for an engaging ride through the countryside on the historic Essex Steam Train and Riverboat excursion; Explore America’s first nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Nautilus, at the Submarine Museum; or Discover a prehistoric land before time at The Dinosaur Place.

Don't miss a moment of fun! Plan a great escape with exciting two-day package starting at just $199 and get more of what your family loves. For details visit Family Fun Mystic Country website and reserve an amazing overnight family package today. Mystic Country is located in Eastern Connecticut, a short drive from Boston and New York City.

Mystic Country

27 Coogan Boulevard Mystic, CT 06355 Phone: 860-536-1205 Fax: 860-536-1480

Have you ever discovered Mystic, Connecticut? Mystic Country is defined by the three very different experiences that exist only miles from one another. These experiences take visitors from Adventure on the Coast to Entertainment at the Casino and back to Calm in the Mystic Quiet Corner. That contagious New-England hue that’s felt in Mystic comes from over 400 years of history and evolution. The Mystic locals, the landscapes, and the culture brim with life that still remains untouched – definitely something worth seeing! Rediscover New England and check out all Mystic has to offer for your family getaway here at MysticCountry.com

Mystic Seaport

75 Greenmanville Avenue Mystic, CT 06355-0990 Phone: 860-572-5315 Toll-Free: 888-973-2767

Open: Daily April through October, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and November through March, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed Christmas Day.

Mystic Seaport – The Museum of America and the Sea – encourages every child to discover their connection to the sea. Kids of all ages roll up their sleeves and find out what keeps a boat above water in our new interactive exhibit, How Boats Float. The Discovery Barn gives older children hands-on experience with nautical knots, signal flags and more, while the Children’s Museum encourages younger sailors to explore a lobster boat, cook in the galley and swab the decks. Help set a tall ship’s sails, participate in a traditional “dead horse” sailor’s ceremony and create nautical crafts at Inspiration Station.

Ocean Beach Park

1225 Ocean Avenue New London, CT 06320 Phone: 860-447-3031 Toll-Free: 1-800-510-SAND (7263)

C’mon in... the water’s fine... and so is that sand. Build a castle...

There’s family fun and more at Ocean Beach Park. New this year is our Splash Park for kids under 8. For more water fun we have the ocean, of course, an Olympic-size swimming pool and triple waterslide. Our award-winning lifeguard staff is on duty for your safety. For more fun we have rides, mini-golf, and a Family Fun Center with a video arcade. Kids can enjoy our playground and adults can work out in the health club. The nature walk and observation deck let you enjoy our natural beauty. When all the activity makes you hungry you can choose from our full-service restaurant, a food court, or ice cream stands. Ocean Beach Park can also accommodate picnics and corporate events. Our nightly entertainment schedule includes Classic Car Cruises on Mondays; kids movies on the beach Tuesday and Thursday; live magic on Wednesday; live bands on Friday; and family entertainment on Saturdays.

Submarine Force Museum

1 Crystal Lake Road Groton, CT 06349 Phone: 800-343-0079

Explore the memorabilia of historical interest about the submarines rich place in history.

COME ABOARD…YOU WON’T BE BORED!

Step aboard the Nautilus — the world's first nuclear powered submarine at the only museum dedicated to the science, courage and history of the US Submarine Force. Whether you’re a kid or a history buff, there’s something here of interest for you.

  • Sit in the control room and experience hands-on what submariners had to manage.
  • Explore the memorabilia of historical interest about the submarines rich place in history.
  • Tour the world's first nuclear powered submarine and experience where the crew ate, slept, trained & played.
Live their adventure beneath the ocean’s waves. Our admission is always free. The experience is priceless!

The Dinosaur Place

1650 Route 85 Montville, CT 06370 Phone: 860-443-4367 Fax: 860-443-0253

Discover an interactive science and nature adventure

Join us at the “The Dinosaur Place” for an adventure of the prehistoric kind! Visit the indoor Activity Center and check out geodes- volcanic formations that are million of years old! Choose one for us to cut open and be the first to see inside this ancient gas bubble! Children of all ages enjoy digging for gems and crystals, panning for “gold” and excavating a dinosaur skeleton.

Spend the day enjoying Outdoor Adventure! Over 25 life-sized dinosaurs can be found along 1 mile of easy walking trails. Visit the “What am I?” touch and learn stations and romp in Monty’s Playground. Bring sunscreen and flip-flops and enjoy New England’s largest SPLASHPAD®! Monty’s SPLASHPAD® is a zero-depth, fully automated interactive aquatic play system that consists of over 30 dinosaur-themed features designed to stimulate and cool off children of all ages. Changing rooms available. Picnic areas, snack bar and ice cream shop on site. Visit our website for hours, rates, and directions.

The Florence Griswold Museum

96 Lyme Street Old Lyme, CT 06371 Phone: 860-434-5542

This 11-acre riverfront campus calls itself the Home of American Impressionism, for its service in the 1910s as a summer boarding house to artists of the Lyme Art Colony. The Krieble Gallery hosts changing exhibitions of American art. The permanent collection includes works by Church, Cole, Twachtman, Hassam, and others. The Griswold House contains a remarkable collection of painted panels and doors left in their original places by the artists who stayed at the Florence Griswold House. Museum offers many seasonal events and activities for children.
Visitors today understand immediately the site's appeal to the artists who stayed with Florence Griswold. Her house, gardens and river view were favored subjects of her boarders. Walking the grounds, one is delighted by the same trees and gentle bend in the river. Visitors stand at the site of Childe Hassam's favorite spot, stroll Miss Florence's lovingly restored old-fashioned garden.
Hours: Krieble Gallery and Griswold House open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Chadwick Studio and Rafal Landscape Center open mid-May through October.
Admission: Adults, $9; seniors, $8; students, $7; children age 12 and younger admitted for free.