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Mystic & Eastern - Great Things To Do

Connecticut > Mystic Eastern > Things to Do and See > Great Things To Do in CT
Family Outing - Essex Steam Train & Riverboat - Essex, CT
Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

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

Lots of ways to experience adventures on this steam train and riverboat, and all of them are fun

You have a lot of options at Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, and all of them are fun. You can take a train ride through the Connecticut River Valley on vintage cars pulled by a steam locomotive. You can take a cruise along the Connecticut River on the Becky Thatcher, a Mississippi-style riverboat. Or you can do both, traveling along the rails to Deep River Landing, boarding the boat, then going back to Essex on the train. Or, you can experience vintage luxury, and fine dining, on the dinner train for lunch or dinner excursions. And, if that’s not enough, there are plenty of area activities, including the Goodspeed Opera House, hiking at Gillette Castle State Park and shopping and dining in Essex Village and Chester Village. Please check our website for current train & riverboat schedules.
Bluefish Girls 500x250 - Black Hawk Party Boat - Niantic, CT
Blackhawk Sport Fishing

Sailing from the Niantic Bay Marina Niantic, CT, 06357 Phone: 860-448-3662 Toll-Free: 800-382-2824

Spend your perfect day out on the water with experienced sport-fishing captain, crew

Looking for a fun way to spend the day? Spend it on the water with Blackhawk Sport Fishing. Head out with the experienced captain and crew in search of porgy, bluefish, sea bass or fluke. Soak up the ocean air and experience the thrill of reeling in the perfect catch. Bring your own gear or rent a rod and reel; bring a cooler or buy snacks and burgers on board. Blackhawk also offers fireworks cruises, sunset cruises and excursions for nature-lovers and those seeking to see seals or eagles. Private charters for groups of at least 15 people are also available. See why customers come back year after year to Blackhawk and experience an exciting day out on the water.
The Dinosaur Place at Nature's Art Village CT Great Things Oakdale CT
The Dinosaur Place at Nature's Art Village

1650 Hartford-New London Tpke. (Rt. 85) Oakdale, CT, 06370 Phone: 860-443-4367

The list of what you can do at this theme park is as big as the dinosaurs that inhabit it

What can you do at The Dinosaur Place at Nature’s Art Village? Well, you can walk a trail in search of more than 50 life-sized dinosaurs, swing on a zip line at the two-story enclosed T-rex Tower, or slide through the giant mouth of a T-rex as you successfully find your way out of the dino-themed maze. At the Splash Pad (New England’s largest!), you can go under a dino rib cage waterfall, try to avoid dumping buckets and watch a Pteranodon rise from its perch when you step on certain sensors. At Monty’s Playground, you can climb, jump and slide. You can play 18 holes at Copper Creek Mini Golf, then grab ice cream, pizza or a burger.
Reasons to Cheer - CT Wine Trail
Connecticut Wine Trail

Have a taste for a new adventure? Set out to explore the vineyards along a wine trail

Scenery that will take your breath away, tours that get you up close and personal to the wine-making process and, best of all, relaxing on a patio or inside a tasting room with a glass of wine: You can do all that and more on the Connecticut Wine Trail. Cozy up to a warm winter fire, or sit in the summer sun in an Adirondack chair overlooking the Litchfield Hills. Pick the same fruit that goes into a vineyard’s wines, listen to live music, learn about wine pairings with everything from chocolate to cheesecake. Some wineries have mystery nights, trivia contests, paint-and-sip nights, classes and comedy nights. Some offer tavern or restaurant seating and gourmet dinners. It’s a lovely way to spend a day in this beautiful state.

Take a tour of some of the great vineyards on the CT Winter Wine Trail.
Harpoon Oktoberfest in Boston - September 29-30, 2023 at Harpoon Brewery in Boston, MA! Click here for more info & tickets
We're Grape-ful for Fall on the CT Wine Trail!
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Onrust at the Dock - Connecticut River Museum - Essex, CT
Connecticut River Museum

67 Main Street, Steamboat Dock Essex, CT, 06426 Phone: 860-767-8269

From cruises to hands-on exhibits, there’s a lot to do at this vibrant river museum

At the Connecticut River Museum, a cultural center for river-related activities and exhibits about the river and the river valley, you can do everything from taking a cruise down the river to checking out artwork and artifacts that document its role in the area’s economy and history. Watch a sunset from the deck of the Onrust, a replica of a 1614 Dutch sailing vessel, or see an osprey or eagle from the deck of the RiverQuest, a 64-foot eco-tour boat. Check out an operational model of the Turtle, the first submarine ever to be used in combat in 1776. Enjoy live entertainment from the Thursdays on the Dock series. Drop the kids off for hands-on Summer Fun Days.
Cruising off Rathbuns New - Argia Mystic Cruises - Mystic, CT
Argia Mystic Cruises

75 Steamboat Wharf Mystic, CT, 06355 Phone: 860-536-0416

Embark on a 2-hour day-sail or sunset sail

May through mid-October, choose a day or sunset sail aboard the sailing ship ARGIA! Discover islands, lighthouses, and traditional windjammer sailing, right from down-town Mystic, Connecticut. ARGIA accommodates up to 49 guests for public or private day or evening sails down the historic Mystic River to Fishers' Island Sound. Sail in smooth and protected waters aboard this Coast Guard licensed vessel.

Relax as you sail by scenic coastlines, take a turn at the helm, or help the crew hoist and trim the sails. Pack a picnic and a bottle of wine (or order snacks from us when you book) to make this excursion truly memorable.
Departures Daily (May thru mid-October) at:
  • 9:30am
  • Noon
  • 3:00pm (½ hr. earlier in October)
  • 6:00pm (½ hr. earlier after Labor Day, 1 hr. earlier in October)
creamery book bison
Buffalo Do Roam at This Expansive Playground

You don’t need to mosey out to the Dakotas to enjoy the sight of free-roaming buffalo. Creamery Brook Bison Farm in Brooklyn offers guided walking tours where visitors may observe groups of animals, make ice cream and butter, or eat lunch at a picnic area. There is also a 40-minute wagon ride through a working dairy farm and out to the fields to where the buffalo live. Watch the buffalo cows and calves come to the wagon for a snack of hay and grain. Other fun for families includes a farmyard petting area, a stand serving gourmet ice cream, and a gift shop. Call ahead for public hours.
buttonwood farm griswold ct
Farm Makes Wishes Come True

Buttonwood Farm on Shetucket Turnpike in Griswold began as a dairy operation a little more than 30 years ago, and its history has continued to evolve. The farm’s home-made ice cream is served daily from noon or 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. from a modest storefront on the farm. The waffle cones are made from scratch on the farm, too. The farm plants hundreds of thousands of sunflowers and created its “Sunflowers for Wishes” program. The farm gives a bouquet of sunflowers to anyone in exchange for $10 donation, which goes directly to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

vista lounge at mohegan sun
Lounge in an Onyx Mountain

In the heart of the lavish Mohegan Sun is Wombi Rock, a jagged sculpture of onyx and alabaster formed into a three-story mountain with intimate seating areas tucked among it nooks and crannies, all beneath a star-studded dome of sky. Projected on the dome above is changing fiber-optic displays of the sun, moon and stars. At the top, overlooking the gaming floors, is the Vista Lounge, an oh-so-divine bar and perch to see and be seen. Great fun to sit in this crystal nest, enjoy a drink, and watch the casino turn below.
go karts
Arrive, Then Drive! Or Jump!

Supercharged, at 1 Sachatello Industrial Drive in Montville is well-named. At this 110,000-square-foot indoor karting and trampoline park, electric-powered karts speed around an indoor multi-level track. Two tracks offer challenges for all ages and skill levels. All drivers be at least 58 inches tall, and be able to operate the vehicle safely. There is no minimum age requirement. At the 8,000-square-foot, multi-angled trampoline park, everyone can jump for fun or tension relief or just because it feels good. Dream up games of dodgeball, airbag play and basketball. Open daily. 860-444-7700
denison pequotsepos nature center in Mystic CT with VisitNewEngland.com
Meet the Outdoors at Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center

Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center at 109 Pequotsepos Road in Mystic is a nature preserve and learning center with lots of hiking trails and a delightful nature store. Bring your family for a day of walking, birdwatching, nature photography and a picnic. On the 10 miles of hiking trails through woodlands, wetlands, and meadow, you can search for bluebirds, turtles or bullfrogs, admire a summer wildflower garden or simply enjoy a peaceful walk. Wander the Butterfly House and enjoy the tree house. See “Night in the Meadow” in the small theater. Open daily. Trail map. 860-536-1216
olde mistick village in mystic CT
Olde Mistick Village for Nostalgic and New Shopping

Olde Mistick Village, at 27 Coogan Blvd. in Mystic, just off Exit 90 of I-95, is a quirky but really fun place to shop, especially as the Christmas season approaches. It is an open-air shopping center set up to resemble a Colonial village, complete with duck ponds, a waterwheel and replica of a steepled New England meetinghouse, where performances and special events take place. Visitors can wander along brick pathways to more than 40 stores that sell gift items from the world over. The meeting house and Victorian gazebo host performances of musicians, dancers, and storytellers free of charge. Open daily, year-round. 860-536-4941.
Connecticut River Museum - Essex, CT
Beauty, History of Connecticut River on Display

If you are drawn to the Connecticut River by the beauty of its unspoiled marshlands, the Connecticut River Museum on Main Street in Essex offers an exceptional vantage point in all seasons. From its docks you can see bald eagles, migratory birds, and a wide variety of waterfowl. The tidal wetlands that surround the Museum are an environmental treasure and a beautiful natural attraction. The family-friendly exhibits are filled with art and artifacts that link the river’s stories to our lives today. Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Skydive Danielson - Danielson, CT
Skydiving: The Leap of a Lifetime

Ready to face your fear of heights? Take the plunge and experience the sensation of floating in a freefall at speeds upwards of 120 miles per hour. At the Skydive Danielson facility in Danielson, qualified instructors lead first-time skydivers into the adrenaline rush of a lifetime: a scenic ride over the landscape followed by a tandem jump from a height of 13,000 feet! Those who leave the Skydive Danielson facility wanting more can sign up for technical classes and receive their license to skydive.
Carson's Store - Noank, CT
General Store Covers All Needs With Classic Warmth

Carson's Store on Main Street in the very quiet and pretty seaside town of Noank was founded in 1907 and it is still going strong, serving tasty breakfasts, lunches, and ice cream along with the other joys of any old general store (penny candy, anyone?). Settle into a padded stools at the counter and contemplate an old-fashioned milk shake. Open daily, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Bird Watching at Bluff Point State Park - Groton. CT - Photo Credit CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection
Birds from the Bluff

Among its other virtues as a hiking and lookout site, Bluff Point State Park off Depot Road in Groton is a rich resource for bird watchers. Many shorebirds can be seen year round. Along the loop trail watch for various shore birds in the river, mudflats and salt marsh. The tangles of vines along the trail and the beach are other fruitful places to view many species. In the fall American pipits are common and in the winter the Ipswich race of the savannah sparrow is sometimes seen, as well as an occasional snowy owl. Various grebes, cormorants, gulls and ducks are often seen from the bluff.
Bluff Point State Park - Groton, CT
Bluff Point Beckons Walkers, Skiers

Bluff Point Coastal Reserve in Groton offers the visitor a delightful mixture of wooded hiking and cross-country skiing trails coupled with spectacular wildlife viewing on Long Island Sound. Because of its Coastal Reserve designation, access to the bluff is by foot or non-motorized vehicle only. The trail to the bluff passes through wooded and open areas until the view broadens as the bluff is approached. Here vegetation is more sparse and diminutive because of wind exposure. Among the plants to be found at the headland are native beach plum, beach pea and red and white shore roses.
Ladies Cruising - Stonington Borough - Stonington, CT
Stonington Borough Connecticut

Nature, history, food and the sea all celebrated in historic Stonington Borough

In Stonington Borough, you can get acquainted with nature, history, the ocean and good food, all in the same trip. Take a harbor cruise, walk the seawall at Stonington Commons, let the kids splash in the water at duBois Beach, enjoy a glass of wine at Saltwater Farm’s WWII-era hangar, now transformed into a winery. Go boating, fishing, kayaking or paddle boarding. Walk the trails of the Dodge Paddock & Beal Preserve, with panoramic views of Little Narragansett Bay. Visit the nation’s first Lighthouse Museum or a sea captain’s house. Take a self-guided walking tour of historic Stonington, shop its eclectic boutiques and galleries or sit down for a fine meal with a water view at one of many welcoming restaurants and cafes.
burgis brook alpacas ct
Burgis Brook's Alpacas Offer a Friendly Welcome

Burgis Brook Alpacas on North Canterbury Road (Route 169) in Canterbury is a full-time farm for raising, showing, and breeding alpacas located on 43 acres of rolling hills and forest. The farm store carries farm-raised alpaca yarn milled in Connecticut as well as hand-woven and knitted scarves and accessories and high quality Peruvian imported garments. Visitors are always welcome, but call in advance to let the farm hosts know you're coming. Hours: Sunday-Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday, 2-4 p.m.