Mystic & Eastern - Great Things To Do

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.

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)

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.

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.

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.

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.