Mystic with kids during Winter?

So, I booked tix for the Xmas train in Essex and figured we would stay a night and do Mystic as well.

I did not realize that the Mystic Seaport was only open Thur-Sun during the week we are going- so in order to do it, we would have to stay two nights (the tix for the train ride are on a tue night and sold out for exchanges).

Is it worth it? Or should I just do one night as planned and skip the Seaport?

I'm not huge on the aquarium as we are members here and go often.

I also don't need to do do do- the hotel has an indoor pool and dh and I are good at hanging around- eating, finding a local chuck e cheese or bowling ally, etc. So I'm not too worried about in between time.

Itinerary would look like this

Tue- 2 1/2 hour drive, hang out at hotel, evening train ride (kids will pass out in car on way back to hotel)

Wed- Nothing (pool etc. as described)

Thur- Seaport 10-4 and then drive home.

Just trying to figure out if I should just come home Wed.

Kids are 1 and 3- my 3 year old loves going/doing/looking etc.

Re: Mystic with kids during Winter?

I think the Seaport is worth it, but it requires a lot of walking around from place to place OUTSIDE on the WATER, so bundle up. I'd look at their calendar for those days and see what's going on. When I went there wasn't much going on even though it was summer. I wasn't totally in love with the place and I'm in no hurry to go back, but I think it could be fun for kids. They'll get to go on historic boats and stuff. A lot of it is educational and would go over their heads. I haven't been there with kids and didn't look into the kiddie stuff at all though, so I couldn't tell you about those activities. There's a cool planetarium

As a member of the Bronx Zoo/NY Aquarium, I still think the Mystic Aquarium is worth doing. It has Beluga whales!!!! and a stingray petting area.

The town of Essex is really really cute. Touristy, but cute. The Groton Inn there has incredible Food. It's an authentic inn from the 1700's I believe. DH is still talking about the "Chicken under a brick" he had there. We've eaten at michelin star restaurants and he is talking about chicken under a brick. I would love to go back there though.

On the way our or back, you can stop in New Haven for Pepe's Apizza. Worth the wait IMO.

Ok..now I really want to take a trip!

Mystic with kids during Winter?

Thx for all the info. Was the chicken under a brick place kid friendly? I've seen Rachel Ray cook under a brick, lol, you should look into it.

We decided to do the two nights. I tried to switch my train ticket but they said no way.

The seaport activity sheet looks like it has some kiddie stuff- story time, crafts, def the planetarium- I just have this picture in my mind of something boring- like when you go to the Crayola factory and then hit the "national canal museum" just bc it's downstairs, lol.

Mystic with kids during Winter?

I think it's too cold to be walking around the Seaport to be honest. The aquarium is nice, but mostly outside as well. They do have a neat looking Titanic exhibit that opened not too long ago. We went to CT over the Summer to Lake Compounce and then hit the Kid City museum after which was really awesome. I'm not even sure how far that is from Essex or Mystic though.

P.S. if you want to find another day for the train, check Craig's list. If you find the date you want, buy them first, and then sell your tickets. We weren't able to go on December 23rd like I had bought tickets for, and I was able to get rid of them VERY quickly.

Message edited 11/30/2012 3:01:33 PM.

Re: Mystic with kids during Winter?

Re: Mystic with kids during Winter?

The seaport is pretty spread out. Some buildings are in a cluster, some not. It's not like you have to walk for miles.

The chicken under a brick place was this cozy historic inn. I don't know that the kids would find it so interesting, but I would say it's family friendly