OT....Conneticut Contigent....I need you

[goofymom/pop]

My parents are coming up your way in October. They will be visiting Mystic Harbor and Foxwoods....I was wondering if any of you have any information you can share...you know hot tips, good restaraunts, tours....etc. that you might like to share with them. Please let me know via email or by posting here. I can give you their email if you want to send them the information direct.

Thanks
cindy

 

[BeautyLLM]

Hi Cindy,

I haven't been to Foxwoods, but I have heard lots of good things about the casino and the restaurants there. I have been to Mystic several times. My favorite place there is Mystic Aquarium...I love looking at all the fish and the whales. Mystic Seaport is also alot of fun. It is a museum built to represent a New England whaling village. The docents are dressed in period clothes and are very interesting to listen to. Adjacent to the aquarium is Olde Mystick Village, a shopping village with lots of interesting shops. If they are looking for a place to stay, the Bee and Thistle Inn in Old Lyme, CT always gets rave reviews as on of the best in New England. All of these places have web sites, if you do a quick search you should be able to find them.

Hope this helps!

Leslie

 

[Mickey527]

Wow Leslie, I have lived here all my life and you know more than I do. Guess you didn't plan on staying and played the tourist hoping you could find your way back to Chicago.
I have been to Foxwoods, and it was fun, but a great way to get rid of lots of money fast.
There are two gambling casinos in CT now, one has a Bingo room and the other doesn't. I am not sure which one does, but if your parents are looking for Bingo they should check it out.
I also love Mystic, especially the shopping village. My parents loved Mystic Seaport more than the Aquarium, maybe it is an age thing. But both are fun.
Next to the Aquarium and Shopping Village are tons of outlet stores. The Seaport is down the street.
If your parents have their own car they can take a small drive and visit the submarine base in Groton. Not lots to see, but any man who was in the military seems to love this place.
Not too far from Mystic, approx. 1/2 hour more is Newport Rhode Island. Everyone loves to take the mansion tours. You can go into the house where they filmed the Great Gatsby with Robert Redford, and drive by the one where Jacki married JFK.
There are tons of nice places to eat in Rhode Island, right in the center of town, along with quite a few little shops.
If they come down further into my area... Bridgeport... the home of PT Barnum. We have a museum of alot of his items from his circus years, including Tom Thumb and Lavinia Warren's clothing. It is a great little place. Bpt also has the only full zoo in the area, the closest is the Bronx zoo.
But don't stay in Bpt,... only the crazy people (he did say a sucker born every minute) stay in Bpt.
Oh, and on the way down to Bpt from Foxwood your parents can stay at Leslie's house, she has a large house... Peggie

 

[lovingthemouse]

we did spend every summer for 25 years at the beach 3 miles from Mystic - so that counts!!! As Peggi and Leslie have told you there are awesome things to see and do in the area. Foxwoods is incomparable - from their casino to their hotels - yes, there are 3 of them now - to their Native American museum, it is quite incredible. Check out their website and see who might be performing while your folks are there.
In Mystic, again, my buddies have given you lots of great info, but there are some other places which are unique to see - like the cemetery right on Route 1A which has some of the most unique gravesites and monuments we've ever seen - home to many a sea captain and those who have owned shipping lines. Check out the unique downtown Mystic, get there just as the drawbridge is about to open and stand outside your car and watch this unique bridge as it opens and allows boats to travel under. Really neat. Check out the quaint shops along Main St and some of the side streets too. There's a great teddy bear shop called The GoodHearted Bear about 2 blocks from the drawbridge - the owners are former neighbors of ours from the summer beach days - wonderful people. For dinner try the Captain Daniel Packer Inn around the bend from Main St going toward Noank (more expensive) or make sure not to miss the ice cream cones at the BeeBee Dairy on Main Street. Tell them to head east of Mystic to Watch Hill, Rhode Island for the glory of the elegant summer homes and the oldest working merry-go-round - from the late 1890's i think. It's about a 25 minute drive to Watch Hill. Take a ride up the Mystic River on a small covered boat which docks next to the drawbridge. Most of all, tell them to have a wonderful time. It is a beautiful area. Caroline

 

[goofymom/pop]

Holy Cow, I dont think a week is long enough for them to be up in the area. They are staying at Foxwoods one night in a suite (feeling rich I guess) then heading to the John Carver Inn or something like that. I love all the information you are giving me, it sounds like just the spot for them. They love quaint little villages with shops, and site seeing. I am printing all of this and giving it too my folks this weekend. Thanks everyone!!! Keep the good tips coming.

By the way Leslie, what is your address???? HAHHAHAHHAH just kidding!! Peg your a hoot!



cindy

 

[Dom13]

If they like quaint little villages they should try downtown Essex. It is a gathering of small antique, craft, art gallerys etc. I'll ask my Parents about it. They love it down there.

 

[BeautyLLM]

I think the Three Caballeros..........and Dom (Peggie told me to add more dots) and our pal from the north, Caroline, ought to get into the travel business!! LOL After reading the responses, I am ready to make plans for some day trips around my state!!

And Cindy, all I can say about staying at my house is: be afraid, be very afraid!! Three kids(two teenagers) and three doggies....total chaos 24 hours a day!

Hope your folks have a great time here. Don't forget to give them money to bet for you at the casino....

Leslie

 

[goofymom/pop]

Leslie....your house sounds like mine. LOL!! All Dad needs is a tv with a good remote control and the guy is happy. Actually this trip is mostly for him as he lived up there in a few places when he was a boy and wants to see them again. He is so excited its like his a little kid again.

DOM....I would love the Essex info, let me know when you talk to your folks.

Thanks

cindy

 

[jojo_ct]

but if they make it as far as Essex, they should ride the Essex Steam Train. Old time steam engine through the CT countryside. And believe me, it doesn't get any prettier than CT in October! The steam train also connects to a boat cruise on the Connecticut River.

My Dad and Mom LOVED the sub base in Groton, and there is a lot to see, no matter what Peggie says. The first Nautilus submarine is docked there and the museum is fascinating. My husband and I are both big fans of the Aquarium (although I liked it better in the old days, before they spent millions of dollars "improving" it) and the Seaport Museum in Mystic. Spielberg used the Seaport as his setting for the film Amistad, and they built a replica of the ship at the Seaport in the years since then. The Amistad travels around alot and I don't know if it will be in the area in October or not, but it is amazing to tour if it is here.

So now that we have everyone totally impressed with our beautiful state, would anyone like to come visit for a Fall Foliage Pin Meet?

 

[goofymom/pop]

Wow I am getting the impression I should be going to my cousins wedding in Meriden afterall and heading on vacation with my folks.

Printing this all out thanks.....

cindy

 

[lovingthemouse]

........wait a minute - if i am getting part of this travelogue praise -i demand new billing!!! Hmmmmmmmmm - let's see - how about The Three Caballeros..............and Dom..........and that lady from north of the border!! There's a nice ring to that - a little long - but looks good in print!!!
Seriously though, that area of CT is beautiful and your folks should enjoy it tremendously! ........and you should go to your cousin's wedding in Meriden - shall we begin on the neat places in that area too?