Travel

[maisiebrook]

I will be making a 3 day mid week road trip of a few coastal towns in CT, namely Mystic, Stonington and Westerley.  

We figure staying in Mystic and cruising to neighboring towns for historic, cultural and shopping. 

I welcome all suggestions for hotel, things to do and restaurants and will be checking TripAdvisor for info.

TIA!!

[Love my grandkids]

@maisiebrook Oh oh oh! My DH and I spent a couple of days in Mystic in 1976! Had my picture taken on a famous ship  there, forgot the name.

LOVED it. As we were driving in we actually saw some kinds floating on Mystic River in black inner tubes. A scene straight from a Norman Rockwell painting.

Ate at a chaming restaurant where the female servers were in colonial dress, complete with the adorable caps.

One of the happiest trips ever. Loved every minute of it.

[amyb]

Hi @maisiebrook I live in CT, along the shoreline, and love Mystic...lots of cute shops there and good restaurants. Depends what you like but some of my favs:

S&P Oyster Bar...right on the canal there, and pretty this time of year, even on the patio at night as there are firepits and heaters everywhere...great food, great service, great atmosphere. And you don't have to like oysters...plenty of great options.

Bravo Bravo...more Italian and eclectic menu, modern, fun atmosphere

Daniel Packard Inn...rustic, old, stone kind of old tavern vibe in the bar downstairs

Irish Pub fun, cozy

Engine Room...popular, casual, good (elevated) bar food

Stonington...two very popular favs...

Dog Watch Cafe...highly recommend...lively, local crowd, on the water

Breakwater...also popular, on the water...it does close in winter, but I think it's still open now

If you like hiking Barn Island in Stonington is nice hiking

Westerley and Watch Hill are fun to go into also.

Other cute CT shoreline towns, Guilford, Madison, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook.

Old Saybrook has the Katherine Hepburn theater, tho' not sure what's playing currently...they are just one night musical shows mostly, sometimes some of her old films play there.

If I think of other things later I'll post...

Welcome to CT and have fun. ps. Leaves are just starting to pop so that'll be pretty too. 🍁🎃🍂

[Skyegirl21]

Have you been to get to Gillette Castle?  Great walking there. Beautiful overlooking the river and the ride takes you near the Goodspeed Operahouse, a beautiful, charming area! Maybe you have seen it though?  Have a wonderful trip! 

[CatsyCline]

Watch Hill is nice to drive through.  very quiet this time of year. The shore road has a few gift shoppes. Downtown Westerly has boutiques and shops.

Artists Cooperative Gallery 

14 Railroad Ave., Westerly, RI 

A revolving curated show representing a variety of artists . Crafts too.  Lots of gift ideas. Closed Mon & Tue.  

If you enjoy Thai Food, Thong Thai is across the street. very good food. closed Tue.

Matunuck Oyster Bar, 629 Succotash Rd. S.Kingstown RI

About 25 minutes east of Westerly off Rt. 1.   Best restaurant in the area.Freshest seafood off the boat, and they farm their own oysters from the surrounding salt ponds. online reservations (recommend-aways busy there)   Indoor seating  or outdoor with those torch heaters. opens at noon 7 days

Wineries, wine tastings, there are several in Stonington.  i have not ventured out to any but they look fun...

Jonathan Edwards

Saltwater Farm Vineyard

Stonington Vineyards

[maisiebrook]

@amyb

Thank you for all your suggestions.  So far we made  dinner reservations at the S&P Oyster Bar and Via Emilia and we are so excited to explore Mystic and the coastal towns.  I just hope dry weather cooperates.

Thanks!

[maisiebrook]

@Skyegirl21

thank you for your suggestions.  I have not been to Gillette Castle so if time allows we will be sure to check it out, this trip, or the next one.

[amyb]

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@maisiebrook wrote:

@amyb

Thank you for all your suggestions.  So far we made  dinner reservations at the S&P Oyster Bar and Via Emilia and we are so excited to explore Mystic and the coastal towns.  I just hope dry weather cooperates.

Thanks!

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Hi @maisiebrook You're welcome! I was just in Mystic yesterday, on a pretty, balmy, fall weekend here in CT...and I have another "Must" for you..."Sift!" What a delightful coffee/dessert shop. Delicious coffee, delicious ginger spice mollasses cookie I had...pretty patio and roof top seating. The town was bustling with people but not overly crowded like summers are, where it now (not years ago) feels like cattle moving through town.

And since I'd frequented Mystic (I used to go up more regularly) many new cute shops and restaurants (The Mariner looks great for seafood) as well as all the old tried and true shops, for me.. "Company of Craftsman" "Peppergrass & Tulip" and others..

I hope you have beautiful fall weather too...but either way, enjoy your time here!

ps. I'd love to hear how "Via Emilia" is; never been there...sounds pretty new, but I just might be out of the loop on that one!

[jackthebear]

there are 1 or 2 Casinos there, with entertainment, and there is a museum attached to one of them, 

Mohegan Sun? 

the Mr took the kids to the museum

but who knows after cv if still there etc

Mystic area is a nice trip

and if you are into trains there is a steam train along the coast