Mystic

Free Holiday and Christmas Events for Connecticut Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Fri, 11/16/2018 - 10:18am

Christmas lights and festive holiday fun are popping up everywhere you look in Connecticut. And along with it, many families feel a strain in their wallets as they dole out the gifts (and seasonal tips). Read on for kid-friendly events and activities in Connecticut that won't cost you a cent, from lights festivals to arts and crafts to holiday light shows, and more. Join in on the jolly spirit at one of these free holiday events.

Kid Friendly Music Festivals in Connecticut

Submitted by Julia Tolstrup on Tue, 05/01/2018 - 10:00am

Navigating festivals with kids--much like doing anything at all with kids--is a completely different experience than just slathering on the sunscreen, finding a floppy hat, and heading out the door with friends. Most festivals these days are sympathetic to the idea that parents still want to rock out, too. Here is a roundup of some of Connecticut's music festivals and how to (or whether to) approach them with kids in tow.

A Springtime Bucket List for Preschoolers in Connecticut

Submitted by Makayla O'Keefe on Fri, 03/23/2018 - 5:59pm

Coming out of this seemingly endless stretch of winter has me especially stoked for all of the spring things. The daffodils and added daylight. Baseball and the opening of all those roadside ice cream stands. And you know who else is excited? My four year old. Here is her spring bucket list. I didn’t even help at all.

The Top 10 Things to do with Preschoolers this Holiday Season

Submitted by Makayla O'Keefe on Tue, 11/14/2017 - 11:38am

From Pinterest-perfect teacher presents to waiting online for those coveted tickets, the Christmas season can be, well, stressful. There's the Christmas parties, the Christmas cards, and then the presents. And the shopping for the presents. We all seriously need a vacation by 5 p.m. on December 25th. But, when you see those little faces light up when they see the guy in red or when they come across an actual living, breathing reindeer, or when they hear that whistle blow. Every second is worth it. We've rounded up the top 10 things to do with your preschooler during the holidays. So get out there and embrace the magic of the season and make yourself some memories to last a lifetime. Be sure to check out our CT Holiday Guide for even more holiday fun.

B. F. Clyde's Cider Mill : A Delicious Mystic Steam Powered Autumnal Tradition

Submitted by Makayla O'Keefe on Mon, 09/11/2017 - 2:49pm

Come September, a kaleidoscope of colors begin to creep across the Connecticut hills, sweeping from the North down into valleys that shelter russet-red barns and milky white farmhouses, steepled churches and tidy village greens. Ah, Fall in New England. Give us all of the autumnal traditions from country fairs and harvest festivals to pumpkin carving contests to farm stands piled high with the season’s fresh bounty. This season, we are visiting some of our very favorite places to savor the brilliant hues, roadside farms and centuries-old cider mills, like B.F. Clyde’s in Mystic.

Day Trip to Groton Long Point, CT: Bikes, Kids and Beaches

Submitted by Katie McKnight on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 5:30am

This summer we are planning to visit one of our favorite summer haunts – Groton Long Point. You can check out this day trip and others in our CT Day Trip Guide. Groton Long Point, a small residential community PERFECT for kids, is nestled in between Mystic and Groton. My 11 cousins and I spent our summers cruising the streets of GLP on our bikes – so I know every nook and cranny of the magical place!

Best Marine Experiences for Connecticut Kids

Submitted by Makayla O'Keefe on Tue, 05/09/2017 - 7:53pm

Whether you’re helping raise a sail to a sea chantey, steering a wooden ship’s wheel or exploring coastal habitats on land, there is hardly a shortage of marine experiences for your sea-loving scalawags in Connecticut.

We have rounded up some of the best sailing adventures, Long Island Sound tours and shore programs across the state. For more waterfront fun, be sure to check out our Connecticut Beaches and Water Fun Guide and the best places for Canoeing and Kayaking with Kids in Connecticut.

Weekend Getaway: Family Fun in Mystic, Connecticut

Submitted by Stephanie Ogozalek on Tue, 08/02/2016 - 11:34am

The village of Mystic in Connecticut is a charming little getaway for New York City families. About two hours by car from Midtown Manhattan, Mystic offers lots places for fun with the kids: a fabulous aquarium, the largest maritime museum in the country, and a beautiful outdoor retreat for hiking, birding, and exploring nature—an ideal family excursion no matter if you stay for the day or the entire weekend. Mystic is especially fun during Memorial Day weekend when the Rotary Club hosts its annual “Lobster Days” celebration with children’s lobster-themed storytelling, cooking and fishing demonstrations, and of course lobster dinner.

Day Trip: Travel Back In Time at The Dinosaur Place

Submitted by Stephanie Ogozalek on Fri, 04/24/2015 - 10:52pm

Thanks to a reader tip, we recently left the city and traveled back in time to wilds of Eastern Connecticut to spend the day at The Dinosaur Place at Nature’s Art, where kids can explore a family friendly Jurassic Park style attraction. Encounter thirty life-sized cretaceous creatures while trekking the wooded nature trails around Raptor Bay, a seven acre lake complete with its own erupting volcano. A giant playground, an amazing maze, a super cool water play area along with exciting indoor activities (panning for gold and gem mining to name two) round out the offerings. Dinosaur Place is minutes away from Mystic, Connecticut and Rhode Island's beaches making for a perfect day trip destination or part of a weekend away. Here’s the inside scoop on this fun prehistoric park, and tips to make the most of your time there.

NYC Labor Day Weekend Trips: 8 Car-Free Family Getaways Near New York City

Submitted by Stephanie Ogozalek on Fri, 08/01/2014 - 4:00pm

The (unofficial) final weekend of summer is just a few days away and with the kids going back to school, the three-day holiday is the perfect time for one last family getaway.

Over on our Travel site, we posted about a bunch of cool last-minute travel deals, most involving plane or car rides. But for those looking to vacation without having to hit an airport or rent a vehicle, we've rounded up some of our favorite family destinations that are less than three hours from New York City and accessible via public transportation. From gorgeous beaches to ride-filled amusement parks to out-of-town culture spots, here are eight great Labor Day weekend trips for NYC families.