Fort Saybrook Monument Park
Even though I’d enjoyed a beachy weekend in Old Saybrook before, I wasn’t aware of the deep history of the town. Across the street from the Old Saybrook Point Inn is Fort Saybrook Monument Park, a 17 acre park at the site of one of Connecticut’s oldest settlements, Fort Saybrook. The park is also the site of the Connecticut Valley Railroad Roundhouse and Turntable. Visitors explore the remains and learn about both historic sites in the park through display boards telling their stories. There is also a nature trail and mini-golf (in season) here.

Gillette Castle State Park
Unfortunately the 3/4 size locomotive at the Gillette Castle, half an hour north near Lyme, has long been out of service, but the estate of the famous William Gillette, who was the original Sherlock Holmes, is still a fun stop. The actor built a medieval style castle with all kinds of quirky secrets built in, like a mirror placed just right so he could catch his guests sneaking into the liquor cabinet. Make sure to stop in the visitor center where you can watch a short film that will explain the life of WIlliam Gillette and you can also see his original locomotive. The train-loving Gillette built a 3/4 size train on his property to take his friends around. Today, you can hike along the track beds for a nice nature walk and reward yourself with a cup of hot cider, given out free to all guests. Check for special events like kid’s hikes and visits with the Easter Bunny.

Pizzaworks Pies and Model Trains
Train enthusiasts shouldn't miss a meal at Pizzaworks. Make sure to sit upstairs where kids can watch the trains circle the room and explore the model Old Saybrook village while waiting for their food. A video display also shows the real trains entering and leaving the Amtrak station behind the restaurant. It's a fun spot and the food is good too.

Model Train Show
The Connecticut River Museum hosts an Annual Train Show exhibiting a 26-foot fully operational model train layout, plus activities for kids like a scavenger hunt and a toddler-friendly train display. The runs from November through February 17th, 2015 and is free with museum admission.

Essex Steam Train
But there's no reason to limit yourself to model trains. The Essex Steam Train offers rides upon an historic steam locomotive up the Connecticut River Valley and can be combined with a riverboat cruise too. Themed rides like the Polar Express Santa trains or a Day Out with Thomas are extra fun for kids but sell out early, so plan ahead.

Explore Old Saybrook
These activities were more than enough for us to fill a long weekend at the Old Saybrook Point Inn & Spa, but it's only the beginning of what you could do. The inn offers free bikes to borrow and the area is great for easy bike riding with level and little-trafficked streets lined with historic homes. Old Saybrook has an historic downtown lined with shops and restaurants and The Kate, an arts center named after long-time resident Katharine Hepburn. Fenwick Island, the private community where she lived, is also a lovely place to explore on bike or for a walk and has a public golf course and park.

James Pharmacy and Soda Fountain 
Another historic spot with an amazing story in Old Saybrook is the James Pharmacy and Soda Fountain which also houses Tissa’s Le Souk du Maroc, a great Moroccan cafe. Read about the history while enjoying terrific couscous and sandwiches. Don’t miss out on the treats from the old-fashioned soda fountain, sundaes shakes and floats and 20 flavors of the cold and creamy.

The Saybrook Point Inn & Spa
The Old Saybrook Point Inn and Spa is a charming, historic property that has been renovated with the latest updates. Our Junior Suite was very spacious with a sitting area around a fireplace. While we enjoyed the newly renovated pool, steam room and sauna, there’s also a heated outdoor pool for those heartier than me. A spa appointment at Sanno turned my weekend into a true vacation as my stress melted away after a 50 minute massage, but perhaps the highlight of our stay was dinner at Fresh Salt, the hotels’ renown restaurant.

Fresh Salt
Fresh Salt is an upscale restaurant specializing in seafood, although the setting is also a star here. We sat, sandwiched between the cozy fireplace and a wall of windows looking out over Long Island Sound. The food was exquisite. The portions were both large and deliciously prepared. There is a children’s menu with real food on it, like New England clam chowder, grilled chicken breast and rice, and pasta with marinara, as well as favorites like hamburgers and chicken fingers. But kids can also order off the adult menu, which offers half orders for many entrees.

Fire and Ice Festival
WInter is even more fun at The Saybrook Point Inn & Spa with special events like the free annual Fire and Ice Festival (Saturday, January 17th) with a sculpted ice bar, champagne and oyster tastings, horse-drawn carriage rides, chair massages, live music, plus movies, s'mores and facepainting for the kids.

Loads of fun for train-lovers, great food, a spa treatment for mom and an evening just sitting around the fire and this cozy weekend was a great getaway that everyone in the family enjoyed, a true mini-vacation. You can even get there by train. ;)