brcasrvr2001

Hi. My husband and I (active 50-ish) are going to be in the Providence, Newport and Mashantucket area for about a week the 3rd week of September. Ironically, we are not gamblers, so there goes that for an activity. We're looking for things to do. So far, we're planning on touring the Roger Williams Botanical Center (worthwhile this time of year?), touring mansions in Newport, checking out the Pequot Museum near Mashantucket (spending two days in Mashantucket for dealer meeting), antiquing in Putnam, taking the Rte 169 Scenic Byway (anything to be sure to stop for along the way?), spending a day in Mystic (anything in particular to see/do?) and taking the express ferry to Block Island (advisable this time of year?; anything to do there besides enjoying the beaches?). Any ideas are sure appreciated. Thanks.

nytraveler

Mystic has a cute, small aquarium and we love the Seaport Museum. A couple of decent restaurants.

dfrostnh

The Pequot Museum is an excellent choice.
Unfortunately, the wild mushroom festival we enjoyed one year third weekend in September is the last weekend in September now at Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center. This is near Mystic. I thought it was a delightful little nature center but the wild mushroom event made it great.

You might want to spend time in Providence exploring Federal Hill and checking out Italian specialty shops.

emalloy

While in the Mystic area:

Check out Stonington Burough (Mystic is a village in the town of Stonington as is the Burough). There are nice places to eat, a small museum in the lighthouse, lots of well preserved homes with interesting architectural details (all private), but you can see real old homes.

The Seaport is well worth a visit if you are interested in history, esp. as related to whaling.

There is a sail boat that does half day sails from town which may still be going when you are there.

Check out the bascule bridge that opens at 40 after the hour for boats too tall to go up river.

Find out the hours that the Pequot museum is open as there are some days they do not open, and it is very good.

If you are into wine, there is a wine trail in the area with several vineyards.

tchoiniere

I agree with the recommendations above. To add to it, the Mystic Aquarium is expensive but its a worthwhile stop for a few hours. The Seaport Museum is also a great stop. And just walking around Mystic itself is fun.

While in Mystic and if you like breweries, check out Beer'd Brewing (actually in Stonington). Excellent microbrews including Hobbit Juice.

Not far away in New London is the USS Nautilus Submarine to tour.

Also in the area but longer drives is Gillette Castle (home of William Gillette (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gillette_Castle_State_Park) which gives you great views of the CT River Valley. Nearby is the Essex Steam Train. They offer a steam train / river boat combo

brcasrvr2001

By your replies, I'm assuming Block Island is not ideal at this time of year as well as the Botanical Center? I love botanical gardens but think it will be too late in the season to see much.

tchoiniere

Block Island would work. Just watch the Ferry Schedule as it gets reduced after Labor Day.

Botanical Center may still be ok but we have been getting cool nights already so it may not be great.

Luv2travel15

Here is something in CT you might like to do:

http://essexsteamtrain.com/buy-tickets/

It is a combination steam train ride and visit to riverboat ride (about 5.5 hr. total) or several other options - train ride, riverboat ride, etc. Check the website out. You could also visit the Gillette Castle, also suggested by tchoiniere.

Think the castle might be an interesting tour. Reviewed on TA if you want to check out what others have said.

http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=325204

Very easy day trip from where you would be staying, approx. 45 min. drive.

http://www.distance-cities.com/dista...ct-to-essex-ct

Hope this helps. Enjoy your visit.

FYI, you would be backtracking your route from CT to RI if you wanted to visit the R.W. Botanical Center. We have been to R.W. zoo many times and it's a fun place for kids, a small zoo compared to others. If you are really into flowers, then you might enjoy the visit, but IMO I would suggest skipping here and focus on CT area as there is so much to do there. Mystic, CT is a very interesting place to visit and there is a nice acquarium there also. Lots of eating places as well.

Newport - u would not be that far from where you would stay in CT and I would recommend visiting there, we love going to Newport. We have toured 4 mansions to date and all of them are interesting. The most recommended first visit is to The Breakers - absolutely a MUST SEE! However, I just checked the calendar of events and there is a wine and food festival Sept. 19-21 so it would be very crowded in Newport if these dates are within your visiting time.

http://www.mysticseaport.org/

Block Island is on my bucket list but not been there yet. You could visit in a day, not sure there is much to see and do except the beaches.

http://www.blockislandferry.com/

Looks like you would have to take the traditional ferry from Pt. Judith, RI as high speed ferry only operates June-Sept. You could call: Phone: 866-783-7996 or 401-783-7996 to verify schedules or make reservations.

Have fun!

brcasrvr2001

Thanks so much for the invaluable input. I really appreciate it!