williamscb13

I'm going to NYC with my 4 year old son next month. I am planning on spending a few days in the city then we are going to spend a week with friends in Bridgeport, CT. Due to scheduling snafu, we have a few days between leaving the city and going to stay with them and I'm thinking of going to Mystic for two nights.

We would do the Maritime Museum and the Aquarium. I think he'd also be super interested in the Groton submarine museum. I know there's a light house nearby. Where is it exactly? Would it be a good early evening activity?

There's a train somewhere, anyone been on it and know if it's worthwhile?

I'm not interested in Newport. I've been there and it's definitely not for a 4 year old boy. I also don't really care about going to a beach all day. We will be spending a lot of time at the beach with our friends.

Any suggestions on where to eat in the area. We are both gluten free and dairy free so a fried fish shack is out unfortunately.

elberko

Although it's in a different direction, if dinosaurs are high on your son's list, he might enjoy:
www.dinosaurstatepark.org

Ackislander

The train is in Essex, CT, and I'll bet he will love it.

emalloy

The is what is known as the Lighthouse Museum in Stonington Burrough almost at the end of Water street. You can park at the point on the end of Water street. The museum is very small and does have a light, but I don't think you can go up into it.

In town the bridge goes up at 20 minutes before the hour if there are any boats wanting to go up or down the river. It is fun to watch it and see the boats from the boardwalk. Nearby there is a small playground where he could run off some extra energy.

There are several boats that do day sails or short trips around the area. Some of these might go around the light house in Fisher's Island Sound.

If you go over to Watch Hill (about 10 miles east) there is an antique merry go round he could ride on, they even have brass rings the kids grab when they go around and stack on the horse's ears.

williamscb13

The merry go round sounds great. He loves them!

I think we might do the train and the boat ride. I looked up one of the boat rides mentioned on another Mystic thread and think it's too long of a boat ride at this time.

Mystic sounds like it's going to be perfect for a short weekend getaway.

LarryBee

I am sure you will have a great time in Mystic. However, for the benefit of future readers researching New England destinations with a 4 year old, I have to point out regarding Newport RI that if I had a 4 year old who liked Mystic Maritime Museum I know they would also like the many historical sites in Newport. If I thought my 4 year old would like to visit the Groton submarine museum I know they would love a visit to Battleship Cove (1/2 hour north of Newport). If I had a four year old that loves carousels I would take them to the Easton's beach carousel in Newport. If I had a 4 year old that likes nature I would take them to the Save The Bay Aquarium (also at Easton's Beach) and also for a nature hike at the Norman Bird Sanctuary. If I had a 4 year old that like lighthouses and short boat rides I would take them to on the very short trip out to Rose Island. At any rate, I'm not going to try to talk the OP out of the opinion that Newport isn't for 4 year olds. But pretty much most of what OP is going to do in Mystic with a 4 year old, can be done in Newport.

williamscb13

LarryBee thank you! I had no idea all that was available in Newport. I thought it was just old houses.

We visit friends in Connecticut every summer. I'll add Newport to the list of places to go some other summer.