Lou

Message: We are taking the eighth graders on a class trip to Mystic Seaport. Any suggestions of where to go and what to see and lunch stops. Any help to make the trip interesting and active is much appreciated.
Is there enough to keep their interest for a day? Thanks, Lou

Dona

I lived for about a year at Mystic Seaport. For that matter, across the street from the Mystic Seaport museum. It is really fantastic. You really should take the children to it. It has been either restored or recreated(I think restored). Even a place to have a sailors lunch in there. They have an entire seaport town along the river. Then, don't miss the aquarium, which is up the street about a mile. Well worth the stop. They have penguins, Beluga wales, sharks, and it is a real treat for the kids. I visited it often. Try and look for a web site, I'm sure both places have one. There is enough for an entire day. By the way, you are not far from the US Naval sub base in Groton. The 1st nuclear sub is on display(free) to go into. Its a self guided tour and they also have a free museum-really done well, all about submarine history. I would guess, the naval base is about 10 miles away from Mystic, and it has an exit off I95. E-mail me if you want more info. I lived there back in 1994..

Melanie

Granted, we aren't eight graders, but when we went to Mystic Seaport this fall, we got our day passes renewed for a second day (free) because we didn't see everything.

I also recommend the Submarine museum.

There is food available at Mystic Seaport, it might be a little on the expensive side, but not any more so than any museum food shop.

Also, there's a very interesting museum attached to the Indian Casino (brain cramp, I can't think of the name of it...) that is really one of the best of its type I've ever seen. And that is easily a full-day trip. Again, there is a museum restaurant on premises there, too.

Dona

The casino is Foxwoods, and yes they have a really nice museum. Also lots of art works adorn the hallways and corridors within the casino. They purchased from Local artist in New Mexico and Arizona(local indian tribe artists) and these works are stunning. It can be a bit hectic in the casino, but there are usually lots of children running around(they can't enter the gaming rooms). Foxwoods is in the small hamlet of Ledyard, with an exit off I95-I think. Probably about 15 or so miles from Mystic. If you do the submarine, the seaport and the aquarium, there will be no time for the casino in just one day. May you better spend the weekend-but not with 8th graders. Go later yourselves.

Diane

I live in the Mystic area, depending on where you are coming from and how long the ride is you definitely can spend the whole day at the Seaport. Trying to squeeze the aquarium and Pequot museum in is probably too much for a day.There is a cafeteria at the Seaport with decent kid-friendly food. Also a McD's right off the 95 exit and a Friendly's and a Bickfords (pancake type house)If you call ahead they'll probably make arrangements for you. If you need phone #'s let me know. Also, call the Seaport ahead, the always have school groups there and can probably give you a guide or advise of special programs

kam

The Nautilus submarine in Groton would be a great place to take 8th graders. My son even enjoyed it when in 12th grade on a college trip.