Bethie

My husband and I will be traveling thru Conn. first part of Sept. 2006. Hope to see Yale,in New Haven, the Coast Guard Acadamey in New London and the Maritime Museum in Mystic. We will spend the night in one of these 3 places. Having the better part of 2 days to do these things. Am I overextending myself? Anyone recommend which place would be the better place to spend the night enjoy a good meal and and couple drinks before calling it a day. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

bobrad

It will be next to impossible to do justice to those sites in the better part of two days. The CGA is nearly 60 miles away from Yale and Mystic Seaport is still further. Try to visit Yale and then try for a pizza at Sally's or Pepe's they are rated as the top two in the country. Then take I-95 out of New Haven and spend the night in Madison , Clinton or even Niantic. The CGA and Seaport are then not to far a drive.

MileKing

Not sure what bobrad is talking about. The Coast Guard Academy in New London is about a 15-20 minute drive from Mystic, maybe 10-12 miles. Yale in New Haven is further, but if you are only seeing Yale, the academy, and the Maritime Museum, two days is more than enough.

I would recommend visiting Mystic Seaport and the acquarium. Don't know what there is to see at the Coast Guard Academy, although I have been past it a number of times. The Hilton in Mystic is our preferred hotel in the area, although it can be pricey at times.

tovarich

We visited Yale and Mystic seaport last year . Try to get a tour of the university by a last year student. The parking around the square cost an arm and a leg.Dont eat a hamburger at Louis's Lunch(supposedly the first hamburger was made there).Take your time at Mystic seaport ,it's great.Paul

bobrad

mileking .... what I was suggesting was not to spend the night in New Haven. It's expensive and not safe at night. A better choice would be a Country Inn or a small motel on the way to the New London area. The rates are cheaper and the area would be safer.

Bethie

Thank you everyone. That gives me a better feel for where and how to spend my time. Will take your advise also on not staying in New Haven.. if there are any suggestions on other places to stay let me know. Will check out the Hilton in Mystic...How about places in Niantic or Madison?

Ackislander

There are lots of perfectly adequate motels in the Mystic area, but if you want something special and start in New Haven and work your way west, you might consider the Griswold Inn in Essex, CT. It is in a great location and is picturesque. Can't comment on the rooms or food, but one of my employees always tried to stay there when he had business in the area. Check their website: www.griswoldinn.com.

Linda05

Hi Bethie, I work in New Haven and would not describe it as dangerous at all. I am happy to come into New Haven when I am not working because there are so many great restaurants here. I'd recommend that you stay at the Omni. It is a lovely hotel, has parking under the building and is centrally located near many great restaurants (some right across the street!!) And, they are redoing the restaurant on the top level of the hotel (nice view of New Haven) with a tapas restaurant called "Barcelona". There are a few of them in Connecticut and I'd highly recommend it.

I love New Haven so thought I'd share my two cents!!! Enjoy your trip.

aggiemom

I second Essex, CT. Haven't been to the Griswold Inn in many years, so I don't know what it is like now. The setting is very lovely.

You surely will have enough time to see Yale and Mystic/New London.

i_am_kane

The "Water's Edge" is a turn-of-the-century New England shoreline estate with full amenities, located on a bluff overlooking Connecticut's Long Island Sound.

The location is off I-95. Their web site is: www.watersedge.com Browse around the web site because it gives you information about nearby attractions you may want to see.

J_Correa

If you have time while you are there, the USS Nautalus is in Groton. There is a submarine museum there and you can tour the sub. Even though I am not particularly interested in submarines, I found them tour and the museum quite interesting and highly recommend it.

hlsam

I would suggest that staying in Mystic near downtown rather than stopping between Mystic and New Haven. I stronly second the Nautalis (spelling?) tour - really interesting even for those with no interest in submarines.

Heavens

There is a little lobster shack in Mystic or just outside of Mystic that my cousins take us to whenever we are in the area. They own a beach cottage on the sound. Can't think of the name of it. It is outside with picnic tables and good lobsta. Will try and email them and get the name, if you love lobsta like we do...this is your place.

You might also consult Yankee magazine's website. Lots of info there for that area...

Heavens

Just got the word from back east, it is Abbotts in Noank, which is basically in Mystic. Good place, good lobster, fair prices...

gwynct

Hi Bethie

New Haven is a great little city. I suggest you stay at the Omini in Downtown New Haven. It is a block from Yale. Also, a cute charming street in New Haven is Wooster St. They are known for Pepe's & Sally pizza. However, for a cute charmning restaurant head to Perrottis. Great food and a great wine list. www.perrottis.com. The shoreline is nice but quite. I think you will really enjoy staying New HAven.