Hi- My husband & I are staying in the Mystic/Groton area July 1-8. Planning a few days in Mystic and a trip to Newport, R.I, but are there any good day trips around there, too, we should see?

I would stay at the Griswold Inn in Essex CT. Mystic is cute to visit, but I would not stay more than a nite or two. The Mystic Inn is lovely. Also, in Essex, do the Steam Train and River boat cruise. In Old Lyme, have dinner or lunch at the Bea and Thislte Inn; maybe even stay there, its one of my favorites and was voted CT most romantic inn. The Old Lyme Inn is very nice as well. The Florence Griswold museum is neat; and the Old Lyme Art Academy. Mystic has its own art association as well. Newport has alot more happening; and I would stay overnite there for 2-3 nites as well. Steves cafe in Ivoryton is really nice to eat. And in East Haddam visit the opera house and maybe see what summer theatre event is going on. have fun.

Would agree with the above posting. If you go to East Haddam, stop at Gillete Castle. It's a state park and not really a castle but we went there years ago and I remember it as being interesting. When we lived in Connecticut we also visited Newport as often as possible. I would definitely spend a few nights there if you can. The mansions are not to be believed.

I would recommend a day visit or an overnight stay @ the Norwich Inn and Spa. Excellent place to go for a nigh and feel so refreshed you swear you were away for a weekend. Good massages, yoga, spa everything.

Stonington--adjacent to Mystic---is a picture perfect small town; dine in one of the overpriced waterfront restaurants. Great restaurant & inn: north stonington, Randalls Ordinary.
If you like casinos, Foxwood; eve sail or day sail on Mystic Whaler (shcooner);
plenty to see in Newport; I dont know if its a day trip or not Block Island is super.

Debbie,
As a native Connecticut Yankee I can tell you the advice you have received is excellent. Mystic is quite commercial, but still worth a day trip to the seaport. Stonington, Old Lyme, Essex are charm personified. Actually. that whole area is picturesque.

Question to other posters: Is the Copper Beach Inn in Essex still open? Is it still good?

Michele , Yankee in CA

Thanks all! We're taking off Saturday!

Michele,
Yes the Copper Beach is still open. One of my neighbors is the pastry chef there. I have heard mixed reviews about it lately. (It is in Ivoryton, not Essex).

Caren, I can't find your email addy. If you mean that you are looking for maps so you can chart out your drive through Connecticut to Rhode Island to Boston, try writing to their Visitor's Centers. I know you'd like to sightsee as you are driving through and stay possibly overnight, but I don't live there, so I can't help much. Good luck.