E.Haddam CT with teenager
 

We are going to E. Haddam CT for my 16-year-old's Parents Weekend. From there we are going to Mystic for two nights and Old Sturbridge Village for a night. We take my husband and two younger boys to Hartford to fly home,and my 16-year-old and I have about 24 hours to ourselves. Any suggestions as to what to do?

Isn't that where the wonderful Goodspeed Opera House is? Wonderful Broadway musical productions (lesser known ones -- not operas). Does this appeal?

Yes, it is where the Goodspeed Opera House is - but the production (can't think what it is) does not appeal to my son. We're both disappointed as we're looking forward to seeing something there. I can't wait to see the inside - it's a wonderful Victorian, as are a number of other houses/buildings in E. Haddam.

The show is Mack and Mabel. It's one of our favorites, but it might not appeal to a teenager. (Sorry Patrick, you're missing another good one!)
If you're talking about this month, you could go to nearby Essex and take the 2 1/2-hour combination Steam Train & River Boat Ride. Call 860-767-0103. The foliage should be great in another week or so.

Not sure when you're going but the upcoming productions should all be amazing. Currently Mack and Mabel, which has arguably the best score Jerry Herman ever wrote. Then Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and finally the show that made Julie Andrews a star before My Fair Lady -- The Boyfriend, directing by Ms. Andrews herself.
I hope when you say it doesn't appeal, it was simply because he isn't familiar with it -- not that it's something he can't stand after having seen it a number of times -- which in the case of any of these is really doubtful. Maybe you should reconsider, since it sounds like you both do enjoy theatre. My first time there was to see "Fanny", a show I knew nothing about and couldn't have cared less, but happened to be what was playing. It was a wonderful night of theatre.

LOL, Howard, posting at the same time as we often do.
Yep, I've worn out my CD of a wonderful concert version of Mack and Mabel in my car. And I think the Keystone Cops things alone should keep any teenager interested.

Well, depending on when you're coming up (or over, or down) I like to take people to Gillette Castle, perched high above the Connecticut River (gorgeous views), about 10 mins. from E. Haddam (head south on the East side of the river). Before Columbus day, there's tours, but after you can only access the grounds and the view.
http://dep.state.ct.us/stateparks/pa...ettecastle.htm

If you don't mind about a 1/2 hour drive, the Garde Arts Center in New London might have something on:
http://www.gardearts.org/

But...if you're already going to be near Hartford, why not go to the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum, site of the first surrealist exhibition in the US? They have a good number of Dalis, a gorgeous Thomas Cole landscape room, and quite a few Calder "stabiles" and mobiles (he lived nearby). They have a little of everything, and it's a good way to spend a few hours. Just down the street is a good brewpub called City Steam, where you can get a nice sandwich. There's also the Mark Twain house - you can tour this, too - check the internet for times.

If you're in Mystic with boys, I'd recommend you take them to the US Submarine Force Museum in nearby Groton. A cool tour, and it's free to boot. Have fun!

Sounds like you are going to be near Hartford (the airport is 12 miles north of Hartford) so I second the above poster's recommendations of the Wadsworth Atheneum and the Mark Twain House - both world class attractions.

In the meantime, we (Will and I) have decided to stay in Hartford after we drop the rest of the family off (husband has to get back to work, the younger two have school - Florida, by the way) and see the Mark Twain House. I will add the Wadsworth Atheneum, and thanks for the brewpub recommendation. When is Columbus Day? We thought we would get back to E. Haddam a little early to see Gillette Castle - we walked around the grounds the morning we were taking Will to school - we didn't have enough time for a tour, but the grounds, views down to the ferry, and outside of the house were wonderful. I was hoping to see the inside on this trip, but then the rest of the family would be jealous! That might wait for a whole family spring visit, along with the Goodspeed. This is our first time up to visit, so we're letting Will make the decisions - which was to see CT (although we're throwing in a day at Old Sturbridge Village). I was somewhat surprised he didn't want to go to NYC - he said another time. We are going to Groton to see the Nautilus on our way to Mystic, I'll see about Garde Arts on the way. As always, I appreciate all your help!

Patrick - after reading your post, i decided to look at the Goodspeed production myself - which sounded like lots of fun. I e-mailed Will that we ought to go, then checked the dates - and there isn't a performance the night that Will and I have free :(

"Ain't it always the way!"