LittleDickensD

I'll be in Mystic, CT with my two kids while my husband attends a conference. Since he's going to be rather tied up (including most dinners) I was thinking of taking the kids on a day trip to Block Island. Is it worth it? Or are we better off just staying put in/around Mystic for the day?

travelbug44

My only advice to you is to take the BIG ferry. If the water is at all rough you will REALLY feel it on the small ferry.

Fra_Diavolo

I think the main attractions for kids on Block Island would by bicycling and going to the beach, and of course the ferry ride over and back. It's a scenic place, if not so attractive as Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket.

I'd think that the aquarium and Seaport in Mystic would offer more to them. I believe you can get a combo ticket. For a good beach near Mystic, I'd suggest a short drive to either Watch Hill or Misquamicut, both in RI. Watch Hill also has a neat old carousel, if they are of that age, but parking can be a problem. Note that both of these are surf beaches and can be rough at times, though it can also be calm.

emalloy

I agree with Fra, If you only have 2 days you could easily spend one in at the aquarium and/or Seaport and one at one of the RI beaches. Both are only a short ride away, Keep an eye on the weather to decide which. If it is rainy and the kids like that sort of thing, the submaring Nautilis is now a museum in Groton. You also can do sail boat rides from town. If your kids are little there is a small playground on Cottrel street (first street south on the Stonington side of the draw bridge}. There are also some places to rent bikes on route 1.

If you go to Watch Hill and get there early you can park along the street or pay at the parking lot and then walk along the water out to Napatree point. The beach is very calm on the bay side of the point, more likely to have waves on the Misquamicut side and the point is only a few hundred feet wide. There are cute shops and places to eat there but not much for places to go to the bathroom or change. Misquamicut has a large state beach with an entrance fee, large parking lot, bathrooms, nice sand lots of places to eat

LittleDickensD

Thanks all! My boys are 6 & 9, so they'll be all about the beach.

bachslunch

Will confirm Fra_Diavolo's advice that there is indeed a combination ticket for both the Mystic Seaport and Aquarium.

Jon_MacKenzie

I disagree! Why wouldn't you want to visit an island the Nature Conservancy has named as "One of the last great places" in the Western Hemisphere? This Island is beautiful and with 40% set aside as nature preserve there are miles and miles of natural spaces to explore. Some of the best beaches on the east coast are here, too! From New London you can take a high speed ferry that will get you to Block Island in 1 hour & 15 minutes. And 1 day is all you need to see this Island. A day of biking and exploring Block island will make for quite a memory! As a business owner and 30+ year visitor to Block Island I may be biased but I have visited the Vineyard, Nantucket and the entire New England coast and consider this toi be the best spot!

nytraveler

With kids 6 and 8 I think there would be a lot more interested in an aquarium and dolphin shows as well as the Seaport Museum - than just riding a bike all day (which, after all they can do at home). I wold stick with beaches on the mainland and not tax their attention span with a whole day going to Block Island (IMHO better for adults than little kids)

SusieQQ

My suggestion is to do the aquarium and then the beach. The Seaport will hold little interest for the kids. And although they might like the ferry, what will you do when you get to Block Island? IMHO it wouldn't be worth it.

clamcake

Now, now children! LOL!
Block Island, is a lovely place and the boat ride is fun.
I personally think for their ages they would enjoy Mystic.
Wait until they are a little older, for a Block Island trip.

Rhea58

OP: you do not say how long you will be in Mystic.
Here is fun things for kids: http://www.mystic.org/browse/what-to-do/fun-for-kids

Block Island is lovely; however I think you will find
plenty of things to do for your boys in Mystic.

dfrostnh

4 of us adults visited this nature museum not far from Mystic
http://www.dpnc.org/nat_history.html
I loved the meadow at night exhibit. You sit in a small dark room as the night time critters wake up. This is something my almost 5 and 7 yo GCs would love.

I don't think there is anything wrong with Jon MacKenzie's post. A friend is a frequent visitor to Block Island and keeps recommending it. I think it would be best for the OP to judge what activities her children would like best and would benefit from recommendations for safe, public beaches. Yesterday my GCs were thrilled to spend a few minutes on a beach in Maine even though it was cold and raining. Personally, I'd pick a ferry ride, biking, picnic and beach time for young children. The Seaport is fascinating but I think OP's children are a little young for that. Once took our niece to Plimoth because her mother insisted on an educational trip. She didn't like it.

I think a good beach with tide pools and some safe waves would be a great choice.

TDudette

bachslunch, I didn't see anything wrong with JM's post either. Am going with dfrostnh-OP needs to consider her kids.

jubilada

I'd go to Block Island unless the weather is bad, in which case the fery will not be fun and the other mainland sights would be more compelling.

And I see nothing wrong with the post .

Fra_Diavolo

The problem with the post is it was based not on the op's needs, but on Jon's enthusiasm for Block Island. Let's try not to become another Trip Advisor.

BI is a wonderful destination, but maybe not so great for a day trip with two young kids, who could be better entertained and enjoy fine beaches with less hassle on the mainland.

Now, if a young couple wanted a romantic weekend away and asked whether Block or Mystic would better suit their purposes, I'd recommend Block. And then Jon could say he enthusiastically agreed . . .

debsnj

Fantastic Native American Museum not far from Mystic that we went to several years ago. Here's their website - www.pequotmuseum.org

If you like lobster go to Abbott's. It's right outside of Mystic and it may be difficult to find but it was delicious - abbotts-lobster.com