whereto

these are all great ideas, but the OP will need to realize that almost all will be over her 3 hour limit.

I live near MacArthur Airport. The drive to the Orient Pt ferry is about an hour and you need to be there 15 min early, but you need to give yourself extra time in case you get stuck behind a tractor (has happened to me twice) - so say an 1 1/2. The ferry ride to New London is an hour and 20 minutes. So already you're almost at 3 hours. I've made the following trips:

Foxwoods/Mohegan Sun - just over 3 hours
Newport RI - 4 hours
Boston - 5 hours
Atlantic City - I've made it in 3 1/2 but it's also taken me 5 hours to get home on a summer Sunday night.

All are great places to go and worth the trip. Unfortunately it can take a long time to get off of, or on to Long Island. Just expect it, relax and enjoy the ride.

happy2travel

bennnie, I was thinking about Boston, as well, until I checked the airfare from Islip, which was almost $300 rt/person. I think that is alot of money for such a short distance, and was very surprised. However, I never thought about the ferry. Which ferry goes from LI to Boston?

Thanks!

Fra_Diavolo

I'm pretty sure bennie meant the same ferry I mentioned, which runs from Orient Point to New London.

bennnie

Right - ferry from LI to New London. I've done this trip many times from 40 miles north of Boston to the Hamptons. I think 3.5 hrs is the average. The key is to not drive up 95N but use 395N to 90E. But given that I don't know the exact starting point of the OP its hard to give a time estimate.

happy2travel

We live about 1 1/2 hrs west of Orient. How long will it take us to drive from New London to Boston? Also, how much is the ferry?

Thanks again, bennnie.

sobster

The above discussed ferry now has a web site. longislandferry.com
Or call 631 323 2525
From Ferry in New London to Boston? You should give it 2 hrs.

happy2travel

Will the port jeff ferry work? I live in Port Jeff.

mclaurie

Yes it will work. Have you not discovered the wonders of maps.google.com???? Just type at the top Bridgeport Ct. to Boston and you'll see the route. The ferries in general don't shorten the time of the trip but do shorten the time you have to drive. To Boston, they also limit the time you need to spend on I 95 which is a very good thing. I'm not convinced that going all the way to Boston for just a weekend is the most relaxing option but it's doable. What about Newport, RI? A bit closer, mansions to visit and beach. Going from the Orient Point ferry eliminates most of I 95.

happy2travel

How much time will going to Newport save?

happy2travel

Thanks for the Google maps idea. Newport instead of Boston will only save about a half hour. The only reason this trip will seem rushed is that Sunday is Father's Day and she needs to be back on Long Island by 6:00. Both are doable but, as Mclaurie said, rushed.

So, a new idea. Can anyone recommend a town along the Connecticut coast that won't be too expensive? I'm not crazy about the casino idea since I don't gamble and the rooms are usually expensive. A charming town will probably have nice shopping, restarants, and a spa nearby.

Thanks so much again.

Fra_Diavolo

Perhaps the Inn at Stonington in Stonington Borough? It's about 1/2 hour from New London. http://www.innatstonington.com/index.html

They don't have a spa, but under "activities" they say there is one nearby.

Less expensive options might be the motels outside Mystic.

happy2travel

I have stayed at the Inn at Stonington several times with my fiance- we love it. Since that's a special place for us, I'd like to find someplace else to stay with my friend. Mystic is a bit commercial. I am going to check into Chester. I think that I stopped there once on the way back to the ferry, and it seemed like a nice town. It is also close to the Goodspeed Opera House which has good theater productions. Not sure if they have accommodations with 2 beds, though, since most are B&Bs. I am still open to other ideas, though.

By the way,I did check into Saybrook Point, and it was very expensive- over $400 per night.

odie1

Saybrook Point Inn has a spa, pool and there are some great restaurants in the area. Nightlife would be limited. They someimes have great deals on luxury link.

Griswold Inn in Essex is historic and a lot of fun at night in the bar with the bands. There is a spa in Essex that is very popular. There is no pool though.

Copper Beech Inn in Ivoryton is another thought. I don't know if they have a pool.

Water's Edge in Westbrook is another option. They have a pool, beach, spa services and have timeshares for rent.

Chester doesn't really have any accomodations but it is one of my favorite towns-two towns up from Essex (above options)