marthav

Hello, my husband & are going to Roger Williams Zoo & Mystic CT for 3 nights /4 days April 12-15 (first weekend of April school vacation - we realize these places will be busy then but he's a teacher.) We'll drive from Maine Friday maybe going directly to the zoo, then to Mystic for 2 nights. Should we spend the third in Newport? We'd appreciate any advice as to what to see, reasonable lodging & what area, favorite restaurants, etc. Thanks!

janie

I love Newport especially off season . April should be quiet compared to the summer and hotel rates are pretty low.

More of the historic mansions are open starting mid March (compared to now) and there are great places to eat all over town, Is it just the 2 of you? Do you like inns, B&Bs, bigger hotels? What's your budget and what kind of food do you like/

Are you going to Mystic mostly for the Seaport?

emalloy

As for lodging, Mystic has lots of choices places like the Inn at Mystic, Hilton, Comfort Inn, Days Inn, etc. If you want to be close to the Aquarium and Seaport, look for the ones that tell you to get off I - 95 at exit 90. There are some that say they are in Mystic that are 10 miles down the road.

Mystic is a village that is partly in the town of Stonington and partly in Groton. There are other sites to see in the area. The Seaport and Aquarium are in the Stonington part of town. In Groton there also is the submarine museum where the Nautalis is (on the sub base). Just about 20 minutes north are the casinos and many of the motels/hotels have shuttles that will take you there if you don't want to drive. Foxwoods has an excellent Native American Museum, but you need to check on line for hours.

My favorite places to eat are Daniel Packer's in Mystic and Noah's in Stonington borough for dinner or Paul's Pasta in Groton for pasta and Kitchen Little on Mason's Island for breakfast.

Luv2travel15

We live about 1/2 hr. from Roger Williams Zoo. We used to take our children there all the time when they were little and now our gchildren visit there often. It is a small zoo compared to other zoos in the country but it is a nice visit.

You said you would probably drive down on Friday from Maine. The zoo closes at 4 so you may want to plan your day so you have enough time to see all the exhibits. You already know it's April vacation week here so it will be crowded. It's been cold and snowy here so people will be looking for outdoor activities in April.

Mystic is about an hour's drive from Roger Williams. The zoo is very easy access from 95 so you can get right back on 95 south after your zoo visit.

It may be busy in Mystic due to April vacation. Our 2 daughters are both teachers and have frequently taken their children to Mystic for the day. It's a nice day's excursion from here. Hotels can be pricey but in April you may find some inexpensive lodging. Check out some of the websites for prices.

Unless you feel you want to spend two days in Mystic I would recommend spending your 3rd day in Newport. It is one of my favorite places to go. We will frequently drive to Newport for the day, visit one of the mansions and have a nice lunch in one of the restaurants there. Rates should be off season (compared to summer rates) so not too expensive. You can easily tour a couple of mansions in a day. We usually spend about 1.5 hr. visiting a mansion. If you have not been before, then you should start with The Breakers - absolutely beautiful to see, kind of sets the pace for Newport. If it's a nice warm day do take the Cliff Walk, absolutely gorgeous views!

Good luck. Have a nice mini vacation. Let us know if you need any other information.

MP07950

Last year, on my way back to NJ from Maine, I detoured to Portsmouth to the Green Animals Topiary Garden and loved it! It's a very large property and would be a great place for a picnic lunch, as well.

SusieQQ

I would spend less time in Mystic and more in Newport. Mystic, as much as most people like it, to me is more of a "tourist" attraction. Newport holds much more interest for me. Love the mansions, the cliff walk,etc. Not a reconstructed seaport like Mystic....

Lookin_Glass

I thought that wasy Susie QQ, until I actually started exploring the backroads of Mystic and Stonington area and not the main village.

Fra_Diavolo

Agree that if you limit yourself to the Seaport (not to disparage it, it's the finest maritime museum in the country) you might consider the town just a tourist attraction. Drive down the road to Stonington Borough sometime. It's a superb collection of 17th, 18th and 19th century architecture, mostly beautifully maintained.

janie

MP07950, unfortunately Green Animals isn't open at that time of the year (April). It's run by the Newport Mansions which doesn't open about half the properties (including Green Animals) until May or even June.

viveiros

Newport is great this time of year. There are a few hotel just over the Middletown line that are within easy walking distance to restaurants & night clubs and won't break the bank. Knights Inn (50) not walking distance but not far either. Atlantic Beach Hotel and Suites (60), Comfort Inn at Atlantic Beach (90), Newport Beach Hotel & Suites (99) within waling distance of Restaurants Easton's Point, KJ's Pub, Flo's Clam Shack, Tickets Sports Bar, & Atlantic Beach Club (Casual to dressy) They are also within easy drive to Mansions & downtown Newport. Metered parking doesn't start until May so you should be able to find an open spot. After touring the Breakers be sure to check out Salve Regina University right next door. The campus has many well maintained former mansions you can enter for free. Ocher Court houses offices on the second floor but the first floor is very impressive, Wakehurst (the student union) & McAuley Hall (classrooms on the first floor that overlook the Cliff Walk & offices on the second & third floors)each have their own appeal. Our Lady of Mercy Chapel features a set of 13 leaded opalescent glass windows created by renowned artist John La Farge and a bell tower housing three 1910 bells cast by the Meneely Bell Company.

marthav

I apologize for my delay in thanking you all!! We ended up going to Newport & impulsively stopped in Boston for one night. (love Boston & find it hard to stay away.) We stayed at the Comfort Inn in & were happy with the choice. It was very reasonable & close to everything. The weather was great & we walked the beach & Cliff Walk of course. The mansions are amazing & we loved Salve Regina Univ. We had a lovely few days & look forward to going to Mystic another time. Thank you all for your wonderful suggestions!!