For those of you who are looking for something to do with extra time before or after the HL Reunion in Providence there is a world of exciting things to see and do, just one hour south, in the Groton/New London/Mystic CT area. For a complete listing of things you can contact Mystic Coast & Country Magazine at 1-800-MY-COAST or visit their website, www.mycoast.com
I’ve listed just a few of the things here along with phone numbers:

Mystic Seaport - (1-888-973-2767) A leading national maritime museum which includes a working 19th century seaport village with many galleries and vessels such as the Charles W. Morgan, the last wooden whale ship afloat in the world, the Joseph Conrad, an 1882 training ship, and the L. A. Dunton, a 1921 fishing schooner. Much of Amistad, the Steven Spielberg film, was filmed here and a replica of that ship is under construction at the seaport.

Mystic Aquarium - (1-860-572-5955) Undergoing a $52 million expansion. The aquarium boasts 24 completely renovated exhibits and nearly 6000 specimens. The famed ocean explorer, Dr. Robert Ballard, is setting up the new Institute for Exploration here at the aquarium.

Mystic Village Shops - Located next door to the aquarium this quaint village offers hours of shopping for everything from antiques and collectibles (including a Harbour Lights dealer, R. A. Georgetti’s) and even toys, fine wines and things from around the world.

Stonington Lighthouse & Museum - (1-860-535-1440) See the real thing, Harbour Lights chose this light for their 1996 Collector’s Society piece, and also visit the many shops and restaurants in Stonington Village, where the lighthouse is located.

Foxwoods Resort Casino - (1-800-PLAY-BIG or 1-800-752-9244) The world’s largest casino has something for everyone, gaming tables, slots, high stakes bingo, fine dining, hotel accommodations, big name entertainment, rides, dancing and the brand new Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center (1-800-411-9671) where you can learn the legacy of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation.

Mohegan Sun Casino - (1-888-226-7711) Gaming tables, slot machines, high stakes bingo, gourmet dining & headline entertainment. Located across the river from the Mashantucket casino in the town of Uncasville, CT.

Nautilus Museum & Naval Submarine Base - (1-800-343-0079) Walk the decks of the Nautilus, the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine. Follow the evolution of the submarine, from David Bushnell’s Turtle, used in the Revolutionary War, to modern nuclear powered vessels. Located in Groton, CT, just up the Thames River form Electric Boat Corporation where many of this country’s submarines have been, and are still being, built.

U. S. Coast Guard Academy - New London, CT (1-860-444-8270) Home to the Coast Guard training barque Eagle, the tall sailing vessel which once belonged to Germany, in the days of Hitler, can be seen while traveling over the Thames River, south on the Gold Star Memorial Bridge between Groton & New London. This is the only tall ship on active duty in the U.S. government. At the U.S. Coast Guard Museum, explore 200 years of America’s premier maritime service. The collection includes ship portraits, the figurehead from the Eagle and a Fresnel lens, a 10-foot-tall set of prisms initially installed in the lighthouse at Cape Ann, MA.

Ferries from New London, CT to:

Fishers Island - (1-860-443-6851)

Long Island - (1-860-443-5281) Many Lighthouses (Montauk, Orient Point, Horton Point, Fire Island), farm country, quaint towns, antique shops & vineyards.

Block Island - (1-860-442-9553) Home to the famous Southeast Block Island Lighthouse, shops and Northeast Light.

Martha’s Vineyard - (1-860-437-6930) Aboard Fox Navigation High Speed Ferry.

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Ride - (1-860-767-0103) All aboard for a leisurely ride by rail and water through the natural beauty of the Connecticut River Valley. Along the way see the Goodspeed Opera House, Haddam’s unique swing bridge and Gillette Castle.

There are many more sites to see and experiences to treasure in this part of CT. I hope that this gives some of you the chance to investigate and enjoy for yourself. See you at the HL Reunion in Providence.

-Ron