3 days of ships, sea life and a castle on the river

A day of boats. A bridge that lifts over the Mystic River, a seaport village of old ships and workshops, then a short drive to a harbor town on a point of land, with a stone lighthouse at the end of the street.

1. Breakfast

   Blueberry pancakes

   A stack of fluffy pancakes with blueberries cooked into the batter and a pitcher of maple syrup, a plain start before a day on the water.

   Local tip Ask for the syrup on the side so children can pour it themselves.
2. 1
   Morning

   Mystic River Bascule Bridge

   A bascule bridge over the Mystic River that carries cars and people on foot into the middle of the village. A bascule bridge lifts to let boats through, so stop and look if you see it rise. Children tend to like this stop, and a few minutes is enough.

   Go when Morning, before the village fills.

   Local tip Stand on the sidewalk and look down the river. If the bridge starts to rise, stay back from the edge and let children watch the boats pass through. Hold small hands near the road.

   

   About 10 min walk0.5 mi
3. 2
   Morning

   Mystic Seaport Museum

   A maritime museum on the river with a collection of ships and boats and a re-created 19th century seaport village of more than 60 historic buildings. The whaling ship Charles W. Morgan, built in 1841, is part of the collection. Plan on most of the morning, wear shoes for old wooden decks, and check ahead on which ships, workshops and demonstrations are open.

   Go when Morning, as a full outing with a lunch break.

   Local tip Pick two or three things rather than all of it, such as a ship, a workshop and the waterfront. Wear shoes for wooden decks, take a jacket for the wind off the water, and check ahead on what is open.

   

4. Lunch

   A lobster roll, warm with butter

   Lobster meat warmed in melted butter and piled into a toasted split roll, the Connecticut way. Some places also serve it cold with mayonnaise, so ask which you are getting.

   Local tip Ask for a side of chips, and wipe your hands well before you touch the ropes on the ships.

   About 16 min by car or transit3.6 mi
5. 3
   Afternoon

   Stonington Borough

   A small harbor town on a point of land that reaches into Little Narragansett Bay, with two main streets, old colonial, Federal and Greek Revival houses, and a working fishing and lobster fleet. Walk the streets, look at the boats and keep your pace slow.

   Go when Afternoon, then a slow walk to the point (about 6:57 PM).

   Local tip It is a small place for walking rather than a long list of sights. Look at the old houses on the two main streets, then watch the fishing boats. Check ahead on parking, and walk once you park.

   

   About 8 min walk0.4 mi
6. 4
   Evening

   Stonington Harbor Light

   A stone lighthouse built in 1840 on the east side of the harbor in the borough. It went out of service in 1889 and has been a museum since 1925. Look at the tower from the street, and check ahead on whether the museum is open.

   Go when Late afternoon (about 6:57 PM), when the light softens on the stone.

   Local tip The tower is small and stone, with a view across the harbor. Look at it from the street first, and check ahead on whether the museum is open and whether children can go up.

   

7. Dinner

   Clam chowder

   The creamy New England kind, thick with potato and chopped clams and eaten with small round crackers. Rhode Island, just next door, also makes a clear version, so ask which one is on the menu.

   Local tip Order a cup to share before the main plate, since chowder is filling.

   

A day for children who like big animals and big machines. An aquarium in Mystic, a hilltop fort above the Thames River in Groton, then a museum with a nuclear submarine you can walk through.

1. Travel from Stonington Harbor LightAbout 17 min by car or transit4.0 mi

   Where Day 1 ended.
2. Breakfast

   Apple cider donuts

   Warm cake donuts made with apple cider and rolled in cinnamon sugar, sold by farm stands and bakeries in the autumn, with hot cider or hot chocolate.

   Local tip They taste freshest the same morning. Share a bag and save one for the car.
3. 1
   MorningBook ahead

   Mystic Aquarium

   A marine aquarium in Mystic. Its Wikipedia article lists Steller sea lions, belugas, a ray and shark touch pool, African penguins and a jelly gallery. Check ahead on timed entry, on which exhibits and shows are open, and arrive early with children.

   Go when Morning, as soon as you can get in.

   Local tip Go to the animals first and the shops last. Children often want the touch pool and the sea lions again, so keep a little time at the end. Check ahead on timed entry and on which shows are on.

   

4. Lunch

   Fried clams

   Whole clams or clam strips, battered and fried until crisp, served by the basket with fries and tartar sauce. A seaside plate for grown-ups and bold children.

   Local tip Whole clams have the belly, strips are milder. Start with the strips if you are unsure.

   About 25 min by car or transit6.8 mi
5. 2
   Midday

   Fort Griswold Battlefield

   A former fort in Groton above the Thames River, named for Deputy Governor Matthew Griswold, now a state park. It is the site of the Battle of Groton Heights on 6 September 1781, where a small Connecticut militia force met a larger British force, and many defenders died. A monument built in the 1820s stands in the park. Treat it as a memorial, and talk to older children about what happened here.

   Go when Midday, with the whole family.

   Local tip Walk the grounds and read the markers, then look at the monument. It marks a battle where many men died, so keep voices low and talk with older children about it. Wear shoes for grass and slopes.

   

   About 13 min by car or transit2.6 mi
6. 3
   Afternoon

   Submarine Force Library and Museum

   A museum on the Thames River in Groton run by the Navy. It holds USS Nautilus, the first nuclear powered submarine, and visitors can take a self-guided audio tour of the boat. Passages are narrow, so mind your head and the steps, and check ahead on the opening and any rules on entering the base area.

   Go when Afternoon, as an indoor stop.

   Local tip The boat is the draw, with narrow passages, low doors and steep steps, which suit older children better than toddlers. Check ahead on the opening and any entry rules.

   

7. Dinner

   Stuffed quahogs

   A large hard shell clam baked with chopped clams, bread crumbs, herbs and sometimes spicy sausage, served in the shell. A traditional dish along the New England coast.

   Local tip Squeeze lemon over it and eat it hot. Start with one to share.

A longer day by car up the Connecticut River, with no set pace. A castle on a hill above the river, a seasonal ferry across it, then a museum of the river valley in the town of Essex. Check the road and the weather before you set off.

1. Drive from Submarine Force Library and MuseumAbout 41 min by car17.7 mi

   Where Day 2 ended.
2. Breakfast

   Eggs, toast and home fries

   Eggs cooked your way with buttered toast and crisp fried potatoes, a plain breakfast before a day by car.

   Local tip Eat well, since the river drive has few stops.
3. 1
   Morning

   Gillette Castle

   A castle high above the Connecticut River, designed and built by the actor William Gillette, known for playing Sherlock Holmes on stage. He built it between 1914 and 1919 and lived here until 1937, and it is now a state park with a visitor center, a museum, hiking trails and a picnic area. Check ahead on tours of the house and on the trails.

   Go when Morning, before the lot fills.

   Local tip Walk the grounds first for the river views, then decide about a tour of the house. There are steps and uneven paths, so check ahead on the opening and the trails.

   

4. Lunch

   A lobster roll, cold with mayonnaise

   Chilled lobster meat dressed lightly with mayonnaise and served in a toasted roll, the version common farther up the New England coast. Ask which style is on the menu.

   Local tip Add a drizzle of lemon, and take a napkin for the river view.

   About 4 min walk0.2 mi
5. 2
   Midday

   Chester-Hadlyme Ferry

   A seasonal crossing of the Connecticut River between Hadlyme and Chester, the second oldest continuously operating ferry crossing in the state and a state designated historical landmark. It runs near Gillette Castle. Check ahead on whether it is running, and if it is not, plan to cross by road.

   Go when Midday, as part of the drive.

   Local tip It is a seasonal river crossing, so check ahead on whether it is running before you plan the day around it. If it is not, cross by road and carry on to the museum.

   

   About 21 min by car or transit5.3 mi
6. 3
   AfternoonIndoor

   Connecticut River Museum

   A museum of the river and its boats on the Essex waterfront, in a restored steamboat warehouse of 1878. It opened in 1975 and covers the maritime heritage of the river valley, with a permanent exhibition on shipbuilding. Check ahead on the opening.

   Go when Afternoon, as an indoor stop.

   Local tip Start with the shipbuilding exhibition, then go to the water side. Look at the boats on the dock. Check ahead on the opening and on what is on.

   

7. Dinner

   White clam pizza

   A thin crust topped with chopped clams, olive oil, garlic, grated cheese and oregano, with no tomato sauce. It was first made in New Haven, a short way along the shoreline, and is found around Connecticut.

   Local tip It is salty and garlicky, so order a side salad and share a pie.