From now through August, the Mystic Coast & Country Travel & Leisure Council of Connecticut is holding a season of arts and entertainment. If you book a place to stay from their list of participating hotels, you get a free coupon (for each night you stay) offering discounts at 13 attractions in the area.
You could save, accordingly, up to 25% off admission to Mystic Seaport itself. At the Children's Museum in Niantic, you get two admissions for $7, and there is a twofer at the Griswold Museum. Others participating include the wonderful Essex Steam Train & Riverboat ($2 off for adults, $1 off for kids); the Mystic Aquarium (ditto dollars off); the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center (twofers for some performances); and $5 off each fare on the Sunbeam Fleet in Waterford.
Other attractions participating include the Mystic Art Association, Putts Up Dock Mini Golf, Raspberry Junction and Summer Music at Harkness. At the Gridlock Grill in New London, you get a free cup of chowder with your meal, which might be one of their good-value bargains, an $11.99 lunch or dinner featuring a 1-lb. lobster (or 10-oz. prime rib or four baked stuffed shrimp), with choice of potato and a salad.
The Mystic area is pleasingly calm, beautiful and appealing and is just a two-hour drive from either Boston or New York City. Or you can ride the rails there as well, on Amtrak. It's famous for its connections to both the sea and to art and theater, so this is a good opportunity to just poke around and enjoy a leisurely ramble along the coast.
There are 19 places to stay in the scheme ranging from the gigantic Foxwoods Resort to small inns and an RV park. At Foxwoods, you can pay $150.74 per person and get two nights' lodging, taxes, credit of $30 toward food and beverage, $20 credit for some gambling, and $2 each toward admission to the excellent Mashantucket Pequot Museum. At the Mohegan Sun, the two-person price per night is $215 and up, including a $10 breakfast coupon. At the Lighthouse Inn (New London), the room price is $115 per night, weekdays only.
They suggest you call for a free brochure at 800/692-6278 or log on to their Web site, www.mycoast.com.
