We always enjoy our young guests and try to keep a list of fun and affordable family activities to do in the Mystic, CT area. The kids  are great and while I enjoy the beach, I cannot spend 8 hours a day in the sun with them. At the same time, I do not want to run up a huge bill entertaining my loveable grandchildren. With this in mind, below is a list of summer activities which I found to be both affordable and enjoyable – and local to the Mystic, CT area.  While not a comprehensive list or in any particular order,  it may give you an idea of other places to search online after you have already visited the Mystic Aquarium and Seaport. 
 
What we did:

​As Mystic, CT is located between New York City and Boston, one question I was recently asked was how to get from our Sandy Toes Beach House to New York City or Boston easily.  As we are within 1.5 miles of the Mystic Amtrak train station and our beach house is located about 100 miles between both major cities; I decided now might be a good time to investigate the different train and driving options available from Mystic, CT to New York City and Boston. Read more by clicking below.

​Crabbing has been a favorite activity in our house for years as any child over the age of 4 can easily master and enjoy catching crabs while staying dry on the dock. Better still, extra crab setups can be quickly made for unexpected guests allowing everyone to join in the fun.  

​Last year I had a guest unexpectedly cancel her trip and call me last minute to let me know that although she had paid all her monies she would not be arriving as scheduled.  As she had purchased trip insurance she was not concerned as to whether or not I would find a replacement guest as she knew her expenses would be covered by insurance and she was simply letting me know that the house would be vacant. 

The winter skies are beautiful this time of year with the sunsets being especially colorful.  Fun things to do in Jan. and Feb. include Pancakes With Penguins at the Mystic Aquarium. The Mystic Seaport hosts Winter's Aweigh in Feb. with events and activities including a winter working dogs demonstration.  See Newfoundlands, Saint Bernards, Malamutes and more. During Winter's Aweigh, kids have free admission to the Seaport!

Where is Lyddy Island you ask? Lyddy Island is just in front of our beach house and is visible from Latimer Point.  Not only does Lyddy Island provide us with some landscape interest but now it seems to be a favorite spot for some of our local seal population.

It certainly was a wonderful surprise to look out on the island and see them! Over the past several weeks, I have discovered that they keep a very varied schedule.  My best guess is that the seals are most likely to be seen when the tide is low and there is plenty of sunlight.
 
For those of you looking to get closer to the seals, I recommend checking out the Save The Bay Tours in Westerly, RI – A quick 20 minute ride from our house.  These tours run from October into late December depending on weather conditions.  For more information about the seal tours, these Westerly Sun articles Save the Bay Tours Return and Nature and History Bundled Into a Winter Cruise can give you additional insight. My advice is to be sure to bundle up and have a nice set of binoculars handy!
 
In the meantime, I will enjoy the seals on Lyddy Island – for however long that they stay.