When you think beach vacation, Connecticut may not be one of the first places to come mind, but it is for us. From the time our kids were little we've enjoyed visiting family at the stretch of Connecticut shore between the Connecticut and Mystic Rivers. Here are some reasons we think you'd fall in love with its New England coastal charm too:

Family Friendly Beaches: The sandy beaches along the Long Island Sound offer a gentle surf which is perfect for kids.  On a nice day, the waves are gentle enough for preschoolers to play in and for tweens to try out their S.U.P. skills. Our favorite beach communities are in Old Lyme and Groton Long Point.  Although there are points of public access to both, its most convenient if you can rent a house at the beach.  
 
Lobsters: Throughout New England, summer is the season for eating lobsters in the rough by the water.  Our favorite place in Connecticut is Abbott's in Noank, located right on the Mystic River. After piling your tray high with lobsters, steamers, and corn you can sit under a striped tent or by the dock and enjoy the river-view. Afterwards, kids will love the outrageously sized desserts and playing on the grass.  If you'd like wine or a brew with your feast, BYO cooler. 

Mystic Aquarium:  Meeting the Beluga Whales at the Mystic Aquarium is an unforgettable experience.  When they are not gliding gracefully by, they often engage with visitors through the 20-foot long underwater window.  Children are so mesmerized by them that its easy to forget there is much more to see at the aquarium, including playful African Penguins, Shark and Ray Touch Pools, hands-on shallow pool Discovery Lab, coral reef fish, Loggerhead Turtles, and much more.  Check the schedule in advance for scheduled shark feedings and sea lion show times. 

Mystic Seaport: Long before Mystic was made famous by Julia Roberts in Mystic Pizza (which by the way, is a real pizza joint), Mystic was a bustling maritime village. You can learn about this historic past by visiting Mystic Seaport to see (or ride on) some of oldest surviving fishing vessels in the country. The seaport is also home to historic maritime buildings that have been moved from all over New England to recreate a 19th-century seafaring village. In the village you can see shipsmiths at work, ride a horse-drawn carriage, and hear stories and music about the seafaring life.

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat Ride:  The whole family will enjoy the picturesque round-trip journey along the Connecticut River that starts on the historic 1892 Essex Steam Train and returns on the Becky Thatcher riverboat.  If you don't have time for the full round trip adventure (2.5 hours), a 1 hour steam train ride is also available.  Excursion options include first class (plush seating with beverage service), open car (wooden bench seats with open car sides), caboose rides, dinner trains, and a hiking trip to Gillette Castle. 

Submarine Museum: The U.S. Navy's Submarine Force Museum houses the world's best collection of submarine artifacts, documents, photographs, and torpedoes dating as far back as the Revolutionary War.  Inside the museum kids can take hold of the wheel in a control room, spy passing boats through a periscope, and examine replicas of Bushnell's Turtle and the USS Gato.  Outside you can walk around mini-subs and board the historic submarine Nautilus to view torpedo rooms, the crew's living quarters, the galley, officer staterooms, control rooms and more. We were also lucky to be enough to be topside just as a brand new Virginia class submarine was cruising in under escort by naval security boats.  That doesn't happen every day, but it sure was a thrill!


The opinions expressed in this blog are entirely my own and do not reflect those of the businesses and organizations mentioned.  We did not receive any special discounts or benefits on this trip. All rights are reserved by KidTrips © 2015.

We've stayed at the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel & Suites for two years in a row and both times we were impressed by how nice it is for the rate.  A comfortable suite (shown above) has a separate bedroom for Mom and Dad while kids shared the fold-out queen sofa bed.  This was the arrangement we preferred, but families can also get a room with 2 double beds and a fold-out chair, which works well for families of 5.  Aside from providing ample elbow room for the whole family, we loved these features:

Free Breakfast: One of the nicest cost savers of staying at the Woodlands is the free breakfast buffet. Every morning the kids helped themselves to an ample selection of fresh fruit, eggs, cereals, pastries, bagels, and (drumroll please)...two waffle bars!  Even the pickiest kid will love that.  And since the buffet is self-serve, there is no wait.  You can eat as fast or as leisurely as you want and start your day without delay.  A busy and friendly staff kept the breakfast room clean and well stocked at all times.  It's not fancy (the cutlery is plastic and the dishes are styrofoam) but when traveling with kids, an easy non-breakable breakfast with carry-out coffee is just right. 

Spray Park: In addition to an outdoor pool, the Woodlands has added a nifty little spray park just for kids.  Although it was too cold to try it out when we visited, I spied a pirate ship, water cannons, and sprinklers, all of which could keep a little tyke happy for hours.  

Huzzah! BBQ Grille: Although the hotel doesn't have room service, its easy to dine-in or carry-out food from the family-friendly BBQ Grille Huzzah!  Huzzah's also has a cozy bar where we enjoyed some local microbrews before turning in for the night.  What's nice for families is that Huzzah's does not attract a bar crowd like some other hotel bars do.  When we're trying to settle our light sleepers at night, the last thing we want is a rowdy group returning to their room after carousing in the lobby bar.  Huzzah's closes at a respectable 10:30 p.m. and is located just outside the hotel in a lovely courtyard where you're likely to see families enjoying the evening around a picnic table or firepit.  

Car-Free Convenience: As an official Colonial Williamsburg hotel, the Woodlands is convenient to all the Colonial Williamsburg attractions.  Once you park your car in their free lot, there is no need for it to get around.  The Visitor Center is located immediately adjacent to the Woodlands and the rest of the Colonial Williamsburg attractions are within walking distance or a short shuttle ride away. (Even though its close enough to walk I recommend taking the shuttle so that the kids don't get tired out too soon.)

Discounts: Depending on when you stay at the Woodlands, there may be special discounts or packages including tickets to Colonial Williamsburg, Busch Gardens, and more.  Be sure to check their website for the latest offers.

The opinions expressed are entirely my own and do not reflect those of the businesses and organizations mentioned.  We did not receive any special discounts or benefits on this trip.  All rights are reserved by KidTrips © 2014.

"Since the film’s 1992 theatrical release and subsequent DVD release, NEWSIES has grown into a cult phenomenon, and for years had been the single most requested title of all the Disney musical films not yet adapted for the stage" (Official Press release.)  I have been a fan of show since the film (hint: young Christian Bale and awesome music.)  When I found out this Tony® Award-winning smash hit musical will play an exclusive two-week engagement at National Theatre, I was excited to see NEWSIES coming to  my hometown!

Inspired by the real-life "Newsboy Strike of 1899," which began when newspaper publishers raised the price for newsies, the musical tells the fictional story of Jack Kelley, a charming newsboy leading the strike against Pulitzer, Hearst, and other powerful newspaper publishers.  Besides great original songs from the movie, including "King of New York," "Carrying the Banner," "Seize the Day," and "Sante Fe," the stage production introduces seven new songs created by the original and iconic Menken and Felden musical team.

Here are 5 Fun Facts about NEWSIES to get you excited for the show:

1. Newsies is based on the book Children of the City by David Nasaw.
2. The Broadway production was originally scheduled for limited 12-week run of 105 performances, however, due to popular demand, Newsies went on to run for 1,005 performances or two and half years.
3. 42 sheets of paper are danced on or torn during the riot sequence ("Seize the Day") each night. These single-use sheets are either recycled or given to audience members during the performance. 
4.  The Newsies’ newsboys each have two pairs of identical shoes—one for the majority of the performance, and a pair for the "King of New York" with taps attached. 
5. The set, designed by Tobin Ost, rises over 24 feet high and features three completely automated towers. Built of steel and aluminum, it weighs over seven and a half tons and reconfigures to create the show's many locations.
   
   

Tickets to NEWSIES are now available at the National Theatre box office, online at thenationaldc.com, or by calling (800) 514-3849. A day-of-performance lottery for a limited number of best available seats at $25 each – cash only – will be held at the theater two hours before each performance.

INSIDER HINT: Look for a giveaway for a pair of tickets to see NEWSIES on our Facebook page later this week!



Disclosure: I was given a pair of tickets to opening night of Newsies for sharing this information. No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own.