Visit Mystic, an idyllic 19th century seaport, for an exciting adventure for the entire family. One can walk along the original row of buildings and explore shops where specialties range from nautical instrument repairs to printing. Several vintage vessels docked along the wharfs are available to board and tour. There are restaurants and taverns where patrons are greeted by employees in period attire. Several museums dot the port area, offering enlightening exhibits for young and old alike. The children may opt to visit several of the play areas designated just for them.
Notice immediately the large ship's anchor position in the courtyard prior to the visitor center. This is a popular location for photographs and a great climbing object for children. Note also that there are several more like anchors throughout the village.
Pay the admission price and opt to visit one of the ships in the port that allow the visitors to board. The Sabino and the Joseph Conrad are extremely popular, as is the L.A. Dunton.
Take another photo opportunity at the rowboat situated on shore before the L.A. Dunton. Children will eagerly climb into the boat and man the oars.
Walk the plank, board the L.A. Dunton, and notice the detailed rigging of the sails and equipment on deck. The harpoons of various shapes and sizes lay within a smaller whaling boat and are of particular interest.
Go below deck and observe the living and sleeping quarters of the mates. The kitchens and bunks take second status to the space needed for cargo.
Walk along the row of shops located along the port. Each shop specializes in the making or the repair of various materials and instruments needed for any seafaring industry. The experience is educational, especially when one acknowledges the ingenuity and effort required to make the industry prosperous.
Face the port and follow the lane right to the map exhibit. This building is dedicated to the evolution of maps. It's quite fascinating to see how, once instrumentation and navigation improved, maps became more precise and dependable.
Stop at the exhibit next door, and visit the Figurehead Room. These colorful wooden figures that protrude from the front of ships are quite detailed. Note that this art form expands beyond the mermaid and that there are depictions of sea captains, dancing twins and animals often carved for this purpose.
Visit the Children's Museum located one block away. This hands-on approach to history allows children to dress up as captains, shipmates or cooks and pretend to tackle the tasks at hand. There are plenty of mops available for swabbing the deck. The kitchen offers plastic vintage fare.
Leave the Children's Museum, turning right upon exiting. At the end of the lane is a playground of three miniature ships, authentically recreated with masts and captain's quarters. These replicas provide for hours of imaginary fun.
