Does anyone have a Connecticut beach recommendation?

[wd617]

We were thinking close (within 20-30 minutes) to Mystic, nice, family friendly beach. We are open to a cottage rental or resort. It also has to be CT, we are taking the kids to all 50 states and CT is on the list for this summer. Any recommendations?

Thanks!

Wendy

[Dani]

Welp, since the ones I was going to recommend are in RI

I googled and found this: Ocean Beach Park in New London.

This beach looks FUN. No idea where to stay, though...

I love that you're taking the kids to all 50 states. I'd love to see them myself!

[SusanW]

I live in CT

Let me just warn you that the beaches in CT are all very rocky. Coming from Long Island and used to sandy Jones Beach, I was surprised and it took some getting used to.

These beaches are popular:
Hammonasett
http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a...epNav_GID=1650

Sherwood Island
http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a...epNav_GID=1650

SusanW

[renate]

i think it is great

that you are tryiong to see each state. My dh grew up in Europe, so my children have been on more vacations there than here. You will have to share some of your destinations and what you and the children thought of them. Sounds like such a cool idea,

renate

[wd617]

Thanks for the ideas...

Thanks for your help. I love thinking about a summer beach vacation in February!

We have been to 12 states so far. We try to stick with activities/museums/food the state is known for. When we first started we wondered what on earth we would do in some states. But, you know, it turns out every state has something cool and unique about it, you just have to look for it. We ask around when traveling and most people are very nice about sharing what is "must see" in their state. We are from Massachusetts and still have small children, so we've mostly been to states within driving distance. We did go to Oregon and Washington last year and the kids loved that. I look ahead though so I already have some idea in my head for most states. We'll probably save the bigger trips (i.e Hawaii, Alaska, California, Texas) until they are a bit older. This is where we've been so far...

Massachusetts- home, sweet home, Boston, Salem
Vermont- Burlington, rented a cottage on a lake, went canoeing and kayaking, of course went to Ben & Jerry's
West Virginia- toured caverns, went (easy) rock climbing, "took the waters" at Berkeley Springs
Pennsylvania- Sesame Place, Philadelphia, Liberty Bell and cheese steaks, Amish country, shoo fly pie (only the kids could eat that one)
New Hampshire- hiking, camping, Storyland
Florida (part 1)- Disney
Michigan- stayed with family, Dow Gardens, Chippewa Nature Center, cherries-yum
Washington- Mt St Helens, Seattle, space needle, Pike Place market, Museum of Flight, Bainbridge Island
Oregon- Cannon Beach, Portland, visited family, Portland Saturday Market, Rose Test Garden, Hoyt Arboretum
South Carolina- Myrtle Beach, Charleston, museums
Illinois- Chicago, Oak Street beach, Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, Gino's East (yum!), Springfield, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
Indiana- We tried to go to the Indianapolis Speedway, but it was a race weekend and didn't work out, Indy Children's Museum- largest in the country, Canal and White River State Park, rented paddle boats, Indiana State Museum

12 down...38 to go!

Wendy

[SusanW]

I highly recommend the Mystic area for visiting CT. Lots to do and see around there.

[Dani]

There is a relatively new science museum in Hartford that looks really cool. I love the Wadsworth Atheneum, too, but I don't know how much patience your kids have for art museums.

And we loved Mystic. The Seaport and especially the Aquarium. We stayed at the Hilton right across the street from the Aquarium and Olde Mystic Village. It was decent and has an indoor pool.

[SusanW]

My DS (age 12) was at the science museum this week with his father and he enjoyed it!