Area Attractions
To download this document, click here: area-attractions
Mystic Country’s Multitude of Attractions Just Moments Away from Mohegan Sun
Visitors to Mohegan Sun will also discover Mystic Country, a region rich in compelling museums, attractions, vineyards and more. A trip to Mohegan Sun serves as the springboard for an unforgettable getaway, whether a romantic trip for two, an action-packed trip the whole family can enjoy, or a solo retreat.
The scope of things to see and do near Mohegan Sun is extensive – from maritime museums and historic sites, to parks, galleries and breweries. Visitors can also take advantage of seasonal recreational activities such as boating, fishing, golfing, biking, camping and summer sunning on the Connecticut shore, as well as skiing and ice skating in winter. Year-round possibilities include performing arts shows, fine factory outlets and a variety of great local shops.
The following is a sampling of things to see and do in southeastern Connecticut. For more ideas and information, visit www.mysticcountry.com.
Museums
The Children’s Museum of Southeastern Connecticut: is an interactive, hands-on, educational opportunity children up through grade 5. Visit the Health Discovery Center, climb into the kids’ clubhouse, or pilot a fishing boat, then head to Capt. Scott’s Fish Market. The museum also includes a special area for toddlers. Other hands-on exhibits include the Global Village, an outdoor garden, construction exhibit, live critters, arts & crafts and much more. The Children’s Museum is located at 409 Main Street in Niantic. www.childrensmuseumsect.org
Historic Ship Nautilus & Submarine Force Museum: The museum documents the development of submarines, from David Bushnell’s Turtle, constructed in 1776 to the Navy’s modern submarines. It is the Navy’s official submarine museum. Visitors can tour the NAUTILUS, the first nuclear-powered submarine. There is bus and R/V parking, and a picnic area that has seating for up to 50. The historic ship Nautilus is located at 1 Crystal Lake Road in Groton. www.ussnautilus.org
Lyman Allyn Art Museum was established in 1926 by Harriet Upson Allyn in memory of her father, Lyman Allyn, as a place for local citizens to learn about art and culture. Housed in a handsome Neo-Classical building designed by Charles A. Platt, the permanent collection includes over 10,000 paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, furniture and decorative arts, with an emphasis on American art from the 18th through 20th centuries. Exhibitions include works from the permanent collection as well as traveling exhibitions of contemporary arts in all media. The museum is located at 625 Williams Street in New London. www.lymanallyn.org
Mystic Seaport — The Museum of America and the Sea – is the nation’s leading maritime museum. Explore American maritime history firsthand as you climb aboard historic tall ships, stroll through a re-created 19th century coastal village or watch our working preservation shipyard in action. Mystic Seaport is located at 75 Greenmanville Avenue (Route 27) in Mystic. www.mysticseaport.org.
Old Lighthouse Museum: The first government lighthouse in Connecticut was built in 1823. A climb to the tower offers a panoramic view of Long Island Sound, and the public can enjoy exhibits tracing the history of the community first settled in 1649. The lighthouse is located at 7 Water Street in Stonington. www.stoningtonhistory.org/light.htm
Slater Memorial Museum: Situated on the Norwich Free Academy campus this museum has Greek, Roman and Renaissance casts, 17th to 20th century American arts and furnishings, American Indian artifacts, plus Oriental, African and European art. Contemporary artists are also highlighted through changing exhibitions. Slater Memorial Museum is located at 108 Crescent Street in Norwich. www.slatermuseum.org
The Tantaquidgeon Indian Museum is the oldest Native American museum in the country, and was founded in part by Gladys Tantaquidgeon, the Mohegan Tribe’s medicine woman. Opened in 1931, the museum has a collection of artifacts made and used by Mohegan Indians. The museum is located at 1819 Norwich-New London Turnpike in Uncasville, 860.848.9145.
Tours and Cruises
Essex Steam Train & Riverboat: 2 1/2 hours of fun for all ages, the 100-year-old Essex Steam Train takes guests on a nostalgic tour of some of the Connecticut River Valley, during which guests meet up with a riverboat for a spectacular cruise heading north on the Connecticut River toward Gilette’s Castle. For an even more memorable experience, visitors can enjoy the dinner train. Rides take place, rain or shine, May through October. The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat is located at 1 Railroad Avenue, just off Route 154 in Essex. www.essexsteamtrain.com
Connecticut River Expeditions: RiverQuest offers a wide variety of tours of the Connecticut River including its annual eagle cruises, where visitors can spot bald eagles nesting along the river’s banks, sunset cruises, and daily eco tours. Local history, expert knowledge on floral and fauna, and fabulous views of large and historic homes, and quiet coastal areas abound. RiverQuest leaves from the Connecticut River Museum at 67 Main Street in Essex. www.ctriverexpeditions.org
Marine Life
A visit to Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration will get you as close as possible to ocean animals–reach in and touch a ray or take part in a special ray feeding program. Go beak to nose with an African penguin, get eye to eye with an alligator and feel the splash of a beluga whale all in interactive programs which let visitors touch the animals. Other adventures include a sea lion show in the marine theater and the thrill of the ride on the XD Motion Theater. Mystic Aquarium is also home to the world’s only exhibits based on Dr. Robert Ballard’s expeditions, such as Return to Titanic and PT109, an exhibit that follows the discovery of John F. Kennedy’s PT boat. Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration is located at 55 Coogan Boulevard in Mystic. www.mysticaquarium.org
Historic Sites/Homes
Gillette Castle State Park: Located at 67 River Road in Hadlyme (East Haddam) is a restored 1919 castle that belonged to actor William Gillette and underwent a major renovation in 1998.
Monte Cristo Cottage: The boyhood home of playwright Eugene O’Neill, this National Register Landmark at 325 Pequot Avenue in New London is filled with memorabilia and offers occasional readings.
Nathan Lester House: At Long Cove and Vinegar Hill Roads in Gales Ferry, this 18th century farmhouse still retains its original out-buildings and museum on a 100-acre site crossed with hiking trails.
Thomas Lee House & Little Boston School: One of Connecticut’s oldest frame houses, this building still possesses framing details; located on Route 156 in Old Lyme.
Parks/Nature
Connecticut College Arboretum: Situated at Connecticut College on Williams Street, in New London, this arboretum contains gardens, hiking trails and 700 acres of native plant collections.
Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center: Seven miles of hiking trails pattern this 125-acre sanctuary. Birdwatching is available in four distinct habitats and so too are birds of prey, kept in special flight enclosures. Guided trips and tours include hikes, and kayak excursions. A museum and gift shop rounds out this outdoor center, open year-long. The Nature Center is located at 109 Pequotsepos Road in Mystic. www.dpnc.org.
Vineyards
The Connecticut Wine Trail features a number of local wineries and vineyards including Stonington Vineyards, featuring daily wine tastings and a guided winery tour (523 Taughwonk Road in Stonington www.stoningtonvineyards.org), Jonathan Edwards Winery, a Connecticut and California based operation on a beautiful 48-acre hilltop vineyard in North Stonington (74 Chester Maine Road in North Stonington www.jedwardswinery.com), and Chamard Vineyards, which sits on 40 acres of gently sloping fields on the Connecticut Coast (115 Cow Hill Road in Clinton www.chamard.com).
Visitors who prefer a “cold one” can stop at Cottrell Brewing Co., a microbrewery at 100 Mechanic Street, Pawcatuck, to sample their ales and lagers.
Performing Arts
The Garde Arts Center is home to live music of all genres, Broadway shows, opera, dance and more. The non-profit, 1,400-seat theater was restored to represent its beginnings in 1926 as a movie/vaudeville house. The Garde is located at 325 State Street in New London. www.gardearts.org
The Spirit of Broadway is an intimate, 74-seat, professional, award-winning black box theater which produces the very best in off-Broadway, regional and world premiere productions. Nationally recognized for artistic excellence and commitment to producing the finest in new works for the stage, The Spirit of Broadway Theater combines the best in regional talent with professional actors to create an unequalled theater experience. In addition to theatrical productions the theater presents the top names in New York City professional Cabaret talent throughout the year. Located at 24 Chestnut Street in Norwich. www.spiritofbroadway.org
The Goodspeed Opera House opened in 1877 to provide Mr. Goodspeed a venue for his love of theater. After his death, the Victorian-style theater went from serving as a militia base during WWI to a general store to a storage depot for the State of Connecticut Highway Department. The building was restored to a theater in 1959 and now this Tony Award winning theater produces three musicals each April through December season. The Goodspeed Opera House is located at 6 Main Street in East Haddam. www.goodspeedmusicals.org
Shopping
Southeastern Connecticut also features a number of shopping opportunities, both for contemporary items and antiques. At the Olde Mystic Village, Coogan Boulevard at Route 27, in Mystic, the goods and services are modern, with more than 60 shops, restaurants and a movie theater, but the environment is definitely 18th century. Other popular shopping outlets include Tanger Outlet Center in Westbrook, and Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets in Clinton, and if antique shopping is in the plans the small shops of Putnam, Connecticut are not to be missed.
Accommodations
Mohegan Sun offers first-class accommodations at its 1,200-room hotel, but visitors can also choose to stay at a variety of nearby hotels, including the Comfort Suites Norwich, Courtyard by Marriott and Holiday Inn, all in Norwich, approximately a five- to 10-minute drive from Mohegan Sun; and Comfort Inn, Days Inn, Hyatt Place, Residence Inn and the Mystic Marriott located in Mystic about 20 to 30 minutes away.
