Local Beauty

Too often we fail to appreciate the beauty in our own backyard. I’ve spent nearly half of my life living in southeastern Connecticut or Rhode Island, and have only just begun to discover the many attractions that Mystic Seaport has to offer.
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I was surprised to learn that Mystic Seaport was more than tall ships and sailboats (as if that weren’t enough!). Mystic Seaport offers everything from educational opportunities, to relaxing get-aways, to authentic maritime dining experiences!
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Come and visit our planetarium to learn the navigation secrets of seamen past. Show your children the joy of learning while they enjoy our children’s museum and interactive performance stage!

Need a relaxing trip away from it all or an exciting adventure to spice up your life? Drift peacefully down the Mystic River to the relaxing serenade of acoustic music during our Music on the River performances now through August. Or learn the exciting craft of sailing aboard the Brilliant, one of the finest crafted sailboats in American history!

Looking for a different culinary encounter? Come and experience one of our unique restaurants such as the Spouter Tavern where you can enjoy an al fresco maritime dining experience alongside our beautiful waterfront.  

Enjoy a festive meal outside along our scenic waterfront!

Haven’t been to Mystic Seaport? Take advantage of the many sights and interactions right here in your own backyard! Already acquainted with Mystic Seaport? Come visit us again and allow us to steal your breath in new and captivating ways!

For more information about the Museum and its events, visit us at www.mysticseaport.org.

The Busses are Coming!

Aside from the chirping and nesting birds, the budding flowers and blossoming trees, at Mystic Seaport there is another sure sign that spring is here. The busses are coming! 

As the school year winds down, school trips are the order of the day. Beginning May 4 and running through June 10, schools throughout Connecticut and beyond have scheduled visits to Mystic Seaport. Do the math: 45 kids per bus, multiplied by the number of busses – up to six on any given day – that’s a lot of excited school kids plus chaperones arriving on Museum grounds!

But not to worry!

Mystic Seaport’s 19 acres gobble up groups of this size without hampering the enjoyment of the casual visitor. Actually, the sound of children laughing and enjoying themselves can be infectious and perhaps even nostalgic. When’s the last time you attempted  balancing on stilts or trying to keep a hoop rolling with a stick? It’s fun to watch, even if you don’t participate. Also, hearing a chorus of children singing whaling songs and sea chanteys is a truly unique Mystic Seaport experience. You might just want to join in.

Whether you come in your own “bus” or with a busload of school children, your visit to the Museum of America and the Sea will be a memorable experience, guaranteed.

Visit our website at www.mysticseaport.org to learn about all the Museum has to offer.

Big Bang for Your Buck

Are you wearing last year’s duds instead of buying new?  Have hot dogs and canned soup replaced steak and gourmet foods on your grocery list?  Have you canceled this year’s vacation?  We hear you.  It’s a familiar scenario these days.

 

Well, take heart. Here’s a lift for your spirits. Vacation and fun are not out of reach. Especially for Connecticut residents, good times are practically in your own backyard at Mystic Seaport – The Museum of America and the Sea.

 

A Museum membership offers you and your family a big bang for your buck. Topping the list is unlimited free admission to Mystic Seaport during your membership year, and no matter which category of membership you purchase, it’s a tax deduction!

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If the word “discount” has a magical ring, just listen to some of the many great discounts available to all Mystic Seaport members: shopping at the Museum Store; dining at the Seamen’s Inne Restaurant and Pub; reduced rental prices at Mystic Seaport’s boathouse (in season); special pricing on Rosenfeld prints and ships plans; and last but not least, discounts at many other museums, both in neighboring states and further afar. (Read more about Mystic Seaport membership perks.)

An autumn day outside the Membership Building.

Members also receive invitations to special member events at the Museum and have interesting group travel opportunities to destinations far and wide. Additionally, you will have the  chance to register early for select Museum programs and purchase advance tickets for popular special events such as Nautical Nightmares and Lantern Light Tours.
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What you’ll perhaps appreciate most as a Mystic Seaport member is access to a quiet members-only lounge. It’s in the first floor of the Membership Building, a welcome respite from the crowds or inclement weather, where you can relax in comfortable arm chairs, have a hot or cold drink and peruse the members-only selection of caps, mugs, ties, scarves and burgees available for purchase.

Enjoy a hot chocolate in the Membership lounge.

Sound good? Then welcome aboard! Join our member community either on-line, by phone(860.572.5339), or by stopping by the Membership Building during your next visit. (Your admission fee can be deducted from your membership.) How’s that for a good deal? Perhaps now you can go ahead and enjoy that nice steak dinner. 

Ahoy, Sailors!

Welcome! Here you’ll find stories, pictures and profiles from Mystic Seaport – The Museum of America and the Sea.
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Thousands of visitors of all ages come to Mystic Seaport every year. Many climb aboard tall ships, such as the Charles W. Morgan, the last wooden whaleship in the world. Many also join the 30,000 visitors a year who take a ride down the historic Mystic River aboard our coal-fired steamboat Sabino, which just celebrated her 100^th anniversary in 2008. Others gaze at stars under the Planetarium dome, explore our interactive exhibits, sign up for one of our many sailing programs and stop by Seamen’s Inne for some New England fare with a touch of local flavor.
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When at the Museum, wandering through our 19th-century village is a must, and finding a slew of friendly interpreters is quite common. Whether you’re watching a meal being prepared in the Buckingham-Hall House, or chatting with the patrons of the Sailors Reading Room, you will quickly discover the ways of 19^th-century life.
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But whether or not you can make it to Mystic Seaport, this blog will provide you with insight on the backstage workings of the Museum. Here you’ll find information about projects being worked on in the Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard; stay informed about special and annual events such as the Sea Music Festival and Lantern Light Tours; discover the latest news about our upcoming exhibits; and learn more about the lesser-known aspects of the Museum.
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We will also introduce you to some of our staff members and volunteers. Check back often to read their stories and learn how their dedication plays a huge role in the visitor’s experience.
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And finally, we would like to hear from you. If there is something you would like to learn more about, just let us know. And then don’t forget to check back often. We promise, the stories, pictures and profiles will be updated frequently. Join us in our quest!