THE FALL 2015 - The Whaler`s Inn

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Why Locals Love Autumn
Our Favorite Fall Excursions + Places To Refuel
Brilliant Fall Weekend Events
E
To get away from the
crowds, I either hike the
WHY
LOCALS
LOVE
AUTUMN
trails of Haley’s Farm
and Bluff Point early in
the morning, or walk out
onto Napatree Point
in Watch Hill to see
the fort ruins.
Cheryl Robdau
Owner / Operator of Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream Café
Resides in Mystic, Connecticut
My perfect fall Saturday
involves vineyard
hopping along the
Connecticut Wine Trail,
an outdoor happy hour,
or a trip to Clyde’s Cider
Mill in Old Mystic.
Ebbie Elmer
Event Coordinator at Stonington Vineyards
Resides in Stonington, Connecticut
Local waters hit their
peak temps in September,
and summer-like
conditions can often
extend into October.
What’s better than empty
beaches and shorter
waits at great restaurants
like the Oyster Club
and Olympia Tea Room?
Read McKendree
Owner, Huxter
Resides in Westerly, Rhode Island
I love the crisp air,
the cool nights,
and fresh apples
from Whittle’s
Willow Spring Farm.
Sarah Spencer
CT / Group Sales Manager, Mystic Seaport
Resides in Norwich, Connecticut
I’ll happily get lost in
the aisles of downtown
Mystic’s Bank Square
Books, a truly unique,
independently-owned
bookstore in the
“Amazon” world.
Tricia Walsh
President, Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce
Resides in Mystic, Connecticut
FALL EXCURSIONS
Watch Hill in the Fall
This village’s sweet spot is the couple months between summer crowds’
departure and shop closures in November. There’s no better way to escape
than a walk out onto Napatree Point with a coffee in hand and favorite
hoodie on your back. Retreat to the newly-renovated 10 Sandwiches in
downtown Watch Hill for lunch. Get the roast beef!
OUR FAVORITE
FALL
EXCURSIONS
+
PLACES
TO REFUEL
Bike the Mystic River
Rent a bike from the Mystic bike share program (Bank Square Books in
downtown is a good spot to pick them up), and cruise up the side streets
hugging the west side of the Mystic River (Pearl or Gravel Streets). Stop to
take in the great view of the Seaport and all that stunning fall foliage.
Take a Hike
The Westerly Land Trust is a great local organization that has preserved
over 1,500 acres of green space in Westerly, RI. There are miles of beautiful
trails where you won’t see a single human. — Read McKendree
Mystic Aquarium Penguin Encounter
Juno the Whale is always a treat, but your kids will love the aquarium’s
penguin encounter. A guide will educate your family about these fascinating
birds, followed by a unique face-to-face experience with a free-roaming
African penguin.
Stonington Farmer’s Market
Spend your Saturday morning stocking up on locally (and sometimes
organically) raised meats & veggies while wafting in the salty waterside air.
It’s not as big as some other markets, but it’s in our backyard. We’d say tell
your friends, but let’s keep this one between us.
Paddle Boarding Doesn’t End When Summer Does
Let PaddleSurf RI take you out in the fall; they have wetsuits, so no excuses.
Whether it’s a tour of the gorgeous inland waterways around Watch Hill, or
a slow scenic paddle down the Mystic River, let our friends at PaddleSurf RI
strap you into a cold water wetsuit & turn you into a SUP pro. Oh, they do
proper surf lessons too.
See Some of the Best Art in the Region
Housed in a historic building with beautiful, skylighted galleries along
the Mystic River, Mystic Arts Center has been hosting juried exhibitions
featuring the work of regional artists since 1913. MAC exhibitions this fall
include its annual Photography Show and Holiday Gift Show.
PLACES TO REFUEL
Apple Cider Donuts at Clyde’s Cider Mill
How many apple cider donuts can you eat by 10am? A personal challenge to
ourselves every year. Get there early before the crowds arrive, take a tour of
the old cider mill, buy a couple (dozen) sleeves of fresh kettle corn, and a box
of the best apple cider donuts out there. Thank us later.
Lunch in a Tree
It’s hard to have lunch at the Treehouse above the Oyster Club in Mystic
without immediately falling in love. Order up some local Noank, CT, oysters
with their Rhody-sourced beef burger and enjoy the breeze. It’s as “Mystic”
as it gets. Like your childhood treehouse, but with beers.
The Best Fish Tacos This Side of the Baja
We love Milagro in Stonington Borough. Like, a lot. If we had to win an
eating competition, it’d be on their fish tacos. The wait can be long, but their
spicy margaritas are about as potent as it gets.
Locals-Only Day Drinking
The tasting room doors are always open at Saltwater Farm, Jonathan
Edwards, and Stonington Vineyards: three local wineries we can’t get
enough of. Luckily for you, Uber is now fully operational in the area...
because who doesn’t love day drinking even more in the fall?
BYOB Like a BOSS
Get to Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough in Noank before they close for the
season (mid October)! There can be a wait to order (rightfully so), so plan
ahead and fill up a cooler with ice and your domestic light beer of choice.
Booze your way through the line, and order some hot butter lobster rolls &
steamers. Then choose a picnic table overlooking the water & wait for the
joyous moment your number is called.
Hyper-Local Oysters & Outdoor Beers? YES and YES.
Matunuck Oyster Bar in Charlestown, RI, is worth the jaunt. Enjoy a
beautiful fall day from a deck above their own oyster beds and let the
’Gansetts flow. There can be a hefty wait so plan accordingly (we won’t
judge you for a 4pm dinner).
Weekend of September 25–27
Seaside Shadows Haunted History Tours
Never too early to get fired up for Halloween. Annual ghost tours kick off;
cemetery tours allow guests to walk through the Whitehall Burial Ground
associated with the famously sighted ghosts of Whitehall Mansion.
Graveyard strolls are offered on Sunday evenings.
BRILLIANT
FALL
WEEKEND
EVENTS
(Code for Reasons to Stay
At the Whaler’s Inn)
Weekend of October 2–4
Mystic Pirate Invasion
We’ll spare you the pirate-speak, but it’s a great weekend for the kids.
Pirates (think Jack Sparrow) invade the town, until a militia arrives to save
the day. Crafts & events all weekend.
Weekend of October 9–11
Chowder Days at the Mystic Seaport
The annual weekend where we eat Rhody chowder until we fall into a deep
shame spiral. Live music & activities for the kids.
Weekend of October 16–18
Joe Walsh at Mohegan Sun Arena
Life’s been good to us so far as well, and we’ll be firing it up with Joe Walsh
Friday, October 16, at the awesomely intimate Mohegan Sun Arena. And
then putting our horse blinders on as we attempt to leave the casino without
hitting the craps table.
Weekend of October 23–25
Nautical Nightmares Returns to Mystic Seaport
Great event for the family; a 70-minute production, including a walking tour
that meanders along a route that covers approximately 1/2 mile of uneven
terrain, including (but not limited to) cobblestone, wood planking, grass,
gravel and stairs.
Weekend of November 13–15
Mystic Restaurant Week
The event actually runs November 10–16, and participating restaurants
(there’s lots of them), will feature special menus at special/prix fixe prices.
Weekend of November 28
Tugboat Santa!
We think about Christmas all year & this is a mini Super Bowl for us: Santa
arrives by tugboat in the harbor at Mystic River Park, followed by the tree
lighting & the spectacular lighted holiday boat parade.
The Whaler’s Inn
20 East Main Street
Mystic, Connecticut 06355
860.536.1506
Fax 860.572.1250
[email protected]
Photographs
Opening spread: Stephanie McDowell
All others: John Vreeland
Design
James Kaczman