Autumn in New England Day Four- Mystic Seaport

 This was our longest day's drive from Vermont to Connecticut through western Massachusetts at 3.5 hours. But that still gave us enough time to stop and enjoy some maple treats and buy some souvenirs at a cute little shop in Brattleboro, Vermont. 

 

We made great time, no tolls and we were in Mystic for lunch at Seaview Snack Bar before going to the museum. We had delicious NE chowder and a scallop roll all while enjoying a view of the Mystic River. 

My parents loved Mystic Seaport and said it was a must-see while in Connecticut. So we went to check it out... 

First we wandered through the exhibitions in the Gallery Quad. There were examples of arts and crafts done by whalers while at sea, a display of mast heads and an exhibit of whaling history and memorabilia. 

the door knocker on the RJ Schaefer building

This is a fancy pie crust tool carved from whale bone by a whaler for his wife

We signed up to take a tour their working shipyard...

The shipyard tour was very interesting and is where the restoration work was done on the Mayflower II... 

The local high school's crew teams were out practicing on the first day of their long holiday weekend...

There were lots of things to do and see...

Lots of boats to look at and tour...

The whaling ship: Joseph Conrad

the stoves they used on deck to render blubber

The Seafaring Village showed what life was like in a village of whalers and sailors. We saw and learned about making rope, barrels, sails, and cooking. We also met the village "grocer". 

making sails

the building where they twist rope is SO LONG!

The Brant Point lighthouse replica

We got to meet and talk with the cooper

I loved the twine bell at the grocery

the apothecary's office

the bedroom in the Burrows House

We also took the boat tour to see the museum and a bit of the town of Mystic from the water...

This is a replica Viking ship that sailed to Mystic from Norway to have work done at the shipyard. Now it's done and ready to go back.

This rusty iron ship was sailed to Mystic from New Zealand by a completely volunteer crew. No one is sure what will happen to it now???

Even the museum office was in a beautiful old house...

The Thomas Greenman House

Because we always like to hit up local breweries in town we stopped at Barley Head Brewery for a relaxing beer in some comfy chairs...

Then we went over to Bank and Bridge Brewing for some dinner. Not only was the beer and food really good but they had a guy out doing song covers who was INCREDIBLE! He was so good and so much fun that we ended up staying until much later than we had expected or planned. We also had great conversations with two different couples who ended up sharing a table with us! What a super fun night!

Thankfully our next stop was not affected by our decision to stay very late in Mystic because apparently people in Rhode Island want hot weiners very late at night... LOL It also makes for an interesting group of both employees and customers. :) 

Needless to say, once we finally got to our hotel we slept very well!