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Last week, I mentioned the Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration but that’s not all that Mystic, Connecticut has to offer. Located only minutes away is Mystic Seaport, the Museum of America and the Sea. We love visiting the Seaport in the fall, as the season brings a brisk breeze off the water and a warm cup of coffee keeps the chill from settling in. Mystic Seaport provides the right amount of history, shopping, and beauty.
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Other exhibits
There are three other ships docked in the bay open to visitors. The USS Joseph P Kennedy is a destroyer that participated in the blockade during the Cuban Missile Crisis and, more recently, was filmed portraying itself and another destroyer in the movie, “Thirteen Days.”
The most exciting craft to explore just might be the USS Lionfish. Walking through the submarine, that once patrolled the waters around Japan, gives a true appreciation for the sacrifices of the men who served in these tight quarters. Whether you’re watching your head to keep from bumping it or your feet to prevent tripping, you can’t help but wonder at how men work and live aboard submarines.
Guests can also visit the Hiddensee, a Soviet-built missile corvette, and tour the PT Boats sheltered in the museum’s buildings.
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Back to school time doesn’t just bring up memories of school supplies, chalk dust, and the JC Penney catalog for me. It’s during this time that I fondly look back at the many fall field trips I attended as a student and later as a teacher and chaperone. There were trips to the fire station, apple orchards, and then one of my favorites, a bus ride out to Old Sturbridge Village. Located an hour outside of Boston, Old Sturbridge Village brings New England history alive for children and adults.
Historical Old Sturbridge Village
Old Sturbridge Village opened to visitors in 1946 to showcase the collection of New England artifacts gathered together by the Wells family. What would eventually become the largest outdoor history museum in the northeast was once a farm and contained a sawmill, gristmill, and millpond.
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The third largest city in Mexico, behind Mexico City and Guadalajara, Monterrey is known mostly as a major industrial center, but it is a city rich in culture as well. Though you won't find ancient ruins here, there are countless museums, beautiful parks, and plenty of outdoor activities.
10 of my favorite attractions in Monterrey, Mexico
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Is there any other historical figure to have such a major effect on our relationship with nature than Theodore Roosevelt? A colorful man with a zest for life, he is a man that children can identify with and Sagamore Hill in New York is the perfect place to introduce them to him.
His home away from the White House, Sagamore Hill is a Victorian house set upon a hill that once overlooked Oyster Bay. This is where the president played with his children, met with important political figures, and wrote his books.
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Living in Turkey, my husband and I had the opportunity to visit some of the most beautiful and unique places on Earth. Cappadocia was one of our favorite stops and we visited there many times.
The name Cappadocia refers to a region of rock formations created by volcanic eruptions located in eastern Anatolia and includes the cities of Göreme, Nevsehir, Uçhisar, and Ürgüp. The entire area has a long history ranging from the Hittite Empire to the Ottoman Empire. Visitors can’t stop from being inspired and awed by the vision of “fairy chimneys” and underground cities, and the area is a travel destination for many.
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My husband was ecstatic. We planned to visit the New Bedford Whaling Museum because of his love of all things history and maritime related. On the other hand, I wasn’t so sure. Would it be bleak and dark because of the topic? Would the boys understand or be bored by it all? There was no need to worry. Instead of being disinterested, the boys were intrigued and excited. It was a trip worth taking.
The New Bedford Whaling Museum is located in the old whaling port of New Bedford, Massachusetts. A tribute and testament to the seamen and the prey they hunted, the museum is home to paintings and portraits, glassware, ceramics, models, and whale skeletons. Exhibits are both interesting and educational, giving my family the opportunity to learn in a comfortable environment.
Here are some of the highlights from our trip:
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One of the lesser known, off-the-beaten-path museums in Washington, D.C. - and one of my favorites - is the National Building Museum. With its bright red brick exterior, it stands out from all the other architecture in the city.
A beautifully-carved frieze wraps around the building, depicting a parade of military Civil War units and serving as a tribute to that significant period in American history. Walk inside and look up towards the windows high above and you’ll see 244 busts, each in their own little nook. There are eight models, representing different building occupations – architect, developer, financier, engineer, construction worker, craftsman, bricklayer, and landscape architect.
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Driving into the mountains of New Hampshire is like hitting the refresh button for me. I’m not sure if it’s the sight of lush trees up the slopes of towering mountains or the clean, fresh air filling my lungs. I feel centered. Memories of my own childhood visits filled my mind as my husband and I visited the White Mountain area this week with my sons. While we wouldn’t be hiking this time around, I knew that just being surrounded by nature would give my family the much needed rest we all deserved in a summer of chaos.
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