jagovino It’s been almost one year since the world went into lockdown and the Coronavirus changed our lives forever. In the midst of this life-altering global pandemic, it’s important to stop and think about how all of this is affecting our kids. Sure, it’s hard on adults, who have been forced to sacrifice so much but also asked to do so much more than we ever have. Our children have also sacrificed throughout this pandemic. Whether it’s not going to camp or forgoing sleepovers and playdates, not going to school consistently, or giving up their beloved sport for the year. Not to mention, the fear and anxiety many of them face as they hear about this deadly virus and witness the world in chaos. All of this change is hard on them too. This is why, as tired as I am, I decided my kids needed a change of scenery as much as me and I planned a little getaway with two of my girlfriends and their kids. Just 3 moms and 6 kids, a little risky, a lot tiring but so much fun for the kids. Here is where we stayed, what we did, and what I would suggest if you want to plan a quick getaway in the CT area.
Where did we Stay?
We decided to take the kids to Mystic, CT, where there is a quaint town, good restaurants, and of course the aquarium. We knew our kids would be happy as long as they were together and they were busy! We purposely chose a hotel that had an indoor pool, as this is always a good activity to tire the kids out, the key to any overnight stay with kids. We stayed at the Mystic Marriott and it did not disappoint. We checked in on Valentine’s Day, so the place was definitely more crowded than we expected, but everyone was very respectful of social distancing and every single person we saw wore a mask. There were also hand sanitizing stations throughout the hotel and limits on the number of people at the pool and in restaurants throughout our stay. Our kids loved the fact that our rooms were all on the same floor and they could bounce back and forth to each other’s space. The pool was a great activity and we used it a total of 3 times during our stay, so I would definitely recommend a hotel with an indoor pool. Other hotel amenities included a Starbucks and a small convenience store for snacks and drinks. This hotel was not within walking distance to the attractions, it was about a 10-minute drive, but there are many hotels in the Mystic area including a Hilton, which is across the street from the aquarium, and Old Mystic Village, where all the shopping was.
Where did we Eat?
Eating was a priority for us on the trip. Not only because as moms, we wanted to be happy, but also because we needed places that could accommodate our large party while also adhering to covid restrictions. We ate lunch on the way there at the Mystic Diner, where the service was great and the menu options were endless. The kids were all very happy, as were the hungry moms! For dinner, we went to the Jealous Monk, which both my friends had been to before and raved about. We put our names on a waitlist and arrived about 30 minutes before our table was ready. We sat at a long, bar-style table, which was perfect since the kids could sit on one end and the moms could attempt to have some peace and quiet on the other end. The food was amazing, from the Poutine to the clam chowder and cornbread to the burgers. Everyone was in heaven! The drinks did not disappoint either and there is also a game room with a few pinball machines to keep the kids occupied once they finish their meals. The Jealous Monk is also offering outdoor igloo reservations, if you wanted to check out the restaurant but were not comfortable eating inside. The next day, we had lunch at the Engine Room, in Mystic Village, and it was by far my favorite meal of the trip. Again we lucked out when they were able to seat the kids at their own table and the moms right across at our own! The menu is farm to table and everything was so fresh and delicious. The kids kept ordering more food and the service, although a bit slow, was very gracious and the servers did not flinch at the sight of our mob of unruly kids, so we were thankful for that. One of our last stops before we left was at Munsons Chocolates, which is a CT based chocolate brand that I grew up indulging in with my mom. They have the best cashew and almond bark I have ever tasted and I was happy to leave our trip with some goodies to bring home. We were well fed on this trip and that made the kids, and the moms, happy.
What did we Do?
We jam-packed this one night trip because we knew we wanted to make the best out of it. On the way to Mystic, which is about an hour and twenty-minute ride from Stamford, we stopped at the Pez Visitor Center in Orange, CT. This little spot is a great activity if you are in the area, or passing through, to get the kids out of the car and entertained for half an hour. We went on a Sunday, so we couldn’t see them making the Pez, but the facility had enough excitement to keep our kids entertained and happy. They were able to learn about the history of Pez and see Pez from all different decades as well as yet to be released Pez. They were able to complete a Pez President scavenger hunt, which my history teacher heart loved! There were many photo ops and of course a ton of Pez dispensers for them to choose from, Our kids are between the ages of 7-10 and they had a blast, but there were also younger kids there that were having just as much fun. The visitor center has a limit on how many people can come in and adhere to strict covid safety measures. We all had a great time and learned a lot about the little candy that originated in Czechoslovakia as a breath mint to help adults stop smoking, info learned from our trip to the Pez Visitor Center!
Besides the eating and swimming, one of the main reasons we chose Mystic, was for the aquarium. We have been to other aquariums but this one by far offered the best views of sea life including beluga whales, seals, sharks, and penguins. A lot of the exhibits are outdoors, which was nice for social distancing and getting some fresh air, even though it was freezing. Besides the fish, the stingrays, the jellyfish, and the turtles, Mystic Aquarium also has a dinosaur exhibit and a 4-d movie about Sharks. There is a great gift shop and food stands throughout. Our kids had a great time and are already asking to go back, especially when it’s warmer out!
Overall, we had a fun, yet exhausting trip. One thing that makes my heart the happiest is making memories for my kids. We usually take a family vacation every year and have not traveled outside of the state since Covid hit. So being able to take them on a little road trip, with their friends and mine, and see their excitement and enthusiasm for being away from home and being with each other, meant the world to all of us moms. Next time, we will definitely bring the dads and share some of the responsibilities!
What are other ideas for taking kids away on a little getaway?
