NETrainfan
Lead Service Attendant
The other day, a relative and I took the Northeast Regional train from Boston to Mystic, CT. This was the shortest, least expensive train trip we have taken in years. It is only 1 & 1/2 hours to Mystic from South Station. The ride was pleasant and comfortable with only one glitch- the returning train 2 days later was late and an announcement was made that it was 20 minutes late, but that it would arrive in Boston 4 minutes earlier than expected! No way, we said and we were 1/2 hour late and hurried to make our connecting bus to Portland, ME. I don't know why they bothered to say they would be early.
For those who haven't stopped in Mystic, CT- it is a small, charming village (part in Stonington & part in Groton) with the historic Mystic Seaport restoration which has 60 authentic buildings and a working shipyard. The oldest surviving whaling ship (built in 1841)- the Charles W. Morgan- is being refurbished at this shipyard and there is a whole barn museum devoted to the construction of this and similar ships.
Mystic also has a good sized aquarium with three beluga whales- which are small (but heavy) amusing whales. There are international exhibits (like jellyfish)as well as local sea life - such as a blue lobster.
The Amtrak Station is within walking distance of hotels and restaurants and shops. We prefer to take land trips and vacations via Amtrak and this was an ideal mini trip.
Our next Amtrak trip is next month- a cross country on the Lake Shore Limited, the Southwest Chief, the Pacific Surfliner, the SWC again, the Capitol Limited, and then the Acela from Washington D.C. to Boston. Will report back in late November.
For those who haven't stopped in Mystic, CT- it is a small, charming village (part in Stonington & part in Groton) with the historic Mystic Seaport restoration which has 60 authentic buildings and a working shipyard. The oldest surviving whaling ship (built in 1841)- the Charles W. Morgan- is being refurbished at this shipyard and there is a whole barn museum devoted to the construction of this and similar ships.
Mystic also has a good sized aquarium with three beluga whales- which are small (but heavy) amusing whales. There are international exhibits (like jellyfish)as well as local sea life - such as a blue lobster.
The Amtrak Station is within walking distance of hotels and restaurants and shops. We prefer to take land trips and vacations via Amtrak and this was an ideal mini trip.
Our next Amtrak trip is next month- a cross country on the Lake Shore Limited, the Southwest Chief, the Pacific Surfliner, the SWC again, the Capitol Limited, and then the Acela from Washington D.C. to Boston. Will report back in late November.
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