Heritage Gardens covers 100 acres of beautiful trees and shrubs, gardens, exquisite flowers, and sweeping lawns. In addition, there are 3 galleries, expansive gardens, a vintage carousel, automobile museum and traveling exhibitions.

As we arrived, the first thing that caught our eye was the beautiful garden in front of the ticket office and also houses the bathrooms and gift shop.

You can purchase tickets online at or wait and get them at the garden.

As you begin your journey through the gardens, you are surrounded by well-maintained lawns and trees.

As you leave the gift shop, you will notice the Flume Fountain, stop and take in the beauty of the fountain and the plants surrounding it. It reminds me of an infinity pool. At the end of the Fountain the water cascades down to a pool below.

The fountain is just one of the many exquisite sites at the garden.

As we toured the gardens, we saw many different types of plants and flowers, some were in bloom while others were not. The garden has a wide variety of flowers and plants that showcase their characteristics during different seasons. Like Dexter Rhododendrons in the spring, annuals and dazzling daylilies during the summer, the foliage and the fall-blooming Franklinia of autumn, and beautiful heathers, bright berries and noble evergreens in the winter.

The gardens near the windmill is filled with various types of hostas.

The gardens offer plenty of things for children to do and enjoy while visiting. A completely restored carousel is part of the ticket price and available for you to ride. As we rode the carousel, it brought back fond children hood memories of going to the annual fair. The only thing missing was the golden ring.

Along many of the paths are boxes on stands where kids can put their hands in and feel what is inside. Usually some sort of plant life. These are used to help educate kids about plants.

The Hidden Hollow is a great place for kids to have fun while at Heritage Gardens. It feels like a Harry Potter hidden world with a treehouse and fairy circle. It is one of New England’s first certified Nature Explore Classrooms.

Hidden Hollow has huge gongs and xylophones for the kids to play on – and grown ups too. It also has stepping stumps to climb on, log balance beams to walk, materials to construct forts and nature-inspired art, a place to conduct experiments with water, and more to keep young and old busy for hours.

When it is time to take a break, stop at the Magnolia Cafe and enjoy a snack or lunch. There are kids lunches for around $3 and adults $8 to $10. The sandwiches were real good.

When we visited the gardens they had just planted a herb and vegetable garden in front of the Magnolia cafe (see lower right on the picture). When you go check it out and see how well it is growing.

The sign in the picture below illustrates the many things to do while visiting the gardens. Throughout the year, concerts will be held on the outdoor stage.

Be sure to stop at the working Windmill with beautiful Hostas gardens all around.

Be sure not to miss the maze. The maze is a garden with hanging Wisteria and other varieties of plants and vines that intertwine in the fences. The maze will be simply beautiful when it is in full bloom in the summer. The kids will have fun running around in the maze.

If you like antique American cars, you must visit the car gallery that is also part of your ticket price. The Gallery has thirty unique and beautifully restored antique American automobiles are on display for viewers to enjoy. As you walk around the gallery, you can read about automotive history from its beginnings up through mid-1900s.

Three of the exquisite cars on display are: a 1909 White Steam Car that was part of the first official White House automobile fleet; a 1931 Duesenberg Model J Derham Tourster once owned by Hollywood star Gary Cooper; and a 1913 Model T Ford, the first affordable car for the average person. As part of the Norman Rockwell exhibit, the Gallery will feature a special exhibit called “Going and Coming”, a collection of antique automobiles paired with Rockwell paintings in which the cars are depicted.

Next to the carousel room is a museum that features carousel art and statues and other American Folk art.

In the special exhibits building, you will find the exhibit featuring the great American illustrator Norman Rockwell titled “Norman Rockwell: Beyond the Easel”. This exhibit takes two approaches of presenting his work: “Norman Rockwell: Behind the Camera,” showcasing prints of Rockwell’s study photographs, original paintings and drawings linked to the photographs and “Picturing Health: Norman Rockwell and the Art of Illustration” rare, original Rockwell’s oil paintings he did as part of advertising commissions. These paintings explore the doctor/patient relationship, physical fitness, health and healing.

In the special exhibit building is also a room where children can do hands on projects. During the Norman Rockwell exhibit kids could stand behind the car and have their picture taken, try on period clothes, participate in a play, and arrange a scene on the wall with magnetic pieces.

The Heritage Museums and Gardens in Sandwich Massachusetts has something for everyone. They have ongoing things to do and they make sure to include children in everything the gardens have to offer. The Norman Rockwell exhibit was fascinating. It showed you the detail that he took in creating his paintings, making sure that he captured the right expressions of those he illustrated.

If you are visiting Cape Cod be sure to plan a stop at the Heritage Gardens & Museum.

Fresh vegetables from Farmers markets usually are from small scale vegetable Farmers’ and have excellent quality.  Often at a reasonable prices for the quality.  We have seen the size of the markets range from a few Farmers to 50 or more.  Some of the markets start in May and go until October.

Farmers markets are a good source for vegetables that can be canned or frozen for use during the long months of New England winter.  Frozen fresh vegetables during the winter is the next best vegetables one could get.  For those that are new to canning or freezing vegetables, there are several websites that explain how to do it.  Your local library probably has books about canning and freezing vegetables.

Below is a list of a few Farmers Markets by state.  There are many more than we did not list. If you know of one we missed please leave a comment below and we will add it.

Connecticut

Ashford Farmers Market
Pompey Hollow Park
June 12 – October 2, Sundays 10 am – 1 pm

Bloomfield Farmers Market
800 Bloomfield Avenue, Bloomfield Town Hall
July 9 – October 29, Saturdays 9 am – 1 pm

Bridgeport Farmers Market
United Congregational Church
877 Park Avenue
June 23 – October 27, Thursdays 2 pm – 6 pm

Colchester Farmers Market
395 South Main Street, St Joseph Polish Society
June 12 – October 23, Sundays 9 am – 12 pm

Danbury Farmers Market
Main Street at Kennedy Park
July 8 – October 28, Fridays 11 am – 4 pm

Hartford-Old State House Farmers Market
800 Main Street, Old State House
June 27 – October 28, Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10 am – 2 pm

Ledyard Farmers Market
Ledyard Town Center, at Fair Grounds
June 15- September 28, Wednesdays 4 pm – 7 pm

Putnam Saturday Farmers Market
Riverview Marketplace
16 Kennedy Drive
June 18 – October 28, Saturdays 10 am – 1 pm

Maine

Poland Farmers Market
1399 Maine Street, Poland Crossing Shopping Plaza
June 24 – October 07, Fridays 2 pm – 6 pm

Houlton Community Market
Market Square
Saturdays 8:30 am -1 pm

Yarmouth Farmers Market
200 Main Street, Town Hall Memorial Green
Thursdays 2:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Farmington Farmers Market
Main Street, Courthouse Parking Lot
Saturdays 9 am – 12 pm

Eden Bar Harbor Farmers Market
21 Park Street, YMCA
May 8 – October 30, Sundays 9 am – 12 pm

Augusta Farmers Market
Whitten Road, Turnpike Mall
May 14 – October 22, Wednesdays 10 am -1 pm, Saturdays 10 am-1 pm

Bath Farmers Market
Commercial Street, Waterfront Park
May 7 – October 29, Saturdays 8:30 am-12 pm

Gateway Farmers Market
1 Stonewall Lane, Back Lot of York Visitors Center
June 4 – October 8, Thursdays 11 am – 2 pm, Saturdays 9 am – 1 pm

Massachusetts

Buzzards Bay Farmers Market
70 Main Street, near the Chamber of Commerce
July 8 – October 28, Fridays 10 am – 2pm

Hyannis/Mid Cape Farmers Market
141 Bassett Lane, at the Hyannis Youth and Community Center
June – September, Wednesdays, 8 am – 1 pm

Provincetown Farmers Market
Commercial Street and Ryder Street, next to Town Hall
May 21 – November 19, Saturdays, 11 am – 4 pm

Great Barrington Farmers Market
Castle Street, and Main Street, Behind Town Hall
May 7 – October 29, Saturdays, 9 am – 1 pm

Pittsfield/Park Square Farmers Market
Bank Row, Park Square
May 28 – October 22, Saturdays, 8 am – 1 pm

Williamstown Farmers Market
Spring Street and Walden Street, Spring Street Parking lot
May 28 – Mid October, Saturdays, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm

Attleboro Farmers Market
122 Park Street, next to City Hall
July 16 – October 29, Saturdays, 8 am – 12 pm

Mansfield Farmers Market
80 North Main Street, Public Parking
July 14 – September 22, Thursdays, 2 pm – 6 pm

West Tisbury Farmers Market
461 State Road at the Grange Hall
Saturdays June 11 – October 8; Wednesdays June 22 – August 31 – Wednesday and Saturday, 9 am – 12 pm

Andover Farmers Market
97 Main Street, Andover Historical Society
June 25 – October 8, Saturdays, 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Marblehead Farmers Market
28 Vine Street, Middle School
June 11 – October 22, Also, November 5, November 19, Saturdays, 9 am – 12 pm

Ashfield Farmers Market
457 Main Street, Town Common
May 28 – October 29, Saturdays, 8:30 am – 12:30pm

Springfield Cooperative Farmers Market
Avocado Street and West Street
May 7 – October 29, Saturdays, 7 am – 11 am

Nantucket Farmers and Artisans Market
North Union & Upper Cambridge Streets-Nantucket
June 11 – October 15, Saturdays, 9 am – 1 pm

Cambridge/Kendall Square Farmers Market
500 Kendall Street, Kendall Square
June 9 – September 8, Thursdays, 11 am – 2 pm

Quincy Farmers Market
Hancock Street and Chestnut Street, across from Court House
June 24 – October 28, Fridays, 11 am – 5 pm

Boston/City Hall Plaza Farmers Market
1 City Hall Plaza, Government Center, along Cambridge Street
May 23 – November 23 – Mondays and Wednesdays, 11 am – 6 pm, (11-5 after Nov. 7) No market on Monday holidays)

New Hampshire

Amherst Farmers Market
The Village Green
May – October, Thursdays, 2:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Barrington Farmers Market
Rt. 9 & 125, across from Calef’s Country Store
June – September, Saturdays, 9 am – 1 pm

Claremont Farmers Market
Broad St. Park
June 2 – October 6, Thursdays, 4 pm -7 pm

Derry Farmers Market
1 West Broadway
July 6 – October 28, Wednesdays, 3 pm – 7 pm

Hancock Farmers Market
Main Street
May 21 – October 8, Saturdays, 9 am – 12 pm

Keene Farmers Market
Commercial parking lot off Gilbo Ave. (behind the Colonial Theater), Main Street
Tuesdays & Saturdays, 9 am – 2 pm

Peterborough Farmers Market
Depot Square
May – October, Wednesdays, 3 pm – 6 pm

Sandwich Farmers Market
Town Green
May – November, Saturdays, 9 am -12 pm

Wentworth Greenhouses Farmers Market
141 Rollinsford Rd., Rollinsford
June 18 – October 29, Saturdays, 10 am – 2pm

Rhode Island

Aquidneck Growers Market
909 East Main Road (Rte 138), Middletown
June – October, Saturdays 9 am – 1 pm

Goddard Park Farmers Market
Goddard State Park, Warwick
May – October, Fridays 9 am – 1 pm

Broad Street Farmers Market
807 Broad Street, Providence
July – October, Saturdays 9 am – 12 pm

Whole Foods Farmers Market
151 Sockanosset Cross Road, Cranston
June – October, Tuesdays 3 pm – Dusk

Sakonnet Growers Market
Pardon Gray Preserve, Main Road, Tiverton
July – September, Saturdays 9 am – 1 pm

Island Market at Aquidneck Grange
499 East Main Road, Middletown
June – October, Thursdays 2 pm – 6 pm

Vermont

Bristol Farmers Market
On Village Green
June 4 – October 1, Saturdays, 11 am – 2 pm

Dorset Farmers Market
H.N. Williams General Store, Route 30
May 15 – October 9, Sundays, 10 am – 2 pm

Lyndonville Farmers Market
Bandstand Park
May 13 – October 14, Fridays, 3 pm – 7 pm

Burlington Farmers Market
City Hall Park
May 7 – October 29, Saturdays, 8:30 am – 2 pm

Shelburne Farmers Market
Shelburne Center on Route 7 & Church Street
May 28 – October 8, Saturdays, 9 am – 1 pm

Enosburg Falls Farmers Market
Lincoln Park, Main Street
May – October, Wednesdays 3 pm – 6 pm and Saturdays 9 am -1 pm

Johnson Farmers Market
United Church of Johnson, Route 15, across from Grand Union
May 24 – October 4, Tuesdays, 3 pm – 6 pm

Greensboro Farmers Market
Greensboro Town Hall Green
June 2 – September 8, Thursdays, 3 pm – 6 pm

Fair Haven Farmers Market
Fair Haven Village Green
June 10 – October 14, Fridays, 3 pm – 7 pm
Super Sunday Farmers Market & Craft Fair July 24, 2011

Rutland Farmers Market
Downtown Rutland, Depot Park next to Walmart
Saturdays, 9 am – 2 pm, May 7 – Oct 29
Tuesdays, 3 – 6 pm, Mid May – mid Oct

Montpelier Capital City Farmers Market
Corner of State & Elm Streets
May 7 – October 29, Saturdays, 9 am – 1 pm

New York

Bolton Landing Farmers Market
Bolton Central School, 26 Horicon Ave
July 1 – September 5, Fridays, 8 am – 12 pm

Belmont Farmers Market
Grange Hall Lawn, 32 Willets Ave, Rt 19
May 26 – October 27, Thursdays, 11 am – 5 pm

Mott Haven Farmers Market
Padre Plaza Success Garden, E. 139th St. & 283 Saint Ann’s Ave.
July 6 – November 9, Wednesdays, 9 am – 5 pm

Binghamton/Northside Farmers Market
Stowe Plaza, 435 State Street
June 1 – October 13, Wednesdays, 2 pm – 6 pm

Downtown Jamestown Farmers Market
19 W. Third Street, on sidewalk
June 10 – October 28, Fridays, 10 am – 4 pm

Poughkeepsie Farmers Market
Pulaski Park on Washington St., Walkway over the Hudson
June 3 – October 28, Fridays, 3 pm – 7 pm

Downtown Buffalo Country Market
Buffalo Place, Main St. between Court & Church
May 19 – October 27, Tuesdays and Thursdays,  8 am – 2:30 pm

Hamlin Farmers Market
Town Hall lot, 1658 Lake Rd.
June 12 – October 30, Sundays, 9 am – 1 pm

Rockefeller Center Greenmarket
Rockefeller Plaza, between W. 50th & W. 51 Streets, New York City
July 27 – September 2, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 8 am – 6 pm

Goshen Farmers Market
Village Square Park, Main & Church Streets
May 20 – October 28, Fridays, 10 am – 5 pm

Saratoga Farmers Market
High Rock Park, High Rock Ave. Between Lake & Maple
May 1 – October 31, Saturdays, 9 am – 1 pm, Wednesdays, 3 pm – 6 pm

Flanders Farmers Market
Crohan Community Center, 655 Flanders Road (Rt 25), Croham
July 16 – October 29, Saturdays, 9 am – 1 pm

Do you know of other Farmers Markets in the New England states? Leave the details below in a comment and we will add it to our ongoing list.

Our journey begins as we left our house for the drive to Hyannis, MA where we will catch the high-speed ferry to Nantucket Island.  There are two travel methods to get to Nantucket: ferry/boat or airplane.  Seeing how we do not have our own boat or wanted to pay the price of airline tickets, we choose the ferry means.  We decided to use Hy-Line Cruises out of Hyannis, MA.  They offer both a high-speed ferry and a traditional ferry, the high-speed takes an hour to get to Nantucket, whereas, it is almost two hours for the traditional ferry.  In addition to the ferry service, they have cruises and fishing charters.

After an uneventful two hour drive to Hyannis, we pulled into the ferry lot, dropped off our luggage, paid for parking in one of their lots at a cost of $20 for two days, parked the car, and boarded the ferry.  Parking cost varies depending upon the time of the year.

If you have a wait for the ferry there is a deli restaurant on the other side of the parking lot. You can buy food and bring it on the ferry too. They even have dog food dispensers, which is handy. We bought a nice Caesar salad and some scones and decided to get a drink on-board the ferry.

Did you know you could bring pets with you on the Ferry? I didn’t. We must have seen 5 dogs on this trips of all shapes and sizes.

We decided to sit in the open-air upper deck on this leg of the journey.  Here’s a hint – before the ferry starts, if the weather is good the deck will fill up. Once it starts most people flee and only a few remain. The best seats are just outside the door on either side or the very back row that is covered by the bulkhead. We met a couple that have a summer home on Nantucket and we chatted the whole trip out as the sea breeze blew around us.

The ferry trip seemed to go by quickly and the next thing we knew was that we were pulling into the Nantucket dock.  As we pulled up we saw a lighthouse with a family and waving children.

We passed right by these guys who were either fishing or looking for scallops.

When the town of Nantucket appears you know you are in a for something special. All of the houses, shops, and buildings have the weather worn New England look. I hear there are even strict guidelines about how you can paint and what your house can look like in keeping with this image.

We quickly departed the ferry, retrieved our luggage, spotted our driver, and started off to The Wauwinet Inn (see our full review with video walk-through).  As we were headed out, we took in the sights of Nantucket and other parts of the island.  The roads in the center of Nantucket are made of large cobblestones, some of them may be the original ones used to make the road.  The shops in town coupled with the streets, bring me back to what I believe a New England seaport town would have looked like.

As we left town and worked our way into the rural areas, all the houses still use clapboard as siding.  That is because the island is a historic district and they want to retain that old seaport atmosphere, even down to the Cumberland Farm store we passed.  A couple things quickly stood out: narrow roads and lots of people riding bicycles.

The Wauwinet Inn is located on the northeast end of Nantucket Island, 30 miles off the coast of Massachusetts, 9 miles from downtown Nantucket.  For over 200 years The Wauwinet has been a place for weary travelers to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.  As one of the 5 properties owned by the Nantucket Island Resorts, The Wauwinet is the resort that folks go to find a little peace and quiet.

The Wauwinet’s internationally acclaimed restaurant, Topper’s, offers a relaxing, yet elegant, dining atmosphere.  A fantastic complimentary Continental breakfast is available to guest.  A short stroll across from The Wauwinet is the Spa by the Sea, a luxury spa offering rejuvenating and relaxing treatments.  One of the selling points about staying at The Wauwinet, is the stunning sunset view from the back lawn of the inn.  As sunset was approaching, we headed to the lawn; got extremely thick cushions put on out chaise lounges and enjoyed the sunset.  They were right, it was one of the most amazing and unobstructed sunsets I have seen.  After a peaceful night, we enjoyed the complimentary Continental breakfast on the covered patio.  As we were partaking of the fabulous breakfast, we could also enjoy the view of Nantucket Bay.  The stay at The Wauwinet was great and I would recommend it to anybody looking for quiet and relaxing place to stay while visiting Nantucket.

After breakfast, we headed back to town, specifically to the White Elephant Inn; as we were scheduled to test drive a BMW ActiveHybrid 750Li.  The Nantucket Island Resort group and BMW were holding an event that weekend where we could test drive the hybrid from BMW.

So we embarked on some scene seeing and test driving.  We decided to head out to Bartlett Farms, as we were told it provided a lot of fresh produce used by local restaurants and town folks.

On the way to Bartlett Farms, we accidentally pulled into the Cisco Brewers parking lot.  Hmm, I thought, seeing how I am a home brewer and like beer, maybe we should visit.  Unfortunately, they were not open yet.  Cisco Brewers is also the location for Triple Eight Distillery and Nantucket Vineyard.  They offer tours and tasting on everyday except Mondays.  Oh well, maybe next time.

Next stop was Bartlett Farms.  The Bartlett Family has owned and operated this farm since the early 1800′s.  They have fresh fruits and vegetables, garden plants, and flowers.

In 2006 they opened their market where they sell produce from their farm. In addition to the fresh produce, the market has organic foods, pre-prepared meals, meats, dairy products, and household staples.  Attached to the market is their garden center where you can get plants and garden accessories.  As we walked around the market, it reminded me of a smaller version of Whole Foods or Wegmans.  Within the market, they have their own kitchen where they offer prepared fresh food and desserts.  All of the prepared food and dessert looked delicious, especially the glazed walnut topped cheesecake.  There must have been two inches of walnut topping on it. Too bad we were still full from breakfast because there were a lot of delicious looking items I wanted to buy.

We finished our test drive by just driving around and viewing the peaceful landscape of the island.  We were going to stop at a beach, but we were not dressed for it. We did stop and pretend to be paparazzi to these golfers. They got a kick out of it.

Once we dropped off the car, we decided to walk over to town in take in the a little sightseeing on the cobblestone streets.  On the walk we encountered an artist, Illya Kagan, who was working on a commissioned painting a picture of the harbor for a client.

As we strolled through town, I felt like I was walking through a slightly modernized 19^th century seaport village, all that was needed were people wearing clothes from that era.  The streets were lined with boutique shops, art galleries and museums. This is no bargain-hunters shopping so be prepared to spend big bucks if you shop here.

Due to time constraints, they were several things were unable to do, like visit some of the preserved lands.  With over 45 percent of the island preserved and protected in its natural state there would be several areas of natural groups of plants and animals to see.  One tour/excursion we missed, but wanted to take was Great Point Wildlife Refuge Natural History Excursion on the Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge.  The refuge itself is open year round, but the excursion is only open from April to October.   The excursion takes you on a guided tour of the refuge; seeing and learning about Nantucket’s wildlife, natural history and habitats. You will visit the bird sanctuary and Great Point Lighthouse where there may be some seals loitering.

Other things to do that we missed:

• walk along either the Nantucket Bay or Atlantic Ocean sandy beaches
• visit any of the 17 historic properties or museums
• take a bicycle excursion around the island
• go on nature walks
• Harbor cruises

After walking around town, we grabbed a bite to eat and readied ourselves for the ferry ride back to Hyannis.  The ride back was spent like the ride over; chatting with other riders.  I have to say that Hy-Line Cruises was very accommodating, as we had to change our reservations a couple times and they were more than happy to meet our needs.

Overall, I enjoyed our short stay on Nantucket Island.  It was picturesque and charming with a wide variety of things to do, unless you want to visit a big amusement park.  They have year-round theatrical performances, music, art, film, and literature events, so you need not visit just during the summer months. I found it be relaxing, especially where we stayed.  I recommend going there in the middle of spring or fall season as the population increases 4 fold during the summer months.  We heard about a Christmas Stroll that takes place in early December and the winters are mild, so that may be a good time to visit.

Disclosure: this trip was part of a media event with the Nantucket Island Resorts group media event. We were not compensated and all writings, opinions and photographs are out own.

Nantucket

You can find the Southern Connecticut Renaissance festival online at www.thescrf.com. They host events in May and June. Their events are located on the Westside Campus of Western Connecticut State University, Shelton, Connecticut.

I had the time of my life when we went to the Renaissance festival. I didn’t know what to expect. There are vendors just like any other festival but these vendors dress the part. Everyone you meet acts like they are living under the King and at any minute a dragon is going to run out from behind a bush and need to be slayed.

You definitely feel like this is no ordinary festival just by the entertainment. We watch sword fights, and jousting, flamer throwers, and a couple of guys who ended up in the stockade having their feet tickled with feathers from spirited young women and my favorite was the heckler. This guy stood behind a wall with his head and arms sticking out of holes. He would make fun of anyone who walked by and even small children. He got Greg really good calling him an old man and making fun of his colorful shirt. People paid to throw tomatoes at him. I loved it.

There is manor of authentic food at this Renaissance faire and music and entertainment all of the time. It is a great way to spend a day in Connecticut and well worth the trip and money paid for the tickets.

Shelton

Here are some ideas for a cheap day in Mystic. There are places you can go and restaurants that you can eat at that will cost you a lot and we thought it might be nice to tell you about some of the things you can do for free or very cheap.

Old Mystic Village

First stop off I-95 exit 90 (Route 27) is the Old Mystic Village. This village is so quaint and has distinctive buildings designed to represent a New England Village of about 1720s with its collection of shops and restaurants. There is even a movie theater in the village that plays first-run movies and foreign films.

There is no real center of the village but if I’d have to say there are several main spots throughout the village. The duck pond is a wonderful place for families to gather and feed the ducks, sit a watch the ducks and birds, watch the working waterwheel and the village Meeting House is right there in the background. At Christmastime carolers sing near the pond and the church has family activities and there are many events through the year. Check out the full schedule here.

Check the schedule for upcoming festivals and events that take place out on the lawn near the main road. When we visited there was an art show going on. They also have special events for kids like an Easter egg hunt in the spring.

My favorite time to visit the Old Mystic Village is just at dusk when less people are walking around and it is peaceful. Greg and I like to sit by the duck pond and just take in the evening.

There are many benches and rest areas to catch your breath, unwind, enjoy the beautiful surroundings and let your mind slip pleasantly back to another era. The kids will also enjoy the water pump and stockade.

Visiting the Old Mystic Village is something you must do if you are visiting Mystic, Connecticut and the stroll through the village is free and that is perfect for your cheap day trip to Mystic.

Mystic Seaport

The Mystic Seaport can be a very fun event for the family but then again it can get quite expensive too. Each ticket costs $24 for adults and children 6 to 17 are $15 each (as of current 09/10, view tickets here). We have been to the Seaport several times throughout the years with our kids on fieldtrips or for special occasions and it is a great place to visit.

The Seaport has a lot to offer though if you do decide to pay the ticket price. This replica of a 19th Century village of what once was. The costumed characters that roam throughout the village will make you feel like they have lived there all of their lives. You will visit the Blacksmith, the Cooperage, the drugstore, and also go on working sailing ships. Take a horse and carriage ride around the village and spend a little extra and take a trip down the river on the Sabino.

However, if you are looking for a cheap day trip or plan on trying to visit a lot of things in Mystic all in one day then I suggest you don’t pay the ticket price to go into the Seaport. If all you want is the feel of the Seaport then park in the lot next to the Seaport gift and bake shop and walk around. Parking is free. You can view much of the Seaport village, the ship, the river and houses along the shore, go into the gift shop (which is wonderful by the way) and browse the full bookstore upstairs, have something from the bakery and some coffee or drink on the deck, and all it costs you is your time and maybe a few dollars for a snack. If you live in the area you can get free passes for the Seaport to borrow for a day or two and get into the Seaport for free.

Cheap Eats in Mystic, Connecticut

If you are spending the day in Mystic you will eventually want to eat. Here are a few places we can suggest that are very reasonable and what we even consider cheap.

Sea Swirl

One of our favorite places to eat is Sea Swirl. Follow Route 27 to the end and take a left. The Sea Swirl is the first place you see on the right. We have been coming here for years. This is a Summertime place to eat and they are open from May to mid September. You eat outside on picnic tables or in your car. They also have a covered area with picnic tables that you are eat in and look out over the water.

The food is just great and very reasonably priced. They have a great menu. I love their cheeseburgers with fries. It make me feel like I was a kid at a drive-in. You must try their clam strips and top it off with soft ice cream dipped in your choice of 25 flavors. My favorite – chocolate! Check out their complete menu at www.seaswirlofmystic.com.

Kitchen Little

Kitchen Little is a very, very, tiny restaurant on Route 27 between the Old Mystic Village and the Mystic Seaport. You can’t miss it. The building is blue. The food is good and the prices are reasonable. We have never eaten there for lunch or dinner, only breakfast and it was great. More here

Equinox Dinner

The Equinox Dinner is a new (2010) restaurant right the end of exit 90 when you come off of I-95. This dinner is bright and clean and the food portions are huge. You get a lot for your money. Take a look at our pictures and you will see the size of our dishes. Both Greg and I ordered breakfast when we ate there. The prices are also reasonable and they have a wide range of food choices from Burgers, NY style Deli sandwiches, entree salad, Paninis, wraps, Blue plate specials, and of course breakfast any time of day you want it. www.equinoxdiner.com

Mystic Pizza

If you are coming to Mystic for a day trip and have never been to Mystic Pizza it is a must. This is another place we visit regularly. Julia Robert’s became famous after filming Mystic Pizza and it was shot here and used many locals and Mystic backdrops. Mystic Pizza was smart and capitalized on Julia Robert’s fame and kept the theme going within the restaurant. Pictures of the filming of the movie, the cast, Julia Robert’s and other now-famous actresses and actors from the movie line all of the walls. It is very nostalgic and attracts tourists year-round. Another plus is that the food is terrific. Our favorite is the Gorgonzola cheese pizza with chicken and artichokes. Just superb!

Now, as a bonus they give you a coupon good for $1.50 off their frozen pizza. The frozen pizza is almost as good as the pizza in their restaurant. www.mysticpizza.com

Mystic Drawbridge, Pier and Shopping

One great thing to do while you are in Mystic is to see the Drawbridge down in the old part of town. The shops downtown near the drawbridge are at the total opposite end from the Old Mystic Village. Just continue all of the way down Route 27 to the end and take a right.

Every hour you will see the raising of the bridge and it’s something to see. The road is closed so be prepared to wait as the boats, canoes, and kayaks, go floating by. You might catch a glimpse of the Elise, one of the Historic Harbor tour boats, go by. You can pick that up at the pier right at the foot of the drawbridge and it costs $10 for adults and $5 for children.

We often like to bring food in and eat it on the walking pier that runs the length of the river. These are benches all along the walk and a nice lawn to stretch out on if you bring a blanket or want to bring your kids or dog. It’s such a great place to just sit and enjoy the day.

Come in the evening and stay for dinner at the S&P Oyster House, another place at the foot of the drawbridge, or just sit along the water on one of the benches. We have eaten at S&P but not very often. We usually go and enjoy watching everyone else eating, listen to the music they have piped into the outside speakers, and take in the view. Hey, it’s free.

Just taking in the view is something to do for a free form of entertainment. We always get coffee and sometimes get handmade ice cream from Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream, not to be missed. Make sure you come back in the Fall and try their pumpkin ice cream – delish for sure. We were there just last weekend and the line was out the door at almost 9 pm. That’s how good they are. Expect to pay about $4.70 for a medium dish of their ice cream though. If you want cheaper ice cream go to Sea Swirl.

There are all kinds of stores to wander in and out. Some more touristy than others. There is the Army/Navy store with authentic military gear and clothing, a bookstore, linen store, several clothing stores and high-end boutiques, children’s clothing store, several art galleries, jewelry stores, and a lingerie store. Most stores close early, about 5 pm, but several stay open until 9.

With so many cheap or free things to do in Mystic, Connecticut, you can have a great time and not pay a lot.

For more things to do in the Mystic area check out the Mystic Chamber of Commerce site at www.mysticchamber.org

Mystic

The Sakura Garden restaurant is located in the Connecticut Post Mall in Milford, directly across from the inside mall door of Target.

We also liked the deal because Wendy and I are not big eaters and usually do not go to buffets because they usually cost more than we eat, but the 2 for 1 made it worth it.  Besides, the offer included two cocktails.

Inside the restaurant you are welcomed by a peaceful garden-like atmosphere with cherry blossoms overlooking the waiting area.

Upon arrival, we were greeted and seated quickly.  The restaurant was clean and upscale as compared to other Japanese / Chinese buffets we visited in the past.  It was located in a corner space having two sides with, basically, floor to ceiling windows which offer views out and made the restaurant appear open and unconfined.

After taking our beverage order (we are not cocktail drinkers, so they allowed us to chose other drinks in place of the cocktails offered as part of the deal), we took a look at the buffet and were impressed by the amount of different items that were being offered.  There were approximately 15 different sushi and sashimi choices.  They had three, at times four, individuals always making fresh sushi and sashimi making sure there was plenty to choose from.

Next came the crab legs, raw oysters, raw clams, shrimp cocktail, calamari salad, seaweed salad, and more traditional salads. Bypassing the dessert section for now, up next were the more traditional offerings such as: Japanese ribs, Japanese noodles, tempura vegetables, stuffed mussels, coconut shrimp, baked fish, spicy calamari, steamed snow crab legs, teriyaki salmon, beef and chicken, beef negamaki, etc… The list could go on for a while.  In other words, there were plenty of food items to choose.

For dessert, there were cookies, mochi (green tea, red bean, and mango), small pieces of cake, and fresh fruit.

I decided to start with the sushi and sashimi, whereas Wendy started with items from the traditional Japanese culinary delights.  Finishing the first round, we continued on and sampled just about everything on the buffet.  Finishing with the desserts.

I tried the Tsingtao Chinese Beer, shown below. Read my review of this beer.

Overall, the experience was pleasant and the food was good.  The buffet was constantly being restocked with fresh food and Sushi was being made fresh the whole time we were there.

As stated earlier, three or four individuals were always making sushi and sashimi.  The sushi and sashimi was better than I had at similar buffets.  The Sakura Garden was by far the best Japanese buffet I have visited.  Of all the items we tried, there were none that would prevent us from coming back.  Wendy really liked the hot tea she had; normally she is not a fan of green tea as it is too weak for her, but this one was different.  (They gave her some to take home.)  Wendy also liked the green tea mochi.

The service was good with our used plates quickly being removed from our table.  The hostess and others stopped by a couple times to make sure everything was alright.  Later we learned that one of the individuals that stopped was one the owners.

The normal lunch or dinner buffet price seems to be reasonable for the amount food available to eat:

Dinner Buffet cost: Mon. – Thurs. $16.99, Fri. & Sat. $18.99

Lunch Buffet cost: Mon. – Thurs. $10.99, Fri. & Sat. $12.99

In addition, they do offer a regular menu if one does not want to partake of the buffet.  That menu offers several soup/salad, hot or cold appetizers, traditional rolls, Sakura Maki creations, sushi/sashimi, entrees, and Hibachi entrees.  We did not see a permanent Hibachi station, so I assume it either is a movable one or they cook it Hibachi style in the kitchen and bring it out to you. The prices on the regular menu are reasonable.

As we getting ready to leave, one of the individuals who had stopped by earlier to make sure everything was going well, stopped by and explained we did not take the two free cocktails that were part of the deal, even through we thought we had substituted, she explained that the drinks we had were not of equal value and wanted us to get full use of the deal.  As far as I can recall, that is the first time a restaurant went to that level to make sure we fully utilized the deal.  That impressed me.

Try a A Cucumber Gimlet if you eat at Sakura Gardens

Upon returning to the restaurant after the movie, I had a cocktail and Wendy and I enjoyed a conversation with the owner.  We learned that this one is the newest of four restaurants that she and three others own in Connecticut.  The other three are:

Sakura Garden Japanese Steak House
120 Hebron Avenue
Glastonbury, CT 06033

Sakura Garden Japanese Steak House
1869 Dixwell Avenue
Hamden, CT 06514

Sakura Garden Japanese Restaurant
345 N. Main Street
West Hartford, CT 06117

Both of the steak houses offer hibachi stations, but do not have buffets.  The restaurant in West Hartford offers a buffet, as well as a regular menu.  The sushi and sashimi are not offered at the buffet in West Hartford, but is included in the buffet price and you order it from waitstaff and it is then prepared at the sushi bar.

Each restaurant has a full bar offering specialty drinks and daily happy hour specials.

As you are strolling through the town, viewing the grey shingled buildings line, ice cream parlors and general stores with no traffic light in sight; you can listen to Victorian-appareled carolers, smell the aroma of hot cider, cornbread and wood fireplaces, and hear the glee of children as Santa Claus parades down Main Street.  A Christmas storybook tale has come to live.

The highlight of this celebration is the  Annual Christmas Stroll Weekend that takes place December 2-4, 2011.  The stores, shops, and restaurants not normally opened this time of the year; re-open during this time for holidays shoppers.  Arriving on Saturday via Coast Guard vessel is Santa and Mrs. Claus, upon departing they are then escorted up Straight Wharf by the Town Crier to a horse-drawn carriage.  They will stop at the Pacific National Bank to meet and chat with excited children.  While waiting in line to meet Santa, the children are entertained by the Magical Talking Tree.  Performing on Main Street are period costumed carolers, bell ringers, student choirs and more.

This magical holiday festival begins the day after Thanksgiving with the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and Community Caroling.  Gather with others at the top of Main Street to view over 100 Christmas trees come alive with color and light.  Prior to the Christmas Stroll, the tress are decorated by school children, youth groups, non-profit organizations, and island businesses.  Join in with the caroling follows the lighting.   Throughout the weekend, there are many holiday craft shows, exhibitions and performances to enjoy, including the annual Christmas House tour on Friday evening.   Events such as: Holiday Window, Doorway and Tree Decorating Contests encourage creativity from participants.

During your stay, be sure to visit the Nantucket Whaling Museum as it has a wonderful exhibit of trees that are decorated by individuals, families, and businesses.  Through special themes and unique decorations on the trees, you can experience Nantucket’s history and the spirit of the holidays.

Nantucket hotels remain open for the Annual Christmas Stroll Weekend and some will be open for the entire festival.  Many of the island’s restaurants will offer menus especially for the celebration.

This is an fantastic old New England holiday experience that you do not want to miss.

]]> http://www.daytripsinnewengland.com/christmas-stroll-on-nantucket-island/feed/ 0 http://www.daytripsinnewengland.com/chocolate-tours-in-boston-massachusetts/ http://www.daytripsinnewengland.com/chocolate-tours-in-boston-massachusetts/#comments Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:18:13 +0000 Day Tripper http://www.daytripsinnewengland.com/?p=1229 Chocolate, in one form or another has been around for thousands of years.  Earlier uses of chocolate were primarily as a beverage, but today it is used in a variety of ways.  It is probably of the most popular holiday gifts given.  Some people believe it offers positive health benefits, why others see it having negative health benefits.  No matter what, it is craved by many.

How better to learn about and enjoy some of the finest chocolates than taking a one-of-a-kind chocolate walking tour offered by Boston Chocolate Tours.  The tours are guided by an expert who will walk you through a world of exotic chocolate imports, well kept secret recipes and luxurious samples. Their tours vary by location and season, but showcase the very finest artisan chocolates, restaurants, and more than Boston has to offer.

Their 2 to 2-1/2-hour walking tours take place in Boston neighborhoods such as: the Back Bay, the South End, Beacon Hill and Harvard Square.  Not only do you enjoy fine chocolate, but you experience the historic sites and surroundings of the neighborhoods that are deep in early American culture and architecture.

View the whole Chocolate Tour Photo Gallery here

Below is a list of the chocolate tours offered by Boston Chocolate Tours as stated on their website:

BOSTON CHOCOLATE TOUR OF BACK BAY

Our exclusive 2-1/2-hour walking tour highlights The Back Bay – affluent Boston at its best, boasting landmarks like Copley Square, the Prudential Center, and the Public Library. This historic area is rich in culture, architecture – and of course, fine chocolate. Learn the history and life of chocolate, how luxury chocolates are created, and much more. We can think of no more fun way to spend a Saturday morning among friends than to peruse boutiques on Newbury Street, stroll down Boylston Street learning about and enjoying chocolate.

Here are some of our destinations where you can experience the best chocolate in Boston:

• Feature Stop: Hotel Chocolat – A trendy European cocoa grower who manages production from bean to bar in their private tasting room.
• Wondering where to get Boston’s Best Chocolate Chip Cookie – get it here!
• Tour the chocolate world in a cozy boutique with Boston’s largest selection of imported bars (95% of tour-goers have not ever been here)
• A Swiss chocolatier famous for creating the Dom Perignon Champagne Truffle
• A famous New England Ice Cream maker who has taken the chocolate plunge and has made their chocolates available to our tour
• A break for the taste buds at a hip cosmetics company that uses chocolate in many of its skincare products
• Sometimes you get the best chocolate in unexpected places, find that local Back Bay market that has some of the best chocolate at the lowest prices
• Everyone seems to be talking about Cupcakes, this tour samples Boston’s Best.
• and more!!!

The Boston Chocolate Tour of Back Bay meets on Saturday morning at 10:00AM and meets at Nespresso Boutique , 7 Newbury Street in Boston’s Back Bay. The walk itself is less than a mile and it ends nearby.

BOSTON CHOCOLATE TOUR OF BEACON HILL

Our exclusive 2-1/2 hour chocolate walking tour highlights Beacon Hill, one of Boston’s smallest and most historic neighborhoods, featuring a mix of grand townhouses and fashionable shops. Stroll down Charles Street to spy pricey antique shops and of course, fine chocolate. Stroll through the Boston Public Gardens and end with a double finale in Park Square. Learn the history and life of chocolate, how luxury chocolates are created, and much more. We can think of no more fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon among friends.

Here are some of our destinations where you can experience the best chocolate in this part of Boston:

• Feature Stop: Beacon Hill Chocolate (Best Boston Chocolatier 2009 & 2010) whose goal is to represent artisan chocolate producers and the most amazing gelato.
• Taste the famous Chocolate Soup featured on Boston’s Original Chocolate Tour at this hidden gem of a local restaurant.
• Visit with all your senses, Boston’s Best Florist, home of some of of the best chocolate
• A pot of chocolate fondue and dippables at a location famous for this.
• Enjoying Chocolate decadence at a famous local dessert chain started as a Harvard University project

BOSTON CHOCOLATE’S DESSERT, CHOCOLATE, & WINE NIGHT TOUR

Join Boston Chocolate Tours for our latest 2 hour walking tour of the famous (and infamous) desserts of Faneuil Hall. Perfect for couples or after-work get-togethers; learn the rich history of Boston’s most famous destination while sampling the chocolate delicacies and delights that have crowned Boston as a chocolate destination.

Some of our stops include:

• Featured Stop: Godiva Chocolates – One of the most famous international chocolatiers, Godiva Chocolates has opened its doors to allow samplings and wine pairings of its renowned seasonal offerings.
• Find a delectable chocolate fudge cake in the most unlikely of restaurants
• Pull a stool up and dig into a Boston Crème Pie with wine at the place where everyone knows your name
• And more!

Boston Chocolate Tours’ Evening Dessert and Wine Event meets on Wednesday evening at 5:30pm on the 2^nd floor of Godiva at 1 South Market Street in Faneuil Hall. The walk is less than a mile, and ends nearby.

BOSTON CHOCOLATE TOUR OF FANEUIL HALL AND THE NORTH END

Our latest 2-1/2 hour, family-friendly walking tour uncovers the famous (and infamous) chocolate delights in the center of Faneuil Hall and the North End. Join Boston Chocolate Tours as we expertly guide you through the corridors of the Quincy Market Colonnade, The Bull Market, Faneuil Hall’s open air shops, and the North End’s historic (and delicious!) bakeries and cafes. Learn the rich history of Boston’s most famous areas while sampling the chocolate delicacies and delights that have crowned Boston as a chocolate destination.

This family-friendly tour is perfect for visitors to the Boston area as it introduces you to the historic areas of Faneuil Hall and Boston’s North End, while feeding you delicious chocolate treats along the way!

Some of our stops include:

• Featured Stop: Godiva Chocolates – One of the most famous international chocolatiers, Godiva Chocolates has opened its doors to allow samplings of its renowned seasonal offerings.
• Find a delectable chocolate fudge cake in the most unlikely of restaurants
• Pull a stool up and dig into a Boston Crème Pie at the place where everyone knows your name
• Tour the busy hallway of the Quincy Market Colonnade while sampling some of Boston’s most famous ice cream shops and bakeries
• Travel to the North End for a taste of real hand-made chocolate gelato
• Visit one of the North End’s most famous local bakeries known for their chocolate nougat

The Boston Chocolate Tour of Faneuil Hall and the North End meets on Saturday afternoon at 3:30pm on the 2nd floor of Godiva at 1 South Market Street in Faneuil Hall. The walk is about 1.5 miles, and ends nearby.

HARVARD SQUARE CHOCOLATE TOUR

Our exclusive 2 ½-hour walking tour highlights a bustling center of activity, Harvard Square that embodies all that is Cambridge. This historic area is rich in culture, architecture – and of course, fine chocolate. Learn the history and life of chocolate, how luxury chocolates are created, and much more. We can think of no more fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon among friends where students and academics mix with tourists and locals to crowd the sidewalks and restaurants learning about and enjoying chocolate.

Note:  This tour is a great for kids too and we have special kids pricing.

Here are some of our destinations where you can experience the best chocolate in Cambridge:

• Feature Stop: L.A. Burdick who many consider the premiere chocolate shop in the area known for their hot chocolate and their homemade truffles.
• This Harvard Square favorite won Boston Magazine’s award for Best Coffeehouse
• Known for “amazing bread”, this welcoming bakery has some amazing chocolate items as well
• Everyone’s talking about cupcakes nowadays and we are big fans of this Boston & Cambridge favorite.
• Visit Harvard’s “other institution” and see their wall of chocolate
• If you add passion for ice cream, you will enjoy some of the best of both.
• Enjoying Chocolate decadence at a famous local dessert chain started as a Harvard University project
• An ever changing addition of chocolate surprise stops

BOSTON CHOCOLATE TOUR OF THE SOUTH END

Our exclusive 2-1/2-hour walking tour highlights the historic South End neighborhood. This area is home to elegant Victorian brick row houses, many dating from the 1800s, and one of the most diverse populations in Boston. The South End blends many of the best elements of the city and of course, fine chocolate. Learn the history and life of chocolate, how luxury chocolates are created, and much more. We can think of no more fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon among friends.

Here are some of our destinations where you can experience the best chocolate in Boston:

• Feature stop: ChocoLee  - this award winning chocolate shop is owned by Lee Napoli one of Yankee Magazine’s Top 5 Chocolate Makers
• Enjoy chocolate heaven in the form of a homemade Oreo at a bakery owned by Celebrity Chef Joanne Chang
• Yelp reviews call this hidden spot’s “chocolate chip cookies” to die for
• A neighborhood landmark restaurant with a celebrity chef shares their special chocolate martini during their pajama brunch
• The best homemade chocolate ice cream in Boston can be found at this Pizza restaurant
• Enjoy cupcakes named The Madison, The Harriet and The Simon voted “The Best of Boston” by the Improper Bostonian
• Rosie’s Bakery is not in the South End but their famous chocolate orgasm is and we know where to find and sample it.
• There is a bonus stop on this tour that we can’t promise but when they are open, it will be the coolest chocolate shop/antique store you will ever see, anywhere.
• and MORE!!!

The Boston Chocolate Tour of the South End meets on Saturday afternoon at 2:00PM at Code 10, 1638 Washington Street in Boston’s South End. The walk itself is moderate and it ends near the Boston Center for the Arts.

Samples are a plenty as you go, plus tips on tasting, buying and storing fine chocolate. In addition, on some tours you will learn how to pair chocolate with wines.

Advance tickets required and each tour size limited to 14.  Tour ticket cost range from $48 to $75 per person.

Each participant also receives our VIP Card, which is good for discounts and VIP treatment at local gourmet businesses.

Make an escape from the kitchen and take the Day After Thanksgiving cruise on the Spirit of Boston.

After spending yesterday preparing Thanksgiving Dinner and this morning Christmas bargain shopping; relax, unwind and enjoy a fantastic meal prepared by Chef Liz Rentschler that is fit for the entire extended family.  Out of town guests will love the views of the Boston skyline and scenic tour of the Harbor and the beautiful fall foliage on the Harbor Islands.

Guests will be welcomed aboard with a complimentary cocktail, followed by a bountiful selection of salads, entrees and side dishes from the Grande buffet. Top off the meal with one of Chef Rentschler’s mouthwatering desserts on one of the outdoor observation decks and return to the dining deck for live DJ entertainment.

Below is one recipe created by Chef Rentschler that will be served on the cruise:

Baked Acorn Squash with Brown Sugar garnished with fresh Cranberries

Yields 2-4 servings

Ingredients

• 1 Acorn Squash
• 1 Tablespoon Butter
• 1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar
• 2 Teaspoons Maple Syrup
• ½ cup fresh Cranberries
• Salt to taste

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400*
• Cut squash in half, lengthwise
• Scoop out the seeds and stringy insides from each half
• Score the insides of each half several times with a sharp knife
• Place on baking pan
• Add water to bottom of pan so the skins don’t burn or dry out
• Coat the insides of each half with 1/2 Tablespoon of butter
• Add a dash of salt to each half
• Add 1 Tablespoon of brown sugar to each half
• Drizzle Maple Syrup on both halves
• Bake for 1 hour until squash is tender and browned
•  Garnish with fresh Cranberries

The cruise will take place aboard the Spirit of Boston, offering a luxurious and sophisticated dining experience.  Complete with elegance, distinctive dining, wonderful live music and service unmatched by any venue in Boston; the Spirit of Boston offers the most sophisticated getaways, perfect for a special occasion, corporate events or simply a night out.

The Spirit of Boston (owned and operated by Entertainment Cruises) is located at 200 Seaport Boulevard Boston, MA.  Boarding will begin at 6:30 pm, cruises last from 7 pm to 10 pm.  The cost is: $77.90 per person.

Reservations can be made by visiting www.spiritcruises.com or by calling 866.306.2469.

The Spirit of Boston will also be collecting toys for Christmas in the City, a nonprofit organization that provides presents and a day of holiday fun for underprivileged children throughout the city of Boston.  Toys will be collected from November 18 through December 12 aboard the ship.  Every person who brings a new toy on board during this time will receive a gift certificate for their child ages 12 and under to cruise free in 2012.  For more information about this charity, please visit christmasinthecity.org

Step back in time to a Christmas past while enjoying the wintery setting in Woodstock and the town-wide festival.  The weekend includes a performance by the Vienna Boys Choir and the traditional Wassail Feast at The Woodstock Inn & Resort.  Following the Feast, attend the play called Scrooge! By Leslie Bricusse based on Charles Dickens’, A Christmas Carol being held at the Yoh Theater in Woodstock.

The Woodstock Inn & Resort has created a special package for guests to enjoy this memorable  holiday festival.  The package includes:

Accommodations*

Admission to Vienna Boys’ Choir at The Town Hall on Friday night

Wassail Feast on Saturday night at The Woodstock Inn & Resort

Tickets to Scrooge!, a play to be held at The Yoh Theater (following the feast)

The Holiday Homes Tour on Saturday sponsored by Pentangle

The resort’s special package is available December 9-11, starting at $940 per couple for a two-night stay based on double occupancy.

The Vienna Boys’ Choir is one of the oldest (a history going back over 500 years) and most recognized boys’ choirs in the world.  On Friday, December 9, they will be performing contemporary and classic holiday favorites.

The Wassail Feast will feature traditional English fare with a local Vermont flavoring including Roasted Mutton (garlic studded leg of lamb with rosemary and caper sauce), Dicken’s Chicken (curry chicken and rice casserole), Tatties & Neeps (mashed turnips and potatoes with ginger) and Chocolate Bread Pudding.

Also available for guests to enjoy free of charge during their stay, is the Billings Farm and Museum.  They will be presenting Vermont life as it was lived during the 19^th Century highlighting an authentically decorated 1890 Farm House tour, traditional music and sleigh or wagon rides.

Other festival highlights include a town-wide Wassail Parade on Saturday featuring more than fifty horses and riders dressed in holiday costumes and early 19^th Century period dress.  On Saturday take the Holiday Homes Tour, when Woodstock’s charming and historic houses open their doors for you to experience their New England hospitality and holiday decorations.  Many of the Village of Woodstock shops stay open late during the festival, allowing visitors plenty of opportunity to do any last-minute holiday shopping.

For more information, visit www.woodstockinn.com or call (888) 481-8802.

*A two night minimum stay is required. Rate does not include tax and gratuities. Other restrictions may apply.