Summer Bucket List: Top 10 Activities in Middlesex and New London Counties

Written By Wendy Ann Mitchell

There’s no better feeling than warm sunshine on your shoulders, hot sand between your toes and a cool breeze gently kissing your suntanned face. But wait! Back-to-School sales are splashed all over TV, coupons are filling up your mailbox and emails from teachers and coaches are flooding your inbox. You know what that means… summer’s almost over.

The pressure’s on to squeeze in as much summer fun as possible before the sands slipping through the hourglass have officially run out. Patch asked friends, readers and colleagues what their top 10 must-do things were and here’s what we came up with.

1. Build a sand castle at Ocean Beach Park in New London - Rated one of the best beaches by National Geographic, this beach has the best of both worlds with a beach and a pool. Make the perfect drip castles or sand sculptures then head over to the water park for fun on the slides and rides. Admission is $22 weekends and $17 weekdays. Water slide is $3.00 a trip or $10.00 unlimited from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. or 2:00- 5:00 p.m. Don’t worry about packing a lunch, enjoy fine food from the Sandbar Cafe. 98 Neptune Avenue, New London, CT. Click here for more info.

2. Mosey on down to Mystic for a memorable aquatic experience - Beluga whales, African penguins and an extensive variety of aquatic life await your arrival at this incredible aquarium. Journey to the depths of the sea and explore different sea creatures at one of the country’s best aquariums. After the aquarium, take a ride over to Mystic Seaport and browse over 60 specialty shops, restaurants and businesses in a Colonial New England setting in Mystic Village. Mystic Seaport is home to four National Historic Landmark vessels and has one of the largest collections of maritime photography in the country. For more information about Mystic Aquarium, click here. For more information about Mystic Seaport, click here.

3. Pick your own berries at Lyman Orchards - Strawberries and blueberries and blackberries, oh my! Nothing says summer like fresh, succulent, fresh-picked berries. This orchard should definitely be on your must-see list for the summer of 2014. Lyman Orchards has been commercially growing fruit on the same land overlooking the Connecticut River for over a century. Pick from close to 100 varieties of fruits, grab a pie for dessert and enjoy a warm, summer day at the orchard. Call the 24-hour hotline for current picking conditions at (860) 349-6015. Lyman Orchards is located at 32 Reeds Gap Road in Middlefield, CT. Click here for pricing and more information.

4. Satisfy your need for speed at Rusty Wallace Racing - Located in Stafford Springs, adrenaline seekers will be satisfied when they try their hand at racing on this course. VArious packages are available. Call (800) 22-RUSTY or click here to see your racing options. Got drive?

5. Go fish! - Rent a Sea Sprite out of Old Saybrook, CT or charter a boat with Southern Connecticut Fishing Charters out of Old Lyme. Grab a group of friends and see who will take home the biggest wide-mouth bass of the bunch. Call (866) 976-5675 for pricing and more information or visit CTSportFishing.com.

6. Sightsee on the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat - Perfect for a rainy summer day is this 2 ½-hour journey which begins at the historic 1892 Essex Station. The 12-mile, narrated ride takes passengers through the Connecticut River Valley. The steam locomotive pulls vintage coaches at 20 miles per hour through the New England towns of Deep River and Chester. Click here for directions and pricing.

7. Eat fish at Bill’s Seafood Restaurant - Dine out in the summer sun on the huge outdoor patio. Enjoy live music 6 days a week, buy a trinket at the gift shop and top it all off with a delicious ice cream cone at Ashley’s Ice Cream. Located at 548 Boston Post Road in Westbrook, CT.

8. Set sail on a schooner for a lighthouse tour - Head out to Schooner Wharf, 15 Holmes Street in Mystic, to sail through the islands and lighthouses of the Mystic River. Cruise aboard the ‘Argia’ sailing ship to see some of the most interesting lighthouses in our area that can only be seen from the water. Possible lighthouse sightings include: Morgan Point, Mystic Seaport’s replica of Brant Point, North Dumpling, Latimer Reef, Race Rock, New London Ledge, New London Harbor, Watch Hill, and Avery Point. The cruise includes snacks and lemonade. Bring your own picnic basket and bottle of wine. Call (860) 536-0416 for details and reservations.

9. Visit the Stewart B.McKinney National Wildlife Refuge - Visitors may learn about the Atlantic Flyway, the geology of Long Island Sound, wildlife habitats, the importance of saltmarshes, and many other topics at this beautiful wildlife preserve. Opportunities to boat or paddle and access refuge units such as Outer Island and Sheffield Island very easily. Located at 733 Old Clinton Rd, Westbrook, CT. Call (860) 399-2513 or click here for more info.

10. Mini Golf and Ice Cream at Saybrook Point Mini Golf - Enjoy some good old fashioned American fun with a game of minigolf followed by a tasty ice cream cone. Saybrook Point Mini Golf is located at RT 154 (by Dock & Dine), Old Saybrook, CT. Call (860) 388-2407 for more info.

Did we miss one of your favorites? What’s on your “Summer Bucket List?” Tell us in the comments!

(Photo by Trenten Kelley Photography)