A daytrip to Block Island sounds like a total waste of time and money to me but that's a personal decision. I think there are other beaches near Mystic that wouldnt require a ferry. I assume you realize you cant take cars to Block Island on the ferry. 2 little kids for the day? How will you schlepp all the stuff you need?

There are hotel options closer to NYBG if you're interested, like the Hampton Inn Yonkers. But maybe you ontended using Metro North that day and White Plains is better for that.

I'll check out that hampton inn now...thanks.

As for block island, i've never Been, but thought the kids might enjoy the ferry ride. As for stuff, we just take a stroller and a back pack. I will reconsider it though.

"Day 2: Go to the NYBG, then maybe hang out in Central Park or at the zoo depending on temps. Go back to Hyatt House."

Central Park is in Manhattan, and it does have a zoo. But I'm unclear--Perhaps you intend to visit the Bronx Zoo, which is quite close to the Botanical Garden.

Sorry, I meant Bronx zoo.

As noted, Central Park is fairly distant from the NYBG, so the Bronx Zoo would be simpler to reach. The kids would probably enjoy it more too. There's a tram ride that will get you all off your feet for a bit, too. Depending on when you finish, you might have an Eye-talian dinner on Arthur Avenue.

In Mystic, you might want to visit the Seaport (you can buy a combined Seaport/Aquarium ticket). The town itself is quite small and has little to offer children. The boys are probably too young to really appreciate the Seaport, but it offers a steamboat ride down the river which might substitute for the ferry to BI. Buy tickets for the Sabino upon entry to the Seaport as the trips sell out quickly. You can get a reasonable lunch (including a good lobster roll) at the galley.

Essex is on the way from NY to Mystic, so it seems like you are backtracking. The Essex Steam Train is great fun for the children and it can be combined with a trip on the Molly Thatcher Wooden Wheel boat down the CT River which is a beautiful area.
I would agree that the day trip to Block Island may be a bit much. Where were you planning on taking the ferry from? Point Judith or New London? It makes a difference in where you arrive on BI and what your options will be.

If you do go to New London, and you're interested, I had a really delicious lobster roll there recently, at the Lobster Shack.

If you want to try a ferry ride (I think the kids will be easily bored) why not consider going from New London, Ct. (near Mystic) to Orient Point on Long Island by ferry. Then you could spend a day or two exploring the North Fork of Long Island where you'll find beaches. Seems to me you're doing a lot of moving around with 2 small kids. You should avoid having to drive I 95 in Ct. whatever you decide to do.

Mystic has great fried clam shacks! (Yes plural!) The one we like is called Seaview and has picnic tables overlooking the river (not the sea LOL). Adjacent is the aptly named Kitchen Little, which is terrific for breakfast. The other fried clam shack is the more famous Sea Swirl.

Speaking of fried clams, last summer we happened upon a large operation in Madison, CT, which seemed like a really popular local joint. Lenny & Joe's Fish Tale has lots of picnic tables and a carousel and soft-serve for the kids... However, I still prefer the ones in Mystic; if I need to stop for dinner between NYC and southeastern MA, we usually go to Frank Pepe's for New Haven-style pizza (multiple locations).

If you want a beach between Mystic and Fall River, try western RI: Misquamicut is a good one. I agree that BI might not be a full day's worth of stuff to do, but if the ferry is the draw, it can be a fun half-day. I'd recommend the ferry from Point Judith rather than New London, for a number of reasons:
- There's convenient paid-parking lots
- This ferry takes you right into the New Harbor commercial area of BI (I'm not sure all of them do)
- It's the shorter of the two rides: long enough to be fun, not so long as to be cranky!
- If you're continuing on to southeastern MA, no reason to backtrack to New London just for the ferry

If you venture to Fall River, continue a little more northeast to Tiverton, RI. Tiverton Four Corners has a number of shops, good sandwiches at the Provender, some grassy areas to run around - and the best ice cream at Grays! You could also put in time at the state-run Horseneck Beach in adjacent Westport, MA.

I remember as a kid being taken to Edaville Railroad in Carver, MA. It's not far from Plymouth, but much closer to I-495 for your swing north...

Zoo 101 - go the moment they open - then hit the garden after.

Awesome help!! So much to think about.

This trip was supposed to be just Mystic for a few leisurely days, and then I learned about the Monet exhibit.

So maybe after leaving our hotel in ?Yonkers? we'll head to Essex for the steam train and river boat. The kids would love both of those.

Then spend day 4 at the aquarium and maybe hit a beach for a few hours. Beach would be best in the afternoon since they will be tired, but so happy to be at the ocean that they won't be tired.

Then on day 5 we can just relax and take our time heading home. Maybe sleep in...yah right!

I'll start looking all this stuff over.

The best nearby beaches are in Westerly, Rhode Island. The above mentioned Misquamicut is a state beach. Check surf conditions because it can get rough. In Watch Hill there are two beaches, one of which offers sheltered water (actually, Napatree does too if you cross the sand spit.Note that parking can be a problem on the weekends or on particularly beautiful days. Watch Hill also offers a carousel and good ice cream!

http://westerlychamber.org/pages/beaches/

More on Block Island (consensus among my friends is that a daytrip is sufficient)

http://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/block-islandwhere-to-stay.cfm


Much easier would be a visit to the North Fork,as mentioned above. Let me know if you need any info on the North Fork.

http://www.northfork.org/

ekscrunchy - if we do the north fork trip, would you recommend bringing the car over? or is there enough to do within walking distance of the ferry drop off?

You definitely need a car if you do NoFo. Reservations are hard to come by so if you plan on doing that, I would check now. However, I think you will find, there is plenty to do without adding the hassle of a ferry ride, especially if you are doing the Essex riverboat with the train.
Watch Hill is a great area with beaches, lunch spots, ice cream and the oldest continually operated flying horse carousel in the nation. It is a nice visit but as mentioned, can get quite busy in the summer.

YOu need a car to explore the North Fork. The ferry terminus is at Orient Point and there is nothing much within walking distance; although you are a short bike ride from the State Park.

http://nysparks.com/parks/106/details.aspx



A few miles further west is the hamlet of Orient, a charming historic village.

http://www.oysterpondshistoricalsociety.org/



Two towns further west is Greenport, with lots of activities to walk to, but you should have a car to get there from the ferry. (There is a public bus, the s92, but it does not run too often)
http://www.sct-bus.org/schedules/s92.pdf


http://www.greenportvillage.com/


And further west are the many wineries that have made the area famous in recent years, as well as a string of farm stands with seasonal produce..

If you are interested in an overnight in the area, I can recommend a few places..