The top 10 reasons to visit Mystic Country, Connecticut this summer

MYSTIC, Conn., June 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Summer 2012 has arrived. Below are the 10 top reasons to consider Mystic Country, Connecticut for a vacation:

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The Sea Everything® Mystic Pass Card '12.  This pass saves money if a visitor plans to visit both Mystic Aquarium and Mystic Seaport. Tip: buy the pass before planning your trip to take advantage of hotel discounts. Available at: http://Mystic.org/events-discounts/mystic-pass.

OpSail 2012, 7/6-9. The tall ships are coming to New London. A festival and fireworks add to the fun.

"Titanic 12,450 ft. Below" is an exciting new exhibit at Mystic Aquarium.

The beach. Visit New London's Ocean Beach Park or East Lyme's Rocky Neck State Park and spend the day on the sand.  Or, try fresh water swimming at Day Pond State Park in Colchester or Quaddick State Park in Thompson.

The water.  Hit the sound on a schooner like the Argia out of Mystic or head for some deep-sea fishing aboard the Black Hawk II out of Niantic, or Hell Cat II in Groton. Kayaks and sailboats are available for rent as well.  Check out where to rent at http://Mystic.org/browse/what-to-do.

Hiking. Eastern Connecticut is loaded with leisurely trails like Bluff Point State Park in Groton on the coast, to the "Wolf Den Trail" at Mashamoquet Brook State Park, Pomfret in the country. 

Street festivals. The evening of the first Friday of every month head to Putnam, the Third Thursday means Willimantic is rocking.

Agricultural Fairs. North Stonington (7/12-15), Brooklyn (8/23-26) and Woodstock  (8/31-9/3) for a true dose of an old time country fair with midway, horse show, agricultural barns, music and more.

History. Learn about colonial life at the Nathan Hale Homestead in Coventry, Native Americans at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum in Mashantucket and the Revolutionary War at historic sites like the Revolutionary War Office in Lebanon.

Eat seafood. At a clam shack, fine restaurant, wherever. Fresh New England clam chowder, lobster, scallops and more are off the docks and delicious.  Abbott's Lobster in Noank and J.D.Cooper's in Putnam, were recently selected as "Bests" by Connecticut Magazine.

For more tips and and things to see and do in Mystic Country be sure to check out http://Mystic.org to prepare your own top 10 list.

Mystic Country is a destination that blends the tranquility of classic New England seascapes and scenic rolling hills with rich cultural heritage and sophisticated, top-flight entertainment. Home to Mystic Aquarium, Mystic Seaport, Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mohegan Sun and National Scenic Byway Route 169, Mystic Country covers the eastern third of Connecticut -- 42 towns easily reached by car, bus or train (Amtrak) from Boston, Providence and New York, and accessible from all regional airports. Visit the website at http://Mystic.org.

SOURCE Mystic Country