Nov 24-25, Dec 1-2, 8-9 and 15-16….10am-4pm. The castle is open and decorated for the holidays. There is food concession, visitor center and gift shop open in East Haddam.

At precisely 2pm Santa arrvies in Mystic on the Kingston II tugboat. He will arrive at the dock at the Mystic Rivre Park. There will be Christmas carols and Santa will listen to children to see what they are wishing.

November 23-24 11:30am-3pm. Olde Mistick Village see Santa and get pictures. If you can’t make that partake in Holiday Carnival on December 1 and the Festival of Lights on December 7 with the Mystic Aquarium -5,000 luminaries are placed around the village and the aquarium for an evening of delight and color! Local bands at the Aquariuem 5:30-8:30pm and admission is can goods….for a great evening.

Shop for the Holidays - Mystic Village, Crystal Mall, Shops at Mohegan Sun, Westbrook Outlets, Clinton Outlets, Downtown-Mystic, Niantic, Groton, Old Saybrook…..JUST TO NAME afew. You can find discounts, deals and fine upscale shopping at boutiques…..something for everyone. Shopping in New England and having a seasonal lunch is a fine day out. Book our movie star package and send the family to the movies while you shop and enjoy the spa benefits after a day of shopping.

What is one way to find a good deal at the hotel? I would say the best way is the extremes book really early or take a chance on booking really late for a date. Early bird specials -like a super saver airline seat can be found or last minute if the hotel has a change in last minute inventory can result in some really good specials. I would say the Early Bird is always good and the last minute may also result in a highest rates

Two night minimum stay on Saturday night as it is the “most active” weekend of the year in this area. Harvest Moon Festival (5-8pm) Friday October 5 Mystic River Park. Groton Fall Festival Saturday October 6(10am-4pm), crafts demonstrations and great musical groups 9-Teen, classic car show and skateboard park competition. Octoberfest at the Beach Friday October 5 (6-9pm) Beer-30 microbrew companties, chowder and music www.newlondonrotary.org. Jonathan Edwards Winery 6th annual Harvest Festival Saturday October 6 and Sunday October 7 (noon-6pm) www.jedwardswinery.com for tickets. Just to name a SMALL sampling of what is happening this weekend.

This is the manager’s pick of the weekend. It has been I believe over 40 years for this show the last Saturday of September. Staying at the Groton Inn and Suites it is the perfect picturesque drive to Lebanon in the fall and you stop along the way picking pumpkins, fall fresh fruits and veggies from the different market stands and enjoy the colors of the countryside. Then you got to the Lebanon Green and there are over 100 antique dealers that are willing to bargin this time of the year. Great Americana antiques mixed with the mums and bittersweet wreaths. Stop at the adjacent church for their special chowder and a home made dessert (pies, bars and coffee). It is a great day trip from the Inn.

Norman Rockwell held over one week at Florence Griswold Museum www.FlorenceGriswoldMuseum.org. Family Impromptu Every Sunday 1-5pm

Saturday, September 29

Green Falls Hike-Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center 536-1216 Hawk Watch 8-10am

Lebanon on the Green-Anqitue show 9am-3pm

Sunday September 30

Bird Walk CT College 8-9:30am

Stamp Show-Waterford High School 10am-4pm-refreshments, Door prizes

Tour Eastern Point Homes Sunday, Sept 30-11am-5pm

Wild Mushroom Festival 3-6pm Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center

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Join us in September - call for the Romance Package and enjoy the crisp nights and warm days. INclude on a Saturday the Lighthouse Expedition Cruise. Saturdays in September Project Oceanology leaves at 4pm for a Lighthouse tour of Ledge Light. Call 445-9007 for reservations www.oceanology.org .

Early fall at the Seaport-By Land and BY Sea=Village is full of classic vehicles as they go about the daily business of the 1920’s cars, trucks and motorcycles and a Parade of vehicles the event runs 9am-3pm on this Sunday.