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Category: Outdoors Life

  • 🏖️ Know before you Shore | Outdoorsy Newsletter

    It’s officially summer, folks. ☀️

    Before we jump into what you can expect from the season, here’s what we’re getting up to today:

    ☂️ Your weekend weather outlook: There’s rain in the forecast, but Sunday should be clear.

    — Paola Pérez (outdoorsy@inquirer.com)

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    It’s badge season

    Planning a beach trip? I’m sure you considered the cost of fuel and snacks already, but be sure you’re aware of required beach badges, too. These are prepaid entrance fees for visitors.

    Most beaches charge weekday and weekend rates, or offer seasonal tags, but a few of them are free. For instance, no beach tags are required at Atlantic City, Corsons Inlet State Park, North Wildwood, Sandy Hook, Strathmere, Wildwood, and Wildwood Crest.

    Here’s a breakdown of the price tags for the rest of the Shore.

    🌊 P.S. Be sure to check out my colleague Amy Rosenberg’s Down the Shore newsletter. From town happenings to debates about playing loud music on the sand, she’s got it all covered. Sign up here.

    News worth knowing

    🌳 Your outdoorsy experience

    Last time, I asked you to tell me where you go for a moment of calm. Bonnie Zetick wrote in with her pick, the Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library:

    Winterthur! Calm, something different blooming every time you go, trails or tram to get around.

    When I was working, if I had half a day off, let alone a whole day, I would head to Winterthur on Route 52 near Wilmington, Del. Winterthur now has a self-guided museum of the American Decorative Arts, permanent as well as temporary exhibits so always something to see that I’ve never seen before. Then you have the gardens! Lovingly developed and planned by Henry Francis du Pont, you will see spectacular colors, birds you may never have seen before, seasonal displays of azaleas (think Mother’s Day), mums, the house of 175 rooms (not all accessible to the public) dressed up for Yuletide, trees, some of which are very old — all lovingly cared for by knowledgeable, courteous, and committed staff. Winterthur also plays a leadership role in conservation, the latest techniques for care of these gardens, and research in their stewardship of this beautiful place. I love Winterthur!

    Thanks for sharing, Bonnie. I love that they also publish seasonal playlists on Spotify.

    📧 What are you enjoying out there? This is your spot to shine. Send your special stories and moments in an email — with a picture, if you have one. You may see it featured here.

    Predicting the unpredictable

    🎤 Now we’re passing the microphone to Tony Wood, our resident expert on all things about the atmosphere.

    Never in the history of meteorology have so many been so warned so often about severe weather.

    Yet so many of those cardiac-challenging smartphone alerts and fireball images on laptops and TV screens appear to evaporate without incident.

    In other cases, flooding downpours and damaging winds show up hours later than forecasts had suggested.

    And atmospheric mayhem has been known to occur with little or no notice.

    The short answer is, the science has limits, and so do the humans. — Tony Wood

    It’s all in Wood’s report. Discover the challenges and intricacies of weather forecasting in our area.

    Paola’s picks

    ☀️ A song: “Weather Instrument” by Starcleaner Reunion.

    ❤️ An appreciation post: “The beautiful and mighty Wissahickon.”

    🐦 A good read: Unlikely birds with Tom Pluck.

    🍿 An activity: Watch Hoppers at Thomas Stokley Playground (Friday, free), and stop by City Tavern’s reopened garden.

    🦟 A lifehack: How mosquito experts protect themselves in the summer.

    A sparkling view

    Breathe in … and breathe out. I filmed this by the Schuylkill River along Kelly Drive.Paola Pérez

    👋🏽 This newsletter is taking a break in observance of the Fourth of July. Rest assured, we will be back July 10. Until then, have fun and be safe out there.

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

  • A perfect summer weekend on Seven Mile Island | Field Trip

    A perfect summer weekend on Seven Mile Island | Field Trip

    Yes, Memorial Day weekend is the official start of summer, but there’s a pleasant lull down the Shore between then and when kids get out of school. These are the final moments to enjoy the excellent weather and relative serenity of the microseason, and Seven Mile Island — home to the bougie siblings of Stone Harbor and Avalon — has rolled out the white-sand carpet.

    These towns contain some of the most expensive real estate at the Jersey Shore, and in the height of the summer, staying anywhere nice is prohibitively expensive for anyone who is not on a Comcast C-suite salary or whose grandparents didn’t buy a house in 1975. This is another benefit of visiting before July 4. Rates are lower, reservations are easier, and the line at Springer’s is only slightly less insane.

    Start the car.

    Stay: ICONA Avalon

    Situated right in the center of Seven Mile, at the southern end of Avalon, beachfront ICONA has the location edge over the island’s other luxury hideout, the Reeds at Shelter Haven, which is convenient to Stone Harbor’s 96th Street shopping district. Both properties are expensive, but you can still find some lingering June rates under $400 a night. ICONA’s beach is beautiful and peaceful, with a breezy bar and lounge between the property and the shoreline, and Avalon Brew Pub is a popular canteen for locals and Shoobies alike.

    📍 7849 Dune Dr., Avalon, N.J. 08202

    Shop: Pete Smith’s Surf Shop

    The origins of Pete Smith’s Surf Shop lie in Virginia Beach, but the boutique has been part of the Jersey Shore for decades. The Stone Harbor location, spread across two storefronts, stocks men’s and women’s swimwear, woolly shackets for chilly nights, and enough Sun Bum for the entire summer. Pick up a branded T-shirt; Pete’s releases a new design every Christmas.

    📍 285 96th St., Stone Harbor, N.J. 08247

    Learn: The Wetlands Institute

    Whether you’re visiting the Shore with kids or simply marine-curious, the Wetlands Institute, located just before crossing the bridge into Stone Harbor, makes a perfect stop. Learn about the local terrapin turtles, pet a sea star in the touch tank, or walk along the marsh trail and elevated boardwalk for views of an integral Jersey ecosystem that most of us rarely see up close.

    📍 1075 Stone Harbor Blvd., Stone Harbor, N.J. 08247

    Surf: Avalon Surf Camp

    Don’t be dissuaded by the multitude of kids on Avalon Surf Camp’s website. Their instructors teach wannabe surfers of all ages and experience levels through group and private lessons on 12th Street beach at the north end of Avalon. The camp provides everything you need: boards, wetsuits, and a working knowledge of the ocean’s mercurial temperament before ever getting in the water. With a little luck and a little wind, you’ll be up on a board by noon.

    📍 12th Street Beach, Avalon, N.J. 08202

    Relax: 7 Mile Island Massage

    Because surfing is a workout, and because you’re a good person who deserves nice things, book a treatment with 7 Mile Island Massage. This isn’t a spa but a mobile studio that comes to you. Owner and therapist Nik Pattantyus, who’s also a registered nurse and avid stand-up paddleboarder, will set up in your hotel suite, on the back porch of your rental house, or wherever else you happen to be staying. In addition to deep-tissue, reflexology, and other massage styles, he’s recently added manual lymphatic drainage to the menu.

    The fire wood grill cooking various meats at La Portena in Stone Harbor, N.J., on Thursday, June 12, 2025.Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer

    Dine: La Porteña

    Lucas Manteca has been cooking down the Shore for two decades, and La Porteña, a few blocks from his Quahog’s seafood tavern, is his most personal project yet. The menu and family-style format draw from the chef’s Argentine heritage. Every table receives a spread of snacks and salads to share, including Manteca’s famous empanadas, followed by each diner’s choice of entrée: New York strip, short ribs, Iberico pork secreto, and more. At the time of this writing, dessert is dulce de leche rice pudding with compressed rhubarb. Make reservations.

    📍 9426 Third Ave., Stone Harbor, N.J. 08247

    Indulge: Springer’s Homemade Ice Cream

    The line stretching from the white-sided front porch of Springer’s Homemade Ice Cream down Third Avenue is legendary. You might run into your college lacrosse coach, the kids you babysat who are now disconcertingly grown and lifeguarding on 88th Street, or the local girl you spent that one magical summer with in 10th grade. Springer’s has been scooping since the early 1900s, and the nostalgia it inspires is as much a part of the appeal as flavors like banana fudge, the slightly salty butterscotch brickle, and Cookies in My Coffee, crushed Oreos veined through dark coffee ice cream. Worth the wait, always.

    📍 9420 Third Ave., Stone Harbor, N.J. 08247

  • A popular but deadly hiking trail will reopen in the Poconos

    A popular but deadly hiking trail will reopen in the Poconos

    JIM THORPE, Pa. — Long considered one of Pennsylvania’s most popular and scenic hikes, the Glen Onoko Falls Trail was also one of the state’s most dangerous.

    Many people have been injured on the steep rocky trail, 85 miles north of Philadelphia, in Jim Thorpe, Carbon County. Others have died. In 1983, David R. Carlyon, 23, of Hazleton, dove across the top of the falls, trying to save his 3-year-old nephew, Ian Russell. Both fell and died. Over the last 50 years, at least 10 hikers have died.

    When the Pennsylvania Game Commission closed the trail in 2019, citing safety and trail deterioration issues, Thomas Russell recounted the tragic day his son died.

    “I saw him,” he told The Inquirer in 2019. “I saw him clutching at vegetation, at a branch or something, and I guess his hands slipped, or it didn’t hold, and then he was gone.”

    Russell did not want the state to close the trail, however.

    Now, seven years later, it’s still closed and being transformed into a safer destination. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Outdoor Corps has begun a project that will make the trail safer for hikers and more easily accessible to first responders who have to rescue the injured.

    The project, according to DCNR, is expected to take anywhere from three to five years. When finished, the trail would reopen and become part of Lehigh Gorge State Park.

    A portion of Glen Onoko Falls Trail is being reconstructed to allow for easier access in case of emergencies.Jason Nark

    Members of the Outdoor Corps have been methodically moving or smashing large boulders on the upper portion of the trail, creating a safer route for first responders to reach injured hikers with UTVs. Many of the trails would be wider when the work is completed.

    It’s sweaty, calculating work that often requires heavy hydraulics to move boulders that weigh more than cars. Some of the biggest rocks — most of them sandstone — have earned names, like Belinda, Gertrude, and Turkey Leg.

    “When we crush a rock open, that’s the first time the inside of that rock has seen daylight in millions of years,” one Corps worker said.

    Earlier this month, a worker with the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps discusses boulders that will be removed or pulverized on the Glen Onoko Falls Trail.Jason Nark

    In 2019, the Pennsylvania Game Commission cited overuse as an additional factor in the decision to close the trail. More than 8,500 people signed a petition at the time to keep the trail open.

    Despite the closure and citations issued to hikers found on the trail, it has remained popular, officials said. Officials said the trail is even more dangerous, with hydraulics under high tension to move rocks, during the reconstruction process.

    “Even though it’s closed, the public still comes on here,” said Rich Fritsky, regional supervisor for the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps. “They ignore the signs. They duck under the ropes, but it’s extremely dangerous.”

    A hiker had to be rescued just a month after the trail closed, and in 2022, a 72-year-old hiker fell and died there. On a recent tour, two hikers were resting by the falls.

    “Last winter, a guy was ice climbing and had to be rescued,” said Timm Berger, the district director for State Rep. Doyle Heffley.

    On a recent gathering at the trail rehabilitation site, Berger said Heffley’s office has received countless calls over the years from hikers asking when Glen Onoko will reopen.

    “People are anxious,” Berger said.

    The popular website AllTrails.com lists Glen Onoko Falls as a difficult hike where proper shoes are required. The trail is a 3.7-mile loop and ascends easily, with flat terrain, for about a quarter-mile beyond the parking lot, following Glen Onoko Run closely. But it grows steeper and rockier as it goes upward, with some narrow ledges that appear to be eroding and some steep drop-offs. Often, hikers need to scramble over wet rocks.

    AllTrails also warns hikers that the trail is “temporarily inaccessible,” but many are not heeding the warning.

    “It started off fairly easy, but then got fairly difficult,“ one hiker wrote on AllTrails in March. “I can definitely understand why the trail is closed.”

    A sign near the middle falls on the Glen Okono Falls Trail uses a skull and crossbones to warn hikers just how serious the threat of danger exists on the trail at this point. The Pennsylvania Game Commission closed the main Glen Onoko Falls trail in Jim Thorpe on May 1, 2019.MICHAEL BRYANT / Staff Photographer
  • A perfect weekend in Princeton, N.J., from record stores to ice cream and ivy-covered quads | Field Trip

    A perfect weekend in Princeton, N.J., from record stores to ice cream and ivy-covered quads | Field Trip

    A college campus in Central New Jersey might not sound like the ideal getaway, but Princeton has a Ph.D. in historic charm, boutique shops, eateries, and museums. As a lifelong New Jerseyan, I keep forgetting how much I love it there.

    Even the Wawa is a work of art.

    “Princeton is just a beautiful little town and, in my opinion, there are only a few places like it in all of New Jersey,” said John Lambert, owner of the iconic Princeton Record Exchange.

    Strolling through Princeton University’s ivy-covered campus, as Albert Einstein used to, is almost worth the trip alone, particularly if you go on a bustling fall weekend. The campus is teeming with sculptures, massive churches, and historic school buildings. The town is only 50 miles northeast of Philadelphia and is even accessible by Amtrak at 30th Street Station.

    Winberie’s is a Princeton staple.Jason Nark

    Fuel

    I’m a sucker for a downstairs pub, and I’ve been to Winberie’s Restaurant & Bar a handful of times. It’s dark and bedecked in stained glass and brick, and images of Princeton icons, like author John McPhee and basketball legend Bill Bradley, line the walls.

    It’s not the only bar in town, but Winberie’s seems like the ideal place to grab a craft beer or wine before or after a Tiger football or basketball game. It sits right on Palmer Square in the middle of town.

    Princeton legends like John McPhee line the walls at Winberie’s.Jason Nark

    Winberie’s has full entrees, including pan-roasted, crispy skin salmon, and braised, beef short ribs, but I also get one of their burgers. On a recent weekday in June, I ordered the smash burger on rye bread with mustard.

    Afterward, while walking off the meal around Palmer Square, I made a note to try Teresa’s Pizza & Wine Bar next time. Princeton’s Triumph Brewing is an elevated brewing experience with duck, lamb, and oysters on the menu. It was named a 2025 Diners’ Choice by OpenTable.

    📍 Winberie’s Restaurant & Bar, 1 Palmer Square E., Princeton, N.J. 08542

    📍Teresa’s Pizza & Wine Bar, 23 Palmer Square E., Princeton, N.J. 08542

    📍Triumph Brewing Company, 20 Palmer Sq. E, Princeton, N.J. 08542

    The Nassau Inn has been in operation in Princeton since 1775.Jason Nark

    Stay

    Princeton can be an easy day trip for anyone in Philadelphia. That’s a great option too, because overnights can be expensive, particularly when school is in session, and there are large events on campus.

    The Nassau Inn, on Palmer Square, is Princeton’s most iconic hotel, and it offers summer getaway deals starting at $175 a night. Rooms jump to $325 a night come mid-September. The Nassau, established in 1775, offers 16 craft beers, plus breakfast, lunch, and dinner at its Yankee Doodle Tap Room.

    The Graduate Hotel, by Hilton, has a breathtaking lobby, but the prices are breathtaking too. There are some simple and relatively affordable Airbnbs downtown, too, but expect the prices to double during the school year.

    📍 Nassau Inn, 10 Palmer Square E., Princeton, N.J. 08542

    📍 Graduate Princeton, 10 Chambers St., Princeton, N.J. 08542

    The Princeton Record Exchange is considered one of the country’s best places to get vinyl.Jason Nark

    Shop

    There are almost too many options to choose from, but the Princeton Record Exchange, or PREX, is a must-see. As the sign in the window attests, it’s one of the nation’s, even the world’s, best record stores with over 100,000 albums, cassettes, and CDs spread out over 4,500 square feet.

    James Murphy, of LCD Soundsystem, said PREX “saved his life.”

    Owner Jon Lambert said he has visitors from all over the world, and he’s found the average customer spends over an hour in the store. Sometimes they’re simply browsing and reminiscing, and Lambert said that’s just fine.

    “We want you to feel comfortable here, to have a tactile, sensorial experience,” he said. “We know you’ll probably be back.”

    Toys from floor to ceiling at jaZams in Princeton.Jason Nark

    Other must-sees are jaZams, arguably the greatest toy story ever (I managed to spend just $14) and Labyrinth Books, which specializes in rare and academic titles.

    📍 Princeton Record Exchange, 20 S. Tulane St., Princeton, N.J. 08542

    📍 jaZams, 25 Palmer Square E., Princeton, N.J. 08542

    📍 Labyrinth Books, 122 Nassau St., Princeton, N.J. 08542

    The Princeton University Art Museum is free to the public.Jason Nark

    See

    The Princeton University Art Museum was the biggest surprise of my visit, a vast, modern building full of pieces, large and small, that touch on, well, everything. My daughter, just 4 years old, was captivated.

    There’s a Warhol, Monet, some German expressionism, gold-ground paintings from the 1400s, and massive, modern pieces by sculptor Nick Cave.

    In honor of America’s 250th celebration, the museum has an exhibit titled “What Is an American?” running through November.

    Even better: It’s free.

    📍 45 Elm Dr., Princeton, N.J. 08544

    The author’s daughter stands by a Nick Cave piece at The Princeton University Art Museum.Jason Nark

    Sweets

    The Bent Spoon, an artisan ice cream shop on Palmer Square, has crafted hundreds of flavors since it opened in 2004. The small shop, which is open year-round, redefines “farm to spoon,” which means you have to grab flavors like blueberry and strawberry when they’re available.

    “We really try to celebrate the seasons, for real,” said co-owner Gabrielle Carbone. “We get our strawberries from South Jersey, and they’re only available until the strawberries run out.”

    The Bent Spoon has been making artisanal ice cream on Palmer Square since 2004.Jason Nark

    I ordered vanilla bean — sourced from Madagascar. My daughter had a vegan vanilla with organic rainbow sprinkles. We swapped.

    Carbone says blueberry ice cream and blueberry-lemonade sorbet will be in around July, but not for long. Princeton is bustling come winter, too, she said.

    “We’re known for our hot chocolate,” she said.

    📍 35 Palmer Square W., Princeton, N.J. 08542

    The Princeton Wawa was designed by architect Rick Joy.Jason Nark

    Wawa

    You know Wawas. You’ve seen hundreds of them and, for the most part, they all look the same.

    The Wawa at the Princeton Station train stop was designed by architect Rick Joy, though, and features exterior walls with sharp angles and columns made of blackened steel panels. Inside, above the cash register, is a large skylight.

    The Wawa even has a green roof, along with the ubiquitous shorties and hot coffee.

    📍 152 Alexander St., Princeton, N.J. 08540

    The cash register at the Princeton Wawa is bathed in sunlight.Jason Nark

  • 🥕 Farmers markets to try | Outdoorsy Newsletter

    Sunscreen? Check. Water? Check. Your lineup? Check.

    🥵 It’s very hot. Storms are likely Friday, but the air will be drier Saturday and Sunday.

    📮 How do you cope with the heat? Got a favorite spot to cool off? Let me know.

    — Paola Pérez (outdoorsy@inquirer.com)

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    Get it fresh

    The Philly region is home to a plethora of farmers markets, so we compiled a list of 25 that are well worth checking out. Some operate through the fall, while others are available year-round.

    Here’s a sampling:

    🥬 Explore the Media Farmers Market which highlights vendors within a 150-mile radius (runs Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.)

    🍑 Check out 4th & Lehigh Farmers Market and try the plump peaches and crates of juicy strawberries (opens in July; runs on Tuesdays from 11 a.m to 3 p.m.)

    🧀 Try artisanal cheese at Clark Park Farmers Market in West Philly (open all year long every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

    Whether you’re new to this or true to this, we have something for you. Use our exclusive map to discover the top farmers markets, in Philadelphia and the suburbs.

    News worth knowing

    • New Jersey secured a federal disaster declaration for the crops damaged in April’s rare heat-freeze sequence. Pennsylvania counties got a similar designation last month.
    • Philadelphia will begin opening pools on a rolling basis across the city Friday, but details are scarce.
    • FloatLab, a public art feature that will offer an eye-level view of the Schuylkill, finished its voyage up the East Coast and arrived at Bartram’s Garden on Wednesday.
    • FDR Park’s Anna C. Verna Playground will remain closed for at least another few weeks, after an inspection found that slide equipment did not meet safety standards.

    🌳 Your outdoorsy experience

    I’m on the hunt for new stories to share here. Tell me: Where do you go for a moment of calm? What sight takes your breath away? If you have photos, we’d love to see them — you might even be featured in an upcoming newsletter.

    Suitable running attire

    Courtesy of Alim Wallace

    🎤 Now I’m passing the mic to arts and culture reporter Earl Hopkins.

    The image of a long-distance runner is usually a combination of heavy-duty sneakers, compression shorts, and sweat-absorbing tops. But that’s not the picture Alim Wallace paints on a race day.

    That’s because the North Philly native shows up in a tailored suit, with a pocket square and a suede briefcase stuffed with hydration packs and electrolyte gels. Yes, to a race.

    Since his first race in 2025, Wallace has competed in the Philadelphia Marathon, the Broad Street Run, and others like the Life Time Miami Marathon and the Publix Atlanta Marathon. He’s racked up medals and thousands of social media followers who follow him not just to see him run past the finishing line, but to see what he wears crossing it.

    “It was about having an idea, and being bold enough to do it,” Wallace, 31, said. “Some people will let an idea stop them. They say, ‘People are going to look at me funny. People are going to think this way.’ I really don’t care.” — Earl Hopkins

    Learn how Wallace became the “The Suit Guy,” and how he hopes to motivate others.

    Kickoff the party

    A 39-day festival for the World Cup is officially underway on Lemon Hill in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park, with thousands expected to join in on the free, open-air fun.

    The city’s official watch party will let fans watch matches on a stage-size screen, play a bit of “futebol,” and explore vendor and food markets.

    Here are a few things to know before you go:

    ⚽ To get there: There is no parking on-site. Consider SEPTA, the Philly PHLASH shuttle, cycling, or rideshare.

    ⚽ To get in: Fans must first register via an online form.

    See our full FIFA Fan Fest guide for details on everything from road closures to ADA-accessible features and prohibited items.

    Paola’s picks

    🍓 A guide: How to properly wash your summer berries.

    🩰 A performance: BalletX’s colorful love letter to Mother Nature.

    ☀️ A song: “i’ll kiss the sun” by Asal.

    🕹️ A game: “Stroll” along the Wildwood boardwalk and meet the unsung heroes keeping the Shore alive.

    🛶 An activity: The Schuylkill River Sojourn, a 112-mile guided trip, runs June 13-19 (pay per day or the entire weeklong journey).

    A calming view

    Breathe in…and breathe out.Paola Pérez

    Bon voyage to this kayaker, whom I spotted paddling away under the Strawberry Mansion Bridge on Sunday.

    👋🏽 This newsletter is taking a break in observance of the Juneteenth holiday. Rest assured, we will be back June 26. Until then, take care out there!

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

  • Mystic, Conn., is much more than pizza and a movie title | Field Trip

    Mystic, Conn., is much more than pizza and a movie title | Field Trip

    Consider yourself warned: This weekend itinerary in Mystic, Conn., contains no pizza. Not that you can’t find a great slice in this New England seaport town, but Mystic offers so much more than nostalgia from the 1980s cult movie classic. Eccentric boutiques, hearty breakfasts, and stylish inns pile onto the nautical charm of the village, which is divided between Groton and Stonington by the Mystic River.

    It’s pretty much a straight shot up 95, clocking a little over four hours from Center City. Start the car.

    Fuel: Kitchen Little

    Start the trip with a Mystic tradition: breakfast at Kitchen Little, the second-floor cafe at the Mystic River Marina on Mason’s Island. The huge menu features blueberry-jeweled buttermilk pancakes, omelets stuffed with corned beef hash, and nine different types of eggs Benedict, including one piled with hunks of fresh lobster. Ask for a table on the deck for views of the boats drifting through the harbor.

    📍 36 Quarry Rd., Mystic, Conn. 06355

    Stay: The Whaler’s Inn

    Composed of a series of historic buildings constructed between 1865 and 1920, the Whaler’s Inn sits at the end of Mystic’s famous Main Street Bridge, an ideal location for exploring the town. The property fits the weekend’s nautical theme with its whitewashed facade, navy shutters, slate woodwork, and two seafood restaurants. Room categories are spread across multiple buildings, from adults-only luxury suites with buttercream sofas and sleek integrated kitchenettes to family rooms with built-in bunks and a children’s library. The experience is super customizable depending whether you’re traveling solo or with children.

    📍 20 E. Main St., Mystic, Conn. 06355

    Shop: Olde Mistick Village

    More than 40 boutiques comprise Olde Mistick Village, a model colonial-era New England town originally opened in 1973. The shops, arranged around a meetinghouse, run the gamut, from Salt Life-type souvenirs to rare manga volumes (Arisu), Murano glass jewelry (Gineva), and eerie Victorian oddities (Alice’s Little Haunted Book Shop). And if the weather isn’t cooperating during your visit, the village also hosts Mystic Luxury Cinemas, where the recliners are heated and the popcorn comes topped with real butter.

    📍 27 Coogan Blvd., Mystic, Conn. 06355

    Sun: Bluff Point Beach

    Just west of Mystic, the Poquonnock River meanders down into Long Island Sound, shimmying around the tip of Bluff Point Beach. This tranquil, undeveloped stretch of sand at the end of Bluff Point State Park arcs into the water like a slingshot, making it a relaxing place to sunbathe, stroll, and plane-spot the occasional jet taking off at Groton-New London Airport just across the river. Park in the state park lot; the beach is the end of the marked trial, a little over a mile south.

    📍 55 Depot Rd., Groton, Conn. 06340

    See: Mystic Museum of Art

    Lobster is not Southern Connecticut’s only historic industry. The region was also a leading producer of velvet in the 1800s. That craft takes center stage this summer in “Luxe CT: Velvet Mills to Modern Runways,” opening June 26 at Mystic Museum of Art. If painting is more your medium, the museum’s white farmhouse-style building houses a stunning collection of American impressionist and tonalist works from the early 1900s to the early 2000s, including Henry Ward Ranger’s Connecticut landscapes.

    📍 9 Water St., Mystic, Conn. 06355

    Learn: Mystic Seaport Museum

    Also on the weekend of June 26, the Mystic Seaport Museum’s 34th annual WoodenBoat Show goes down with more than a hundred styles of wooden vessels on display at the riverfront institution’s wharf. Besides the show, this is the place to learn about Mystic’s maritime culture, home to four national historic landmark vessels you can board and explore, as well as the Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard, the nation’s first preservation yard dedicated to wooden ships. If you love boats, or better yet, have kids that love boats, you should not miss it.

    📍 75 Greenmanville Ave., Mystic, Conn. 06355

    Dine: Red 36

    Perched along the river, Red 36 glows as bright as a lantern once the sun goes down in Mystic. Heading here for dinner means shorts and a T-shirt and a table on the wide waterfront deck or under the barnlike wood-beam ceiling inside — extremely chill. Order a spicy marg made with jalapeño-infused tequila and mezcal or an ice-cold Allagash, along with one of two types of clam chowder; we say the creamy over the clear. Entrees include fish and chips splashed with malt vinegar, seafood paella, and the mac-daddy whole steamed lobster served with Mexican street corn, coleslaw, and Old Bay fries.

    📍 2 Washington St., Mystic, Conn. 06355