8th Grader on a Mission

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My DD is only in 8th grade, but she is CGA obsessed. She wants to visit the campus this summer and, as early as it is, I’m considering it. I’ve looked at the calendar and there appears to be an admissions tour event on 6/15. IF we make the trip, we would fly in on Friday, tour Saturday, and fly home Sunday. What should be on the must see/do list (aside from the Academy tour itself) for a quick trip to the area?
 
There's not much in New London. Mystic is pretty cool but kind of expensive. Some great restaurants around. Personal favorites are the Engineroom in Mystic and Kamp Dog in New London - very different experiences, though. The sub museum in Groton is pretty neat. Honestly, though, if you're looking to make a few days out of it, I would recommend popping up to Boston for the remainder of your time. If you have any questions, let me know!
 
There's not much in New London. Mystic is pretty cool but kind of expensive. Some great restaurants around. Personal favorites are the Engineroom in Mystic and Kamp Dog in New London - very different experiences, though. The sub museum in Groton is pretty neat. Honestly, though, if you're looking to make a few days out of it, I would recommend popping up to Boston for the remainder of your time. If you have any questions, let me know!

Thank you so much for the recommendations!
 
That's great! My husband set his sights on the CGA in 7th grade and has now been in 27 years! It's a great service!
If you have a little time I would recommend Newport, RI. Great nautical town that is full of fun shops and restaurants. Otherwise Boston is beautiful with tons to see and do!
 
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We have been visiting USCGA from the time our DS was in 6th grade. He is now at USCGA!! We love going to visit him and when we do we stay in Mystic. Mystic is a great little town. There is also Mystic seaport. We like going to Narragansett RI as well.
As far as places to eat we really enjoy Captain Scott’s lobster dock in New London. Could be a line but worth it. Also the Seahorse restaurant in Noank and Franks gourmet grill in Mystic are great. For special occasions we go to the Coast Guard house in Narraganset, awesome food but expensive.
There is plenty to do in the area so you don’t have to go to Boston this time around.

Message me if you want any more info.
 
We have been visiting USCGA from the time our DS was in 6th grade. He is now at USCGA!! We love going to visit him and when we do we stay in Mystic. Mystic is a great little town. There is also Mystic seaport. We like going to Narragansett RI as well.
As far as places to eat we really enjoy Captain Scott’s lobster dock in New London. Could be a line but worth it. Also the Seahorse restaurant in Noank and Franks gourmet grill in Mystic are great. For special occasions we go to the Coast Guard house in Narraganset, awesome food but expensive.
There is plenty to do in the area so you don’t have to go to Boston this time around.

Message me if you want any more info.

Sounds great, thank you! (I’ve wanted to go to Mystic since watching the movie Mystic Pizza when I was a kid...can’t believe it never occurred to me!)
 
Sounds great, thank you! (I’ve wanted to go to Mystic since watching the movie Mystic Pizza when I was a kid...can’t believe it never occurred to me!)

the pizza is actually good there too considering the hype!
 
the pizza is actually good there too considering the hype!

DS is a 2018 graduate. We were lucky as my brother and his family live in Mystic and the town was his 'home away from home'. DS and many of his friends spent many weekends in Mystic over the four years. It is a very cool little town that can be quite crowded in the summer months.
 
We combined our visit with a trip to Boston to see universities there. It's only a couple of hours drive. If you've never been to Boston, might be worth flying in there early Friday, checking out that city, doing New London on Saturday, then fly back out of Boston or do an open-jaw booking out of Providence or New Haven.
 
We are finding out that there is a huge difference in spring and summer hotel rates. You are an hour from either Providence or Hartford airports. On our visit, we stayed in New London which was convenient to the Academy but always seemed to find ourselves in Mystic.
 
if you qualify
navy inn at groton is wonderful

Just checked that out...it looks great, but unfortunately, I wouldn’t qualify. However, it’s great to know about it for my niece in the USCG so she can visit my DD in the future if she’s lucky enough to make her CGA dream a reality! Thanks for the info!
 
Make sure you check the USCGA website for other events as well. My daughter first visited in 8th grade. She is currently in 11th grade and waiting to hear if she has been accepted to the AIM Summer program. She's attended multiple events at the Academy including STEP (specifically geared toward Females), and Bear's day this past year. As for restaurants, we enjoy Dog Watch Cafe in Stonington. One last item -- we've stayed at Hyatt Place Mystic. Affordable, nice accommodations and they offer a discount if you mention you're there to visit the Academy/potential cadet.
 
if you qualify
navy inn at groton is wonderful

Once DD is a cadet, will that provide qualification? “All military members, their families, retired military, and any individual or group connected with the Department of Defense.” Coast Guard is associated with Homeland Security, so I’m not sure.
 
No. Navy Lodge is for members and immediate dependents, usually defined as spouse and dependent children.
 
Muddy Waters on Bank Street in New London for breakfast or lunch. Old Mystic Village is right there if you have to limited time to see Boston. Great for exposure to New England sea history. Mystic is only about a 10 minute drive, as is Norwich really. Over the years we stayed in different hotels Mystic, NL and Norwich.
 
Make sure you check the USCGA website for other events as well. My daughter first visited in 8th grade. She is currently in 11th grade and waiting to hear if she has been accepted to the AIM Summer program. She's attended multiple events at the Academy including STEP (specifically geared toward Females), and Bear's day this past year. As for restaurants, we enjoy Dog Watch Cafe in Stonington. One last item -- we've stayed at Hyatt Place Mystic. Affordable, nice accommodations and they offer a discount if you mention you're there to visit the Academy/potential cadet.

Thanks for the info...we’ll definitely look into the Hyatt in Mystic. She can’t wait to visit!
 
Thank you all for the information and recommendations. We have decided to gift out DD with a trip to the CGA as a middle school graduation present. We’re excited to tour the academy and visit the surrounding areas. Based on your input, we’ll likely stay in Mystic. Can’t wait to try some of the restaurants you’ve recommended!
 
One of my favorite holes in the wall when I’m visiting USCGA and Sub Base Groton on business:
http://www.paulspastashop.com/


On business trips, I usually stay at the Hilton Garden Inn in Groton. Clean, convenient and business-oriented, but not walkable to anything fun or scenic. Mystic is a cool place though.
 
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