Amtrak

[Ubil]

Next Sept, my wife and I will be traveling to a B&B in Mystic, Ct.

We live in Md and are considering taking Amtrak from Baltimore to Mystic. Has anyone done this and have a recomendation of whether or not it makes sense?

According to the Amtrak web site, the train will take about 7 hours, which is about the ame time via car, according to Mapquest. However, going by car goes right next to NYC and my experience of traffic there has not been good.

[Luanne]

I haven't taken Amtrak on the East coast, but a few years ago we took Amtrak from the San Francisco Bay area to Seattle, WA. It was a great experience. The trip was an overnight one, so we booked a sleeper car. That included all of our meals. One night is about all I'd want to spend on a train as I didn't sleep well at all. However, another perk of the sleeper car was access to the domed lounge. Dh and I spent most of our waking hours there. Downside of Amtrak travel is that they frequently run late.

Whether it makes sense for you may also depend on whether you need a car where you're going.

[Ubil]

Thank you.

A car is not needed because the B&B in Mystic is supposed to be close to the Amtrak station and is also in downtown Mystic, which has a lot to do.

[wackymother]

Originally Posted by Ubil

Next Sept, my wife and I will be traveling to a B&B in Mystic, Ct.

We live in Md and are considering taking Amtrak from Baltimore to Mystic. Has anyone done this and have a recomendation of whether or not it makes sense?

According to the Amtrak web site, the train will take about 7 hours, which is about the ame time via car, according to Mapquest. However, going by car goes right next to NYC and my experience of traffic there has not been good.

We took Amtrak from Manhattan to Buffalo and back this summer--that's an eight-hour trip in each direction, except it's never eight hours when we drive, because we stop every three hours or so. The train was GREAT, especially compared to driving. You have a nice big comfortable seat, dining car for snacks, and a plug at each seat for computers, DVD players, and electronic toys. I can't remember, but I think there's WiFi on the train, too. The hours go buy quickly, and you see some interesting sights. Definitely vastly more pleasant than fighting the traffic all the way up the East Coast.

[Nancy]

Have never taken Amtrak that way, but have gone from VA to Florida (and back) several times. If being on time isn't a big priority, I'd say do it. If possible book an upgrade to Business Class.

Nancy

ps. I love trains, others may not feel that way.

[gorevs9]

Originally Posted by Ubil

Next Sept, my wife and I will be traveling to a B&B in Mystic, Ct.

We live in Md and are considering taking Amtrak from Baltimore to Mystic. Has anyone done this and have a recomendation of whether or not it makes sense?

According to the Amtrak web site, the train will take about 7 hours, which is about the ame time via car, according to Mapquest. However, going by car goes right next to NYC and my experience of traffic there has not been good.

I always take the Tappan Zee Bridge (avoiding the GW Bridge) whenever I drive from RI to points south. I also take the Merritt Parkway avoiding some of the nasty stretch of I-95 in CT. While this route doesn't mean you'll miss the traffic, it might minimize it. The biggest thing is to avoid the traffic during the peak periods.
I've also take I-287 from the NJ turnpike which avoids some highway traffic around NYC, but this takes you about 30-40 miles out of your way.
Travelling on a weekend shouldn't be too bad (famous last words).

Did you consider flying Southwest from BWI to Providence (PVD)? The drive to Mystic from PVD is less than an hour.

[Ubil]

I thought about flying, but ruled it out because we would have to rent a car in Providence.

Now that I think about it, flying and renting a car is probably cheaper than Amtrak. I'll have to see about costs next summer.

[wackymother]

The earlier you make the reservation, the better the price on Amtrak. Their tickets go on sale 11 months before.

[SailBadtheSinner]

Some questions: how many days will you be in Mystic; what is the street the B&B is on and will you be returning directly to MD by train? I'm just trying to understand why you think a car is not necessary.

I agree with gorevs9 in driving and looping around NYC but doing it by taking the NJ Turnpike (toll) to the GSP (toll) to I 287 to the Tappan Zee bridge (toll); assuming you are starting in the eastern part of MD. and traveling on the weekend.


SBtS

[Jbart74]

A few notes from an ex local...

You really want a car in Mystic.
Amtrak is fine as long as you are prepared for the possiblity of being HOURS late in either direction.
You really want a car in Mystic.
Mystic walking is good for a day or two, then you'll want to visit many of the attractions that are within a 30 minute to 1.5 hour drive from Mystic.

New London/Groton has some great naval attractions and theater/music venues. The Garde Arts Center is a great one.

The world's two largest casinos, Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun are about 20 to 30 minutes drive from Mystic. Not only are they casinos, they are huge malls, amazing architechture, movie theaters, Native American Heritage museums, kids fun stuff, major venues for touring musicals and comedy acts, etc... I recommend Mohegan Sun if you want to pick just one Casino for a day trip.

Rhode Island is just around the corner and a daytrip to Newport to tour the HUGE mansions on the coast is amazing. Really, amazing!

Hope I've helped encourage you to get a car while you're here.

[Patri]

At least you will be dry when you are in Mystic. Our experience there years ago was camping in a tent. Gale winds and rain collapsed the tent on us. When we tore down, we broke one of those bungy cords in the poles. Nevertheless, our entire trip along the coast was awesome.

[Ubil]

We will be staying in The Whaler's Inn, 20 E. Main St, Mystic, Ct.

Will arrive on Friday, Sept 11, and leave on Sunday, Sept 13.

Every year we have a mini-reunion with several of my wife's friends from college and their spouses at different locations, usually in a B&B that ls large enough to hold all of us (13 if everyone can make it). This year it was at Cayuga Lake, NY, last year at Brandywine, Pa., the year before that at Hershey, Pa. Most of the people will arrive via car, so if we want to go outside of Mystic transportation will be available.

One of the people comes from Pawtucket, RI, so next year we wanted to be closer to her and not make her travel so far. If we end up flying into Providence she has offered to pick us up (I asked her when it was suggested above to fly). She has a place on Cape Cod and has also offered to take us there for a few days if we come up earlier. Depends how much time we can get off.

[gorevs9]

Originally Posted by Ubil

Every year we have a mini-reunion with several of my wife's friends from college and their spouses at different locations, usually in a B&B that ls large enough to hold all of us (13 if everyone can make it). This year it was at Cayuga Lake, NY, last year at Brandywine, Pa., the year before that at Hershey, Pa.

Sounds like you guys have a blast. Can I join you? I'll bring along the coffee milk, the Del's, and the 'Gansett

[SailBadtheSinner]

Ubil

Thanks for the explanation; now everything makes sense. I think your original plan to travel by train is good; sit back and enjoy the ride.

.................................................. ..............
gorevs9

You would have to be a middle-aged or older native New Englander to know what a 'Gansett is (or was). On your way to the reunion, you can drop off some 'Gansett at my house; you can keep the Del's.



SBtS

[gorevs9]

Originally Posted by SailBadtheSinner

You would have to be a middle-aged or older native New Englander to know what a 'Gansett is (or was). On your way to the reunion, you can drop off some 'Gansett at my house; you can keep the Del's.
SBtS

I'll bring some grinders to have with the 'Gansett (which is back in production), then later on we'll all gather around the "bubblah" and enjoy a cabinet

[NTHC]

My sister and I have used the Amtrak trains for several years now to visit each other back and forth between Charlottesville, VA and Salisbury, NC. It takes about the same amount of time as driving but we like the whole nostalgia of the train and it really isn't far enough to make it worth the trip to the airports that are close by to us.

On the negative side, they are rarely on time. After we slept on a bench in the station one night for 2 hours we learned to call ahead before we leave home...lol. Also, a freight train broke on the line ahead of us one day and we sat for 3 hours until it could be moved. Food was running low and people were getting grumpy.

Hope it works out for you if you decide to try it. It is a fun experience, but does not always go smoothly.

Cindy

[Ubil]

Thanks to everyone who responded.

I mentioned above where we had the mini-reunion in previous years. As an aside, I'd like to mention two of the B&Bs that we stayed at, because they were wonderful.

Brandywine Valley - Sweetwater Farm - Everything about this B&B was outstanding. Two things that are unusual - they have "Fainting Goats" on the property (so named because they fall over when startled) - and "Brogan", I forget what breed of dog he is, he met us at the car and took us to the office and later on, because the innkeeper said that Brogan would guide us on the hiking trail on the property if we asked him, we asked him to guide us and he immediately started toward the trail and waited for us whenever we needed to catch up. We were also told that the owner's of the B&B are Kellys (as in Grace Kelly). The Brandywine River Museum was well worth the visit.

Hershey -The Inn at Westwynd Farm - Again, everything was outstanding. Breakfast was truly gourmet. Chocolate (not chocolate breakfast, just chocolate in general).