On our recent trip to New England we were fortunate enough to stop at Mystic Aquarium in Mystic Connecticut.  The aquarium is right of Route 95 and very easy to find.  I was really impressed with this aquarium, it was lovely. The aquarium was very well kept and clean.  We spent about 2-3 hours but we could have spent longer.  Mystic Aquarium was great experience for my 10 year old and my 6 year old for a day.  I know younger kids would enjoy it as well. It is a great way to break up a long drive to New England.

Once arrived and walked though the outside areas 1^st starting with the beluga white whale. They we beautiful the kid really enjoyed seeing a whale you never see in an aquarium.  Then on to the sea loin and seals exhibits sleep large animals in the heat.  Each outside exhibit had a aquarium guide to answer any questions you had regarding the animals.  My son loved this because he could ask all sort of neat fact.

The penguins was a lot of fun.  The aquarium had an outside viewing area, and an observation area in side so you could see the birds swim..  They even had a baby penguin that did not realize that if he went in the water he would cool off which we learned from the guide.

We then made our way inside the aquarium.   Mystic aquarium is the most interactive Aquarium I have ever been in with 4-5 different hands on experiences.  Mystic aquarium has a shark tank you can touch the sharks. My son stood there forever he never wanted to leave.  He question guide on everything.

Mystic also has a jelly fish viewing area. Which were my favorite it was like watching moving living art in a tank. The colors were amazing; I could not stop taking pictures. You can also read about how technology allowed these wiggly jellies not be seen outside the ocean.  In My opinion the jellies alone are worth the trip.

They also had another touch area of New England sea life “Discovery Cove” the aquarium guide was so kind to my children as she answered all their questions. Why we over looked the 3 blue lobsters.  We learned the blue takes the same as the normal lobsters.  The even had steps so even the little ones could touch.

On our way out of the aquarium we spent some time with the sting rays.  As my son was with the sharks he was touch them.  My daughter learned to feel the rays skin.  Pulling them away from this tank was no easy feat.

One thing that I thought was fun was how the aquarium told the kids in simple terms about the animals.  They would have a sign that said the animal’s name, Habitat, coloration, defense.   There were signs on everything. Including the washing station.. Species: Paper Towel habitat: live together on a roll Coloration brown or white Defense: curling up in a ball… So cute

We really loved Mystic Aquarium.  I would recommend it for the hands on learning experience.

Disclosure: My husband and I received tickets to explore the aquarium. The opinions in this post are all my own.

The Strasburg RailRoad in Lancaster county is a fun thing to do while  in southern Pennsylvania.  Take a old world train ride with the family and kids.

Our family traveled through the Lancaster countryside for a fun filled Choo Choo day of trains at the Strasburg Rail Road.  If you have not experienced Lancaster County, it  is one of the prettiest county in all of Pennsylvania and the Strasburg train is a great way to enjoy it. Lancaster County is known for the Amish people who live there,   The Amish keep their farms perfectly maintained with pride.   It is a place that my husband and I say if we could live here we would, it is so laid back and relaxing.

It takes about an hour from Philadelphia to Strasburg Rail Road on RT202 to RT30 this my recommend route to get the full farm experience. Our ride was filled with beautiful views, sounds from the backseat  “Are we there yet” in excitement and the song lyrics too ..”Come on ride the train woo woo” (Now you will be singing it – you can thank me later)

Upon arriving Strasburg Rail Road  we walk in past the train yard. Which has different trains and you can view the  cars including the snow plow train (it is the one with the point front end.. as my husband informed us.) The walking route takes you to the ticket booth.  I recommend purchasing your tickets ahead of time so as not to miss the train experience. Sometimes the tickets sell out early, especially on  Day out with  Thomas Tank Engine visits or Mystery Train trips.

The trains arrives every 45 minutes which gives you time to experience the station shops:

• Candy/Fudge shop: handmade on the premise fudge and Amish treats available. tip:  We loved the Watermelon Fudge!
• Restaurant: with a variety of American and Pennsylvania Dutch fare like Shoo Fly Pie- a must try
• Ice cream cart
• Rail Road Store Thomas Tank Engine: for everything you can imagine from the land of Sodor
• Rail Road Gift shop: My son a micro/binocular for $5 and my Daughter a little trinket for $1 so reasonable mementos, plus items for the more mature tastes like jewelry and glassware.
• Cagney Steam Train, a miniature version; operate a hand-powered
• Pump Car where you work for your ride
• Cranky Car watch the little ones “steer” the pint-sized 

When you hear the whistles, head for the tracks because the train’s arrival is glorious.  Strausburg Steam Engine pulls in and you are transformed back in time when a people travel in style. It takes several minutes to come to a complete stop, so you really get to see the entire train.  It is a real steam engine fueled by coal and you can see the coal car with the engineer from the platform.  The Song in my head switched to the Thomas song.. I know I had to go there.

Our tickets were coach class and we could have not asked for better seats. They were covered in red velvet with large open windows- “Very Fabulous” as my daughter did say.  The Strasburg Rail Road spared no expense renovating these trains to their former glory.  The cars are well maintained and just as pretty as the day they were constructed in the early 19^th century.   The brass,wood, and lovely metal work inside and out was amazing.

The conductor comes and takes your ticket.  He is dressed in period clothing, he was nice enough to pose for a picture. I think my daughter was beaming with excitement the entire time.  My 10 year old son… kept saying  “cool” so I knew we hit the new experience “sweet spot” with the preteen.

The trip lasts about 45 minutes with a switching direction in Paradise PA…(song switch Paradise City). Plus one stop at a picnic area so you can get off and wait for the next west bound train .  The conductor explains the history of the Strasburg Line during your train travels.   My husband and I switched sides of the trains so we got to see both views from the train  on our trip, since the train is on a loop.  The scenery from the train of Lancaster countryside is truly lovely and relaxing.  It was a great family experience that we will all treasure forever.

Thank you to the Strasburg Rail Road for having us. Please be sure to stay tuned to see where else we visited and stayed in Lancaster.

Disclosure:  We did receive these tickets from the rail road but the opinions in this post are completely mine and those of my family.