A 6-day tour of the coastal beauty from Mystic to Providence
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Day 1: Mystic & Stonington - Welcome to the Historic Seaport
Welcome to the back roads of one of America's most scenic coastlines! Mystic is the vibrant coastal town that will serve as your hub. Take a short ride to visit Mystic Seaport Museum where the fastest clipper ships in the United States were built in the middle of the 18th century. An optional longer loop cycles past the Pequot Tribal Nation's interesting Mashantucket museum. Enjoy a wide range of shopping choices in Mystic before returning to your centrally located Inn. (13 and 28 mile route options)
Day 2: A sampling of Connecticut's Eastern Shore
After a hearty breakfast at the Inn, we offer a leisurely ride along the coastline. Stonington might be our favorite small coastal village in all of New England. It still has a working fishing fleet, two great restaurants, fine antique shops and a fascinating lighthouse museum. Near the lighthouse is a small beach and stone jetty to relax and soak up the view or read a book. The entire village is on the National Register of Historic Places, so it's fun to just explore each street. You do have to eventually leave and we have a pleasant ride to a winery in pretty North Stonington before returning to your Inn. We also provide an optional loop to visit Watch Hill, a turn-of-the-century seaside resort. (24 and 45 mile route options)
Day 3: More Coastal Highlights
After breakfast the ride on the western side of Mystic Harbor will bring you to Bluff Point State Park. This coastal reserve is the last remaining significant piece of undeveloped land along the Connecticut coastline. Jutting out into waters of Long Island Sound the wooded peninsula, measuring one and one-half miles long by one-mile wide, encompasses over 800 acres and is suitable for mountain bikes of hybrids. The longer loop option rides through Groton and past the Submarine Force museum operated by the US Navy. You will have time today to enjoy Mystic Aquarium where there are more than 3,500 sea creatures in exhibits including Seal Island and Penguin Pavilion. Sample other Mystic sites, perhaps a relaxing harbor cruise. (19 and 39 mile route options)
Day 4: Touring Jamestown and Conanicut Island
After breakfast we will provide a shuttle service to bring you to Jamestown and Conanicut Island. Jamestown is often overlooked, but is a wonderful spot for cycling along Narragansett Bay and is surprisingly quiet compared to other coastal Rhode Island areas. The ride offers a classic New England combination of rocky shores, a lighthouse, welcoming harbor and sweeping ocean views. While Newport is upscale and thriving, Jamestown draws you in and invites you to linger in an entirely different way. After your ride, the shuttle service will bring your to your B&B in Providence!
(22 mile route)
(22 mile route)
Day 5: East Bay Bike Path to Bristol
Today's ride is along one of favorite Bike Baths. You will have several views of Narragansett Bay along the way, including a restored carousel you can ride, and Colt State Park. The end point of the Bike Path is is in Bristol which offers a bay-side park if you'd like to picnic, as well as Blithewold Mansion to tour their 33-acre estate with beautiful gardens. Since this ride is an out and back on the Bike Path you can go as far as you like before returning to Providence. The Old Court B&B is located on historic Benefit Street in Providence and offers several excellent dinner choices within easy walking distance.
(up to a 39 mile route)
(up to a 39 mile route)
Day 6: Exploring the Blackstone Valley
Before saying goodbye, rise and shine for an early ride to a section of the Blackstone Valley bike path, part of the East Coast Greenway. This loop route will bring you by Slater Mill, the birthplace of America's Industrial Revolution. The bike path then follows a section of the Blackstone Canal before entering Woonsocket, a once thriving textile center populated by thousands of French-Canadian immigrants. The longer ride option continues into Massachusetts along a newly opened section of the bike path as well as quiet country roads. (25 and 53 mile route options)