New England during the holidays really connects us to our past, reliving the joy of Yuletide celebrations of days gone by. There is no better way to celebrate the season than a magical visit to Christmas Eve 1876 at Mystic Seaport, one of the most popular holiday events in Connecticut!

First-person interpreters, most of whom are professional actors, lead the group on a tour through the village at night. We are all going to a holiday party, but first we must stop and greet several villagers along the way.

Each person we encountered told us a little bit about themselves, their families, and what their lives were like. When it was time to leave, each villager wanted to know if they would see us at the party. At the end of the evening, everyone we had met along the way was there, dancing and celebrating with lots of music and treats!

The evening ended with a horse-drawn carriage ride back to reality, where we thought we caught a glimpse of St. Nick....

The year we went on a Lantern Light Tour, it was cold outside, but the maritime climate prevented the bitter cold we are used to from growing up in Upstate New York! Mystic was brought to life that night in a way we had never seen before. It was definitely one of the best museum experiences I have ever had.

As museum professionals, my husband and I are very hard to impress. But we were completely enchanted with the Lantern Light Tour. It is difficult to convey the amazing experience we had that night. You’ll just have to try it and see for yourself!

And why not complete your New England experience with a hearty Seafood Pot Pie with scallops, lobster and shrimp baked in a sherried lobster sauce with a golden pastry crust at the Seaman’s Inne, located adjacent to Mystic Seaport? Other specialties include Baked Stonington Sea Scallops, Roasted Filet of Atlantic Salmon, Chicken Saltimbocca, or Filet Minon. Start it off with a bowl of New England Clam Chowder or Creamy Lobster Bisque, and you will be in heaven! (I recommend making reservations for dinner AFTER your tour, to ensure that you have enough time to eat and are not rushed through your meal.)

Visit the museum's website for ticket prices and dates.

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If you like maritime history, check out some of these books published by Mystic Seaport!