B.F. Clyde's Cider Mill & Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular // New England Pt. 2
Read Pt. 1 (Which was technically day 6)
My second day in New England was a beautiful, sunny day, filled with Autumn activities! It began with a trip to Olde Mistick Village, in Connecticut, where we had lunch and wandered around the quaint, little shops. Next up was a trip to the Mystic Aquarium, where I fell in love with the Beluga Whales (couldn’t resist buying an ornament to remember them by) and watched the sea lion show that was cheesy from start to finish, but I loved it anyways! Then it was time for a trip to the cider mill and the Rhode Island Zoo.
I’d heard a lot about B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill, before visiting, and it did not disappoint! It’s home to the last steam powered cider mill in the U.S. today, and was designated as a national historic landmark. We stocked up on probably the best apple cider I’ve ever had, for the weekend, grabbed a few cider donuts, and a giant peanut butter cup, took far too many photos, enjoyed the crisp, Autumn air, then made our way back to Rhode Island, for the evening.
Last up, on this idilic Fall day, was a trip to the Roger Williams Park Zoo, for their annual Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular! Inside the zoo, the pathway was lined with thousands of jack-o-lanterns, all lit up and each one unique! The path wanders through the seasons—Winter, Spring, Summer, and Autumn— each lined with seasonally carved pumpkins, then ends with a bang as the jack-o-lanterns intensify, and the sides of the path become completely enveloped with a variety of carved faces, fog, and Halloween music.
Before heading home, we stopped at the pond, just outside of the zoo, where they were having swan boat rides, that took you through a trail of Halloween lights. I had never ridden a swan boat, before, so I particularly enjoyed this part of our evening! We paddled under pumpkin and spiderweb archways, around a haunted pirate ship, and watched as the soaring eagle machine passed by, overhead.
I think we were all pretty exhausted, by the end of the day, but with each activity, it really got better and better! If you’re heading to New England, next year, or anytime, be sure to check these places out. I’m sure you’ll love them as much as I did.
