11 Ways to Get Out on the Water

Once, the lighthouses that dot the southern New England coastline warned travelers to steer clear. Today, these beautiful sentinels of the sound lure visitors towards them. Many can be seen during one of Cross Sound Ferry's Lighthouse Cruises. While Project Oceanology, Ledge Light Foundation, and the Custom House Maritime Museum also provide tours of New London's famous Ledge Light.

Take a sunset cruise. Schooner Argia offers 2 1/2-hour half-day sailing trips with snacks and soft drinks, and 2-hour Sunset Cruises with cheese crackers, fruit and soft drinks. You can bring your own food or beverages.

Sail aboard Breck Marshall. The flagship of Mystic Seaport's boathouse, this 20-foot Crosby catboat reproduction provides a unique adventure. Passengers relax in her roomy cockpit as the skipper identifies points of interest. 30-minute rides from mid-May to mid-October.

Take a row at Mystic Seaport. Captain your own historic wooden rowboat or other small craft and take your own personal tour of the Mystic River. Rentals at Mystic Seaport offer excellent water views of the 19-acre museum area.

Overnight on Schooner Brilliant. Invite family and friends along on a Brilliant adventure. Overnight on a schooner WoodenBoat magazine hails as "one of the best maintained and sailed classic yachts in the country - if not the world." 2-day and 4-day charters available.

Book a Charter or Party Boat. Whether you enjoy fishing or just relaxing on the water, charter boats are a great way to spend a special day off the shores of Southern New England, on Long Island Sound or the Atlantic Ocean. Over 2 dozen boats are available.

Paddle the Quinebaug River Water Trail. 30 miles of paddling in four segments through the beauty of The Last Green Valley is a terrific adventure for those with their own canoes and kayaks.

Take a vacation, get out on the water and learn something new. For those who have yet to earn their sea legs, NESS (New England Science & Sailing) makes getting on the water incredibly easy and affordable with their two and four day sailing classes.

Located next to the S&P Oyster Company in downtown Mystic, these 40-minute narrated tours of the Mystic River are led by Captain Carl aboard his vessel the Mystic Express. Tours run from 11am to 5pm. Tickets available onboard.

Originating in Hawaii, stand up paddle boarding has increased in popularity on the mainland. Paddle Mystic offers paddle board rentals on the Mystic River seven days a week from May thru September.

OK. So this one is a bit of a trick. Although it is no longer in operation, the USS Nautilus IS on the water, and where else are you going to find the world's first nuclear-powered submarine? Climb aboard and discover a piece of history.