After Friday’s Reebok event, Anne, Tina and I hopped in Tina’s car and headed off to Mohegan Sun for a girls’ weekend with Theodora and Elizabeth at the hotel in Connecticut.
Mohegan Sun isn’t just a nice hotel. I would describe it as a fancy cruise ship on land. It has beautiful rooms, a luxurious spa, restaurants, bars, clubs, shops, shows and a casino. (My beloved Straight No Chaser is performing there on December 21!) You can check in and stay inside of the complex for days without running out of things to do.
Tina and the social media manager of Mohegan Sun, Michelle, worked together to book us two rooms at the hotel and coordinate a few fun activities on Saturday. Thank you to both of them for including me in the fun!
The first thing I noticed when we pulled up at Mohegan Sun on Friday night was the gigantic Christmas tree, beautifully lit in the front entrance of the hotel.
Though the hotel isn’t completely decked out for the holidays just yet, twinkling lights, wreaths and tall nutcracker figurines gave Mohegan Sun a festive feel.
Tina, Anne and I had a great dinner and wine at Bobby Flay’s Bar Americain while we waited for Theodora and Elizabeth to arrive later that evening. We spent Friday night catching up in our two connecting hotel rooms. A low key evening left all of us feeling refreshed on Saturday morning which was a good thing since we had fun plans on the agenda!
Biking Tour in Mystic, Connecticut
Michelle planned a small handful of activities for a group of bloggers to enjoy on Saturday and our little group had plans to head to Mystic, Connecticut for a biking tour of the town .
We ran into Caitlin, Beth, Bianca and Maria in the lobby. They had plans to check out the nearby aquarium and go hiking which sounded like a blast!
Our biking tour took off a little after 10 a.m. and was led by Rich and June, a husband and wife duo from Mystic Bike Rentals who knew a lot about the area.
The weather outside was quite chilly and I wore three layers, gloves and a scarf. Brr!
I loved exploring Mystic by bike. It felt great to be outside in the crisp air, pedaling down winding streets and learning about the town’s history.
The halfway point of our tour took us to BF Clyde’s Cider Mill.
As I kicked down the kickstand of my bike and unhooked my helmet, I inhaled the intoxicating smell of spiced cider and walked over to the mill to check out the cider-making process and sample some hard apple cider with our group.
My favorite hard cider was the Lucky Lion, a cider made with Russet apples that had a somewhat scotchy flavor.
Yum!
We then spent some time wandering around the adorable country store on the mill’s property. I wanted to buy a million different kinds of butters, including homemade apple and pear butter, but knew that the jars would likely get hijacked out of my carryon suitcase at the airport since they were all above three ounces. Bummer!
Our bike ride back was rather amusing and we were ready to dig into our boxed lunches once we said thank you and goodbye to Rich and June.
(Picture from Elizabeth)
Our boxed lunches came from Mohegan Sun and included an Italian sandwich, potato salad, chips and a cookie.
The Italian sandwich included bologna which creeped me out a little bit (and yet liverwurst doesn’t?), so I picked it off. The cookie was a winner. Naturally.
Once we arrived back at the hotel, we were ready to warm up and headed Mohegan Sun’s incredible spa for some rejuvenating relaxation.
Michelle was kind enough to book each member of our group a spa service and I selected the deep tissue massage. After the CrossFit workout at Reebok on Friday, I was sore and my shoulders and back were craving some attention.
The massage itself flew by and felt incredible. I’ve never been to a spa where the massage table is heated and it left me feeling warm and relaxed. I get cold really easily, so a warm massage table is a neat feature that isn’t lost on me.
Since Tina, Theodora, Anne and I had massage appointments at 2 p.m. and Elizabeth’s reflexology appointment wasn’t until 3 p.m., we waited for her to finish in the spa’s sauna and relaxation room. Tina and I relaxed by inhaling the spa’s trail mix. Yes!
Perhaps my favorite part of our time at Mohegan Sun was the downtime with Anne, Tina, Theodora and Elizabeth. Catching up with these women who I’ve connected with through blogging was a lot of fun and made me feel grateful for the wonderful experience.
One more weekend recap post to come!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
What a FUN time! I love bike rides, so I’m sure it was the perfect way to tour the area! You can’t go wrong with some quality girl time, massages, and good food! Glad you gals had a such a great time!
Karey @ Nutty About Health says
Sounds like another great time! I LOVE the smell of hot apple cider! BTW, that cookie pic is KILLING me! Ok, off to go make breakfast! 😉
Amanda @ Eat More Rabbit Food says
What beautiful scenery for a bike ride! And I am sure you earned that massage! Those WOD’s looked so challenging!
Kaitlin @4loveofcarrots says
this day sounds amazing and makes me want a massage even more then I already did!!
Samantha says
I hope you enjoyed Mystic, CT! It is my hometown and love it so much. Clyde’s Cider Mill is the best, my first stop every year when it starts to feel like fall. Also, loved all your reebok workout gear in your previous post!!!
Theodora says
It’s like Steve doesn’t even exist…
julie @ peanut butter fingers says
RIP Steve.
Michelle says
Sounds like the perfect day! I love exploring by bike, one of my favourite touristy things to do when I visit a new place. The spa sounds awesome! Very jealous 🙂
Bethany @ Accidental Intentions says
Wow! What a beautiful town! I’ve never been to the northeast, but this definitely makes me want to go even more than I already did. The scenery looks incredible!
Jana @ Newly Wife Healthy Life says
This sounds like an ultimate girls weekend! An exercise adventure followed by a deep tissue massage would be right up my alley! So glad you were able to enjoy your time with the girls too!
Haley S says
Straight No Chaser is wonderful! That hotel looks beautiful!!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
That biking tour looks so fun! I love having the ability to incorporate leisure and fitness activities. It makes getting a workout in extra fun!
Stefanie @ Thin Vegetarian says
What an amazing day and a spa treatment to cap it off–jealous!
Yellow Haired Girl says
FUN! Sounds like a wonderful time! Now I’m craving a massage ….
Katie says
Looks like a lot of fun! You’re making me really want hot apple cider right now…
Mary says
Is Mystic where the movie Mystic Pizza was filmed( with Julia Roberts). It looks a bit like it from your pics. What a great weekend. Have a good day?
julie @ peanut butter fingers says
yes!! i’ve never seen the movie but now i want to!
Stellina @ My Yogurt Addiction says
Ooo I’m jealous, looks like so much fun! I’ve never been to Mohegan, only Foxwoods!
Julie @ AvocadoRun says
Sounds like so much fun! I’m from Boston and I keep meaning to visit Mohegan Sun! Def. booking a trip soon… thanks 🙂
alyssa - life a la wife says
Bike riding in a foreign place is always so fun – You can see a good amount of space in a short period of time. Mohegan Sun is so close to me I should definitely check it out sometime!!
Hayley @ Running on Pumpkin says
I’ve never done a biking tour of a city before and it looks like a blast! I would love to do it in Europe somewhere. Jealous of your deep tissue massage – those are my ultimate treat I give myself every few months.
Kerry @ Totes My Oats says
That sounds like an amazing experience! Biking must be a great way to soak up a new place.
Liz says
My hubbs and I took a little trek from the Providence area to BF Clyde’s a few week’s ago! We had some apple cider donuts that were a-mazing and, sadly, we just finished the last of our hard apple cider. That stuff will knock your socks off! I’m glad you had a fun trip to New England. I’ve been reading your blog for the past few months and I appreciate all of the great food and fitness tips. Thanks!
Carrie @ Fitness and Frozen Grapes says
Biking and hard-cider tasting–sign me up! 😉 Looks like a great time!
Corey @ When We Wander says
What a nice trip! I live in Connecticut so I’m glad you got to see some of our tiny state! Isn’t Mohegan great? I’ll be there this Friday for a fun night out with some of my girlfriends 🙂
julie @ peanut butter fingers says
i think it would be a fun place for a bachelorette party!
Molly @ Just Your Average Athlete says
I got a deep tissue massage last weekend and I basically melted into the table, it was amazinggggg! Looks like all you ladies had a great weekend 🙂 You’re right, you can’t really run out of something to do at Mohegan Sun.
Colleen says
Glad you enjoyed just a little of what CT has to offer! I am a born and raised CT girl and love it all 🙂
Danielle @ Itsaharleyyylife says
what a great opportunity! Mohegan Sun looks like so much fun! I love the decorations!
Katie @ Peace Love and Oats says
Omg I could barely read this post I’m so jealous, what a fun experience!! I love biking and apple cider, and that lunch looks amazing, the perfect fall weekend, I’m glad you got to be included!!
Lily says
Hi Julie! Where did you get that huge infinity scarf?? I love it!
Glad you had a fun weekend! Happy Thanksgiving!
julie @ peanut butter fingers says
i got it lat year at the banana republic outlet!
Amy Steele says
I HATE bologna but really like liverwurst on wheat ritz crackers. But can’t stand regular liver? Lol glad to know I am not the only one.
Robyn @thereallife_rd says
that chocolate chip cookie just solidified my decision to bake tonight! drool.
Fizz Hiser says
I love love love exploring places by bike! It’s so nice taking in new places with some nice fresh air. The weather looked perfect for it too, my favourite kind of weather, cold but sunny!
I hope you didn’t have to ride too far after a couple of ciders! I would have been cycling into everything!
Sounds like a perfect weekend to me!
Courtney @ Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life says
::sniff sniff::…so bummed I couldn’t be there 🙁
But it looks and sounded like you ladies had a blast!
Chelsea @ CardioandCocktails says
The blogging community is truly a unique one and I love it! What a fun opportunity to get to explore a town on bike (and with hard cider!). I’m jealous of all your adventures this weekend 🙂
Sonja says
Looks like a great trip! I have been enjoying apple cider whenever I get the chance. I bet that place smelled amazing!
Maria @ Pappa Don't Preach says
It really was such a great experience meeting you and the ladies!! We were so jealous when we saw your Instagram pics at the cider mill!! Hard cider is totally my thing! I gotta get my recap of hiking up tonight/tomorrow. The dinner recap is going to get people drooling all over their keyboards!
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
Wow, that hotel looks gorgeous!! I love staying at unique places like that!
Lori Barton Looney says
I live about 1/2 mile from Mohegan Sun. Such a small world! I’ll be at the Straight No Chaser concer too. Love them! I’m glad you enjoyed our little corner of the world.
julie @ peanut butter fingers says
i WISH i was going to that concert! i hope you have the best time! have you seen them live before?
Lori Barton Looney says
No I haven’t. So excited! Have you?
Ashley @ LibertyBelles says
Looks like such a fun weekend! Glad you were able to enjoy it!
Beth says
It looks so beautiful out there! It sounds like you guys had a great time. Where did you get that super cute scarf?
Allison @ With Faith and Grace says
My husband has been bugging me to go to Mystic for weeks (we live just over the border in NY), but I’ve been hesitant because I don’t know what to do there. Well these recap posts have been great! And I will insist that we can only go if we stay at Mohegan Sun! 🙂
Nicole says
I have been to the Mohegan. It is very nice.
I have never had any trouble getting any kind of food through airport security. If you can bring baby food jars through, I can’t imagine apple butter would have been a problem. I travel quite a bit and only liquids have ever been taken away.
The Kidless Kronicles
Lauren says
What a great time! Love those girls and love that you all had the chance to spend time together and extend your Boston weekend. 🙂
Kali says
I heard Straight No Chaser will be on the Cee Lo Green Christmas album. That’s crazy considering the first time I saw them perform was in the lobby of my dorm!
Bek @ Crave says
Ahhh, bike tours seem so fun! I’ll definitely be doing some of that in Europe..although I’m not the best on a bike haha.
Caitlin says
I’m so glad you enjoyed CT!! Yes Mohegan is pretty awesome, cruise ship on land is a good way to describe it, you can just stay there and you have all you could ever need! I am envious of your massage, I hope that I can try one soon. I’ve never had one!