Mystic Aquarium

This summer, travelers are looking for savings – and the greater Mystic area is the place to go. The Mystic Pass Card, a unique promotion launched in 2008 by Mystic Seaport and Mystic Aquarium in partnership with more than 40 Mystic area businesses, provides discounts and added value during the summer vacation season and beyond.

This year, the card offers discounts at additional attractions and businesses across the greater Mystic area – a result of the recent formation of the Greater Mystic Visitors Bureau. The GMVB streamlines the long-standing collaborative efforts of the region’s public and private tourism marketing organizations and extends the region from municipalities in eastern Connecticut to coastal Southwestern Rhode Island and the Connecticut shoreline area between North Stonington and Clinton.

Priced at $59 for adults, the Mystic Pass Card includes one-time admission to both Mystic Seaport and Mystic Aquarium (including free next-day returns with ticket validation); a complimentary fountain drink at Mystic Aquarium; free admission to the planetarium show at Mystic Seaport; a limited-edition reusable aluminum Mystic water bottle; up to 20 percent off rates at local lodging properties and restaurants; discounts and free gifts at Mystic shops; discounted admission to the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center; and – new this year – discounted admission to the Florence Griswold Museum, The Dinosaur Place, Essex Steam Train and Riverboat and the Mashantucket Museum & Research Center.

Together, these offers provide a value of more than $250. All offers are good through March 31, 2011.

“The Mystic Pass Card pays for itself,” said Peter Glankoff, senior vice president of marketing and public affairs at Mystic Aquarium, a division of Sea Research Foundation. “Those who visit Mystic Aquarium and Mystic Seaport and just one other Pass Card partner will save money. This program is designed to serve the needs of visitors, and they have responded enthusiastically.”

Last year, 16,153 Pass Cards were sold, a 39 percent increase from 2008, when 11,646 were sold.

“With more attractions and businesses offering significant discounts this year, we anticipate Pass Card sales will continue to increase,” said Steve White, president of Mystic Seaport. “We also hope that the increase in Pass Card partners will encourage more overnight stays in the area, as visitors explore more of the greater Mystic area.”

The Pass Card is $55 for adults, $50 for seniors age 65 and older, $40 for youth ages 6 to 17 and $22 for children ages 3 to 5, and is available for purchase here, at Mystic Seaport, Mystic Aquarium, mystic.org, the Tourist Information Center in Olde Mistick Village and the Mystic Depot Welcome Center in Mystic through October 2010.

For a list of participating businesses and their discounts, as well as information about Mystic Seaport and Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, visit mystic.org.