'Sea Everything' Mystic Pass Card --$250 value -- $52!

Travelers looking for value this summer need not look any further than the scenic coastal town of Mystic, Conn.

Available for a second year, the "Sea Everything" Mystic Pass Card a unique promotion launched by Mystic Seaport and Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, in partnership with 30 Mystic-area businesses provides discounts and added value during the summer vacation season and beyond.

Priced at $52 per adult, $48 for seniors age 65 and older, $42 for youth ages 6 to 17 and $22 for children ages 3 to 5, the Mystic Pass Card, with a value of up to $250, offers one-time admission to Mystic Seaport and Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration (including free next-day return with ticket validation), a complimentary fountain drink at each attraction, a limited-edition Mystic tee shirt, up to 20 percent off rates at local lodging properties, up to 25 percent discounts at local restaurants and shops and discounted admission to the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center through March 31, 2010.

"This first-of-its-kind card pays for itself," said Peter Glankoff, senior vice president of marketing and public affairs at Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration. "Those who visit the aquarium and seaport and just one other Pass Card partner will save money."

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), Americans are still planning vacations for the summer, but are staying closer to home, accepting fewer amenities and shortening their stays.

"In this time of economic uncertainty and record unemployment rates, people need a vacation more than ever. The Mystic Pass Card allows visitors to experience more of this beautiful coastal area, two of the largest attractions in Connecticut, pristine beaches, an array of restaurants, luxury and family lodging and specialty shops, while remaining within their tightened vacation budgets," said Glankoff.

The Mystic Pass Card is a result of the Exit 90 "Sea Everything" collaboration, a group of 30 businesses in Mystic that have participated in cooperative destination marketing planning, including the development of a Web site (mystic.org) and joint advertising, public relations and promotional efforts, for three years.

Last year, 11,646 Pass Cards were sold, exceeding the card's first-year sales goal of 10,000 by 16 percent.

The Mystic Pass Card is available for purchase at Mystic Seaport and Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, as well as at mystic.org, the Tourist Information Center in Olde Mistick Village and the Mystic Depot Welcome Center in Mystic through October 2009.

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