Can you believe that I’ve lived just under 2 hours from Mystic my entire life and never visited? Now that I have I don’t know what I was waiting for! I’ve put together this comprehensive Mystic, CT Travel Guide to help you plan your trip to this classic New England destination! Get insider tips on the best things to do, where to stay and where to eat so you can have the best trip possible.
TL;DR
- Mystic is a small coastal New England town split between Stonington and Groton, built around the Mystic River.
- Don’t miss Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic Aquarium, Olde Mystik Village and the historic Bascule Bridge.
- Fall and summer are the best times to visit, but Mystic is charming year round.
- Stonington Borough, Bluff Point State Park and the casinos make for easy day trips.
- Book restaurant reservations early, especially for The Shipwright’s Daughter and Oyster Club.
Mystic, Connecticut is a classic New England maritime village most known for it’s significant seaport with more than 600 ships built over 135 years and it’s quintessential New England charm. It is a major New England tourist destination due to it being home to the Mystic Aquarium, Mystic Seaport and the pizza shop that inspired the film “Mystic Pizza”.
Mystic is located in the southeast corner of Connecticut just 10 miles from the Rhode Island border. The village itself is divided by the Mystic River between 2 towns – Stonington on the east and Groton on the west. It’s located directly off I-95 making it very easy to get to by car and not far from many major Northeast cities, just 1 hour from Hartford, 2 1/2 hours from New York City and 2 hours from Boston.
Mystic, CT Travel Guide
Things to Do in Mystic
Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration
- 55 Coogan Blvd, Mystic, CT 06355
- Mystic Aquarium is home to thousands of species of marine mammals, fish, invertebrates and reptiles. It is one of the only two US facilities holding Stellar sea lions and the only place in New England with beluga whales.
- Check their website for different events happening there throughout the year.
Mystic Seaport Museum
- 75 Greenmanville Ave, Mystic, CT 06355
- Mystic Seaport is the largest maritime museum in the United States and houses a collection of ships and boats along with a recreation of a 19th century seaport village with many historic buildings and rare restored commercial structures.
- It is also one of the first living museums in the United States that showed how people lived.
- Home to the Charles W. Morgan, the only surviving wooden whaling ship.
- Check their website for different events, workshops, classes and exhibits happening there throughout the year.
Olde Mistick Village
- 27 Coogan Blvd, Mystic, CT 06355
- Open air village filled with unique shops and restaurants. A few of my favorites include Alice’s Haunted Little Bookshop, Becca Rose, Cloak and Wand, Deviant Craft Coffee & Donuts, Jealous Monk and Mango’s Wood Fired Pizza Co.
Downtown Mystic Shops
- W. Main St. Mystic,, CT 06355
- Historical downtown Mystic is home to many boutique shops, restaurants, coffee shops, breweries and much more. Some of my favorite places include Northswell, Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream, Desert Rose, Young Buns Doughnuts, Rise and Sift Bake Shop.
- You could easily spend a couple hours walking around Main St. and Water St. shopping and eating!
Mystic Drawbridge
- E. Main St, Mystic, CT 06355
- Also known as Mystic River Bascule Bridge, the famous Mystic Drawbridge connects the Groton side of Mystic with the Stonington side of Mystic.
- It is a functioning counterweight drawbridge that raises to allow boat traffic to pass through the Mystic River and carries both vehicle and foot traffic directly into the tourist district. You can get a great photo of the bridge from Mystic River Park.
Adventure Mystic
- Adventure company offering unique paddle boarding, biking, kayaking and snowboarding adventures.
- Check their website for different events happening there throughout the year.
Mystic River Cruise
- Considering Mystic is a maritime village specifically known for it’s seaport it’s no surprise that there are many different boating options available.
- Mystic River Cruises, Sabino Steamboat and Argia Mystic Sailboat Cruises are just a few options leaving right from the center of the village.
Downtown Mystic Ghost Tour
- While Mystic might not be as spooky as Salem, there is a LOT of supernatural history here!
- There are many guided tours to choose from, but my picks are the Guided Ghost Tour of Downtown Mystic at Night, Guided Graveyard Tour by Moonlight, Spirits of Mystic Cocktail Pub Crawl or the Paranormal Pub Crawl Beer Tour! If you’re visiting during the holiday season they also have a Ghosts of Christmas Past Downtown Walking Tour that sounds really cool!
Mystic Museum of Art
- 9 Water St., Mystic, CT 06355
- Tucked along the river just outside downtown, the Mystic Museum of Art has been around since 1913 when it was started by a local artist colony. Today it’s open to the public and features a rotating collection of exhibits along with a small permanent collection.
- It’s a quick stop, usually only an hour or so, but it’s a nice way to spend some time if you love art or if you find yourself needing an indoor activity on a rainy afternoon. The gardens surrounding the museum are also really pretty to walk through if the weather cooperates.
B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill
- 129 N Stonington Rd. Mystic, CT 06355
- Clyde’s Cider Mill is the oldest steam powered cider mill in the United States and family owned and operated since 1881.
- They sell sweet cider, hard cider, wine, cider donuts and local goods.
- Clyde’s is seasonal and opens on September 1st every year and typically close at the end of November! Check their website for days and hours of operation.
Places to Stay in Mystic
The Whaler’s Inn
- 20 E. Main St. Mystic, CT 06355
- Modern boutique hotel located in downtown Mystic spread out over 5 buildings from different historical eras.
- Amenities include free wi-fi, free parking and discounted tickets to area attractions.
Harbor View Landing
- 8 Casino Rd, Mystic, CT 06355
- A collection of cottages with private decks and direct waterfront access right on the banks of the Mystic River. Walkable to both downtown Mystic and Noank Village.
- Access to newly built dock, lawn, kayaks, paddle boards, bikes and lawn games.
Hilton Mystic
- 20 Coogan Blvd. Mystic, CT 06355
- 4 star hotel conveniently located right off I-95 across the street from Olde Mystik Village and the Mystic Aquarium.
- Amenities include a heated indoor pool, fitness center, free parking and free local shuttle service.
Hyatt Place Mystic
- 224 Greenmanville Ave. Mystic, CT 06355
- 3 star hotel located right off 1-95 just one mile from downtown Mystic and across the dress from Olde Mystik Village.
- Amenities include an outdoor pool, free parking and a 24-hour gym.
VRBO home rentals in mystic
- When I visited I opted to rent a house via VRBO because I was traveling with my family and brought all of our dogs. We rented THIS house and can’t recommend it enough! It had 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms was located just one house away from the river and was walking distance to everything downtown. We truly had an amazing time.
Where to Eat in Mystic
The Shipwright’s Daughter
New American restaurant by 2024 James Beard Chef Award Winner, Chef David Standridge. The New York Times named it one of their 50 best restaurants in America in 2024 and it’s consistently named one of Connecticut’s best restaurants among receiving many more awards. The moment you plan your trip to Mystic make a reservation at The Shipwright’s Daughter. If you take any piece of advice from my Mystic, CT Travel Guide have it be to make a reservation here! It’s easily one of the best restaurants in Mystic, if not THE best!
Oyster Club
Creative boat to table restaurant with daily changing menu from James Beard Award nominated Chef, Renee Touponce. Another must visit in Mystic, the moment you plan your trip, make a reservation here.
S&P Oyster Restaurant & Bar
Upscale waterfront restaurant where New England seafood meets South American flavors, proudly serving tourists and locals alike for over 30 years.
The Mariner
Nautical themed seafood restaurant right on Main St. in downtown Mystic proudly serving the Best Lobster Roll in town!
Sift Bake Shop Mystic
French bakery offering a wide range of pastries, desserts, breads and other baked goods and arguably one of the hottest spots in all of Mystic. Every morning there is a line out the door so get there early if you have your eye on something specific. If you’re looking for breakfast in Mystic, this is your place!
Drawbridge Ice Cream
Ice cream parlor serving small batch, homemade ice cream, frozen yogurt and sorbet steps away from the historic Mystic drawbridge since the 1800s.
Young Buns Doughnuts
Brought to you by the team behind Sift Bake Shop, Young Buns Doughnuts prepares classic and seasonally inspired doughnuts and coffee drinks. Just like at Sift, they tend to sell out everyday, so get there early if you have your heart set on something specific!
Friar Tuck’s Tavern
Traditional Irish tavern serving burgers, wings and more traditional pub food with a large variety of beer on tap. Open late!
Red 36
Large, waterfront restaurant and bar with elevated seafood centric American menu.
Engine Room
Rustic eatery by the restaurant group that brought you Oyster Club, The Port of Call and The Treehouse located in the restored Lathrop Marine Engine building! They have the widest selection of craft beer and bourbon in the area. We went here for brunch and it was awesome, highly recommend!
Mix Rooftop restaurant & Bar
Mix Rooftop is located about Sift Bake Shop, has a panoramic view of the Mystic River and is now open year round. They serve brunch of Sunday (with pastries from Sift and doughnuts from Young Buns), dinner and happy hour from Thursday to Monday and bar service during the day on Friday and Saturday.
The Story Behind Mystic Pizza
Since Mystic Pizza is one of the main reasons so many people recognize the name Mystic at all, I figured it deserved its own little section. The 1988 film starring Julia Roberts put this small town on the map and is still one of the first things people mention when they hear the name Mystic.
Here’s a fun fact though, the pizza shop used in the movie isn’t actually the real Mystic Pizza restaurant you’ll find on Main Street today. The building used for filming is now home to a sailing center in nearby Stonington. The real Mystic Pizza was actually the inspiration behind the movie’s name, and after the film came out the restaurant leaned into its newfound fame, decorating the inside with movie memorabilia and a neon sign reading “Slice of Heaven,” just like in the film.
It’s a fun stop if you’re a fan of the movie, and but honestly the pizza itself isn’t worth it.
Best Time to Visit Mystic
I truly don’t think there is a bad time to visit Mystic. However, in my opinion the best times would be either be Summer or Fall. Summer is the most popular. So, prepare for hotels to be booked well in advance and the town itself to be much busier, but don’t let that deter you from visiting it’s still very much a hidden gem and doesn’t get as crazy as other New England coastal tourist towns.
My perfect favorite time to visit Mystic is during the Fall, specifically September and October, when the weather starts to cool down and the leaves are starting to change. We visited at the end of October and it was absolutely perfect weather.
Day Trips from Mystic
One thing I quickly learned is that Mystic makes an amazing home base for exploring the rest of southeastern Connecticut and even into Rhode Island. If you have extra time built into your trip, here are a few spots worth the short drive.
Stonington Borough
Just a few minutes from downtown Mystic sits Stonington Borough, a quiet little seaside village with cobblestone streets, historic sea captain homes and a much slower pace than Mystic itself. It’s a wonderful spot for an afternoon stroll, especially if you want a break from the crowds. Grab a coffee, walk down to the water and check out the small shops tucked along the main road.
Watch Hill, Rhode Island
Just over the border into Rhode Island, Watch Hill is known for its beautiful beaches, the historic Flying Horse Carousel and some seriously stunning waterfront homes. It’s about a 20 minute drive from Mystic and makes for a perfect beach day if you need a break from all the history and shopping.
Foxwoods Resort Casino & Mohegan Sun
If you’re looking for a change of pace from Mystic’s quaint charm, both Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun are less than 20 minutes away. Beyond gaming, both resorts have concerts, shopping and a huge variety of restaurants, making them a fun stop even if you’re not a gambler.
New London
A quick drive west of Mystic, New London offers a working waterfront, the Coast Guard Academy and the ferry terminal if you’re interested in taking a day trip out to Fishers Island or Block Island. It’s a bit more industrial than Mystic, but worth a visit if you have the time.
Fishers Island
Accessible by ferry from New London, Fishers Island is a tiny, quiet island known for its beaches and laid back vibe. It’s a fun half day excursion if you want to say you’ve truly gotten away from it all.
How to Get to Mystic
By Car
The most popular way to get to Mystic is by car. It is located right off I-95 and very easy to get to. Once you’re in Mystic though you will do a majority of your exploring by foot especially if you are staying downtown.
Mystic is also a great place to stop on a larger New England Road Trip. Pairing it with other great New England destinations like Salem, Boston and Newport would make for an amazing trip! (Tap on each city for travel guides similar to my Mystic, CT Travel Guide!)
By Train
You can reach Mystic by train via Amtrak’s Northeast Regional service.
By Plane
The closest airport to Mystic is Providence, RI, which is about 45 minutes away. Other airports include Hartford’s Bradley International Airport, Boston’s Logan International Airport and New York City’s JFK and LaGuardia Airports.
FAQs
Is Mystic, CT good for a weekend getaway?
Absolutely. Mystic is small enough to see the highlights in a weekend, but charming enough that you’ll wish you had another day. It’s a great size for a quick escape without feeling rushed.
Is Mystic family friendly?
Very much so. Between the aquarium, the seaport museum and all the walkable shops and ice cream stops, it’s an easy town to bring kids to.
How walkable is downtown Mystic?
Downtown Mystic is extremely walkable. Most of the shops, restaurants and the Bascule Bridge are all within a few blocks of each other, so once you’re parked you likely won’t need your car again until you’re ready to leave town.
Can you do Mystic as a day trip?
Yes, you can absolutely see the main highlights of Mystic in a single day if you’re tight on time. That said, I’d recommend at least one overnight if you can swing it so you can enjoy the town once the day-trippers clear out in the evening.
PIN my Mystic, CT Travel Guide for LATER:
Leave a Reply