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How to Spend Two Days in Mystic, Connecticut

We recently had the opportunity to visit Mystic, a beautiful seaport in Connecticut. About an hour or so from New Haven, this lazy seafront village is made up of shops, restaurants, hotels and museums.

Made famous in part by the Julia Robert’s movie Mystic Pizza, Mystic has become a popular tourist town. We were glad to have a parking spot at our central hotel so we could explore on foot as we watched the traffic inching along Main Street.

Places to visit in Historic Mystic

Mystic Seaport Museum

We started with the Seaport Museum and as a bonus, the ticket included a boat tour on the Mystic River on an old 1908 ferry called the Sabino. Originally a steam engine, it still has the original motor on display.

Formerly a shipyard, this interesting museum encompassed multiple ships as well as a historic village. In addition to homes and stores, the village included authentic factories that used to make everything from ropes, barrels, masts, sails and you name it.

Each exhibit has been tastefully decorated and knowledgeable guides are there to explain the work and how it was done. There was even a coal fired foundry with a blacksmith. Even the old bar was preserved and working as a cafeteria. Essentially the whole boatyard and surrounding village has been preserved and made into a historic museum.

Mystic River, Connecticut
Mystic River, Connecticut
Mystic River Seaport Museum Lighthouse
Mystic River Seaport Museum Lighthouse

The name Mystic actually comes from the Pequot word “Missi-Tuk” which is a large river whose waters are driven into waves by the tides. We even saw some jellyfish in the water.

Charles W. Morgan whaling ship on display at the Mystic Seaport Museum
Charles W. Morgan whaling ship on display at the Mystic Seaport Museum

Be sure to see the Charles W. Morgan. It is the only wooden whaling ship still in existence. The exhibits show how horrific whaling was and it’s beyond me how people could be so cruel!

The whaling exhibit are not for the faint of heart!
The whaling exhibit is not for the faint of heart!
The Stonington Lighthouse Museum

A small museum near a scenic viewpoint on the beach, the Stonington Lighthouse Museum was a pleasure to visit. Be sure to climb the tower and the stairs up to the top where you can step out to where the lighthouse’s reflector light used to be. You can admire the views all the way to Fisher Island on a clear day.

Stonington Lighthouse
Stonington Lighthouse
Stonington Point
Stonington Point

The lighthouse was used as a navigation aid for over 180 years until 1889. The museum displays exhibits about the history of seafaring in the area.

Stonington Lighthouse seafaring exhibits
Stonington Lighthouse seafaring exhibits

Your ticket also includes a voucher for the Palmer House. A mere 5 minutes’ drive away, this was also a beautifully well-preserved home with many exhibits. Well worth a short visit.

Palmer House, Stonington
Palmer House, Stonington

It is believed that Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer discovered Antarctica, but this remains debatable, the custodian told us he sailed by the coast and spotted it.

Palmer House Antarctica exhibit
Palmer House Antarctica exhibit
Mystic Pizza

We even watched the old Julia Robert’s movie before our visit and we were really looking forward to a delicious pizza. In all honesty, it was a disappointment. Basically, a frozen pie on a plastic tray for $30. I guess just milking the movie fame.

Mystic Pizza
Mystic Pizza
Mystic Bascule Bridge

Built in 1922 this bascule bridge is still operational and the two 664-ton cement blocks open up the bridge for local boat traffic every hour. In the early days oxen were used to get the bridge moving.

Mystic Bascule Bridge
Mystic Bascule Bridge

Further afield

Submarine Museum in Groton 

This museum is free of charge, and not only does it have historical information and displays, but you can also climb onboard a submarine and navigate its decks and passageways. Right next to the operating naval base it’s a short 15-minute drive from Mystic and worth the trip.

Monument House Museum 

Also in Groton, and a mere 10 minutes away from Mystic, is the Monument House Museum and Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park marking a gruesome battle of the American Revolutionary War fought on September 6, 1781, between the Connecticut militia and the British.

Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park
Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park

The larger British force overcame the fort but despite the militia surrendering they were slaughtered all the same. An event that is said to have marked a turning point against the British and leading to American independence.

Do climb the 166 steps of the Memorial Tower constructed 50 years after the battle for some great views.

From the Memorial Tower we got great views of the area
From the Memorial Tower we got great views of the area

Where we stayed 

We selected the historic Steamboat Inn right next to the bascule bridge and in the middle of the action in mystic. With only 11 rooms. You must book in advance, but it was a nice experience, and we’re glad the room came with parking. The included breakfast was really good too.

Steamboat Inn, Mystic, Connecticut
Steamboat Inn, Mystic, Connecticut

In downtown Mystic there are also lots of shops and restaurants and ice cream parlors.

Overall 

Visiting Mystic, Connecticut, was a nice escape for the weekend for us and we enjoyed fresh oysters and some great seafood. The Mystic Seaport Museum was really interesting, and you can spend a full day there. While Mystic Pizza was a disappointment, we indulged in some delicious seafood dinners and very much enjoyed this historic seaport town.

By Nathalie

Avid Traveler and Master Scuba Diver
Sharing stories, photos and insights about the places I’ve visited. Simply sharing my experience and giving travel tips to help others plan their own dream trip and travel independently.

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