When you think of visiting Connecticut, the first cities that probably come to mind are New Haven and Hartford, but there’s a small coastal village near the Rhode Island border that shouldn’t be missed. That’s right, I’m talking about Mystic! Known for its quintessential New England charm, as well as being home to two of Connecticut's most visited attractions (the Mystic Seaport and the Mystic Aquarium), Mystic is the kind of place that you expect to stumble into the filming of a Hallmark movie at any moment! In addition to its undeniable charm, Mystic also has a deep history in shipbuilding, hence the Mystic Seaport… the largest maritime museum in the United States. It is most famous for its impressive collection of over 500 sailing ships and boats and for the re-creation of the crafts and fabric of an entire 19th-century whaling village. We had the privilege to visit Mystic for a quick day trip and put together this itinerary that we think is the perfect way to spend a day in Mystic!
⬇️ Watch our “One Day in Mystic” video for a closer look at our visit! ⬇️
⬇️ Looking for the perfect stay in Mystic? Check out these hotels! ⬇️
⭐⭐⭐ The Whaler's Inn
⭐⭐⭐ Hyatt Place
⭐⭐⭐ Hilton
Or, use the map below to find the perfect accommodations for you!
Now, let's get to the fun part... Exploring Mystic, Connecticut!
8:30am: Breakfast at a local cafe or bakery!
Any successful day of adventure starts with a well-balanced breakfast! Well... Ok... Maybe it doesn't have to be "well-balanced" in the traditional sense of the word, but it definitely needs to be delicious! Here are some of our recommendations in Mystic!
▪️ Bleu Squid Breakfast and Bakery Cafe (PERMANENTLY CLOSED)
▪️ Sift Bake Shop (5 Water St)
▪️ The Mystic Diner & Restaurant (253 Greenmanville Ave)
▪️ Young Buns Doughnuts (46 W Main St)
▪️ Deviant Doughnuts (27 Coogan Blvd Building 6)
9:30am: Say "Hello!" to the Belugas at the Mystic Aquarium
Home to thousands of species of marine mammals, fish, invertebrates, and reptiles The Mystic Aquarium is renowned for its efforts in marine research and conservation. It is one of the few places in the U.S. where you can see Beluga whales up close. The aquarium also features African penguins, sea lions, and a variety of interactive exhibits that make it a must-visit for visitors of all ages.
12:00pm: Take a Lunch Break!
Mystic has a nice selection of quaint eateries and quintessential New England restaurants, including the famous Mystic Pizza (56 W Main St), made popular by the 1988 Julia Roberts film, which is a must for any movie buff — although we've had locals tell us that the pizza isn't anything to write home about! But if pizza and or movies aren't your thing, here are some other options as well!
▪️ Noble Smokehouse (4 Roosevelt Ave)
▪️ Sea View Snack Bar (145 Greenmanville Ave)
▪️ Engine Room (14 Holmes St)
1:15pm: Mystic Seaport Museum or Old Mystic Village
Unfortunately, during our visit, the Mystic Seaport Museum was closed so we had to opt for exploring Old Mystic Village which was ok, but we recommend visiting the Mystic Seaport Museum if possible. I think it would be a much more unique and memorable experience than Old Mystic Village. After all, the Mystic Seaport is the top attraction in the state! Book your Mystic Seaport tickets HERE!
3:00pm: Explore Downtown Mystic
Mystic’s downtown offers a variety of unique boutiques, artisanal shops, and delightful eateries. Highlights include the iconic Mystic Drawbridge, which offers stunning views and photo opportunities, and — as mentioned earlier — the beloved Mystic Pizza. The downtown area is also home to the Mystic Museum of Art, where visitors can enjoy captivating exhibits and scenic river views. Here's a list of shops that we found to be worth a visit:
▪️ Mystic Drawbridge (1 W Main St)
▪️ Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream (2 W Main St)
▪️ The Spice & Tea Exchange (6 W Main St)
▪️ Mystic Sweet Shop (7 W Main St)
▪️ Trove Gift Shop (15 W Main St)
▪️ The Black Dog General Store (25 W Main St)
▪️ Tidal River Clothing Co (28 W Main St #1)
▪️ Hang the Moon Gift Shop (31 W Main St)
▪️ Bank Square Books (53 W Main St, Mystic)
4:00pm: Happy Hour Sunset
If there is anything that Mystic doesn't lack it's breathtaking waterfront views. Well... That and undeniable charm! That said, we highly recommend finding a spot to take in the views and/or charm and enjoy a drink to commemorate a successful day of exploration. Here are some of our recommendations:
▪️Red 36 (2 Washington St)
▪️ Bank & Bridge Brewing (54 W Main St)
▪️ Barley Head Brewery (12 Water St #1A)
6:00pm: Seafood... It's what's for dinner!
You can't come to Mystic and NOT enjoy a meal of delicious offerings from the sea! We particularly enjoyed our meal at The Mariner, but you can't go wrong with any of these options:
▪️ The Mariner (where we went - 21 W Main St)
▪️ Go Fish (22, 27 Coogan Blvd)
▪️ S&P Oyster Restaurant and Bar (1 Holmes St)
We hope that this itinerary helps you plan your visit and make the most of your time in Mystic! If you did find it helpful, please consider heading over to our YouTube Channel and subscribing for more travel content, and following us on Instagram. It would mean the world to us!
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