The Best Small Town Getaway In Connecticut: Best Things To Do In Mystic
By Melissa Mahoney|Published August 08, 2023
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
Made famous in the classic 1988 film Mystic Pizza, Mystic, Connecticut has a rich maritime history and is an alluring quintessential New England town. Tucked away along the Long Island Sound and Mystic River, this town is charming, picturesque, and delightful in every sense of the word. And while it offers a wonderful respite from the hustle and bustle of a large city, there are actually plenty of things to do in Mystic. With sights and attractions galore plus all of the wonderful places to do some shopping or dining, we are going to dive right in and give you some ideas on how to make a perfect weekend getaway or a day trip to Mystic, Connecticut.
If you’ve ever been curious about what this endearing part of Connecticut has to offer, consider this your Mystic travel guide. I’ll share some of the best activities in Mystic, including some of my personal favorites. This is a wonderful getaway destination for anyone. Not only is it scenic but the Mystic attractions are ones that visitors of all ages will remember and enjoy. Now, let’s find out why we selected Mystic as part of our Small Town Getaway series!
With its coastal allure, picturesque downtown, and an array of sights and activities, Mystic is absolutely worth visiting. It also has that New England charm that people from all over the country (and the world!) dream of experiencing. If that’s a dream come true for you, perhaps a weekend getaway or even a day trip to Mystic should be planned. But first, a little bit of history!
Technically a village, Mystic is part of both Stonington and the Town of Groton in New London County. It was founded back in 1654 and, if you're wondering what is Mystic known for, it's shipbuilding!
Over the years, Mystic has become a popular summertime getaway destination for those living in New England and beyond. In fact, it's one of the top summer destinations in the country!
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How To Get To Mystic
If you live in New England or the tri-state area, Mystic is quite easy to get to. While you may have to drive a couple of hours, it’s a road trip well worth taking. Located about two hours from Boston, under an hour from Providence, and three hours from New York City, you can easily take a day trip to Mystic or, better yet, take a weekend getaway!
Coming by car? Whether you're driving from Boston, Providence, or NYC, you'll take I-95 to exit 90. From there, you'll take CT-27 South in Stonington into Mystic.
Whether you don't have a car or you prefer to take a train, there's an Amtrak station on Roosevelt Avenue Mystic. From here, you can use a ride-share app to get into town or you can walk 0.6 miles to West Main Street in downtown Mystic.
If you have a car, great! If not, there are other ways to get around Mystic. While there is a bus that services the town, you may want to use a ride-share app like Uber or Lyft instead.
Downtown Mystic, Connecticut is very walkable. However, if you feel the need to venture out of town to a place like the beach, a car is necessary. And while Mystic Seaport is just a mile away from the Mystic Aquarium, walking may not be an option for all. Using a ride-share app may be necessary if you do not have a car with you.
Depending on what you’re looking for, any time of the year is great to visit Mystic. Each season brings something special to the town. While the summer is the most popular time, you’ll find Mystic less crowded and with cooler temperatures in the fall, winter, and spring.
The summer months are perfect for spending time outdoors, especially on the water. It's one of the best activities in Mystic in the summer! While summer temperatures can rise to 80°F with humidity, you'll certainly find some relief while out on the water.
I, for one, have wonderful memories of Mystic, especially during the holiday season. There's something so enchanting, so magical about this little seaside village that turns into a winter wonderland this time of year.
From Main Street in downtown Mystic to the seasonal festivities, you'll feel the spirit o the holidays here. While summer is a popular time to visit this lovely town, winter here will always have a special place in my heart.
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Where To Stay In Mystic
For accommodations in Mystic, you have your choice of vacation rentals, historic B&Bs, and hotel chains. It really depends on what your budget is and what you’re looking for in terms of amenities and location.
If you want to be on the water (and I mean right on the water, take a look at this Seaside Getaway vacation rental. Not only is it on the water but you can walk to town from here as well. It's all about views and location with this one!
This 600-square-foot studio sleeps up to four people and has amenities like a yard with a fire pit, a grill, and kayaks for when you want to go out on the water. You can book your Seaside Getaway on Vrbo. Of course, there are plenty of other excellent vacation rentals as well as hotels and inns to check out around Mystic.
Day One – Mystic Seaport & Mystic Pizza
Ready to begin your getaway in Mystic, Connecticut? If you’re looking for what to do in Mystic, here are a few options for Day One. We will start with a hearty breakfast before heading out to explore the scenic and historic Mystic Seaport. And our day will end with dinner at Mystic Pizza. Sound good? I think so!
An excellent breakfast with a view is what you'll get at Kitchen Little. Located at the Mystic River Marina, you'll have your choice of indoor or outdoor seating.
Breakfast entrees here at Kitchen Little include build-your-own omelets, buttermilk pancakes, Benedicts (including a fresh lobster Benedict), and so much more. What a great way to start the day!
Next, you'll head off to Mystic Seaport Village complete with historic 19th-century shops and buildings that were brought here from other coastal areas of New England. It's a glimpse into the seafaring ways of past centuries and is part of the Mystic Seaport Museum.
Mystic Seaport Museum is a living history museum dedicated to preserving the country's maritime history and heritage. Spend the day exploring exhibits and historic ships and watch craftspeople as they work on shipbuilding, ship restoration, and blacksmithing, among other skills.
You'll also want to peruse the Thompson Exhibit Building's museum galleries filled with thousands of artifacts including navigational tools, artwork, and ship models. As you walk around and learn, you'll gain a better understanding of maritime history.
Of course, no trip to Mystic Seaport Museum would be complete without checking out the impressive collection of historic vessels in the Mystic Seaport Museum Marina which includes the world's last surviving wooden whaling ship known as the Charles W Morgan.
Mystic Seaport Museum, 75 Greenmanville Ave, Mystic, CT 06355, USA
After a day of walking around and learning from all of the immersive exhibits at the Mystic Seaport Museum, you'll be famished! It's time to make your way to Mystic Pizza. And, yes, it's the Mystic Pizza that was made famous in the 1988 classic film of the same name starring Julia Roberts.
Mystic Pizza first opened in 1973 and, since then, has been a favorite for locals and tourists alike. Come here for one of the specialty pizzas, build your own pie with a variety of your favorite toppings, or order a calzone, a grinder, or something from the grill. It's all good here!
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Day Two – Mystic Aquarium & Olde Mystick Village
Now it’s time for our second day here. Are you ready to get the day started with another delicious breakfast? You can certainly go back to Kitchen Little or try our next suggestion.
While you can come here any time of day for breakfast (yay, all-day breakfast!), we will be starting our morning at The Mystic Diner & Restaurant. Whether it's coffee or a smoothie, a huge breakfast plate or a smaller one, the menu is large and there's an option for everyone.
Benedicts, Hawaiian French toast, fruity pancakes, omelets, breakfast sandwiches...the choices seem deliciously endless! Homemade donuts are available as well.
If there's one place you must visit in Mystic, it's the Mystic Aquarium. Home to thousands of marine life including African penguins, Beluga whales, and sand tiger sharks, kids and adults alike will have a wonderful experience here.
Speaking of experiences, Mystic Aquarium has an animal encounters program where you can get an up-close-and-personal experience with certain marine animals like seals and penguins. (My son did the Penguin Encounter and loved every second of it!)
Another one of my favorite spots in Mystic is Olde Mistick Village. This village is home to shops and boutiques filled with unique and hand-crafted items as well as a movie theater, cafes, and dining options.
Olde Mistick Village, 27 Coogan Blvd, Mystic, CT 06355, USA
This shopping village has been around since 1963 and is absolutely adorable with its old-fashioned ambiance! I've always loved spending time walking around and popping in and out of the shops here.
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Since we're already here at Olde Mistick Village, why not have dinner? And I've got the perfect suggestion -- welcome to the Jealous Monk, a social hall and beer garden!
With 32 beers on tap and a menu full of beer garden favorites like Bavarian-style pretzels, burgers, and bratwurst plus healthier options like salads and a hummus platter, this place is a must-visit when in Mystic. And bring the kids! There's an entire section of the menu dedicated to them.
Whether it’s a weekend getaway you need or you just have time for a day trip, there are so many things to do in Mystic that make it a wonderful destination! Have you been to Mystic, Connecticut before? If so, what were some of your favorite Mystic attractions and restaurants? We’d love to know!
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