Mystic is an adorable little waterfront town along the Mystic River, and it’s become famous over the years from popular movies like Mystic Pizza. But there’s so much to see and do in this charming little town beyond living out your favorite movie moments, and they all make Mystic, CT worth visiting.
From awesome restaurants and seafood shacks, to an idyllic Main Street for an afternoon of shopping, to an incredible maritimes museum and aquarium, you’ll have your pick of so much to do in Mystic, and it even makes my list of the best places to see in New England.
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Is Mystic, CT Worth Visiting?
Mystic, CT is absolutely worth visiting! Mystic is home to some amazing shops, restaurants, waterfront areas to explore and lots of New England charm. With great things to do like the Mystic Seaport Museum and Village, nearby parks, museums, vineyards and the picturesque, neighboring town of Stonington, there are so many things to experience that will make for a perfect day trip or weekend getaway.
Best Things To Do That Make Mystic, CT Worth Visiting
If you’re trying to decide what to do in Mystic, CT, I’ve put together a list of all the best attractions and things to do that make Mystic worth visiting, and hopefully this list will help you plan the perfect itinerary.
1. Explore The Mystic Seaport Museum
The most popular thing to do in Mystic, CT is the Seaport Museum, which includes a historic village, museums, a working ship yard, a marina and rotating exhibits. Beginning in the 1600s, Mystic was known as the country’s leading shipbuilding region, with over 600 vessels constructed over the course of 300 years. The exhibits and knowledgeable staff do an incredible job showcasing this fascinating part of the town’s history.
Be sure to explore the village grounds, which were designed to bring 19th century Maritimes history back to life for all to experience. Each historic building was original to New England, used as a shop or business in the 1800’s, and transported to the Seaport Village to showcase different seafaring trades.
Another can’t-miss stop at the museum is the Charles W. Morgan, the last wooden whaling ship in the entire world. Visitors are able to climb aboard into the ship, and feel what it would have been like to be a part of the crew.
Inside the Seaport Village, you’ll also find a replica of Nantucket’s Brant Point Lighthouse, which looks out over Mystic River.
There are even opportunities to get out onto the water at the Seaport! Included with your admission ticket, you can take out a rowboat to cruise around the river on your own. For a small fee, you can also take guided sailing tours. Click here for more information on boat rides at the Mystic Seaport Museum.
Click here to purchase your tickets to the Mystic Seaport Museum and Village!
Can You Walk Around Mystic Seaport For Free?
No, there is a general admission charge for anyone over the age of 3 to explore the Mystic Seaport Museum and Village (children 3 and under are free).
From July 1 – September 6, children ages 18 and younger, along with one accompanying adult, can get free admission if they are Connecticut residents as part of the Connecticut Summer at the Museum program. Click here to visit the museum’s website for more information.
Parking at the museum, however, is completely free.
2. Stroll Through Downtown
The downtown area sits along the river, and is filled with beautiful shops, bakeries, cafes and restaurants, and is really fun to stroll through.
It’s almost worth visiting Mystic, CT just to check out some of the local bakeries. Be sure to swing by Young Buns Doughnuts for a blueberry cake donut and Sift Bakery for some authentic French macarons. Sift Bakery is a whole destination on its own, serving up amazing sandwiches, baked goods and all kinds of desserts, and shares its storefront with Mix, a co*cktail bar. There’s usually a line out the door here, especially on weekends, but it’s definitely worth the wait.
Be sure to keep scrolling to see my picks for best shops in Mystic!
3. Hit The Trails At Bluff Point State Park
While technically located in the nearby town of Groton, CT, Bluff Point State Park is only a short 15 minute drive from Mystic, and a great place for a relaxing walk on one of the nature trails.
Along Long Island Sound, you’ll find the Coastal Reserve Trail at this park, which is a 3.6 loop trail that’s very easy, and provides wonderful views of the water. If you visit on a warm summer day, you’ll also pass by beaches that are perfect for swimming along the trail.
4. Explore The Mystic Aquarium
At the Mystic Aquarium, you’ll get the chance to see beluga whales, sea lions, penguins, sharks, and tons of different kinds of jelly fish, which makes Mystic, CT worth visiting just for this excursion alone.
Since 1975, the Mystic Aquarium has been rehabilitating and releasing injured marine animals along the Connecticut and Rhode Island coastline. While visiting the aquarium, you’ll be able to take a peak inside their Rescue Clinic and get a glimpse into the important work they do to help preserve our native animals.
For extra special occasions, you can also arrange animal encounters at the aquarium, which includes spending time with penguins, painting with seals and helping a trainer feed different animals. Click here for more information on booking an animal encounter at Mystic Aquarium.
Tip: If you plan to visit both the Seaport Museum and Village, and the Mystic Aquarium, be sure to buy a combination ticket, which will save you some money!
5. Visit The Mystic Museum of Art
The Mystic Museum of Art was created in 1913 by a local artist colony, and today, is a free museum for all to enjoy. Not only does the museum have a permanent collection of over 250 pieces on display, they also feature different rotating exhibits throughout the year, and have beautifully manicured gardens for visitors to enjoy.
The museum is small, and you likely won’t need more than 1-2 hours here. But if you love art, this is a great place that makes Mystic, CT worth visiting.
6. Shop & Dine At Olde Mistick Village
Just under 2 miles from downtown Mystic is Olde Mistick Village, which is a cluster of over 50 really adorable shops and cafes, centered around a beautiful pond, making this one of the best things to do in Mystic.
Once destined to be a shopping mall, the little village that stands today was built in the 1970s, and was inspired by the 1700s Colonial period. It was designed so that no two buildings were alike, and that it was a destination in and of itself.
With unique shops and eateries, this is such a fun place to experience that makes Mystic, CT worth visiting. Here are some of the best places to check out when in the Olde Mistick Village:
- The Cloak & Wand – A unique place for Harry Potter fan, and those with an interest in magic. They also have a really cool “potion” bar here, where they serve up custom hot chocolate drinks, and fun, cold soda drinks with a mystical twist.
- Alice In The Village – A wonderful tea room and gift shop inspired by the original Lewis Carrol storybook.
- Munson’s Chocolates – An amazing chocolate store with several locations throughout Connecticut, but this shop in particular in especially fun to visit.
- Franklin’s General Store – A New England-inspired general store that is so much fun to walk around, and packed with tons of charm. You’ll find everything a true general store should have including candy, kid’s toys, apparel, specialty foods, a fudge shop and tons more.
Olde Mistik Village is also home to some great restaurants, making this a place you could definitely spend a half day or more.
7. Book A Seaside Shadows Haunted Tours of Mystic
If you’re looking to add something spooky to your itinerary, it’s worth visiting Mystic, CT to go on a Seaside Shadows Haunted Tour.
You can actually choose a few different tour options in Mystic, including a downtown ghost tour, a whiskey pub crawl with ghost stories and a haunted ghost boat tour. Regardless of the tour you pick, you’ll hear stories of ghost sightings and tales of the town’s dark history, and gets lots of goosebumps along the way.
8. Taste The Wine At Saltwater Farm Vineyard
Saltwater Farm Vineyard renovated an old airplane hanger into a gorgeous tasting room overlooking their rows of vines, making this one of the best things to in Mystic, CT. Located in nearby Stonington, this vineyard is only a short 10 minute drive from downtown Mystic, but you’ll feel like you escaped to Napa Valley.
This vineyard specialized in small-batch estate wines using French techniques. If visiting in the warmer months, be sure to try their Cabernet Rose, which is perfectly refreshing on a summer day.
As of 2022, Saltwater Farm Vineyard is not offering tastings, but only doing wines by the bottle or glass. Be sure to check their website for up-to-date information if you’re looking to do a tasting. The vineyard allows you to bring your own snacks and food, so it’s worth making an afternoon of it, and packing some fruits, cheeses and crackers to enjoy with your wine.
9. Set Sail On The Last Remaining Commercial Ship In Mystic
If you’re not planning to visit the Mystic Seaport Museum, but still want to head out onto the water, be sure to book a tour with Argia Mystic Cruises. Argia is the last commercial ship in Mystic, making this one of the best things to do!
Visitors can choose between public and private sails May through October, and includes options for morning, afternoon and sunset charters. You’re also welcome to bring a bottle of wine or some beer aboard, along with light snacks.
Tickets for sails with Argia can be booked online directly on their website here.
10. Visit BF Clyde’s Cider Mill
If you happen to visit in the fall season, a stop at BF Cyde’s Cider Mill makes Mystic, CT worth visiting. This is the very last steam-powered cider mill left in the U.S., and they produce everything from cider donuts and hard cider, to sweet, fresh-pressed cider and caramel apples.
While visiting, you’ll also be able to see the steam-powered press in action, and pick-up some locally made and produced products like fresh honey, as well as unique homegoods and gifts.
11. Grab A Slice Of Mystic Pizza
If you’re a fan of the movie (and I’m definitely a fan) then you should probably stop and get a slice at Mystic Pizza during your visit to live out your movie moment.
Now, here’s the thing – this is a really fun stop that makes Mystic, CT worth visiting, but this is not the original building from the movie. In the movie Mystic Pizza, they actually filmed the restaurant scenes in a different building. And, the pizza isn’t amazing (it’s not bad by any means, it’s just not going to be life-changing).
But, all that said, the existing restaurant pays a lot of homage to the movie, and has a similar feel, including a “Slice of Heaven” sign, which is honestly pretty great. And the best part is, the pizza is actually really good! Many people assume that the pizza will be average or not great, but this place gets major bonus points for being an experience, in addition to serving up some awesome food.
Tip: For more information on movie locations in Mystic, be sure to scroll down to the movie section!
12. Explore Stonington
An interesting thing about Mystic is that it’s not technically a recognized town. Confused? Me too, so I had to look it up because I had no idea. Mystic, CT is actually a village inside Stonington, and Stonington is divided into four villages. The others being Old Mystic, Pawcatuck and Stonington Borough.
The great thing about visiting Mystic, though, is because of this, you get two beautiful towns to explore in one trip. Stonington is only a 10-15 minute drive from downtown Mystic, and is also full of charm, great restaurants and shops.
Just strolling through Stonington’s streets is enough to make the venture worth it, but be sure to pop into some of the locally-owned businesses for unique finds and delicious food.
13. Taste The Wine At Stonington Vineyards
Another great vineyard to visit in the area is Stonington Vineyards, which can be found a short 10-minute drive from downtown Stonington.
This vineyard offers tastings, wines by the glass and bottles for purchase, and encourages visitors to bring their own picnics and spend the day overlooking their rows of vines. Stonington Vineyards is known for their European table-style wines, many of which have won awards over the years.
I’m a big fan of their Resiling on a warm day, but all the wines I’ve tried here have been great, and make Mystic, CT worth visiting just for an afternoon of wine tasting.
14. Explore Ender’s Island
One of the more unique things to do in Mystic is to head over to Ender’s Island, which is an 11-acre island designed to be a Catholic retreat destination. While you don’t need a lot of time here if just visiting, because it’s such a short drive from Mystic, it’s still worth exploring for an hour or two.
If you’re not religious, this is still a gorgeous place to visit. Surrounded by views of the Atlantic and beautiful gardens to meander through, it’s a wonderful and quiet escape to consider making during your trip.
Ender’s Island is open to the public. While getting there, your GPS will lead you down a route that involves passing a sign that says “No Trespassing – Private Road.” Sometimes, there may be a security guard at the gate, and you can just let them know you’re visiting Ender’s Island, and they will allow you to pass. If there’s no guard, you’re welcome to continue on until you arrive on the island.
15. Get A Lobster Roll At Ford’s
One of the best things to do in Mystic, CT is to head over to Ford’s for one of their amazing lobster rolls. Located in Noank, which is only 10-15 minutes from downtown Mystic, Ford’s serves up fresh seafood in a casual setting right by the water. And with probably the most charming buoy-covered shack in all of Connecticut, it also makes for great scenery.
Ford’s offers both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as take-out. They don’t take reservations, and also get very busy in the summer season, so plan accordingly.
16. Taste The Local Beer
There are a couple of really great breweries that make Mystic, CT worth visiting.
Bank & Bridge Brewing is located in the heart of downtown Mystic in a gorgeous building that used to be, as you probably guessed, an old bank. With their own beer on tap, as well as cans to-go, and an awesome food menu packed with comfort food favorites, this one is not to be missed. The outdoor patio is also dog-friendly.
A short walk from Bank & Bridge, and you’ll find Barley Head Brewery. Here you’ll find tastings and pints of their own beers, as well as local wines and cider available. They invite visitors to bring their own snacks, and have hot pretzels available to purchase.
17. Grab A Cone At Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream
One of the best things to do in Mystic, CT is to get some homemade ice cream at Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream. With tons of delicious flavors to choose from, and a perfect location right at the bridge i the heart of downtown, this is the perfect stop to make when you’ve just got a craving for ice cream.
Once you grab your cone, head on over to the riverfront for a scenic walk while you eat.
18. Go Ziplining With TreeTrails Adventures
In fact, you can do more than zipline with TreeTrails Adventures! Perfect for both adults and children, the adventure courses for both adults and kids including ziplining, rope bridges and netted tunnels – all about 50 feet above ground. This is an awesome thing to do in Mystic, CT if you’re looking for a bit of a challenge while also getting out into nature.
19. Experience The Bascule Bridge
One of the things that makes Mystic, CT worth visiting is the very cool bascule bridge, which can be found right in the heart of downtown Mystic.
This bridge connects the Stonington side of the river, with the Groton side, and operates hourly from May 1 – October 31 to allow boats to pass through. As you read this, you may think it doesn’t sound all that exciting, but seeing the bridge shut down all traffic in downtown, and lift up to allow boats to pass through, is actually really cool to see in person.
If you’re looking to plan a visit to the bridge and want to see it operate, it will lift at 40 minutes past the hour all day until 6:40pm in season.
Free Things To Do In Mystic, CT
Mystic, CT has a reputation for being a more expensive destination, and while I do agree with that, those wanting to visit on a budget will still find plenty to do to make Mystic, CT worth visiting. Below is a list of all the free things to do in Mystic:
- The Bascule Bridge
- Walking around downtown
- Exploring Stonington
- Visiting Ender’s Island
- Walking along the riverfront
- Wander Olde Mystik Village
- Mystic Museum of Art
How Do I Spend A Day In Mystic, CT?
Because Mystic is pretty small, it makes for a really easy day trip. If you’re wondering how to spend the day in Mystic, CT to make your trip worth it, here’s my suggested itinerary:
- Start your day in Mystic at the Mystic Seaport Museum. Plan around 2-3 hours there.
- Head to Olde Mistick Village for lunch and to walk around. Be sure to grab a “potion” drink at Cloak & Wand!
- Head to Mystic Aquarium or opt for a wine tasting at one of the local vineyards.
- If visiting in the fall, be sure to squeeze in a trip to B.F. Clyde’s for some cider and doughnuts!
- Head to Stonington to walk around Water Street and visit the lighthouse.
- Drive to downtown Mystic to end your day. Walk around to visit the shops, see if you can catch the drawbridge rise, grab dinner, and then get an ice cream at Drawbridge Ice Cream before you leave.
Best Shopping In Mystic, CT
This town has a pretty great Main Street with lots of awesome little shops to explore. Here’s my list of the best shops in downtown that make Mystic, CT worth visiting:
- Queenie’s Gift Emporium – A great little shop with an eclectic mix of everything from bags and accessories, to home and kitchen goods.
- Barebones Aesthetics – While technically a facial spa, there is a gorgeous little storefront inside with a beautifully-curated selection of skincare, accessories and jewelry.
- Danforth – A New England metalworking brand with a location in downtown Mystic. Each piece you find in the store is handmade in Vermont, and they create things like oil lamps, jewelry pieces, picture frames, barware and so much more.
- Trove – Advertised as a men’s shop, but I personally still love coming in here because they have fun things to buy, and is an inspiring shop to peruse. You’ll find things like shaving products, barware, books, apparel and unique gifts here.
- Bank Square Books – An adorable little bookshop that also sells cards and gifts. I particularly love their “staff picks” shelf here.
- Adore – A great little shop with apparel, accessories, jewelry and home decor.
Mystic Movie Filming Locations
Mystic has become a bit famous for all the movies that have been filmed here and nearby areas. Below is a list of Mystic filming locations you can visit while here:
- The actual building used as the pizza restaurant in Mystic Pizza can be found in nearby Stonington at 70 Water Street. It looks pretty much the same as it did in the movie, but is now home to the New England Science & Sailing Foundation.
- Ford’s Lobster was also used as a filming location in Mystic Pizza, serving as Ferriera Lobster for the movie.
- Downtown Mystic and the Bascule Bridge were all featured in the movie Mystic Pizza.
- The movie Hope Springs filmed many scenes in nearby Stonington, including using Noah’s Diner as the “Nor’easter Diner” featured in the movie, and all over Water Street in downtown Stonington.
What Is Mystic CT Known For?
Originally known as of the leading ship-building yards in the U.S., Mystic, CT is now known for being the location of the famous movie Mystic Pizza, as well as being home to two of Connecticut’s top attractions: The Mystic Seaport and the Mystic Aquarium. Mystic is also home to the world’s last wooden whale ship, the Charles W. Morgan.
Mystic is also known for being an idyllic coastal New England town that makes for a perfect day trip or weekend getaway.
Best Restaurants In Mystic, CT
There are so many wonderful restaurants that make Mystic, CT worth visiting, it may seem like you have endless possibilities. To help you narrow down where to eat, here are a few suggestions (excluding Mystic Pizza and Ford’s since I’ve covered those already):
- Oyster Club – Located in a charming purple building close to downtown, you’ll find the upscale dining experience here one to remember. Creative seafood dishes and classic staples can be found on the menu.
- The Shipwright’s Daughter – Another more upscale experience (but still feels fairly casual), and you can find breakfast, brunch and dinner here. Menu features creative takes on traditional New England dishes.
- Pasta Fresca & Piadina – A casual place that’s a local favorite for their massive subs, soups and pasta dinners.
- S&P Oyster Restaurant & Bar – Outdoor seating along the river in a garden-like setting with an awesome seafood menu and co*cktails.
Where To Stay In Mystic
The Whaler’s Inn: A boutique hotel in downtown Mystic that makes it easy to walk to all the shops, restaurants and Bascule Bridge. Each room is individually decorated, making it a unique experience each stay, and all rooms are equipped with a Roku to stream your favorite shows.
Click here to check rates & availability at The Whaler’s Inn
The Taber Inne: Located about a mile from downtown, this little inn is perfect for those looking for a more budget-friendly hotel while still being close to downtown. Rooms are clean and comfortable, and some come with jacuzzi tubs.
Click here to check rates & availability at The Taber Inne
Hilton Mystic: Located right across the street from the Mystic Aquarium, and only a mile from the Mystic Seaport, the Hilton Mystic is perfect for those who definitely want to explore the museums. This hotel also has an indoor pool, an on-site restaurant and a courtyard with outdoor fire pits.
Click here to check rates & availability at the Hilton Mystic
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That’s A Wrap: Best Things To Do That Make Mystic, CT Worth Visiting
Now that you know all the best things to do that make Mystic, CT worth visiting, you’re now ready to plan your own trip. Whether you’re looking to learn about its ship-building history, and see it come to life at the Seaport Museum, or you want to spend the day touring the local vineyards and eating at fabulous restaurants, Mystic has something for everyone, and it’ll definitely win you over with its charm.
