Nestled on the coast of Connecticut, almost directly between the better-known cities of New Haven and Newport, is the small coastal community of Mystic, CT. While technically made up of two different towns, Groton and Stonington, Mystic’s population lies well-below five figures. It receives more than fifty times its residential population in tourists each year, drawn by its history, quaint elegance, and pizza. While on a recent trip with my mother and sister, we came to understand why this is a destination some families return to year after year. I’ll dive into the nine things you can’t miss while visiting Mystic, CT, but first I want to share two quick pieces of advice for your trip.
First, Mystic is extremely walkable. Plan on finding public parking early in the day and bringing comfortable shoes. The less times you have to move the car, the better. Especially when there is a drawbridge involved (more on that later).
Second, consider the Mystic Pass if you’re planning on doing both the Mystic Seaport Museum and the Mystic Aquarium. This package deal that you can purchase via the aquarium’s website will save you a few dollars that you can instead spend on homemade ice cream!
Now onto the nine things you can’t miss while visiting Mystic, CT!
1. Sift Bakery
To start any day in Mystic, Connecticut on a bright note, head to Sift Bakery. Sift Bakery, owned and operated by the winner of Food Network’s Best Baker in America, offers a wide variety of savory and sweet pastry options baked fresh daily. Everything looked so good that we over ordered, but we were not disappointed by a single bite! Our favorites were the almond croissant, cheese and guava danish, and the everything croissant. After you’ve made your own selections, head up the stairs to the patio of Mix Rooftop & Bar where you can eat your baked goods with a view. Sift Bakery is extremely popular with locals and tourists alike. There will be a line out the door, so plan accordingly.
2. Downtown Mystic
While Mystic has plenty of things to do, one of the biggest draws for tourists is just experiencing quaint, small-town life wrapped up in a pretty and neat package. Downtown Mystic does not disappoint! Previously named by Architectural Digest as one of the most beautiful small towns in the country, Mystic feels like the backdrop to a Hallmark movie. Eateries, galleries, and shops line the sides of Main Street. With inviting facades and large window displays, it can be hard not to spend a full day just popping in and out stores. If you have the time, by all means, pop away! But for those on a more strict schedule, check out Bank Square Books, Spice and Tea Exchange, Trove Men’s Provisions, and Hang the Moon to get a well-rounded taste of what Mystic’s boutiques have to offer!
3. Mystic Pizza
No trip to Mystic would be complete without a stop at Mystic Pizza. If you’re a fan of ‘80s movies, coming-of-age rom-coms, or Julia Roberts, you’ll probably recognize this pizza shop from the 1988 indie film of the same name. While it has been renovated, many of the scenes in Mystic Pizza were shot on location. The restaurant pays homage to the film by being decked out in memorabilia. You can dine in or grab a slice to go, and while I’m not sure it had Leona’s secret sauce, it was still delicious. Make sure to watch the film before visiting town as you may recognize other landmarks throughout your trip!
4. Bank and Bridge Brewing
After you’ve filled up on pizza next door, head over to Bank and Bridge Brewing. Bank and Bridge Brewing is a family-friendly, veteran-owned, production brewery housed in what used to be a bank. While the building itself is grand and beautiful, the vibes are laid-back and inviting. I found the staff to be extremely knowledgeable and helpful with recommendations, even giving me a small sample before I decided on anything. There are couches, games, tanks holding beer, and even a real bank vault now used for storage. When I told my eldest brother I was visiting Mystic, this spot was his top recommendation. As he has a much more refined pallet than my own, I assure you Bank and Bridge Brewing is the best spot to grab a quick cold one in all of Mystic!
5. Mystic Seaport Village
Probably the best well-known, and my highest recommended, tourist attraction in the area is the Mystic Seaport Village. Mystic Seaport Village is a recreated piece of time using real pieces of history. The buildings on location are from all over New England, date to the 1800s, and house artifacts that authentically tell Mystic’s history as well as that of other coastal towns the country was built upon. Within the replicated shops and other early-American small town staples — such as churches, schoolhouses, and meeting houses — educators and craftspeople who are well-versed in the practices of the past can explain and help you get up close to displays.
Again, this is another place where you can spend an entire day, but there are a few things you definitely can’t miss. First and foremost, board the Charles W. Morgan. On this retired whaling ship, you’ll get a real, unromanticized feel of the confined quarters of life at sea. Next, head to the beautiful yet haunting Oceanus art exhibit. These commissioned pieces by Alexis Rockman capture the intrigue and admiration we have of the ocean’s depths while also highlighting critical ecological crises the fragile environment currently faces. After taking in the paintings, cross the square to the planetarium. While these tickets are an additional small fee, the shows are informative and worth your time. You should also take a peek at the Mystic River Scale Model to see the layout of the town almost two hundred years ago. While you can walk to or from the museum to downtown, my sister luckily spotted a small stand on the north east side of the downtown Mystic drawbridge which offered water taxis for only an additional $5 per person (with museum ticket purchase). It was lovely getting to see Mystic via the water and those looking to do extended river cruises can get more information on that here.
6. Happy Hour at Red 36
Being a seaport town, it’s no surprise that Mystic is well-known for its plethora of seafood options. Unfortunately, just because seafood in Mystic is plentiful doesn’t make it cheaper than anywhere else. If you’ve been splurging at the downtown shops all day, you’ll be happy to know you don’t have to break the bank for dinner. As long as you catch Red 36’s happy hour, that is. They have plenty of deals on cocktails and food (we loved the mussels and grilled chicken flatbread) so that you can offset the oysters that you can’t get off your mind. Red 36’s happy hour is served only in the bar area on weekdays from 4–6 p.m. and is extremely popular. You may have to stand and wait for a seat, but at least you’ll have a lovely view of the harbor while you do — and while you enjoy your meal, too! Is it just me, or does seafood taste better when you have a view of the water? If you’re looking for something a bit more rustic and are okay with heading just ten minutes outside of town, you could also consider grabbing a lobster roll from Abbott’s Lobster In the Rough or Ford’s Lobsters.
7. Mystic Aquarium
While visiting aquariums isn’t for everyone, those who would like to see more of what lives beyond the coast should head to Mystic Aquarium. Mystic Aquarium makes getting to know marine life from the local area — and beyond — fun no matter your age. Some of the best things to do there are get up close with the rays and sharks in their touch tanks, attend the adorable and upbeat sea lion show, and get an underwater view of belugas swimming. Mystic Aquarium is passionate about research, conservation, and rehabilitation. At the time of our visit in August 2023, all animals seemed well taken care of by enthusiastic staff.
8. Olde Mistick Village
Directly across from the Mystic Aquarium is Olde Mistick Village. While not really so “olde” (first opening in 1973), Olde Mistick Village is a premier and unique entertainment center full of stores, restaurants, and more. Each door you open, you’re sure to be enchanted and transported to another world. While the outsides may scream “traditional early-American town,” each shop has a personality of its own.
You won’t regret a meal at Bleu Squid where decadence and flavor fill your plate in a casual environment (I’d recommend the s’mores latte for your morning jolt). If you need a light and refreshing beverage to keep cool, grab something from Alice in the Village, or at least stop in to enjoy the colorful atmosphere that truthfully feels like Wonderland. Book lovers should pop in next door to Alice’s Haunted Little Bookshop to stock up on any spooky reads, but beware, the mirrors are looking back… Keep with the theme and pick up a “Wizard Beer” (wink wink) or even customize your own delicious potion at The Cloak and Wand. While not officially associated with Harry Potter, this store will still have you feeling like you’re entrenched in the Wizarding World. Throughout the rest of the village, peruse stores with all sorts of specialities — Christmas, kitchenware, pets, crystals, kites, toys, and Irish, Scandinavian, and Tibetan goods just to name a few. There is truly something for everyone.
9. Drawbridge and Drawbridge Ice Cream
Finally, what’s a vacation without ice cream?! If you’re indecisive like me, Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream may be a bit overwhelming in all the best ways. With over thirty homemade flavors using local cream, every pallet can be satiated. I personally opted for the Kahlua mocha fudge and highly recommend it! It was rich and decadent without any one flavor being overpowering. Take your ice cream through the alley between Fatface and The Tea and Spice Exchange to get a quiet view of the river winding up further into Mystic. The building Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream calls home has a long history of sharing cold custards with the community, first selling the seaside staple in the 1800s.
But that’s not it’s only fun taste of history! The building is directly adjacent to its namesake, the Mystic River Bascule Bridge. Built in 1922, this iconic drawbridge halts land traffic every forty minutes past the hour and lifts to allow boats up the river — a pilgrimage that built this very city. Mystic’s drawbridge connects the Groton side and Stonington sides of Mystic, much like Mystic itself connects the history of early-American seaside towns to the present day bustling tourist hot spots they’ve slowly become. As you watch the gargantuan concrete weights start to lower, take one final moment to imagine Mystic as it once was.
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