The Ultimate Weekend Guide to Mystic, CT

History

There are a myriad of things to do in Mystic besides eating at the Julia Roberts’ film site – Mystic Pizza – so how about I tell you more on this small, historic village?

Mystic is a census-designated place (CDP) and tiny village straddled between Groton and Stonington in Connecticut, with a fascinating history. Click To Tweet

Mystic is said to derive its name – missituk – from the indigenous Pequot people who once inhabited the area, and is well known for being a major Connecticut seaport in the past in addition to its well documented whaling history (more is said on this further down).

Mystic was a significant seaport in Connecticut and during the 18th century, with seamanship, manufacturing, and farming as major trades with the European colonists using the seaport and ships to export goods from the New World to the Old World. Between the indigenous Pequot and the English colonists who waged war with them, through the Industrial Revolution and re-branding as a local destination, Mystic has its mystique.

If you are searching for a quick Northeast getaway from New York City or close, read on for unique things to do in Mystic in a weekend or more.

Getting There

Mystic is very accessible from New York City and the tri-state area, either by vehicle or Amtrak.

By Car. If doing a day trip from NYC, leave very early to beat traffic and estimate a 3hr drive time. That way, you will have 8 full hours of adventure and can depart early evening.

By Train. Amtrak Northeast Regional leaves New York Moynihan Station and terminates in Boston. Mystic is one of many stops between these terminal points and I much prefer the 2hr train travel, especially in fall for the foliage that whizz past.

From Mystic Amtrak, downtown is a leisurely 15 minutes away with the ability to get familiar with landmarks and buildings of the village. If you prefer, I find that Lyft is more prevalent than Uber here.

1. What to do in Mystic: Stay in a Nautical-themed Hotel

You’re in a historic and nautical town so what better place to pass the night or weekend than at a nautical themed residence, The Whaler’s Inn. It is not your conventional hotel – heck, it isn’t even called a hotel – with its blue and white nautical theme, nautical decor, proximity to Mystic River, restaurants, and downtown.

Whaler’s Inn is an amalgamation of five different buildings of different historical eras that housed commercial businesses and lodging since the 1800s. It even has an on-site high-end restaurant, Shipwright’s Daughter, for sit-down meals and room takeouts. If visiting in fall, ask for a river-facing room view for the fall foliage overlooking Mystic River.

20 E Main St., Mystic, CT

2. Things to do in Mystic: Self-Guided Tour of Mystic Seaport

Mystic Seaport is legendary with 600 ships built over a century, beginning in the 1700s. In addition, it is one of the largest maritime, living museums in the U.S. with decommissioned ships, catboats, nautical trades, reconstructed cabins, and a lighthouse, with stunning views of the Mystic River in all seasons.

Some historic ships to experience here are:

Amistad – In 1839, Portuguese slavers illegally kidnapped African men (from present-day Sierra Leone) and shipped them to Cuba to be sold into slavery. Spaniard plantation owners bought 53 of these men, loaded them onto the Amistad, and shipped them to the U.S. The Africans took control of the ship, killed the captain and ordered the ship sail back home to West Africa. The ship drifted into U.S. territory and was seized by authorities, where the Africans were remanded in custody for murder. This spun an historic trial where their innocence was argued by a former U.S. President.

P.S. I watched the Hollywood reenactment of this, Amistad, growing up in West Africa and it disturbed me greatly.

Listen to historical narration of this story and interesting facts of the trial at the Mystic Seaport.

Charles Morgan – Launched in 1841, it is the last wooden whale ship in the world and as such, the flagship vessel at the Seaport. Whales were hunted for blubber to make whale oil, which was a vital energy source before the discovery of crude oil. Over its 80 year whaling career, the ship sailed rough waters and harpooned many whales for the country’s growing population and energy use.

Sabino – Do you know what a steamboat is?  Think of pictures of river cruise boats sailing in New Orleans, Alabama, Mississippi etc with whirring fans and open decks of bonnetted women twirling parasols. You most likely have seen them in pictures and films of the Antebellum era of the South aka when slavery was in its full form.

The Sabino is a steamboat, but the only coal-fired one remaining, and as such is resigned to the annals of maritime history.

More interesting historical activities at Mystic Seaport are the various trades in Mystic during its nautical days. These include blacksmithing, cooperage, boat building, rope making, and printing. As a living museum, you get to see master craftspeople perform waning trades that robots are now expert in.

I see a woman blacksmith working bellows and hammering away the same way it was done in the 18th century to make whaling harpoons and spears. Furthermore, learn the art of cooperage (barrel making) and see type-form printing in person using machinery over a century old.

REEL through Mystic Seaport Museum in 30 seconds

African-American History at Mystic Seaport

DYK that there is African-American history at Mystic Seaport?

• Lewis Temple (1800-1854): Blacksmithing was one of the few trades open to enslaved men and Lewis was skilled in this, so he made his way to the whaling town of New Bedford, MA. He was also an innovator and created a new type of whaling harpoon with a pivoting head, modified from Inuit and Native American seal hooks. This invention changed the whaling industry which the Charles Morgan benefited from. Of course, his non-patented invention was copied and profited from by others, but Lewis made enough to live comfortably till his passing.
• Leah Green: An enslaved woman, she shipped herself to freedom from Baltimore to Philadelphia inside a seaman’s chest. She was accompanied by her mother, a free woman, who untied the ropes to enable Leah breathe occasionally during this harrowing ordeal.
• Maria Weems: In 1855, 15 year old Maria was disguised as a boy to escape her enslavement in D.C., with the help of abolitionists and the Underground Railroad. The last that was heard was her in Canada awaiting the arrival of her mother and siblings.

If you are searching for uniquely interesting and historical things to do in Mystic, I strongly recommend Mystic Seaport with its nautical and historic elements.

75 Greenmanville Ave., Mystic, CT

3. What to do in Mystic: Experience Olde Mistick Village

Have you been to a colonial village?

Olde Mistick Village is a 1700s style colonial village constructed in the 1970s with a church, gazebo, water wheel and pond.

What is it now?

It is a shopping outlet space with restaurants, cafes, and independent stores like Cloak and Wand – a Harry Potter-esque magical store with spells, potions, and fantasy books galore – a year round Christmas store, a crystals store, and much more. There are seasonal events like fall garlic festivals, Hallowe’en, and Christmas events, and it is a leisurely walk to the famous Mystic Aquarium.

If you are at a loss for what to do in Mystic, Olde Mistick Village has you covered for a fun and leisurely couple of hours.

27 Coogan Blvd, Mystic, CT

4. Things to do in Mystic: Explore B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill

As with all things cider this part of the United States, Clyde’s Cider Mill begins its season in September and is one of many interesting things to do in Mystic during fall.

Clyde’s is also the oldest steam powered cider mill in the U.S. and is a National Historic Landmark site. Pop in here for onsite baked pies, muffins, and apple cider doughnuts. Make space in luggage for some cider wines, champagnes, jams, and all things apple related and whet your tongue with apple cider wine tastings from mango to citrus flavours. Don’t skip the main attraction – a tour of the actual mill with apples moving from truck to mill – open on certain days.

129 N Stonington Rd, Mystic, CT

5. What to do in Mystic: Enjoy Old Velvet Mill

Built in 1888 to bring manufacturing jobs and employment, the Velvet Mill was a cornerstone of Stonington borough till its 1996 relocation to low cost-of-doing-business Virginia. In its wake, the Velvet Mill stayed empty until revival as a creative hub for artisans, entrepreneurs, arts, eateries, professional services and other businesses. This is similar to formerly abandoned industrial and manufacturing sites nationwide, such as Industry City in Brooklyn and Union Market in D.C.

22 Bayview Ave., Stonington, CT

 

Click on pointers in map to view locations.

 

6. Things to do in Mystic: Walk Historic Downtown

One of my favourite things to do in a new place is walk downtown, and Mystic is no exception. I hate to use the adjectives “quaint” and “charming” to describe Mystic’s downtown, alas, they are apt. Wander in and out of Main Street boutique stores like Trove Men’s Provision Store, Mystic Army & Navy, The Bees Knees, Hang the Moon, and more. Saunter off Main Street for restaurants and cafes like The Oyster Club, The Engine Room, Sift Bake Shop, Mystic River Chocolate Cafe, Karma Juicery, and of course, the famous Mystic Pizza. The fun part is discovering as you amble along.

 

7. What to do in Mystic: Sail down Mystic River

A cruise down the Mystic River is a sure-fire thing to do during sailing season from April through mid October. Almost every resident in Mystic has a sailing craft of some kind and you’ll see fishing boats, dinghies, yachts, and everything in between, moored at public and private docks in downtown marinas and beyond. Even better, befriend a WASP and get to hitch a ride on a sailing boat in summer.

Mystic Argia Cruises offers sailing on the only commercial sailing ship left in the village, to see lighthouses, decommissioned ships, islands, and more.

8. Things to do in Mystic: Gawk at WASP-y New England Homes

Another favourite past-time of mine is architecture, that is, marvelling at historic detailing and seeing differences in styles between cities. New England architecture is a recognizable nautical style with arches, open verandas, and the regular siding mandatory for winter climes. Wander off Main Street into residential areas and gawk at gardens that resemble mini parks, views of the village with a towering church spire, and Dutch Revival architecture similar to historic Dutch homes in NYC.

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This is the ultimate getaway guide to things to do in Mystic covering history, sailing, eats and more. Enjoy its easy vibe and ambience and rejuvenate yourself before returning to the bustle of the city.

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