Mystic also offers everything you could want on a romantic holiday, sister’s trip, girlfriend getaway or family-fun adventure: adorable hotels, great food, the Mystic Aquarium and Mystic Seaport, plus lots of outdoor venues to keep your social distance. And it’s tiny! So you can squeeze everything in, in 1-2 days max. There’s shopping, sailing and our other beloved S activity: sipping cocktails by the water. Keep reading for the best things to do in Mystic, Connecticut and for where to stay and eat in Mystic, CT.
Where to Stay in Mystic, Connecticut
The Whaler’s Inn: Located in the heart of downtown Mystic, this boutique hotel boasts a plethora of well-appointed rooms and suites, spread out across the Main Inn and four more historic houses. The Hoxie House features both queen and king guest rooms and is adults-only, but the Noank House is located on East Main Street and features a private porch entrance, perfect for a socially-distant getaway with friends or family. As for standout amenities, there are several in-room fireplaces to take advantage of with a blanket and a book, Keurig Coffee Makers and whimsical, maritime touches at every turn. Coral-clad pillows and extra plush linens make for a seriously comfy sleeping situation and complimentary perks include: a continental breakfast platter, in-room high-speed wireless internet and Roku streaming devices. The best part about checking into The Whaler’s Inn is its proximity to everything downtown Mystic. Just past the Bascule Drawbridge, 1/4 mile from shops, restaurants and main attractions, you won’t have to worry about driving or Uber’ing all over when staying here. There’s also onsite restaurant The Shipwright’s Daughter, open for breakfast, brunch, dinner and cocktails, after a long day exploring Mystic. Airbnb: For family-style lodging options in Mystic and the surrounding Stonington/Groton areas, Airbnb is your other best bet. Larger groups looking to spread out will love these rustic farmhouses, old-world Victorians and waterfront retreats with stunning views, like this quaint guesthouse or this picturesque cottage on a private point with kayaks, paddle boards and a fire pit.
Where to Eat in Mystic, Connecticut
The Shipwright’s Daughter: One of our favorite spots anytime of day in Mystic, whether you’re in the mood for a Bloody Mary-fueled brunch with girlfriends, or a family breakfast before a trip to the seaport. Besides a killer lobster benny, they have crazy good onion rings, deviled eggs and chowdah on the menu, along with mini lobster rolls, local seafood selections and a tuna bolognese pasta that will change your life. Happy hour is also a great time, every Tuesday-Sunday from 4pm-6pm, with 1/2 off Fishers Island Oysters and snacks. If you’re concerned about COVID-conscious dining, they feature a closed-off dining room that can seat 20, with a private entrance. Sift Bake Shop: Trust us when we say, you’ll smell the butter wafting out of this bakery from down the street. Follow the trail for epic pastries, macarons, and other confectionary delights that will leave you drooling over the display case. And don’t forget to order one of their coffee art specialties. During the peak summer month season there’s Mix Rooftop & Bar on the top of Sift for refreshing libations, a creative bar menu and one of the best vantage points of beautiful Mystic. Oyster Club: This famed CT restaurant is known as one of the greatest small town gems in these parts (and in the the U.S. for that matter), for partnersDaniel Meiserand ChefJames Wayman’s locally-sourced seafood and seed-to-table fare. Shining the spotlight on Mystic’s farmers, fishmongers, brewers and the like, their eclectic menu is just as appeasing as the warm, inviting interior. The Treehouse is where it’s at though, for an al fresco date night dinner from above. As for not-to-miss dishes, order the monkfish katsu with Stonington sugar kelp butter and jasmine rice, PEI mussels in coconut lemongrass broth, casarecce with pea tendril pesto and warm ricotta and NY strip steak or Long Island duck breast. Mystic Pizza & Nana’s Bakery & Pizza: After New Haven, Mystic is quickly becoming the next big pizza capital of Connecticut with over 10+ buzz-worthy pizza parlors and upscale pizzerias turning out some truly impressive pies. As for our favorites, there’s cinematic landmark Mystic Pizza of course, which requires a photo and a slice immediately upon entering town. Then there’s newcomer Nana’s, which serves pie for the true New Englander, topped with local clams, potato, bacon, garlic butter and parsley. Nana’s is Oyster Bar’s sister restaurant and gaining popularity for their scratch-made pizzas and gourmet toppings, but the all-day eatery also offers breakfast and lunch with crazy good egg sandwiches, pastries, hot fried donuts and certified organic coffee in a Scandinavian-chic space. Grab a cinnamon roll and a coffee to savor outside by the water and be prepared to make several visits over the course of your trip. Engine Room: No Mystic food crawl is complete without a stop at Engine Room, a staple for burgers, bourbon and buttermilk fried chicken. Open for lunch, brunch, dinner and happy hour, this place gets packed when it’s nice out, thanks to their expansive outdoor dining patio, but the rustic-chic interior is also inviting year-round. Known for one of the area’s largest selection of craft beers on tap—and gastropub favorites like Carolina-style hush puppies with rosemary maple butter—we make it a point to swing by whenever we’re in the area.
A few more Mystic mainstays for great dining include:
Grass & BoneRed 36S&P Oyster Restaurant and BarPizzettaCaptain Daniel Packer InneJealous Monk
Things to Do in Mystic, Connecticut
Mystic Aquarium: Mystic is a great year-round destination for families and kids, thanks to the aquarium, which is one of two in the U.S. with Steller sea lions, and the only one with beluga whales in New England. The African penguins are also seriously adorable, but given COVID restrictions you will need to purchase online-timed, advance tickets for entry. Mystic River Bascule Bridge: For sweeping views of the Mystic River (and the best Insta shots with your crew), take a walk across the drawbridge into Historic Downtown Mystic. In the summer, kayaks and paddle boards dot the tidal waters during “Floatchella,” while local reggae bands play and you can sign up for lessons, sunrise and sunset paddles, SUP Yoga, kids camp, bike tours and more through Adventure Mystic. Downtown Mystic Shopping: You could spend hours (or all day) bopping from one store to the next on Main Street in Downtown Mystic. There are gift stores, curiosity shops, chocolatiers, clothing stores and more, but a couple you definitely need to swing by are: Mystic Knotwork, Trove, Peppergrass & Tulip, Hang the Moon, Main Street Soap Emporium, La Côte Mystic and Adore. Mystic Seaport: A stroll around the seaport is the quintessential afternoon activity in Mystic and a necessary stop before you leave, especially for pics in front of the iconic lighthouse. Home to the nation’s leading maritime museum and some very old boats—like the Charles W. Morgan, the last wooden whaleship in the world—it’s a historic and educational outing for the whole family. And their “Pirate Days” are kind of a big deal with the littles. Up next, 10 incredible road trips to take with your family.
