Nomadic Neen Mystic, Connecticut might be small, but it packs in plenty of New England charm. Whether you’re arriving by car or, like us, hopping on the ferry from Long Island, it’s the kind of weekend getaway that feels both relaxed and full of things to see.
I traveled to Mystic with my mom. Mystic first caught our eye because of its famous aquarium. My mom and I love visiting zoos and aquariums wherever we go, and with this one so close to home, it felt like the perfect excuse for a weekend escape.
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Saturday: Arrival & Exploring
We kicked off our trip with a ride on the ferry from Orient Point to New London, which is a fun, easy way to cross the Long Island Sound without the stress of traffic. From New London, it’s just a short drive into Mystic. We had a ferry pass for 9:30AM, but we left extra early to avoid any possible summer winery traffic. Since we left so early, we ended up getting there about 10 minutes before the 8:30 ferry was departing. We couldn’t believe it! This type of luck only happens to my mom and we got such a good laugh about it.
The ferry ride was so beautiful. We got some breakfast and tea at the little cafe on board and just enjoyed the ride.
When we arrived in New London we decided to drive the “scenic route” to Mystic along the water, though honestly, it wasn’t as scenic as we had hoped.
We made it to Mystic earlier than planned thanks to the luck with the ferry. We had plans to see the aquarium in the afternoon, so we decided to use our free time to visit Olde Mistick Village. It’s a quaint, slightly touristy shopping area that’s worth a wander. The cobblestone paths, local shops and boutiques, and seasonal decor make it a great place to stretch your legs and grab a snack. My personal favorite shops were the ice cream shop: Seven Birds Ice Cream and the honey shop: Sticky Situations, but there are so many more goodies, you’re guaranteed to find a shop for everyone.
After we finished up wandering around Old Mistick Village, we headed to the Mystic Aquarium. It’s one of the area’s biggest attractions and a perfect stop if you’re traveling with kids or if you’re just a grown-up who loves watching sea lions and beluga whales (guilty as charged). The Mystic Aquarium is right next to Old Mistick Village. Unfortunately for us, we didn’t realize that thanks to the map glitching and we ended up having to drive around a bit and turning back around. We felt so silly but just another thing to laugh about!
The Beluga whales were definitely the highlight for me and Mom. The aquarium even sells a beer named after them that you can enjoy while you watch them swim, play, and eat! We were lucky to be around the exhibit during a feeding and training session. It was amazing to watch how the trainers interact with this magical animals and vice versa.
After we finished up enjoying our afternoon at the aquarium, it was time to head to the hotel to check in and get ready to eat. For dinner, we settled in at The Irons Restaurant and Bar. It had a cozy vibe, hearty food, and was the perfect way to wind down after a day of exploring. The food was delicious and the drinks were even better! The Irons Restaurant is in a hotel and there was a cute outdoor fire pit space. Before we left, we sat and enjoyed the relaxing spot.
Sunday: Foodie Finds & Famous Pizza
Sunday was all about food. For breakfast we chose Mystic Diner & Restaurant and it definitely hit the spot. It’s an old-school diner with big portions and a menu with something for everyone, which is exactly what we needed in our weekend of sightseeing.
We then went to Alice in the Village, a whimsical tea shop that feels like stepping into a fairytale. Think quirky décor, themed treats, and plenty of photo-worthy corners. Visiting this shop was a top priority on my Mystic bucket list, and it lived up to all of the hype!
We weren’t ready to drive back home just yet, so we took a drive over to the Mystic Seaport Museum. This museum is home to some pretty awesome historic ships and exhibits. We didn’t buy tickets this time, but we strolled through the surrounding area and shops. Next time, we will definitely carve out time for the full museum experience.
We crossed the drawbridge one final time on our way home, but wanted to take in some more of Mystic. We did some shopping in town and then stopped at Bank & Bridge Brewing for a quick drink. This brewery was an awesome, accidental find. The set up was really fun and there were games scattered around for patrons to enjoy. I was so glad we stopped in! Update: The brewery has since closed. An Italian restaurant now takes up the old bank.
Of course, no trip to Mystic is complete without a stop at the legendary Mystic Pizza. Yes, that Mystic Pizza, made famous by the Julia Roberts movie. Touristy? Absolutely. But also a rite of passage when you’re in town. The pizza was decent but the nostalgia and vibes made it worth it. No regrets stopping for a slice at all!
After our lunch, it was time to head home. We had some personal stops we wanted to make along the way in Connecticut and White Plains, so we skipped the ferry and ended up driving the long way round back to Long Island.
Mystic is one of those places that’s easy to do in a weekend but leaves you wanting to come back for more. Between the cozy, delicious restaurants, waterfront views, and a mix of quirky and historic attractions, it’s the perfect New England weekend getaway.
Things to Know Before You Go
Mystic Drawbridge: It’s right in the center of town and still goes up for boat traffic. If you’re lucky (or unlucky), you’ll catch it in action. We saw it go up 3 times in our short trip through town!
Public Bathrooms: Something that is always good to find out! Mystic has public bathrooms throughout the town!
Parking: Parking in the town is rough. There is not a ton of space and during peak season, the spots are filled up very quickly.
Mystic River Park: A nice little spot to sit by the water and people-watch. We didn’t get to go but I couldn’t leave it off of this post!
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