Mystic, CT Road Trips

Mystic is a popular tourist destination because of Mystic Seaport, Mystic Aquarium, the touristy shopping downtown, and its maritime heritage. It is home to many marinas, historic ship-captain's homes, galleries, and traditional boats offering day-sails. Between New York City and Boston, it's easily reachable from both. Mystic is also near Foxwoods Casino. Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce, 14 Holmes Street, ☏ +1 860-572-9578, toll-free: +1-866-572-9578. (updated Aug 2018) Mystic & Shoreline Visitor Information Center, Olde Mistick Village, Coogan Blvd., ☏ +1 860-536-1641, [email protected]. (updated Aug 2018)

1 Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration, 55 Coogan Blvd, ☏ +1 860 572-5955, fax: +1 860 572-5969, [email protected]. Daily 10AM–4:50PM, and open an hour early and/or an hour later during busy times of the year. Indoor and outdoor exhibits and habitats which cover a wide range of reptilian, amphibian, and aquatic species. Examples of exhibits include the beluga whale exhibit, penguin exhibit, and sea lion exhibit. In addition, there are many tanks containing coral, sharks, reef-fish, stingrays, and other creatures. Some exhibits are also interactive, such as the shark and ray “touch-pools.” Amongst these exhibits are a number of special events like the daily Marine Theater shows. Adults $38, 60+ $32, 13-17 $32, 3-12 $28 -- $6 off each ticket if you buy on-line.. (updated Apr 2019) 2 Mystic Seaport - The Museum of America and the Sea, 75 Greenmanville Av, ☏ +1 860 572-5315, toll-free: +1-888-973-2767. Apr-Oct 9AM-5PM, Nov-Mar 10AM-4PM. The nation's largest maritime museum. A living history museum on 17 acres. Old historic port used in the filming of many movies, including Amistad. $26.05, Seniors $24.25, Youth $17.05. Olde Mistick Village, A fun, outdoor shopping area with food, entertainment, and lots of shopping. With over 60 shops, this is a fun place to go on a family outing if you have nothing to do. Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, 109 Pequotsepos Road, ☏ +1 860 536-1216, fax: +1 860 536-2983. M-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 10AM-4PM.

Argia Mystic Cruises, 15 Holmes St. (downtown), ☏ +1 860 536-0416, [email protected]. Three or four sails daily (2 hr; subject to cancellation in bad weather or if there are too few customers) May–mid-Oct aboard a traditional schooner. See historic Mystic Harbor, Mystic River, islands, and lighthouses. Public sails or charter the whole boat. $65–80. Benmar Custom Charters, ☏ +1 860 521-3345, [email protected]. Hatteras Charter fishing boat licensed in three states and federal waters. 1 Brilliant, 75 Greenmanville Avenue (at Mystic Seaport), ☏ +1 860 572-5323, [email protected]. Sail this 62-foot schooner, built in 1932. Day trips and longer voyages. Customers do participate in the sailing, especially on the longer voyages. There are 5- and 10-day programs specifically for teens. Most sailings sell out. Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, 109 Pequotsepos Road, ☏ +1 860 536-1216, [email protected]. Explore woodland, wetland and meadow habitats on eight miles of trails on a 250-acre wildlife sanctuary. Mystic Whaler Cruises, 35 Water Street, toll-free: +1-800-697-8420, [email protected]. The Mystic Whaler is a 93' tall ship that takes passengers out on day sails, lobster dinner cruises and multi-day vacation cruises. Just 10 miles away from Mystic, this schooner offers a variety of all age sailing adventures. Olde Mystick Village Art Cinemas, ☏ +1 860 536-4227. Watch the artistic films not being played anywhere else. View many films the way the director intended them to be viewed.

Abbott's Lobster in the Rough, 117 Pearl St, ☏ +1 860 536-7719. If you visit Mystic during the summer and have adequate transportation, be sure to eat here. A classic New England seafood restaurant, Abbott's opens in May for the summer. You may BYOB and enjoy fresh seafood at market price. Anthony J's, 6 Holmes St, ☏ +1 860 536-0448. A classic Italian bistro featuring imported pasta and some American fare. Be sure to explore the wine selection. $10-20. Bravo, Bravo & Bar, 20 East Main Street, ☏ +1 860 536-3228. Fine Italian dining for $20-25. Go Fish, ☏ +1 860 536-2262. Olde Mistick Village, 23 Coogan Boulevard. M-Th 11:30AM-9:30PM, F Sa 11:30AM-10PM, Su noon-9:30PM. Enjoy the best seafood in Mystic anyway you like it; cooked or raw for an experience at the sushi bar. Kitchen Little, 135 Greenmanville Av, ☏ +1 860 536-2122. (Route 27). A small shack-like building on your way into Mystic. This has the best breakfast around. The service is friendly and they are quick to refill your java. The sausage and home fries are great and so is the charm. Dining inside is packed tight with tables, but your reward will be worth the squeeze. They offer loads of vegetarian options but very little (other than a veggie wrap around lunch) for vegans. Under $10 for a hearty breakfast. 1 Mystic Pizza, 56 W Main St, ☏ +1 860 536-3700. Daily 10AM–10PM. No Julia Roberts doesn't work there; you can check out the sweet 1988 romantic comedy if you want to see her dish up something nice. Otherwise this is your go-to spot for tourist grub. Enjoy at under $20 for entree or pizza.

Mystic's Bar Crawl, Stop in one of the little t-shirt shops on West Main Street and pick up your shirt to take around to the 13 bars and have each initial by their name. Must be 21 to participate. Captain Daniel Packer Inn (DPI), 32 Water Street, ☏ +1 860 536-3555. Enjoy the nightly entertainment in the cozy pub downstairs. Must be 21 or older to enter. Harp and Hound, 4 Pearl Street, ☏ +1 860 572-7778. An authentic Irish pub serving up an assortment of beers. Yes they have Guinness on tap! Great atmosphere. Must be 21 or older to enter. John's Cafe, 9 Cottrell Street, ☏ +1 860 536-6700. Good place to go and watch the big games. Must be 21 or older to enter. Margaritas, 12 Water Street, ☏ +1 860 536-4589. The "watering hole" above the restaurant brings the feeling and energy of Mexico to the community. Must be 21 or older to enter.

1 The Whaler's Inn, 20 East Main St, ☏ +1 860 536-1506, fax: +1 860 572-1250, [email protected]. AmeriSuites, 224 Greenmanville Av, ☏ +1 860 536-9997, fax: +1 860 536-9686. (Rt. 27). Best Western Mystic Hotel, 9 Whitehall Av, ☏ +1 860 536-4281, fax: +1 860 572-1300. Comfort Inn Mystic, 48 Whitehall Av, ☏ +1 860 572-8531, fax: +1 860 572-9358, [email protected]. Days Inn by Wyndham Mystic, 55 Whitehall Av, ☏ +1-860-415-8155, fax: +1-860 572-1164. Harbour Inne & Cottage, 15 Edgemont St, ☏ +1 860 572-9253, [email protected]. Hilton Mystic, 20 Coogan Boulevard, ☏ +1 860 572-0731, fax: +1 860 572-0328. Holiday Inn Express, 6 Coogan Blvd, ☏ +1 860 572-9065. Howard Johnson Inn, 253 Greenmanville Av, ☏ +1 860 536-2654, [email protected]. Hyatt Place Mystic, 224 Greenmanville Ave, ☏ +1 860 536-9997. (updated Feb 2016) Residence Inn, 40 Whitehall Avenue, ☏ +1 860 536-5150, fax: +1 860 572-4724. Steamboat Inn, 73 Steamboat Wharf, ☏ +1 860 536-8300, [email protected]. Adams House, 382 Cow Hill Rd, ☏ +1 860 572-9551. A 1750s colonial house filled with old-fashioned fireplaces and surrounded by lush greenery and flower gardens. Brigadoon Bed and Breakfast, 180 Cow Hill Rd, ☏ +1 860 536-3033, fax: +1 860 536-1628, [email protected]. A traditional Scottish bed and breakfast set in a 250-year-old restored Victorian farm house less than 2 miles from downtown Mystic.

From either New Haven or Providence, take Interstate 95 to exit 30, or U.S. Route 1. From Worcester, take Interstate 395 to CT Route 85, to Interstate 95/U.S. Route 1. Amtrak - Mystic Station (MYS), 2 Roosevelt Av. (Rt. 1), ☏ +1-800-USA-RAIL (872-7245). Service across southern Connecticut to New York and points south; to Providence, Boston and points north. Larger airports in the area with scheduled flights are Bradley International Airport (BDL IATA) Windsor Locks, T.F. Green Airport (PVD IATA), Warwick (Rhode Island), as well as the smaller, regional Westerly Airport, WST IATA) Follow the Mystic River and dock at one of the many marinas along the coast. Ferries from Long Island, Block Island, and Fisher's Island are available, and many accommodate bicycles. Long Island Ferry service: +1 860-443-5281 Fisher's Island Ferry: +1 631-788-7463

The easiest way to travel Mystic is by car. Many rentals are available if you are from out of town, and taxis are also a good option. One relatively close car rental is on 311 Mitchell Street in the outlying city of Groton. Phone: +1 860-448-0422. Bicycles are another reasonable alternative. The free Mystic Community Bikes program has been discontinued, so you have to rent or bring your own. Since many of the shops in Mystic are relatively close to one another, taking in the sights and sounds by walking throughout the downtown area is also a very enjoyable experience.