About Mystic

Settled in 1654, Mystic was once a shipbuilding seaport village and a safe harbor for tall ships to weather a storm.  Today, the shoreline community with iconic Bascule Bridge is reminiscent of it’s rich maritime past, but clad with quintessential New England charm. Old sea captain’s homes dot the scenic roads along the Mystic River just outside of Downtown’s booming food and drink scene.

Quaint and colorful mom and pop shops and eateries line Main street. An art museum and galleries give Mystic a bit of culture and sophistication. There are diverse attractions scattered all over Mystic’s nearly 4 square miles. Mystic Seaport, Mystic Aquarium, Denison Homestead, Mystic Museum of Art, Olde Mistick Village bring droves of visitors mainly during the milder months. B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill, the only steam powered cider mill in the US is a favorite fall time tradition that keeps people lining up for cider and fresh donuts.

Throughout the year, local groups put on fabulous annual events like the Mystic Irish Parade, Mystic Outdoor Art Festival, Mystic Eats Riverside Food Festival, Pirate Invasion and the spectacular Lighted Boat Parade during the holidays. We have National Historic Landmarks like the Charles W. Morgan, The Emma C. Berry, schooner L.A. Dunton, and steamship Sabino all at Mystic Seaport Museum of America and the Sea.

Mystic is a popular wedding destination, growing wine and craft beer region nestled between Boston and New York City along the Amtrak rail. There are a plethora of beautiful sights and preserved land to see…Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, Coogan Farm, Avalonia properties, and beautiful town trails make Mystic extraordinarily hike and bike-able. Are you feeling lucky? Mystic is 20 minutes from Foxwoods Casino/ Outlet Mall and Mohegan Sun which are some of the largest Casinos in the nation. Neighboring Rhode Island is a mere 15 minute drive from the heart of downtown.

More Interesting Facts

• Mystic is not a legally recognized town, it is a zipcode/village within Groton and Stonington.
• The Mystic River divides the village into an eastern side (Stonington) and a western side (Groton)
• The Bascule Bridge (located in downtown Mystic on Main Street) opens once every 60 minutes at 40 past the hour during daylight hours/Seasonally May through October. Otherwise, it opens on demand.
• The Mystic river flows into the Long Island Sound.
  Key West, Florida was founded by Mystic sea captains.
• Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall honeymooned at the Inn at Mystic.
• The sea sled was made in the Mystic Seaport.
• In the early 1900’s, Mystic had electricity, trolleys, banks, factories, churches, a library, schools, and store fronts.
• Charles W. Morgan, last of the old time whaling ships, arrived in 1941 at the Mystic Seaport Museum.
• The Liberty Flagpole on Main St. was first erected in 1862.
• Mystic Seaport Museum’s coal-fired steamboat, The Sabino cruises down the Mystic River.