Refreshing summer coastal retreats—New England seaport towns are full of maritime history, picturesque inlets, lighthouses, quaint shopping, seafood, museums, and even dozens of countryside vineyards. Mystic and Stonington are two charming colonial coastal towns and perfect getaways—here what you need to enjoy your stay.
Mystic Seaport
Mystic Seaport is the premier maritime museum in the country with collections of historic watercraft and 19th-century seafaring village. The village maritime trades are displayed in dozens of historic buildings and working shipyards. The shipyard gallery takes visitors through 40-years of restoration and preservation projects—including Mayflower II and Charles W. Morgan. The 1841 Charles W.Morgan whaling ship is the flagship exhibit—significant for being American’s oldest commercial ship still afloat, surviving blistering Antarctic ice and rounding the deadly Cape Horn. Throughout the harbor are dozens of historic fishing vessels, sloops, sailboats, schooners, and rigged ships. So climb aboard and experience maritime history or set sail on the Breck Marshall a 20-foot Crosby catboat. Mystic Seaport also offers waterfront cruises, charter boats—and sailboat and rowboat rentals.
Historic Mystic & Bascule Bridge
From the Seaport go to Historic Downtown and experience coastal culinary experiences, art galleries, and specialty shops. The iconic 1920 Bascule Bridge spans the Mystic River and takes center stage, Strauss Heel-trunnion drawbridge with 230 short-tons of concrete counterweights and large bull-wheels is fascinating to watch the enormous counterweights drop and bridge raise and lower—and the industrial iron wheels are instagramical. The water activities also continue in the town center with paddle boarding, kayaking and sunset sailing—and more.
Mystic Museum of Art
Mystic has strong support for local arts, culture, and traditions—Mystic Museum of Art began as an artist colony in 1913 and remains influenced by 19th-century French landscape painters. The permanent collection includes over 250 works of American Impressionism and early twentieth-century works—plus a beautiful collection of Tonalism landscape paintings. The museum studio classes, family programs, and summer art camps are exceptional creative experiences for all ages.
Mystic Pizza, Mystic
You know the movie—now enjoy the pizza. The pizza shop that starred Julia Roberts, Lili Taylor, and Annabeth Gish does exist and a popular attraction. Although most of the filming actually took place at 70 Water Street in Stonington—the real-life Mystic Pizza was renovated to resemble the set—so stop in for “A Slice of Heaven”.
Captain Nathaniel Palmer House Museum, Stonington
The 1854 Transitional Greek Revival and Victorian Italianate style home of Capt. Palmer an Antarctic explorer and clipper ship designer who moved to Stonington for seal hunting and shipbuilding. He was a world explorer discovering the Antarctic Peninsula, known as Palmer Land—named after him. The house museum is on the picturesque Quanaduck and Lamberts Cove.
Jonathan Edwards Winery, Stonington
Go from the coastline to the countryside and spend the afternoon on the eastern end of the Connecticut Wine Trail with dozens of Vineyards, Orchards, and Cider Houses—and only minutes from downtown Mystic or Stonington easy to enjoy. Start with the classic New England-style farmhouse with scenic countryside and vineyards. Jonathan Edward's coastal-country approach to winemaking offers unique craft wines, farm-to-table ambiance, and a beautiful barn. Enjoy a refreshing crisp glass Pinot Gris with hints of fresh pear, apple, and lemon—great for summer and a wonderful place to gather with family and friends.
B.F. Cyde’s Cider Mill, Old Mystic
The last steam-powered cider mill in the U.S.—B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill has made hard cider and apple wines since 1881. The traditional mill has been in the family for 6 generations, still uses the original machinery making the sweetest cider and seasonal treats—kettle corn, local honey, maple syrup, jams, apple pies, and apple cider donuts. Nostalgic and enjoyable this 19th-century cider mill will take you back in time.
Saltwater Farm Vineyard, Stonington
Coastal Farmland, WWII Airplane Hanger and Estate Wines—Saltwater has a curated portfolio of wines rooted in French winemaking in the fresh coastal air of New England. Enjoy clean and vibrant 2019 Estate Chardonnay with a touch of citrus, crisp apple—rooted in Stonington’s refreshing summer salty air.
Stonington Vineyards, Stonington
Hand-picked harvest and passion for winemaking—Stonington Vineyards scenic countryside estate and refreshingly balanced award-winning and local favorite Seaport White wine is perfect for exploring the coastline and enjoying the sun. For more on the Connecticut Wine Trail.
Stonington
After enjoying the countryside come back to the coastline—Stonington’s seaside charm is a quiet getaway from Mystic and best experienced with a stroll on Water Street with weathered historic homes, boutique stores, art galleries, and restaurants.
The town's rich history in shipbuilding and West Indies trading was the home of many sea captains and shipbuilders. Architecture lovers should enjoy exploring the dozens of Colonial, Greek Revival, Victorian, and Federal-style architecture houses—Oliver Smith House (1761), Charles Phelps William (1804), Gurdon Trumbull House (1837), and Williams-Pendleton House (1848) are noteworthy. Lovers of literature and poetry should visit James Merrill House at 107 Water Street—home of the American writer and Pulitzer Prize winner for Divine Comedies. After strolling through the quaint streets enjoy sunset at Stonington Point.
Mystic Seaport Lighthouse
The New England coastline is home to hundreds of lighthouses, Connecticut has 20—and 5 are easily enjoyed around Mystic and Stonington. The small classic white wooden Mystic Seaport Lighthouse is a replica of the 1901 Brant Point Lighthouse in Nantucket. It is active, however does not give navigational aid and used for education to highlight lighthouse architectural history.
Stonington Harbor Light
Known as the Old Lighthouse by locals, the 1840 Stonington Harbor Light was decommissioned in 1889. The 35 feet octagon stone granite tower and keepers house is on the east side of the harbor and now the Stonington Historical Society Museum.
Latimer Reef Light, Fisher Island Sound
The Iron Spark Plug, Latimer Reef Light is located a mile north of Fisher Island. The lighthouse constructed in 1804, but not lit until 80 years later in 1884. The lighthouse named after James Latemore, a Revolutionary War patriot who used the reef to spy on the British Fleet. Latemore was captured on the reef, hung aboard a British frigate, and received a nearby watery burial. The lighthouse is in New York State but visible from Stonington Point.
Avery Point Light, Groton
Located at the Avery Point Campus of the University of Connecticut the lighthouse constructed in 1943 was the last one built-in the state. It is easily accessible from the campus and provides a good view of the Thames River and New London Ledge Lighthouse. Avery Point is also the former estate and home of Morton Freeman Plants a local financier. Built in 1902 in the Tutor Style, Bradford House is a few 100 yards from the lighthouse and includes Baroque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Classical interior influences.
Morgan Point Lighthouse, Noank
The 1868 Morgan Point Lighthouse is the fifth lighthouse in the area—the granite building and octagonal tower is the same design as Sheffield Island Lighthouse in Norwalk. Now a private residence it is only visible from the water—so take a lighthouse cruise out of Mystic or New London—and enjoy the open waters and dozens of lighthouses in the Long Island Sound. Looking to take a road trip further up the coast—here is a list of 21 New England Lighthouses to explore.
Where To Eat
Sift Bake Shop, Mystic
The freshest handcrafted sweet artisan pastries and naturally leavened bread—Sift is wonderful for breakfast, lunch, or quick bites. Try the classic crispy and flaky croissants or smoked salmon sandwich with tomato, red onions, and chive cream cheese.
Ford's Lobsters, Noank
Fresh locally sourced ingredients and stunning views of the Mystic Harbor, Ford’s is not just another lobster shack. Besides its signature buttery hot lobster roll, Ford’s offers the Maine style cold rolls with mayo and celery—and dozens of fresh fish entrées, such as Lobster Avocado Grilled Cheese, Lobster BLT, Blackened Scallops, Panko Roasted Cod and Lobster Thermidor. Ford’s is in Noank a small fishing village near Mystic.
A few other casual oceanfront restaurants away from the crowds—consider Abbott’s Lobster In The Rough in Noank, Little Kitchen on Mason Island, or The Fishman at Long Point.
Mystic and Stonington have something for the entire family to enjoy—so get out and explore. Return for future travel adventures on Watch Hill and Narragansett.
Sources: Wikipedia, Stonington Borough CT, This Is Mystic, Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic Museum of Art & local business websites.