Mystic

Mystic is a village that is partly in Groton and partly in Stonington in Connecticut. It is a major tourist destination.



Understand
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.





By car
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.

By train
Amtrak - Mystic Station (MYS), 2 Roosevelt Av. (Rt. 1),. Service across southern Connecticut to New York and points south; to Providence, Boston and points north.

By plane
Larger airports in the area with scheduled flights are Bradley International Airport Windsor Locks, T.F. Green Airport, Warwick (Rhode Island), as well as the smaller, regional Westerly Airport, )

By boat
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

Get around
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 town offers Mystic Community Bikes, free bicycle use, with many pick up/drop off locations on a refundable deposit basis. Mystic Community Bikes

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.

See

 * 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.
 * 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.
 * 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.
 * 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.

Do

 * Argia Mystic Cruises Three sails every day May through October aboard a traditional sailing ship. See historic Mystic Harbor, Mystic River, islands, and lighthouses. Public sails or charter the whole boat. +1 860 536-0416 -- 15 Holmes St., Downtown Mystic -- http://www.argiamystic.com -- sales@argiamystic.com
 * Upcoming Events: Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, begins at the Seaport and ends on Water Street Downtown Mystic; 50th Mystic Outdoor Art Festival, in Historic Downtown Mystic, over 300 artists and craftsmen display and sell their work; Taste of Mystic, Cottrell Street Downtown Mystic, local restaurants offer samples of Mystic's finest culinary; Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, Watch from the docks as a series of boats travel slowly down the Mystic River, each one decorated differently in the spirit of the holidays.
 * Upcoming Events: Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, begins at the Seaport and ends on Water Street Downtown Mystic; 50th Mystic Outdoor Art Festival, in Historic Downtown Mystic, over 300 artists and craftsmen display and sell their work; Taste of Mystic, Cottrell Street Downtown Mystic, local restaurants offer samples of Mystic's finest culinary; Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, Watch from the docks as a series of boats travel slowly down the Mystic River, each one decorated differently in the spirit of the holidays.
 * Upcoming Events: Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, begins at the Seaport and ends on Water Street Downtown Mystic; 50th Mystic Outdoor Art Festival, in Historic Downtown Mystic, over 300 artists and craftsmen display and sell their work; Taste of Mystic, Cottrell Street Downtown Mystic, local restaurants offer samples of Mystic's finest culinary; Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, Watch from the docks as a series of boats travel slowly down the Mystic River, each one decorated differently in the spirit of the holidays.
 * Upcoming Events: Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, begins at the Seaport and ends on Water Street Downtown Mystic; 50th Mystic Outdoor Art Festival, in Historic Downtown Mystic, over 300 artists and craftsmen display and sell their work; Taste of Mystic, Cottrell Street Downtown Mystic, local restaurants offer samples of Mystic's finest culinary; Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, Watch from the docks as a series of boats travel slowly down the Mystic River, each one decorated differently in the spirit of the holidays.
 * Upcoming Events: Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, begins at the Seaport and ends on Water Street Downtown Mystic; 50th Mystic Outdoor Art Festival, in Historic Downtown Mystic, over 300 artists and craftsmen display and sell their work; Taste of Mystic, Cottrell Street Downtown Mystic, local restaurants offer samples of Mystic's finest culinary; Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, Watch from the docks as a series of boats travel slowly down the Mystic River, each one decorated differently in the spirit of the holidays.
 * Upcoming Events: Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, begins at the Seaport and ends on Water Street Downtown Mystic; 50th Mystic Outdoor Art Festival, in Historic Downtown Mystic, over 300 artists and craftsmen display and sell their work; Taste of Mystic, Cottrell Street Downtown Mystic, local restaurants offer samples of Mystic's finest culinary; Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, Watch from the docks as a series of boats travel slowly down the Mystic River, each one decorated differently in the spirit of the holidays.

Buy

 * Historic Downtown Mystic, Shopping and Dining in the heart of downtown by the Mystic River. Shop for unique gifts, souveniers, and clothing, and stop for a bite to eat along the river. Many events are offered throughout the year such as Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, Mystic Stroll, and Harvest Moon Festival.
 * Historic Downtown Mystic, Shopping and Dining in the heart of downtown by the Mystic River. Shop for unique gifts, souveniers, and clothing, and stop for a bite to eat along the river. Many events are offered throughout the year such as Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, Mystic Stroll, and Harvest Moon Festival.
 * Historic Downtown Mystic, Shopping and Dining in the heart of downtown by the Mystic River. Shop for unique gifts, souveniers, and clothing, and stop for a bite to eat along the river. Many events are offered throughout the year such as Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, Mystic Stroll, and Harvest Moon Festival.
 * Historic Downtown Mystic, Shopping and Dining in the heart of downtown by the Mystic River. Shop for unique gifts, souveniers, and clothing, and stop for a bite to eat along the river. Many events are offered throughout the year such as Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, Mystic Stroll, and Harvest Moon Festival.
 * Historic Downtown Mystic, Shopping and Dining in the heart of downtown by the Mystic River. Shop for unique gifts, souveniers, and clothing, and stop for a bite to eat along the river. Many events are offered throughout the year such as Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, Mystic Stroll, and Harvest Moon Festival.

Drink

 * 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.

Go next

 * New London There is a trolley service that introduces visitors to New London. Ride the trolley all day for $5, catch it at any of the bus stations, ferry landings, or the New London visitor's center. Check out historic Downtown New London's Bank and State Street. Roughly twenty or so bars and restaurants line the "L" shaped heart of the downtown district which once saw Benedict Arnold burn it to the ground as well as the Amistad trial. Located in New London is the Crystal Mall, and two floor shopping mall with many known shops.
 * Stonington Borough A charming village just southeast of Mystic, Stonington offers a slower pace for visitors. Shopping, art, antiques, and museums can be enjoyed within view of 3 states! Stonington is easy to get to, whether by car, boat, or ferry.
 * U.S. Navy Submarine Force Museum, Groton The only submarine museum operated by the U.S. Navy, this is the #1 site for sub artifacts. Be sure to call ahead to verify the hours of operation.