Spend the Weekend in Mystic, Connecticut

Traveling to Connecticut may not be high on your bucket list (no shade CT) but if you find yourself in the North East, Mystic, Connecticut has a lot of things to offer. Made famous by a certain movie about a pizzeria (yes it is a real place) this shore village has a ton to offer your tastebuds, your sense of adventure and your kids of all ages. Thinking of spending a weekend in Mystic? Check out where to stay, eat and play!

Things To Do

Olde Mistick Village
Park your car and walk around the outdoor mall that is filled with restaurants and shops.

​Shops include Sofia's Mystical Christmas store, The Boardwalk that sells fried dough and seaside gifts and Alice in the Village that is part tea room, part gift shop that has the perfect trinkets and accessories for the Alice in Wonderland lover in your life. Pop your head in just to see the amazing decor and murals painted on the walls.

Restaurants like Mango's Wood Fire Pizza, Blue Squid and Steak Loft of Mystic offer options for everyone's tastebuds.

Spending a weekend in the fall? Check out dates for their annual Garlic Festival.

Mystic Aquarium 
​Located next to Olde Mistick Village, though I do recommend moving your car over to their parking lot, is the indoor/outdoor aquarium-zoo hybrid called Mystic Aquarium. Home to penguins, Beluga Whales, seals, sea lions and countless fish this is a great way to spend a few hours in the afternoon. You can grab a bite to eat at Penguins Cafe or see the California sea lions show at the Foxwoods Marine Theater running multiple times throughout the day.

​Mystic Pizza
This pizzeria found fame due to Julia Roberts' movie of the same name and you can have your own "Little Slice of Heaven" with jars of sauce and t-shirts for sale inside. Don't worry this is still very much a working restaurant and still gets crowded. Demand became so high for Mystic Pizza they opened Mystic Pizza II in North Stonington, CT. But the original is where its at and don't forget to get your picture in front of the famed sign over the front door.

Mystic Seaport
A unique experience that includes a full museum, a planetarium, a smaller children's museum, a walk-through 19th Century Seaport Village and a shipyard! If you are visiting during winter months, please note the walk-through seaport village and shipyard are closed. 

USS Nautilus 
Located in Groton, CT, not far from Mystic is the USS Nautilus, the world's first nuclear-powered submarine. Now a museum, admission is free (donations are appreciated) and tours are self-guided, their website recommends planning to be there anywhere from 1 hour to an hour and a half. Please note this submarine is closed EVERY Tuesday.

Foxwoods Resort & Casino 
About 20 minutes outside of Mystic, Connecticut is the Foxwoods Resort & Casino. Foxwoods offers restaurants, an indoor outlet mall, an arcade, venues for broadway style shows and concerts and of course gambling. ​If a casino is more your speed you can easily book a room here and drive over to Mystic for the afternoon and then head back to the casino for dinner, a show and/or gambling. 
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Where To Stay

Hilton Mystic 
If you aren't looking to stay at the casino and want to be closer to the attractions in Mystic, the Hilton Mystic is located right across the street from both the Mystic Aquarium and Olde Mistick Village. You can't miss their sea life statue outside that is right on the highway. 

The Inn at Mystic
Chain hotels not your thing? Then do check out The Inn at Mystic, they offer resort like rooms in their Main Building, the East Wing or the Haley Mansion. The Inn also has a restaurant onsite, the Harbor House that offers live entertainment.

The area of Mystic is full of all types of places to stay, chains like Howard Johnson, Quality Inn, and Days Inn all have locations near the attractions and there are also Victorian style inns that are family owned and operated. Whichever type of accommodations you like, I bet Mystic, Connecticut has it.