A Day Spent in Mystic, Connecticut
Mystic, Connecticut has a way of wrapping you up in its
charm from the moment you arrive — sea breezes, salty air, a little history, a
little shopping, and a whole lot of good food. If you only have a day to spare,
here’s an itinerary that balances the must-sees with the must-eats (and trust
me, there’s plenty of both).
Morning: Cider, Donuts, and Penguins
Start your day the sweetest way possible at B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill, the
oldest steam-powered cider mill in the U.S. The second you step out of the car,
you’ll catch that unmistakable cider aroma drifting through the air. Order a
hot cider and a bag of their famously fluffy apple cider donuts — you’ll thank
yourself later for “accidentally” buying extra. Once you’re happily sugared up,
head into town for a morning at Mystic Aquarium, where you’ll find
yourself nose-to-glass with beluga whales, penguins, and sea lions. It’s a
magical mix of education and wonder, no matter your age.
clydescidermill.com
mysticaquarium.org
Lunch: A Lobster Roll to Remember
By now you’ve earned lunch, and in Mystic, that means seafood. Make your way to Haring’s, which has just been named one of The New York Times’ 50 Best Restaurants in America for 2025. That’s no small feat, and once you bite into one of their buttered, overstuffed lobster rolls, you’ll understand why. They serve other New England classics too, but trust me — start with the lobster roll.
haringsnoank.com
Afternoon: History Meets Shopping
After lunch, wander over to Mystic Seaport Museum, a living history museum that will make you feel like you’ve stepped straight into the 19th century. Tall ships, maritime demonstrations, historic village buildings — it’s all there, including the Charles W. Morgan, the world’s last surviving whaling ship launched in 1841. Spend a few hours and then shift gears with a stroll through Mystic’s village, where the boutiques, bookstores, and galleries offer plenty of excuses to pick up a gift or two (for yourself or others, no judgment).
mysticseaport.org
Dinner: A Star of the Dining Scene
For dinner, treat yourself at The Shipwright’s Daughter, which earned a coveted spot on The New York Times’ 2024 list of the 50 Best Restaurants in America. The menu is seasonal, creative, and always deeply connected to the sea and shoreline. It’s the kind of place where every bite feels like a little celebration — perfect for capping off your Mystic adventure.
shipwrightsdaughter.com
Bonus Bite: A Slice of Pop Culture
If you still have room — and that’s a big if — stop by Mystic Pizza for a slice. Yes, that Mystic Pizza, the one that inspired the beloved 1988 coming-of-age film. It’s a little pop culture pilgrimage mixed with a late-night snack.
By the end of the day, you’ll have eaten your way through
some of New England’s finest, touched a bit of history, and maybe even made
friends with a penguin. Not bad for a single day in Mystic.
mysticpizzaoriginal.com
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