Downtown Mystic, Conn., is a "Must Sea" Destination
Mystic, Connecticut. Photo by Joan Hurwitz.
by Eric Hurwitz. Page updated on 6/5/18
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Downtown Mystic CT, in southeastern coastal
Connecticut,
doesn't have the perfectly manicured look of some high-end, polished
New England travel destinations, but then again, sea captain towns were
never meant to be that way.
Although downtown Mystic has seen a growing amount of trendy shops, it
doesn't take away from the strong traditional look and feel of this
short stretch of "Main Street USA." There's the local toy, book, ice
cream and coffee shops, and a true, picturesque seaport feel with the huge Mystic Drawbridge in the middle of
town that's an attraction by itself, a public boat launch and Mystic River Park with a nice, walkway
by the water.
Mystic Drawbridge.
Downtown waterfront park in Mystic.
It's all so real, even Mystic Pizza (56 West Main St.), a
famous tourist destination made famous by the movie of the same name --
but at heart, still a "local" restaurant-bar serving some really great
pizza -- some of the best we have tried in New England..
At Mystic Sweets and Ice Cream Shoppe
(7 West Main St.), crowds gathered inside and outside
this old-fashioned place -- the latter where families watch the Mystic
Drawbridge go up and down. It's an amazing, old-fashioned destination
for homemade chocolates, fudge, ice cream, gelato and retro candies.
Mystic Sweets and Ice Cream Shoppe.
Many visitors feel truly connected to Mystic by enjoying the
sights, sounds and smells of an
authentic New England coastal downtown. You can even take a boat cruise
here through Argia Mystic Cruises (Tel. 860-536-0416), as a refreshing
alternative to browsing the downtown shops...
Day sails in Mystic.
Downtown Mystic is a place
where Finer Line Gallery (48 West Main St.) can peacefully co-exist with the
Mystic Army Navy Stores (37 West Main St.) and the Harp and Hound Pub (4 Pearl St.). The eclectic mix,
however, never sells out to the trendy crowd as its historical roots
and preservation of old-time nautical buildings, homes and businesses
are firmly in place. Hopefully, Downtown Mystic will stay that way,
forever.
Downtown Mystic.
When in downtown Mystic CT, absolutely make sure to visit:
Mystic Seaport, a "living history museum consisting of a village, ships
and 17 acres of exhibits depicting coastal life in New England in the
19th century"; the very large and fascinating Mystic Aquarium; and Olde
Mystic Village, with its 1700s New England look that features "more
than 40 quaint 'shoppes'."
Visit the Mystic County Web Site for more information on Mystic and
surrounding areas:
http://www.thisismystic.com
Booking.com
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