belladaisygirl

My boyfriend and I are ging to Mystic in a few weekends, I already booked a hotel. We have never been there before. If you have any ideas of what to do, ie attractions, shopping, beaches, etc. Any feedback would is helpful. Thanks!!!

Fodorite018

We used to live in the area...its beautiful! Its been a few years though so I can't comment much on restaurants and such. Mystic Pizza is a fun place to go, and of course just wanding around downtown. Over in Groton at the Submarine Base is a museum that is wonderful. That is only about 10 minutes away. If you go to Groton go down to the park and look out into the river at Ledgelight...a gorgeous lighthouse...and maybe you will see a sub coming home or heading out.

belladaisygirl

Thanks! actually I had already planned on Mystic Pizza-- it was the only thing I actually knew (hence the name)

How are the beaches? I am staying on Whitehall Avenue. I also love to shop, are there any outlets or just tourist shops?

Fodorite018

The only outlets I remember are further down I-95...about 20 miles maybe? Can't remember for sure, except that they were a Prime Outlets and had nicer stores...so you could do a search for Prime Outlet locations and find them that way.

Otherise, Mystic has small touristy shops...although some are very nice so just go wander. Just a block or so down from Mystic Pizza is a fun Mexican restaurant also. There are some very good restaurants in town, but I don't know if what was good when I lived there is good anymore so I don't want to steer you wrong. Basically Mystic is a fun little town that is just great for wandering and relaxing.

AHaugeto

Hola belladaisy - may I recommend you do a search - look above this thread and type in "Mystic" in the search box and it will pull up all the relevant threads - look to the left. I recently answered a similar question from LN, so if you click on my name that thread should get pulled up as well.

In addition, if you supplied your budget, likes and dislikes, and how long you will be in Mystic that will help. I will warn you that the best beaches are not nearby - I'd recommend going to Watch Hill in Rhode Island, about a 20 minute drive. Good luck!

belladaisygirl

Thanks! I may check out the beach in RI. My budget is not a factor, I just want to have fun. I hear there is a food and wine festival that weekend about 10 minutes away so I may check it out. I am also interested in Art and my boyfriend loves boats, water and fishing. A chartered fishing trip would be ideal for him. ~bella.

AHaugeto

Take a look at www.mycoast.com for local events and attractions, and there is a charter boat out of Groton called the Hel-Cat that does fishing runs out in the Race - a google search should find it. And, of course, take a look at the Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods websites for free concerts, etc. Have a great time!

J_Correa

Isn't the Amistad ship docked in Mystic? That would probably be an interesting tour.

Another vote for going to the submarine museum and touring the sub - very cool.

Mazey

The Amistad's home is in New Haven, not Mystic, I believe. The closest outlets are a bit of a drive away, maybe 40 minutes-ish, in Clinton (Clinton Crossing outlets) and Westbrook (Westbrook Factory Outlets). Both have websites if you want to see exactly what's there and where they are (Clinton is much nicer than Westbrook, IMO!).

I agree with the above, for beaches head over to Rhode Island.

Fodorite018

Thats it...Clinton Crossing outlet...that I was thinking of!

hleesa

The beaches are too cold this early in the year. If you want to wander on one, then I also recommend Watch Hill in Westerly Rhode Island. Cute shops, lots of nice boats to look at, a nice beach, and large houses to drool over. there are a few restaurants there too.

You may want to check out the Mohegan Sun, even if you don't gamble. I don't really gamble, but I used to go there for the concerts (many are free) and there are quite a few good restaurants.

The tour of the Nautilus Submarine in Groton is great. You may want to visit Stonington Village too - art shops, waterfront, good restaurants.

There are "outlets" in Mystic behind the Hilton, but I don't recommend those. If you have your heart set on it, then go to Clinton Outlets - around an hour drive from Mystic.

belladaisygirl

Thanks to everyone!!! now I have plenty of ideas.. I just printed all of this out to take with me. Definitely going to check out the submarine-- sounds interesting.

Happy Hump Day!!!!

HowardR

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned one of the best attractions in Mystic....the aquarium. It's definitely worth a visit for people of all ages.

belladaisygirl

Will check out the aquarium!

One last question--- how far is mohegan sun? foxwoods? we are staying right in the center of mystic.

Thanks

~bella

Fodorite018

The casinos are only about 30 minutes away, if that. I am not a gambler at all but enjoyed Mohegan Sun.

i_am_kane

For sightseeing there is a 90-minute Beluga Whale Contact Program at Mystic Aquarium. They let you wade into the water and actually touch a whale.

There is a "Women & the Sea" exhibition, and "Sabino," a coal-fired steamboat built in 1908 is is available to individuals and groups from May - Oct.

Taste the homemade fudge and ice cream!

Have fun.