Mystic Country Tour

Visit the Mystic Seaport Museum, a 19th-century living history museum and exhibits that offer rare insight into past eras and distant cultures. Enjoy lunch at Mystic Seaport, where there are three options to suit all budgets, or dine at one of the many spots in Olde Mistick Village located next door to the Aquarium.

Explore one of the nation’s top 15 aquariums, Mystic Aquarium, at Mystic,explore the renowned rehabilitation program for stranded sea animals. Have an enjoyable dinner in Stonington Borough or Historic Downtown Mystic. Enjoy shopping, water views and a walk along the water, in both locales. 

Day 2 – Park and stroll through the pretty coastal downtown of Niantic. Visit unique boutiques and dine in one of the 25 restaurants. Book lovers will want time to explore the Book Barn, Connecticut’s out-of-the-ordinary used bookstore with more than 500,000 books at its three locations. Sit ocean side at Hole in the Wall Beach, walk the Niantic Bay Boardwalk or head to sea for a fishing excursion aboard the Black Hawk. For adventure hardy travelers, Three Belles Marina offers kayak rentals. Stay at the Inn at Harbor Hill Marina, Niantic. Major chain hotels and casino hotels are also nearby.

This vibrant coastal town was made famous by the movie Mystic Pizza. It is within walking distance of Mystic Seaport Museum (a water shuttle is available in season) and is where you can board the Argia for a day or sunset sail during warmer seasons. Stroll this historic town brimming with unique shops, art galleries and restaurants. Look for the famous Bascule Bridge that opens for boat traffic hourly in warm weather. Walk down River Road for a healthy stroll. The view of Mystic Seaport is magical. Stay at the Whaler’s Inn or Steamboat Inn, both are located in Historic Downtown Mystic. The Taber Inne is just outside the downtown area. Chain hotels are available as well.

Stay the night in historic downtown Mystic or one of the other near by hotels nearby.  

Day two kicks off with visiting the world’s largest Native American museum at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum in Mashantucket. They offer 4 acres of interactive exhibits. Be sure to go up in the tower to see an expansive view of the surrounding woodlands that is especially dramatic during the fall. Follow National Scenic Byway Route 169 from Lisbon off I-395. This road winds you through quintessential New England countryside and leads you to the next stops.

The site of the Canterbury Female Boarding School, the museum shares what happened in 1833-1834 when principal Prudence Crandall attempted to integrate her school by admitting Sarah Harris, a young Black woman, as a student. These events impacted two U.S. Supreme Court cases and laid the foundation for a Constitutional Amendment. Prudence Crandall is Connecticut’s Official State Heroine, and the museum is a National Historic Landmark, State Archaeological Preserve, and an International Site of Conscience. Check out lunch and shopping in Downtown Putnam.

Take in the beauty of the Roseland Cottage in Woodstock, built in 1846 in the newly fashionable Gothic Revival style. This period-decorated house depicts the life of the Bowen’s, a wealthy family, who spent summers in the home. Of special note are the gorgeous parterre gardens, the icehouse and the nation’s oldest surviving bowling alley. For dinner, view our Foodie Finds and Sundae Drives trails to find the perfect culinary adventure along the tour route.

Mystic Country’s casinos offer 24/7 action and entertainment off the beaten path. Shopping, dining, dancing and gaming are all part of the experience at both destinations. Both casinos offer overnight lodging and spas. Don't forget to checkout some other nearby spots as well: