Looking for a Weekend Escape? Don’t Sleep on This New England Gem

theSkimm

You may have heard of Mystic because of Mystic Pizza, but the ‘80s rom-com only shows a slice (don’t hate us) of the quaint, coastal Connecticut village. Before Julia Roberts stepped foot in town, Mystic was a major shipbuilding hub between the 17th and 19th centuries. Today, it makes for the ideal seaside respite from the city, or really, just everyday life. In addition to its rich maritime history, this New England treasure continues to attract visitors for its bustling downtown area, vibrant artistic community, and buzzy dining scene — that extends well beyond pizza.

🛏 Located in the heart of downtown, The Whaler’s Inn has been welcoming guests for over 125 years and houses five main buildings, each with its own history and nautical charm. Not to mention, the hotel is steps away from restaurants, galleries, and the Mystic Museum of Art. Come for the freshly baked cookies every afternoon and stay for the sublime sunset river views.

⚓ While you’ll want to drive to Olde Mistick Village — a popular open-air shopping center designed as a 1720-style colonial village — the best way to take in downtown Mystic is by foot. Begin with the Mystic Seaport Museum, which boasts a recreated New England whaling village, a working shipyard, and more than 2 million artifacts, including the last existing wooden whaleship in the world. Afterwards, pop into Mystic Knotwork — the first and oldest knot shop in the country — and walk over the 102-year-old Mystic Drawbridge for some shopping and homemade ice cream.

⛱️ Just a 25-minute drive over the Connecticut state line are the beaches of Watch Hill, Rhode Island. If you’re going to spend the day at one, make it East Beach (pro tip: go early to find parking) where you’ll be able to spot Taylor Swift’s famous summer house. After, stroll down Bay Street where you’ll find charming shops (check out The Candy Box) and the Flying Horse Carousel, claimed to be the oldest operating carousel in the country. If you’re feeling fancy, stop by the iconic Ocean House (where Olivia Culpo recently celebrated her nuptials) for a cocktail.

🍴 In recent years, Mystic’s food scene has made headlines. Start your morning with mouth-watering pastries at Sift Bake Shop and then midday, head over to Red 36 for fresh seafood while overlooking the water. For dinner, make a reservation at James Beard Award-winning restaurant The Shipwright’s Daughter or the Oyster Club (grab drinks at the Treehouse before), whose locally sourced menu changes daily. Finally, stop at the nautical-themed cocktail lounge The Port of Call — which Esquire has called one of the best bars in America.