Welcome to Mystic

THINGS TO SEE
PLACES TO EAT
PLACES TO STAY
WHERE TO DOCK

MYSTIC’S MAIN DRAW, ESPECIALLY FOR BOATERS AND BOAT AFICIONADOS, IS THE WORLD-FAMOUS MYSTIC SEAPORT (“THE MUSEUM OF AMERICA AND THE SEA”), LOCATED ON THE EAST BANK OF THE RIVER JUST ABOVE THE BASCULE BRIDGE.

Transients can tie up here during the day for free and visit the Seaport (if there’s space), or even stay overnight at the Seaport docks and experience the museum grounds after 6:00 p.m., something “regular” visitors can’t do. However, the Seaport fills up fast in summer, so make reservations well in advance or contact one of the area marinas, most of which have transient slips and moorings.

 


Mystic Chart

Sat Map

The Seaport offers numerous events throughout the year and live re-enanctments of shipboard life throughout American history. The “village” comprises 50 antique buildings (many transported to the site), including a cooperage, a general store, a hoop shop and a ship-smith shop.

Mystic Fishing Information

The Seaport also offers instructional performances, concerts and festivals, boating and boatbuilding classes, a maritime art gallery and summer camp sessions. Last but not least, it’s home to the working steamship Sabino, which gives tours of the Mystic River, and the Charles M. Morgan, the last wooden whaling ship in the world. The Morgan is currently undergoing an extensive restoration, affording visitors an up-close look at how a real whaling ship was built.

A catboat sails past the Mystic Seaport.
Photo by Caryn B. Davis

Another local institution worth visiting is the Mystic Aquarium, reachable by taxi from the major marinas. The aquarium has a range of attractions that go well beyond touch tanks and sea lion shows. One especially neat aspect of the aquarium is how much of it is located outdoors, including the fascinating beluga whales and the engaging sea lions and penguins, all of which can be seen both from above and below the water, thanks to the aquarium’s multilevel displays. Kids can also touch the velvety skin of harmless rays or (for a fee) even feed them.

The Joseph Conrad, left, and the Sabino, right,
are two vessels one can see at the Seaport. Photo by Caryn B. Davis

Downtown Mystic is a 10-minute walk from the Seaport and offers numerous art galleries, stores, restaurants (including the famous Mystic Pizza), bars and boutiques. The stores along Main Street and adjoining Water Street are fairly high-end, but there is a funky Army-Navy store on Main Street and a nautical consignment shop on the far side of the bascule bridge. The homemade ice cream at Drawbridge Ice Cream comes highly recommended.

GETTING THERE:

Charts: NOAA 13205, 13214, 12372
Mystic Anchorages

From points west and south, the channel to Mystic begins at Morgan Point in Noank, between buoys GC “3” (Planet Rock) and RN “2” (Swimming Rock). Heading north, steer clear of the “Special Anchorages” (shown on charts) between Noank and Masons Island. Pass west of Fl R 4s R “4” (Whale Rock) then turn sharply east before Q G “5” (Morgan Point Light). At RN “6” turn north and follow the channel along Morgan Point and into Mystic Harbor. Note that the channel makes a sharp turn east at GC “19”, then widens and turns north again at RN “22”. When proceeding upriver between Sixpenny Island and Mason’s Island, be sure not to swing eastward out of the channel, as there are rocks alongside.

From points east, you can pick up GC “7” at the north end of Ram Island. From Ram Island, follow the well-marked channel west to Morgan Point and RN “6” then north to Mystic Harbor. Note that the channel makes a sharp turn east at GC “19”, south of Sixpenny Island, then widens and turns north again at RN “22”. When proceeding upriver between Sixpenny Island and Mason’s Island, be sure not to swing eastward out of the channel, as there are rocks alongside.

It is just over 3 miles upriver from Long Island Sound to Mystic Downtown Marina and Mystic Seaport. The approach has a depth of 12 feet.
A railroad swing bridge is located north of Murphy Point and GC “35”. The bridge is usually open to river traffic, but closes for approaching trains. Contact the bridgetender (860-444-4908, VHF 13). Just north of the railroad bridge are Fort Rachel Marine Service and Bayside Diesel Service.

North of these facilities is the bascule bridge in downtown Mystic. In summer, the bridge opens at 15 minutes past every hour from 7:15 a.m. to 7:15 p.m., and will open on demand at other times in season. Contact the bridgetender (860-536-7070, VHF 13), and be sure to clarify which bridge you are requesting. Note that boats moving with the tide have right-of-way here. When the bridge is closed, you may hold along the Mystic River Park boardwalk for 15 minutes, but no tie-ups allowed. Once past the bridge you’ll see the Seaport on the east bank.

Shallow-draft vessels with less than 25 feet clearance can continue upriver to an anchorage near Old Mystic.

NOTE: Much of the Mystic River is a no-wake zone and the entire river is a no-discharge zone, so head valves must be sealed. The body of water covered is from the greater area north of Ram Island, including the channel entrance up to the waters north of the Mystic Seaport. Connecticut General Statutes state that speed regulations for the Mystic River are 6 mph within 200 feet of any wharf, pier, or dock.

Dockage, Moorings & Service

  • A free mobile pump-out service is available on weekends during the summer. Contact VHF 68. Most of the local marinas also offer pump-out service.

  • Mystic Seaport (860-572-5391, VHF 68): The Seaport offers free daytime tie-up along its docks when visiting the Seaport grounds. Reservations can (and should) be made. Overnight stays are reasonably priced, and includes entrance to the museum, after-hours access to the grounds, shore power and clean toilet/shower facilities. If you decide to anchor or dingy over from another marina, the Seaport maintains a free dinghy dock at the northern end of its docks.
  • Mystic Shipyard (860-536-6588): Full-service marina offering transient moorings and slips.
  • Mystic Downtown Marina (860-572-5942): Full-service marina.
  • Mystic River Marina (860-536-3123): Full-service marina.
  • Safe Harbors Mystic (860-536-2293): Large, full-service marina offering transient slips and moorings, plus many dockside amenities and services.
  • Noank Shipyard (860-536-9651): Large, full-service marina offering transient slips and moorings.
  • Noank Village Boatyard (860-536-1770): Full-service marina offering transient slips and moorings.
  • Masons Island Marina (860-536-2608): Full-service marina offering transient moorings and slips.

Anchorages

  • The Mystic Harbor Management Commission has placed 4 buoys marked “A” to outline a transient-anchorage area north of Masons Island and southeast of the railroad bridge. Vessels may anchor for up to 7 days. Shallow-draft vessels only.
  • A second approved anchorage area is located off the Mystic Seaport. It is identified by a sign on the Seaport property near the north dinghy dock. Vessels may anchor for up to 7 days. Shallow-draft vessels only.
  • There is no viable deep-water anchorage close to downtown Mystic. However, there are some good spots to drop the hook well south of the Seaport, and the run to downtown should be within range of medium-sized, outboard-powered dinghies and tenders. A free dinghy dock (max length 14′) is located at the south end of the Mystic River Park boardwalk.
  • Another popular anchorage is the grass-and-mud flats on the east side of Ram Island. This spot offers protection from prevailing southwesterlies, but is vulnerable to the wakes of passing boats.
  • A third anchorage is located on the east side of Masons Island, between Masons Point and Enders Island. This area is exposed to southerly winds.

Launch Ramps

  • Mystic River Boat Launch: This crude dirt ramp located next to the I-95 overpass is best suited to kayak, canoe and skiff launching. Parking is limited to about 8 vehicles.
  • Bayberry Lane State Ramp: This good state ramp with ample parking is located in Groton, on Bayberry Lane between Juniper and Avery Points. The Bayberry ramp has an access pier and sanitary facilities. No fee.
  • Many local marinas offer boat launching for a small fee. One is Shaffers Boat Livery (860-536-8713) on Mason’s Island. Shaffers offers ready access to many good fishing spots, as well as the Sound. A bait and tackle shop are located on-site.
  • Kayak access is available at the Mystic Shipyard Park on Willow Point, as well as at the Mystic Art Association.

Harbormaster

Boat & Kayak Rental

  • Mystic Seaport (860-572-5391): Rents kayaks, rowboats and sailboats from Memorial Day to October.
  • Mystic River Kayak (860-536-8381)

Things to Do & See

  • Mystic Seaport (888-973-2767): With 19 acres fronting the scenic Mystic River, the grounds of the Museum of America and the Sea at Mystic Seaport are among Connecticut’s most picturesque. Over 30 19th-century buildings sit tucked beside the river or on graveled town streets, along with the Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard, a working shipyard where visitors can observe the art of wooden shipbuilding firsthand. The Seaport also hosts numerous boating events throughout the year, including the WoodenBoat Show, the Small Craft Show and the Classic & Wooden Boat Show.
  • Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration (860-572-5955): See Beluga whales, sea lions, penguins, tropical fish, stingray touch tank and more.
  • Denison Homestead Museum (860-536-9248): Historic home and museum on 140 acres of land. Take a virtual tour on the museum website.
  • Denison Pequot Nature Center (860-536-1216): A combination wildlife sanctuary, visitor attraction and educational facility. Features all-new exhibits highlighting the habitats and wildlife of southeastern Connecticut, as well as 8 miles of trails that wind through a beautiful 300-acre wooded preserve.  Through natural history exhibits, educational classes and outreach programs, the Center seeks to educate visitors of all ages about the unique interrelationships of animals, plants and non-renewable resources.
  • Mystic Art Association (860-536-7601)
  • Mystic Arts Center (860-536-7601)
  • Katya’s White Nights, Artisan Gallery & Magickal Bead Emporium (860-536-8339

Where to Eat

  • Bartleby’s Coffee Café (860-245-3714): Gourmet coffee and fresh pastries on Main Street.
  • Latitude 41 (860-572-5303) (formerly the Seaman’s Inn): Fine dining located next to the Seaport.
  • Sea-View Snack Bar (860-572-0096):  Fried seafood in the rough.
  • Kitchen Little (860-536-2122): Popular dock-and-dine restaurant at Mystic River Marina. Great spot for breakfast.
  • Mystic Pizza (860-536-3700): Pizza parlor made famous by the eponymous movie.
  • Anthony J’s Bistro (860-536-0448): Great seafood menu and wine bar.
  • Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream Shop (860-572-7978): Great homemade ice cream shop located next to the bascule bridge.
  • S&P Oyster Company (860-536-2674): Fresh seafood and more.
  • Harp and Hound Irish Pub (860-572-7778)

Where to Stay:

  • Pequot Hotel Bed & Breakfast (860-572-0390)
  • Inn at Mystic (800-237-2415)

General Information:

For more information, contact the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce (860-572-9578), which publishes the Mystic Boater’s Guide. The guide can be downloaded from the website.

Other sites with information on the town include DowntownMystic.com, or, for general travel information about the region, State of Connecticut website, and finally Mystic Country.

Photo Gallery

The Mystic region offers great coastal kayaking. Photo by Michael Melford, courtesy of Mystic Country, Connecticut

Mystic Seaport as seen from across the Mystic River. Photo by Michael Melford, courtesy of Mystic Country, Connecticut

Visitors can enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through the Mystic Seaport village. Photo by Caryn B. Davis

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Launch Ramps
Where to Stay
Rentals
Harbor Master and Harbor Info
Getting There
Things to Do

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Nathaniel’s In The Hawthorne Hotel

18 Washington Square W, Salem, MA
978-825-4311
HawthorneHotel.com

Salem’s famed author,
welcome hotel guests

Nathaniel’s In The Hawthorne Hotel

18 Washington Square W, Salem, MA
978-825-4311
HawthorneHotel.com

Salem’s famed author,
welcome hotel guests

Nathaniel’s In The Hawthorne Hotel

18 Washington Square W, Salem, MA
978-825-4311
HawthorneHotel.com

Salem’s famed author,
welcome hotel guests

Nathaniel’s In The Hawthorne Hotel

18 Washington Square W, Salem, MA
978-825-4311
HawthorneHotel.com

Salem’s famed author,
welcome hotel guests

Nathaniel’s In The Hawthorne Hotel

18 Washington Square W, Salem, MA
978-825-4311
HawthorneHotel.com

Salem’s famed author,
welcome hotel guests