The town of Mystic combines high technology with quaint New England charm. Home of the U.S. Navy's submarine shipyards, some of the most efficient war machines ever constructed have sailed out of Mystic. Yet it remains a small town with old world architecture, a laid-back atmosphere and numerous visitor attractions. Sailing, hiking and biking are but a few of the healthy activities you can enjoy while exploring this picturesque waterfront town.
Camping in Mystic
The Seaport Campground, located near the shoreline of Old Mystic, has tent and RV sites. The campground is less than three miles from the Mystic Seaport, Mystic Museum and Mystic Aquarium. The level sites have fire rings and picnic tables; in addition, RV sites have water and electric hook-ups, and free Wi-Fi. On-site recreational activities include catch-and-release fishing in the pond, miniature golf, volleyball, horseshoes and swimming in the pool. For your convenience, Seaport Campground has a Laundromat, a recreation room, live entertainment, a honey wagon service and grocery store.
Camping near Mystic
Mystic KOA in North Stonington is 10 miles northeast of Mystic, nestled on a hill dotted with apple and maple trees. Located on a 250-year-old farm, the property includes reproductions of old colonial buildings. Campground attractions include the Jumping Pillow (an inflatable trampoline for kids), a free 9-hole mini-golf course, a seasonal hay wagon ride, tie-dying shirts, campfire time and outdoor cinema. Mystic KOA offers cabin and lodge rentals for those who don't bring along their own accommodations.
What to Do in Mystic
The Mystic Aquarium is a leading center in marine research where visitors can see Beluga whales, penguins, sharks and other ocean animals. The Mystic Seaport is a maritime museum featuring a re-created 19th-century coastal village. And no visit to Mystic would be complete without visiting the famous submarine shipyards and Submarine Force Museum.
Where to Eat in Mystic
Pizetta in Mystic specializes in hearty and healthy thin-crust pizzas. You can choose between the red pizza made without any mozzarella cheese, and the white pizza made with cheese but no sauce, similar to classic Sicilian style pizzas.
Bravo Bravo serves Italian cuisine with a flare toward pasta dishes, including lobster ravioli, shrimp with fusilli in sun-dried tomato-vodka sauce and champagne risotto.
For fresh, locally caught seafood, head to Go Fish for lunch or dinner. The daily specials rely entirely on what the fishermen of Mystic catch that day.
Kitchen Little is a beach-side hole in the wall that, regrettably, many people pass without noticing. The Portuguese fisherman plate is a breakfast specialty. The clear broth clam chowder is a lunchtime favorite and you can't go wrong with scallops or clams for lunch or dinner.
History of Mystic
Founded in 1654, Mystic gained prominence during the clipper ship era when it became a hub of shipbuilding. From the late 18th century until 1919, Mystic shipyards produced over 600 vessels. Since then, the shipyards have shifted their emphasis to building submarines. The construction of the world's first nuclear powered submarine, the Nautilus, remains one of Mystic's proudest accomplishments.
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