Winter in Connecticut is a beautiful time of year. While we typically experience chilly days and snowfall during January and February, crisp, sunny days are also common. These pleasant winter days are perfect for snowy activities, winter walks, and shopping trips to the quaint villages scattered throughout the countryside. From historic lighthouses and nature areas to excellent holiday shopping and dining options, there’s plenty to fill your itinerary.
One of the must-visit areas is the charming borough of Stonington in southern Connecticut. This charming town offers a unique holiday tradition: the Stonington Lobster Trap Tree. This maritime-themed Christmas tree is made up of hundreds of lobster traps, decorated buoys, and cheerful holiday lights. The buoys feature work from professional artists and kids from the local schools. This holiday tradition is one of the more unique things to add to your winter list!
Before you start making plans, you’ll want to secure your lodging, and our elegant bed and breakfast in Connecticut is one of the best places to stay! Just five miles from downtown Mystic, we’re in the perfect location for a holiday getaway. Stonecroft Country Inn is set back on our historic estate, surrounded by conservation woodlands and beautiful ancient stone walls. During the holidays, our Inn is festively decorated with sparkling lights and garlands. Winter in Connecticut is a wonderful place to refresh before or after the busy holiday season. Book your lodging today!
Enjoy Winter in Connecticut: Downtown Mystic & More
If you want to plan a picturesque and festive getaway, winter in Connecticut is one of the most beautiful seasons. Downtown Mystic is all decked out in holiday decor, the frosty white countryside is a sight to behold, and there are so many fun things to do in Mystic and beyond.
Here are the best things to do this winter in Connecticut near Mystic:
- Visit the Stonington Lobster Trap Tree: This is one of the more unusual traditions to add to your list, but this lobster trap tree is a delightful sight, all done up with sparkling lights and hand-painted buoys as ornaments. This tree has become a popular spot for winter marriage proposals!
- Head to the Velvet Mill in Stonington: While you’re in Stonington to see the tree, head to the Velvet Mill, an old industrial building turned shopping and dining complex. There’s a great collection of local galleries, boutiques, and more to explore here and wrap up your holiday shopping.
- Holidays at the Mystic Seaport Museum: The largest maritime museum in America is always one of the best things to do in Mystic. During the holidays, you can expect historic sailboats lit up with Christmas lights and fun festive events.
- Explore the Mystic Aquarium: One of the filming locations for Mystic Christmas, this aquarium is where you can create your own romantic comedy. With the impressive holiday lights extravaganza as your backdrop, you can also meet the famed Beluga whales and seals.
- Grab Lunch at the Famed Mystic Pizza: Perhaps the original rom-com filmed in Mystic, you can still grab a slice from this pizzeria made famous by the cult classic Mystic Pizza starring Julia Roberts.
- Holiday Shopping Downtown Mystic: From handmade knots at Mystic Knotworks and nautical gear to maritime antiques and specialty shops, downtown Mystic has a lovely selection of locally owned boutiques.
- Winter Hike at Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center: Bundle up and take a leisurely stroll at this nature preserve. The maintained trails are easy to navigate, even in the wintertime!
- Stunning Views from Bluff Point State Park: Bluff Point is a wonderful place for a winter walk. It offers beautiful views of the Long Island Sound, with lighthouses and old mansions off in the distance.
- The Mystic Museum of Art: This local art museum is the perfect stop to warm up and take in a beautiful collection of local and international artists.
- Lovely Winter Dining at the Best Mystic Restaurants: Winter is one of the best times to indulge in local seafood. From fresh-shucked oysters at the Oyster Club and farm-fresh small plates at the Shipwright’s Daughter to casual crab and lobster shacks, you’ll love the dining options in Mystic and our charming small towns in the countryside and along the shore.
Stay at our Elegant Connecticut Bed and Breakfast
There are so many festive things to do in downtown Mystic, and while this list provides a great starting point for popular attractions, it only scratches the surface. Mystic is often referred to as one of the best towns to visit during the holidays, and there was even a recent Hallmark Christmas movie filmed here, A Mystic Christmas. When you’re ready to relax, look no further than our bed and breakfast in CT—Stonecroft Country Inn.
Our bed and breakfast features ten guest rooms split between our historic home, built in 1807, and our renovated yellow barn. Each room is uniquely decorated and equipped with a variety of amenities, including luxurious robes and toiletries, gas fireplaces, and whirlpool tubs. Every morning during your stay, you can savor a delicious, made-from-scratch breakfast served in the dining room of our renovated barn.
During your visit, you’ll experience unparalleled hospitality that we believe is the finest in all of New England. With nearly 600 five-star reviews on TripAdvisor, you don’t have to just take our word for it! We hope this inspires you to visit for the first time or return to our charming and historic city by the sea. Downtown Mystic is the perfect winter escape; book a room at our B&B today!
