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Logo for Stonecroft Inn, featuring stylized letters "S" and "C" in green and white.
Ledyard, Connecticut
860-572-0771
Logo for Stonecroft Inn, featuring stylized letters "S" and "C" in green and white.
  • A scenic marina with various boats and lush greenery under a partly cloudy sky.

Things to do in Mystic, CT

If you want to experience New England in a relaxing small town atmosphere,then Mystic, Connecticut is the vacation destination for you. No wonder so many movies have been filmed here: Mystic Pizza and Amistad, among many others. But there’s so much more to do here than star gazing.

Wondering what to do in Mystic, CT? Whether you like to go, go, go or take it slow, there are plenty of things to do in Mystic, all within a short drive from Stonecroft Inn.

Enjoy the array of activities in Mystic, nearby Stonington, and along the Southeastern Connecticut seashore during your stay at our Ledyard bed and breakfast. Explore our favorite things to do in the Mystic area to start planning your visit today. Be sure to download our Vacation Guide to see even more activities and attractions in Mystic Country, one of the top tourist attractions in CT.

A seal rests on a rock by the water.

Mystic Aquarium

Mystic Aquarium is a world-class destination where conservation, education, and inspiration come together. Home to New England's only Beluga whales and one of only two U.S. facilities with Steller sea lions, the aquarium offers interactive exhibits and hands-on experiences for all ages.

Get up close with playful belugas, penguins, and a variety of marine life while enjoying a clean, welcoming space and passionate, knowledgeable staff. Voted the fourth-best aquarium in the country by USA Today, Mystic Aquarium is a must-visit for anyone exploring the Mystic area. The motto at this Aquarium is "Where conservation meets commitment, education meets inspiration, research meets passion.

A modern glass building illuminated in purple under a night sky with a visible moon.

Mashantucket Pequot Museum

The rich history and culture of the local Pequot and other native tribes come to life at this new state-of-the-art museum and research center. Experience dioramas and exhibits, films and videos, interactive programs, archival materials, ethnographic and archeological collections, and commissioned works of art and traditional crafts by Native artisans at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center. Informative and fascinating, this is one of the best museums in Connecticut.

A sailboat glides across the water under a clear blue sky.

Get Out on the Water

The Mystic River and the Fishers Island Sound are as picturesque as it gets! Here are a few other local companies for guided sails or boat rentals in downtown Mystic.

  1. Mystic River Cruises: Board the 1947 classic wooden motorboat with Mystic River Cruises for a more intimate charter. Bring your own picnic for the 90-minute tour, just five minutes from the drawbridge.
  2. Argia Mystic Cruises: Our top recommendation for a classic New England sailing experience is the Sunset Cruise offered by Argia Mystic Cruises. It’s a romantic option that allows you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the beautiful scenery as the sun sets over the sound.
  3. Mystic Boat Adventures: Experience the beauty of the Mystic River and its surroundings as you captain your own power boat on a three-hour tour. Take in the sights of Mystic Seaport, historic lighthouses, and a drawbridge while feeling the wind in your hair.
  4. Poet’s Lounge Sailing Charters: Are you searching for a sailing experience that is more private and intimate? Look no further than this vessel that departs from the quaint town of Noank, CT. Bring your own food and drinks on board, and plan a stop at one of the nearby islands to experience the sandy beaches.
A freshly baked pizza with pepperoni is placed in front of a glowing wood-fired oven.

Stop By the Iconic Mystic Pizza (The Place!)

When you're visiting downtown Mystic, sometimes it's fun to be a tourist and do some of the more "cheesy" sightseeing activities. One of those activities is to go to Mystic Pizza, CT, and get a slice of pie. You may recognize the name from the 1980s romantic comedy that starred Julia Roberts as a young, wistful waitress. While the storyline may have been fictional, the pie at Mystic Pizza is "superb," we can vouch that the food critic in the movie was not wrong. You can choose from a wide variety of house specialty pies, salads, appetizers, and Italian dishes.

Casinos

Try your luck at games of chance, poker, blackjack, and more. Not far from the inn are two stylish casinos, Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun, offering gambling, entertainment, shopping, and wonderful restaurants, two of the most famous attractions in Connecticut.

A man thoughtfully examines artwork in an art gallery while a woman observes nearby.

Mystic Museum of Art

This waterfront center features 4 galleries of permanent and rotating exhibitions on Water Street in Mystic. The Mystic Arts Center is a wonderful gallery with very helpful and knowledgeable staff. It is one of our favorite Mystic, CT attractions.

A drawbridge rises beside a small houseboat on a sunny day.

Mystic River Bascule Bridge

This historic bridge connecting Route 1 across the Mystic River is actually fun to watch in action. Unlike most bridges, its mechanical parts are out in the open, permitting a view of all the action. Be sure to check out this historic landmark while exploring the downtown of Mystic!

A close-up of a vintage steam locomotive under a clear blue sky.

Essex Steam Train & Riverboat

Step back in time on a scenic journey through the Connecticut River Valley aboard a vintage steam train and riverboat. Enjoy narrated views of charming New England towns, untouched wetlands, and local wildlife-including bald eagles in winter-on this unforgettable 2½-hour adventure.

A close-up of ripe purple grapes hanging from green vines in a vineyard.

Vineyards of Southeastern Connecticut

Explore the incredible Wineries and Vineyards that southeastern CT has to offer. Visit for a tour, seasonal classes, wine tasting or other special events. Wineries within 20 minutes of Stonecroft Inn are Stonington Vineyards, Saltwater Farm Vineyard, Preston Ridge Vineyard and Kingdom Hawk Vineyard.

A peaceful waterfront scene with sailboats and charming buildings under a clear blue sky.

Mystic Village

Truly the epitome of a quaint, seaside New England town, Mystic village offers hours of strolling charm - not to mention terrific shopping! Some of our favorite retail establishments are at Olde Mistick Village, one of many fantastic Mystic, Connecticut attractions available.

A stone lighthouse-style house with a circular tower and a lantern room at the top.

Explore Stonington, CT

A short drive from Stonecroft Inn will bring you to Stonington, CT. Here you can start with a stroll around the Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer House, continue your history lesson at the Stonington Lighthouse Museum, explore the views of Dubois Beach and end your day with a lovely glass of wine at Stonington Vineyards.

A rocky shoreline meets gentle ocean waves under a cloudy sky.

Bluff Point State Park

Perfect for hikers and those looking to explore nature, Bluff Point State Park is home to a number of wooded hiking and biking trails. Spend the day walking the trails, observing the wildlife, and taking in the beautiful Connecticut nature.

A small shorebird with a brown and white plumage stands at the water's edge.

Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center

The Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center in Mystic, CT, is one institution, in particular, that is going to great lengths to ensure that the Connecticut wildlife is safe and able to flourish, while educating the public about the importance of helping the environment. Find out what you can expect to see at this fascinating nature center and make plans to visit!

A scenic beach with rocky shorelines and gentle waves under a clear blue sky.

Best Beaches

During the warmer months of the year, the beaches near Mystic CT are one of the greatest places to explore and relax, whether you have the little ones in tow, or are just looking for a place to kick back with your current read among the Mystic dunes. The beautiful beaches in our area have more than enough opportunities to enjoy plenty of beach activities in Mystic, CT. This stretch of New England coastline just north of the Long Island Sound is both gorgeous, as well as scattered with wonderful historical sites to enjoy

A historic tall ship docked on a calm body of water against a clear blue sky.

Charles W. Morgan

The last of an American whaling fleet that numbered into the thousands in whaling's heyday, the Charles W Morgan was built and launched in 1841, making it the second oldest commercial ship still afloat in America. Only the USS Constitution is older. This ship is worth a visit for history buffs or anyone interested in learning more about the rise of Mystic, Connecticut as an important seaport.

A heron gracefully takes flight over shimmering water.

Barn Island Wildlife Area

Known as Connecticut's largest coastal property managed for wildlife conservation, the Barn Island Wildlife Management Area spans 1,013 acres. The area is home to a very diverse ecosystem with hilly uplands, open fields, mixed hardwood forests, and wetlands. The area perfect for hiking, wildlife observation, and hunting. The area is located in Stonington, only a short drive from Mystic, Connecticut

Even More Great Things to Do in Mystic, Connecticut!

Mystic also includes countless places to go shopping.  Still not convinced of all there is to do here in Mystic, CT and the surrounding area? Our blog features all of the best attractions, things to do, and places to see in Mystic, Ct.  Just a few of the topics that await you there include:

  • Scenic Drives
  • Wineries & Wine Tasting
  • Cruises & Sailing
  • Find the Best Fall Foliage
  • Historic Sites
  • Daytrip Ideas (like to Newport, Rhode Island!)
Vibrant autumn foliage contrasts with a green lawn under a clear blue sky.
A serene view of a river bordered by lush greenery and a colorful sky.
A tranquil lake surrounded by colorful autumn foliage.
Red covered bridge over a flowing river surrounded by autumn foliage.
A tranquil waterfront scene with grass in the foreground and a small village reflected in calm waters at sunset.
A panoramic view of lush green hills and a sparkling lake under a dramatic sky with rays of sunlight breaking through the clouds.
A white church with a tall steeple surrounded by autumn foliage on a clear day.
A lighthouse stands on rocky shorelines under a pastel sunset sky.
A red sailboat is anchored in calm water with a scenic waterfront and cloudy sky in the background.
Vibrant autumn foliage contrasts with a green lawn under a clear blue sky.
A tranquil lake surrounded by colorful autumn foliage.
A red sailboat is anchored in calm water with a scenic waterfront and cloudy sky in the background.
A tranquil waterfront scene with grass in the foreground and a small village reflected in calm waters at sunset.
A serene view of a river bordered by lush greenery and a colorful sky.
Red covered bridge over a flowing river surrounded by autumn foliage.
A panoramic view of lush green hills and a sparkling lake under a dramatic sky with rays of sunlight breaking through the clouds.
A white church with a tall steeple surrounded by autumn foliage on a clear day.
A lighthouse stands on rocky shorelines under a pastel sunset sky.
Vibrant autumn foliage contrasts with a green lawn under a clear blue sky.
Red covered bridge over a flowing river surrounded by autumn foliage.
A tranquil waterfront scene with grass in the foreground and a small village reflected in calm waters at sunset.
A white church with a tall steeple surrounded by autumn foliage on a clear day.
A panoramic view of lush green hills and a sparkling lake under a dramatic sky with rays of sunlight breaking through the clouds.
A tranquil lake surrounded by colorful autumn foliage.
A red sailboat is anchored in calm water with a scenic waterfront and cloudy sky in the background.
A serene view of a river bordered by lush greenery and a colorful sky.
A lighthouse stands on rocky shorelines under a pastel sunset sky.