Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Canada
Mexico
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Australia
Fiji
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
Downtown historic district · Mystic, Connecticut
Downtown Mystic
The village center of Mystic, on both sides of the river, with the 1922 drawbridge, 19th-century captains’ houses, shops and waterfront restaurants.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Downtown Mystic
Mystic’s center spreads across both banks of the Mystic River near its mouth and falls within two municipalities: the west bank is Groton and the east bank is Stonington. In the 19th century the village built hundreds of ships, from whalers to fast clippers, and the captains and shipowners built the wooden houses with porches that still line Gravel and Water streets.
The 1922 drawbridge over the river is the village’s symbol. Concrete counterweights lift the roadway to allow sailing vessels to pass, and vehicular and pedestrian traffic stops while the bridge is open, drawing people to watch from the banks. In season it opens at regular intervals.
West Main Street, the main thoroughfare, has shops, galleries, ice cream parlors and restaurants. Sightseeing boats depart from the center to cruise the river and even out to the mouth, at the Long Island Sound.
From the center, a walk of about 1.5 km along the riverbank leads to Mystic Seaport Museum.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
One to two hours, plus time for a boat trip.
Best time
In summer, when boats pass and the bridge opens frequently, and at late afternoon when the light falls on the river. In December the streets are lit with Christmas lights.
How to get there
Mystic train station is a few minutes’ walk from the bridge. Paid parking is available downtown and fills up in summer.
Tip
Stop on one of the banks near the bridge and wait for an opening. For boat trips, book in summer.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Downtown Mystic
When does the Mystic drawbridge open?
During the boating season, the drawbridge opens at regular intervals to let sailboats pass; traffic stops while the bridge is open. Check the local schedule.
What to do in downtown Mystic?
See the drawbridge, walk among the captains’ houses, browse the shops, and take a boat trip on the river.
Which municipality does Mystic belong to?
Mystic is not a municipality: the west bank of the river belongs to Groton and the east bank to Stonington.