A Perfect Spring Day in Mystic, CT

Connecticut

April - May 2025

Bridges, Boats, and Beauty

On this beautiful Spring day, we drove to Mystic, CT. Before European settlers arrived in the mid-1600s, the Pequot people inhabited this area, thriving through farming, fishing, and trading. The name “Mystic” comes from their term “missi-tuk”, meaning “a large river whose waters are driven by waves or tides.” With the settlers, the town grew into one of New England’s most important maritime centers.

We parked on the Stonington side and walked to the waterfront for beautiful views of the Mystic River and its famous Bascule Bridge. Opened on July 19, 1922, the bridge utilizes two massive 230-ton concrete counterweights to allow boats to pass. Watching it open and close was quite the sight! With all its gears and struts exposed, it looked like a moving public art piece.

Leaving the bridge behind, we strolled the cute downtown area where the streets showcase a beautiful mix of vintage houses and classical storefronts, like the historic 1756 Captain Daniel Packer Inn. Following the waterfront path past the massive ship’s anchor at Liberty Pole Square, we took in views of the historic homes across the river and spotted a dry-docked red-and-black tugboat and a large wooden schooner.

Olde Mystic Village, Stepping Back into 1720

We returned to the parking lot and drove over to explore Olde Mystic Village. Opened in 1973, this charming open-air shopping village was intentionally designed by a local family to recreate the look and feel of a 1720s Colonial New England town. Walking along the winding paths, it felt like stepping back in time as we passed beautiful town greens, a classic wooden gazebo surrounded by spring blooms, a white meeting house, and the massive wooden water next to a red barn shop. It was a perfect way to end our visit in this unique, historic coastal town!