A seaside getaway always tops my summer to-do list and Mystic, CT and nearby shoreline areas checked off all the boxes and then some. There’s so much to do, we hardly made a dent in all that Mystic and the region has to offer. The plan for a summer getaway involves a laid-back itinerary: downtime on the beach, outdoor dining with water views (with lobster!) and finding accommodation what’s walkable to the action. 

Full disclosure: My husband prefers staying at a Hilton property, but if I’m lucky enough to find a special Airbnb, I can usually convince him to stay in a neighborhood that’s near the center of things. I love to get into the groove of living like a local for a few days.

One our first visit, I found this homey Mystic apartment, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, just steps from the brackish Mystic River and close enough to breath in the smell of sea salt. The following year, this roomy Niantic bedroom suite, situated along the Niantic River, provided water views from the second floor balcony.

In this pictorial post, I’ll acquaint you with the area should you decide to visit for a day, long weekend or longer. While we avoided touristy spots due to summertime crowds – such as Mystic Aquarium, Mystic Seaport Museum and the movie-famous Mystic Pizza – they are worth visiting if you have time.

Scenic Mystic

Simply said, the Mystic River is the centerpiece of this community. The photos I share illustrate Mystic during its prime summer season. Explore the area by foot along the river walkways, well-maintained shoreline neighborhoods and through the historic, vibrant downtown. Two unique bridges, a drawbridge and swing bridge, add to the intrigue of Mystic’s maritime past as a former shipbuilding seaport. Downtown offers retail therapy galore and a wide variety of interesting eateries.

Stonington Borough

About a 15-minute drive from Mystic brings you to Stonington Borough. This quaint, historic village has earned the distinction of one of the Top 10 prettiest coastal towns in New England by Yankee Magazine. It’s a must-do stop to visit duBois Beach to take in the views, enjoy a meal on the water, sip a glass at a local winery and poke around to do some shopping. Enjoy some snapshots:

North Stonington Winery

Connecticut is home to numerous vineyards and many are members of the Connecticut Wine Trail, comprised of 22 wineries including several in the shoreline region. We enjoyed a bring-your-own snack and flight one afternoon on the deck overlooking the vines at Jonathan Edwards Winery. Nearby Saltwater Farm Vineyard is on our to-do list for a future visit.

Visit Noank for Seafood Fix

When we visited Noank, a small picturesque seaside village adjacent to Mystic, it was for one reason only for me. LOBSTER. Our favorite of all the seafood restaurants we dined at was Ford’s Lobster. And it was a BYOB. Win-win! Mind you, the other restaurants where we had our fill of seafood were also very good.

Experience Ford’s Lobster

We have a soft spot for Ford’s because of the river views and casual, bohemian ambiance. I had lobster the two times I visited the restaurant while the hubby tried seared scallops and lobster risotto. We weren’t disappointed.

Be aware that there can be a very long wait especially during peak weekend hours, so be prepared and plan accordingly. Pack your beach chairs and relax taking in the water views while waiting for your table. According to my research, Ford’s is open off season except February, and they have a second nearby location called Fords Black & Blue.

Give Abbott’s a Try, Too!

Another seafood institution and also a BYOB in Noank is Abbott’s Lobster In the Rough. Stick with the basics here; hubby and I recommend the lobster roll, oysters and crab cake. We took advantage of having our beach umbrella in the car to sit comfortably on the upper deck to take in the views, including the image on top of this post. It’s open until Columbus Day.

Niantic: A Shoreline Town

We decided to give Niantic a try as our home base to soak up more of this Connecticut shoreline region for another stay in the area. We enjoyed the proximity to our favorite places we visited previously while it gave us the opportunity for new experiences, including the shoreline town’s center, views of the Long Island Sound and Niantic River and taking in the Celebrate East Lyme celebration (food and other vendors, amusements and fireworks).

The 1.1 mile Niantic Bay Boardwalk spans between the Hole the Wall Beach and Niantic Bay Beach (Cini Park). Take a stroll or power walk where you’ll take in panoramic views of the Long Island Sound from one side while you may experience the rush of passing trains on the other (two passed by on my walk!).

Head to New London

Thanks to recommendations from friends from the area, we spent some time in New London along the Thames River. New London is only a 15 minute-drive from Mystic or Niantic.

Ocean Beach Park

Known for its “sugar sand” and boardwalk, Ocean Beach Park is a great day trip destination. It overlooks the end of the Thames River and Long Island Sound. The family-friendly boardwalk includes rides, Olympic-size pool, waterslides, food court, mini golf and arcade. Kids will enjoy the natural beauty of the beach because the waves aren’t too rough plus they can collect seashells! You may want to bring water shoes for swimming as there’s a slight rocky drop.

Waterfront Dining (Even If Raining!)

During a very soggy day, we enjoyed fantastic views of the Thames River during dinner at On the Waterfront restaurant. The menu features a wide assortment of pasta and seafood dishes, as well as cocktail, beer and wine list. The deck area is open air or enclosed, weather dependent.

Beaches in Nearby Rhode Island

Nearby Westerly, RI beaches are about a 20- or 30-minute drive away from Mystic and Niantic, respectfully. Take a beach break to visit the exclusive seaside Watch Hill, where we decided to park in a two-hour metered spot on the main drag. Watch Hill Beach (famous for the carousel) was a perfect oasis between a busy day of activities.

Misquamicut Beach

We spent a half day at busy Misquamicut Beach people watching, walking the half-mile shoreline and taking in the waves. This is definitely a family-friendly beach with amenities, including a playground, concessions and showers. Misquamicut Beach is known for its big waves so here you’ll see the young and young at heart riding them to shore and boogie boarding. Parking was a breeze on a hot and hazy weekday. In addition, you can purchase an advance parking pass and use the express lane!

Another Visit, Another Time

I went to college in the Hartford, CT area and surprisingly had never taken a vacay to Mystic or its surrounds. After my first mini getaway here, I was already planning a return in my mind and quite pleased we visited Niantic. I’m sure I’ll be back to the area again, even if for a daytrip, girls’ outing or with the grandkids. There’s so much to do and explore including some amazing retail therapy in downtown Mystic!

LOOKING FOR A CHANGE IN SCENERY: Check out all my travel and excursion posts.

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