The Gem of the Connecticut Coast

Our recent train tour around the northeast states took us to my favorite Connecticut City, Mystic.  As a young girl, I visited Mystic with my mom and fell in love with it.  After more years than I care to share, I took my husband to Mystic, Connecticut. We were greeted by the cutest Amtrak station I’ve ever seen as we approached Mystic. It was like we stepped back in time as we exited the train to find this beautiful train station.  Lucky for us, the station was close enough to our hotel that we could walk to our destination.

Our walk took us past beautiful Connecticut homes, restaurants, and cute shops before crossing the Mystic River on the famous Mystic River Bascule Bridge. The streets of Mystic are very charming and truly set the stage for this wonderful town located on two sides of the Mystic River. As we crossed the bridge, we could see the Steamboat Inn situated right on the river. We also got our first glimpse of the most charming area of Mystic, the shops on Main Street. You must put it on your travel list if you have not visited this beautiful town.

The Steamboat Inn was everything we had imagined from the online pictures.  The location was great; we were close to dining and shopping and just a short walk away from attractions. I can’t say enough about this beautiful little inn.  The room was spectacular, with a wall of large windows that framed the Mystic River.  We were so close to the Bascule Bridge, which is both exciting and beautiful. My husband enjoyed sitting and marveling at the engineering of the unique bridge. The room had a super comfortable queen-sized bed, couch, fireplace with logs provided, and an adorable bathroom. Included in our stay was breakfast with a choice of time and breakfast type selected at check-in. Because this was our last stop on our tour, it was wonderful to stay in such a comfortable room and relax. A rainy night proved to be very relaxing as we looked over the river as the storm blew in.

Mystic is the perfect getaway no matter what season. There is plenty to do and see, or you can simply relax in your beautiful room or sit by the riverside and enjoy all the activity. Our initial plan was to spend one night and then hop back on the train to continue our journey; however, the minute we entered the Steamboat Inn, we both knew that we wanted to stay a little longer, so we contacted the front desk and were able to extend our stay.

Food

From the Inn to the restaurants, the food was terrific.  Of course, the first place we visited had to be Mystic Pizza.  You know the place if you’re our age and a Julia Roberts fan.  Not only was it just a cool thing to do, but the pizza was also great.  We enjoyed the pizza and nostalgia as we relaxed after a day of traveling.  After dinner, we walked along Main Street and popped into some local stores before finding The Sift, which had sandwiches, coffee, and pastries.  Since we had such a beautiful view from our room, we chose to take our coffee and pastries back to the Steamboat Inn. The next morning, we enjoyed an excellent breakfast (which we ordered upon check in) at the Inn before setting out for a day of exploring. Lunch was at the S & P Oyster Restaurant and Bar, where we enjoyed local seafood. Situated on the opposite side of the Mystic River from the Inn, this restaurant offered a relaxing lunch as we looked over the Mystic River and all the beautiful homes that dot the shore.  We stayed in for dinner and enjoyed the view from our room again.

What to do

Because we arrived by train, we decided to walk to the Mystic Aquarium.  The walk was a little long, but the views were incredible.  We walked back across the Bascule Drawbridge and followed the river to the aquarium.  Along the way, we visited Mystic Seaport Museum. The Mystic Seaport Museum offers an array of activities, from boarding the Charles W. Morgan to learning about the whaling history of Mystic Seaport. There were also games, educational activities, and water activities available.  You really could spend an entire day at the museum.  After our visit, we continued our walk toward the Mystic Aquarium. We loved the Aquarium. The exhibits were well maintained, with some interactive exhibits, and we especially enjoyed the penguin exhibit. Other activities in the area include the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, which has trails, and the Coogan Farm Nature and Heritage Center. As a side note, the walk from Main Street to the Aquarium was long, and we opted for an Uber ride back to the inn.

Shopping

If you enjoy shopping, Main Street offers plenty of shops to fill your day. We especially enjoyed Hang the Moon and Bank Square Books.  You can also venture across the drawbridge to find more shopping. If that isn’t enough shopping for you, Olde Mystic Village, a shopping center constructed in the character of a 1700s New England village, offers plenty of shops, a theatre, restaurants, and plenty of outdoor beauty to enjoy.

Our 48 hours in Mystic were wonderful, and this is a destination that we see when we venture again to the northeast.  Even if we had only stayed in the Main Street area for the entire 48 hours, we would have been completely satisfied.  The Steamboat Inn was the most relaxing inn we have ever stayed in, and we will definitely return. On our last day, we enjoyed another fantastic breakfast at the inn, before walking to the train station. This train depot was small but was the cutest we’ve visited, with a wonderful little café inside. It was evident that it was much more than a train depot; it was a place for locals to gather and have a hot cup of coffee or a quick bite while catching up with friends.  The café owners were great, and our wait was very comfortable even with a delay.

Overall, Mystic is a must-visit destination. If you are ever in Connecticut, you must spend time in Mystic. Whether you want activities, family adventures, or a romantic getaway, Mystic will check all your boxes. 

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