Connecticut: is there more to this state than the highway that connects Boston to New York? As someone who grew up outside New London, I certainly didn’t think so, but as I got older I realized that eastern Connecticut has more to offer than just spectacular Italian food.
The region writ large may not be a tourist hot spot, and our cities are generations past their heyday. But, for those seeking quintessential New England that looks ripped from a postcard or an episode of Gilmore Girls, Mystic is for you. Mystic is the tourism exception, and the city sees an increasing number of visitors every year – something that, as a local, surprises me. Not to bore you with a tangent, but I think we all feel this way. I live in a largely residential/office neighborhood in D.C., and yet, I still see throngs of tourist outside my apartment. Why are you people here, of all places? There’s so much more interesting stuff to see! I think on a near-daily basis. We’re all a jaded native at heart sometimes.
Anyways.
The quaint town of Mystic, Connecticut, just a twenty-five minute drive from my childhood home, is one of my favorite places in all of southeast New England. Mystic has made a name for itself in pop culture, but I’m here to tell you that there is more to do in Mystic besides drop a few thousand dollars at Kardashian-approved exclusive shops and devour a slice of pizza at Mystic Pizza, made famous by the eponymous Julia Roberts film.
Let’s start with one of my favorite parts of Mystic: the food. My favorite place to grab some pizza is at Pizzetta, a small, intimate joint near that water that offers outdoor music during the summer. The best part about Pizzetta is that it’s affordable and offers a number of gluten-free options for celiac travelers. Sure, Mystic Pizza is something of a landmark, thanks to Ms. Roberts, but Pizzetta is my personal favorite for those seeking a sit-down, dining-in experience.
Now, I don’t recommend a place to enjoy dinner without offering up a dessert suggestion as well, and visitors to Mystic certainly have plenty of options. Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream, an aptly-named shop located next to the city’s iconic bridge, is a classic and simple staple of the area. Having lived in D.C. for two and a half years now, I can definitively say that there’s nothing quite like Connecticut ice cream, and Mystic Drawbridge is a can’t-miss for anyone with a sweet tooth.
I know, the “We Make The Best” claim sounds like just another catchy slogan, but it’s a reputation that holds up. Mystic Drawbridge consistently serves some of the best ice cream I’ve ever had in my life, and the last time I visited Mystic, I got to talking to some tourists from the United Kingdom and I led them over this ice cream shop. Like I told the visitors from the across the pond, be sure to sample one of their unique flavors – my favorite is the Mystic Mud. I’m a sucker for anything chocolate – who isn’t?
Food aside, I promised y’all some picture-perfect scenes of New England’s famed idyllic side. Like I mentioned above, downtown Mystic will thoroughly satisfy outsider’s expectations of what a small, seaside town ought to look like in southern New England. Strolling along the waterfront – with a camera at the ready, of course – is my favorite way to while away an afternoon in Mystic. The drawbridge lifts frequently, especially during the height of summer, and this is a sight that never ceases to be exciting.
One of Mystic’s top attractions, the Mystic Seaport, can be seen from various vantage points in downtown. Lovers of all things maritime-related will thoroughly enjoy a visit (although at $25 per adult ticket, admission is quite pricey). I visited as part of a field trip while at UConn, and all I remember is that I became irrationally angry when I learned that one in four whaling ships actually had women on board – and yet, this important detail completely evaded Herman Melville when he penned Moby Dick. (See above photo).
There’s so much about Mystic that makes this town quintessential New England: the active harbor, ma-and-pop eateries, colonial-inspired architecture As a northeast native, however, nothing screams New England quite like stumbling upon an old cemetery. If you traverse the region for long enough, you’ll start to notice smatterings of gravestones in fields, forests, and other unexpected places. Mystic sits at the heart of one of the oldest places of Europeanized North America, and this rich history surrounds visitors.
Those traveling with youngsters – or travelers who refuse to suppress their inner child – might want to check out the fun and quirky Mystical Toys shop. I don’t have any photos of the shop itself, so I must share with you a shot taken inside Mystical Toys featuring myself as a still-baby-faced teen. Adults, don’t get too excited, now. I’m sporting a child-sized hat that still appears to be too large; I may have outgrown the baby face, but there’s nothing time can do about my tiny head. Still, Mystical Toys is a goofy way to revitalize your inner child.
Since this article is dedicated to all things classically New England, I can’t forget about one of my favorite northeast phenomena. Whenever a little fog and clouds roll in, our towns and cities transform into something straight out of an Edgar Allan Poe story. For a town so polished and pristine under the sun, Mystic has a surprising Dickensian side that makes this town interesting to visit in any weather.
