Mystic, Connecticut, is one of those hidden gems in the world that is just so beautiful in all seasons.
The photo below is of my brother Anik and my future sister-in-law, Shivani, raising their glasses to an amazing day spent in Mystic. This is probably my favorite photo that I’ve taken in Mystic because I think it captures the pure love and beauty of the humble town.
My first ever Mystic trip was when I was 11 years old, and ever since then, I have been fortunate enough to travel there often.
I recently went to Mystic with my boyfriend for our anniversary, and I am going to be taking you through our day with memories from my previous visits and information so you can plan out your own Mystic itinerary!
The key spots I will be taking you through are Mystic Aquarium, Olde Mistick Village, and Downtown Mystic, with a few hidden gems here and there. These places are all within a two to 10-minute drive of each other, so your car’s gas will thank you!
Are you ready for our first stop?
mystic aquarium
We made it to destination number one, Mystic Aquarium.
I know most people may think aquariums are for babies or toddlers, but when I tell you that the Mystic Aquarium is equally exquisite for any age group, I’m telling the truth.
Mystic Aquarium is the only aquarium in New England that has Beluga whales. I mean, look how smiley this adorable Beluga is nonchalantly swimming in its beautiful tank. Besides Belugas, the aquarium has California sea lions, African penguins, stingrays, sharks, and so much more.
I went to Mystic Aquarium for the first time when I was 11, and I was lucky to have gone back again this November. The same joy I felt back then was beautifully felt the second time. I was in awe of all the beautiful sea creatures, and I loved reading the little descriptions about them. Since I was little, I have always been fascinated by marine life, and for several years of my life, I wanted to become a marine biologist. So, when I tell you the inner marine biologist in me was geeking out over every exhibit, I’m not lying. I have been fortunate enough to go to many aquariums growing up, and Mystic Aquarium is still my favorite.
Something that makes this my favorite aquarium is how they go above and beyond to make sure that you have a fun time. I’m talking about the sea lion show. It is called the “Sea Squad” and it entails three trained California sea lions who have “superpowers,” or in other words, are trained very well. The trainers are so caring and knowledgeable that this was genuinely my favorite part about the aquarium visit. They educated the audience in a fun way on how to protect our oceans, and the sea lions were just the cherry on top of the cuteness overload. We didn’t have to pay for the show on top of our tickets, so I definitely recommend that you go. In girl math, it’s free!
Yes, the aquarium has amazing marine life, but also human life. The staff is incredibly kind and intelligent. At every station you go to, whether that’s the touch tank or stingray tank, the workers are so passionate about what they do, which makes the experience more joyful. I remember I was at a starfish tank with a group of kids around me, and I was asking the worker 50 questions; the kids stared at me like I had 10 heads. Own that experience and don’t lose that curiosity, I am telling you.
Just because you may see a toddler throwing a tantrum in your peripheral vision because he can’t jump into the touch tank, or a kid with a child leash running into one of the clear tanks while their parent frantically runs behind, don’t let that ruin your time! In fact, seeing the number of families together with their kids, running or walking, reminded me so much of my childhood and how much I loved going to the aquarium with my uncle AJ, who inspired me to be passionate about marine life since I was little. Places like this truly spark a piece of your heart and brain, and those memories will be rekindled in these environments.
Something I also want to touch upon is the renovations and little touches that were made in the aquarium since I was last there when I was 11. Notably, the Saltwater Cafe. I remember eating there with my vegetarian family when I was younger, and we couldn’t find a lot of options besides pizza and fries. Now, they have added vegetarian wraps and a garden salad to the menu. I know it may not seem like a big deal, but I am so happy with the progress that was made, and I’m sure a family of six who are vegetarians can enjoy a healthy meal together like we had wanted to. I didn’t eat here during my most recent visit, but I was so happy to see the vegetarian upgrade. I’ll also add that there are so many Dippin’ Dots carts throughout the aquarium, so my boyfriend and I indulged while strolling through the exhibit.
Of course, I had to take a picture with the renovated cafe area.
Another cute area was the gift shop. With an array of the cutest stuffed animals ever, I doubt any parent can leave that place without their child begging for a stuffed sea lion plush! I mean, I’m 19 and I was tempted myself.
The point is, it doesn’t matter what age you are, an aquarium is an aquarium, so go enjoy it.
The aquarium was a blast, but it’s time for our next destination. Wave goodbye to the Beluga whales, and let’s hop in the car.
olde mistick village
Wow, it only took a quick two minute drive and here we are. Welcome to Olde Mistick Village.
And yes, it is spelled “Mistick” in this case because the townspeople wanted to give the village a colonial, historic feel using old-time spelling. Neat, right? Olde Mistick Village is a quaint outdoor shopping area where you can let your inner Hallmark movie girl shine.
After the aquarium, we were pretty hungry, and I remembered they had an amazing pizza place called Mango’s Wood-Fired Pizza Co., which I had noted because when you are in Mystic, you are guaranteed to have some pizza.
Because it was such a beautiful day, we sat outside. When you’re planning your Mystic trip, I recommend going in the fall, spring, or summer. Mystic is absolutely beautiful in the winter, but if you get cold easily like me, then I’d plan around that. If we had gone in the winter, we wouldn’t have been able to eat our pizza in the gorgeous 60-degree, sunny weather outside.
We decided to order the bruschetta and margherita pizza. The food was delivered very quickly, and it was delicious. Dare I say, one of the best pizzas I’ve had in my life. 10/10 would recommend!
After we ate the pizza, we just had to look to the left of us to see Deviant Donuts for dessert. The shop has an array of themed donuts that will make your taste buds jump with joy. I remember when I went to Mystic in previous years, they had winter-themed Christmas donuts, summertime donuts, and this time I got to experience Halloween donuts. We tried the classic vanilla sprinkle donut, and it was delicious.
Once you’re done filling your belly, take in the gorgeous colonial air and walk around the village. They have stores ranging from popcorn stores, toy stores (Jellycats!), chocolate stores, small businesses, clothing stores, and more.
My favorite stores are Extra Virgin Oil and Sticky Situations because you can sample a variety of honeys and olive oils. I may sound and look crazy, not just based on the estranged look my boyfriend gave me when I went around the store drinking different kinds of olive oils, but in my opinion, it’s a Mystic staple to try. I genuinely felt like Remi in that scene of Ratatouille where he was sampling various dishes. This store also brought back memories of going here with my family and seeing my dad, who loves to cook, extra fascinated by the multitude of flavors. I ended up getting my dad a Mediterranean olive oil and a blood orange olive oil, because the store reminded me too much of him not to. Oops, sorry, Appa, I just spoiled your Christmas gift! On a scale of 1 to 10, I’d give this store a chef’s kiss.
If you aren’t a fan of shopping, there are many cafes and a duck pond (with actual ducks) to relax by.
Whether you’re trying different olive oils, getting your steps in, or doing some retail therapy, Olde Mistick is truly a gem in this lovely town.
It’s about 2:30 p.m. now, are you ready for a change of scenery?
Great, let’s head on over to our final destination: Downtown Mystic.
downtown mystic
After a 10-minute drive from the previous location, Downtown Mystic will make it seem like you are on a fancy boardwalk.
With the beautiful water, walking area, and shops, I am warning you that if you are a shopaholic like me, then be prepared for your wallet to hurt a bit after the end of this street.
There are many small businesses that have trinkets, gifts, clothing, and really niche things. I highly recommend doing your Christmas shopping here, because you’re not only supporting small businesses, but also you won’t find this stuff at your local Target.
When looking at the food in downtown Mystic, you are going to find a bunch of fun places to try. There is the iconic Mystic Pizza located on the block, Italian restaurants, seafood places, bars, and of course, cafes. To balance this savory meal out, lucky for you, this is also a sweet tooth’s dream location! Mystic River Chocolate Cafe, Mystic Sweets and Ice Cream Shoppe, and Lis Bake Shop happen to live on this block as well. I got an amazing assortment of taffy from Candy Shop for my roommate, and she rated the candy 10/10.
the drawbridge
If you love niche things about places, then you may be interested in the drawbridge. It is a bridge that lifts up in the air and reveals open water when a boat passes through, and it turns back into a drivable bridge when there are no boats. I remember being so fascinated by this as a kid. Even when I went a few weeks ago as an adult, I was still amazed.
Another cool thing about this area is that there is an ice cream shop named after the bridge. Definitely check out Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream; it is the ice cream shop right next to the drawbridge, and it actually has such amazing flavors. Please do not get a basic chocolate or vanilla when you come here! Try the assortment of wonderful flavors that you wouldn’t get at your typical ice cream shop. I remember when I went with my parents in the wintertime, I got a gingerbread and Almond Joy flavor, and it was heavenly. I remember my family, and I got a second serving of different flavors so we could keep them in our freezer and have them for the next day.
If you are staying in Mystic until sunset, you should definitely sit on the benches near the water. You are going to get the most beautiful pictures, and with the gentle ocean breeze, it will make you feel at peace. Grab yourself some ice cream and enjoy it while watching the sunset take over the sky.
I know the photo above isn’t of the sunset, but I just had to show off the uniqueness of this bridge. This photo was taken in 2024 when my brother and future sister-in-law visited me. I’m starting to see that maybe the “M” in Mystic stands for memories.
Now, I love everything about Downtown Mystic, but there are two places in particular that I just have to tell you about: Sift Bakery and Just Mystic.
sift bakery
Remember that adorable photo of my brother and future sister in law? Well, it was taken by me in this beautiful bakery. Last year, when I went to Mystic, I got a pumpkin chai latte, and it tasted like pumpkin pie in a cup. It’s even making my mouth start to water now. I got it again this year, and it had that same festive comfort I tasted last year. The desserts are also amazing. From macarons to different pastries (savory and sweet), and little cakes, they have it all. It’s so exciting being in that store, since the line is usually out the door, and you can smell the sugar and spices in the air.
Just like Saltwater Cafe, Sift also has many vegetarian-friendly options that have improved since I was little. The most recent time I went, I saw chickpea salads, caprese sandwiches, and more. Whether you’re in the mood for something savory or sweet, Sift has got your back.
I also want to mention how beautiful the seating area is both inside and outside of the bakery. With flowers surrounding the place, it is the picture-perfect spot for your Instagram story or for taking photos of your brother and future sister-in-law!
just mystic photobooth
I am a huge fan of photobooth pictures, and if it is in a store that my inner shopaholic can unleash in, then it’s a bonus. Just Mystic is a store in downtown Mystic that resembles an Aerie. With cozy crewnecks to little trinkets, this store is genuinely my favorite on the block. This store also has a comfy seating area, which is the perfect spot to drop off your boyfriend while you shop!
Just Mystic stands out because there is a photobooth in the middle of the store. In the photobooth, there is a nice bench and accessories to dress up with, like cutely shaped sunglasses. I also love how the bottom of the photo strip says “Mystic,” so you can remember the exact location you took the pictures at. It is $5 for a photo strip, but you can also email it to yourself for free. My boyfriend and I went in there once, and then once turned into twice, and then that became five times. Five photo strips later, I have the cutest photos hanging on my walls, capturing the sweetest memories.
Right next to the booth, there is a wall full of people’s photo strips. I guess nobody can get enough of this picture-perfect booth!
I took this photo above back in 2023, and now they’ve added an even bigger picture wall of people’s photos with new labels for the strips and the adorable accessories.
mystic pizza
I hope your arms aren’t hurting from carrying all those shopping bags!
After a long day of shopping, we are onto meal number two, or maybe four if you count all the sweets in between.
With all the walking, my boyfriend and I got to 20,000 steps and, as you can imagine, we were very hungry. Because we got pizza for lunch, neither of us were feeling like pizza for dinner, but then I thought, you can’t go to Mystic without going to Mystic Pizza.
Now, there is a Mystic Pizza movie and a Mystic Pizza restaurant. Originally, I thought the restaurant was based on the movie starring Julia Roberts (made in 1988), but I was wrong. The restaurant opened in 1973, and the movie was based on the restaurant. Inside the restaurant, the movie is on repeat on the television, and it actually feels like you are in the movie.
One thing I will add is that Mystic Pizza doesn’t take reservations, so plan accordingly, especially if you are going on a weekend evening. We got an early dinner at around 5 p.m., so we didn’t have to wait, but around 6 p.m. is when it gets a little crazy, so just be extra cautious about that.
Getting back to the food, this photo was taken when I went with my parents and twin sister in 2024, and we got a margherita pizza. But there isn’t just pizza on the menu. They have stromboli, salads, burgers, and more. They even have a gift shop upstairs, so definitely check that out. This time, I ended up getting the garden salad, and it tasted like a typical pizza shop salad, but because I was eating it at Mystic Pizza, it was worth it.
A day well spent, what do you say?
my favorite part about mystic
Although I love everything about Mystic, I think my favorite part would be the photobooth. It’s so charming and picture perfect, literally! Just Mystic closes at 7 p.m. on weekends, so after dinner, we raced back to the photobooth to take more pictures and do some more shopping in the surrounding stores. The worker saw us come back in, but I could tell by the smile she gave, we weren’t the first people who had come back for another round at the photobooth!
I also must say how much of a romantic date spot Mystic is. Seeing people holding hands while exploring every store and shop together was so heart-warming. I love how I was able to experience Mystic with my family, my future sister-in-law, my brother, and now my boyfriend. I think this goes to show that Mystic by itself is beautiful, but the people you go with make it even more magical.
I hope this article makes your life a little easier when planning your itinerary and excites you to go.
Thank you for a wonderful day, Mystic. I’m looking forward to visiting you again!