A visit to Mystic Seaport is an interactive experience, where you can learn about 19th-century New England’s seafaring heritage and maritime history through on-site historians, storytellers, and craftspeople. Climb aboard historic vessels including the wooden whaleshipCharles W. Morgan, witness shipbuilding in action in the working shipyard, duck inside the cooperage, or explore the stars (and the art of celestial navigation) at the Treworgy Planetarium. The museum’s gardens showcase plants from the habitats of the Mystic River.
The Mystic Seaport is a must-see for history buffs and families.
Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking over uneven surfaces.
Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat, as many of the museum’s exhibits are outdoors.
Photography is permitted at Mystic Seaport, but leave tripods, monopods, and drones behind.
About a third of the museum’s buildings have wheelchair-accessible entrances. Most trails are stable and firm, even if unpaved.
Mystic Seaport is located in the town of Mystic, located 10 miles (16 kilometers) east of New London. The easiest way to get there is by car; there is free parking across the street from both the north and south entrances.
Mystic Seaport is open daily throughout the year, with limited hours and operation during January and February. The best weather—and more sizable crowds—arrives in June, July, and August.
If you’re in the area to visit Mystic Seaport, set aside some time to see some of the area’s other notable attractions. Traveling families can spend an afternoon at the kid-approved Mystic Aquarium, while the historic downtown area offers plenty of shopping and dining opportunities. Browse the rotating exhibits at the Mystic Museum of Art, or dive deeper into the region’s history at the Denison Homestead Museum.