Discover the Best Things to do in Mystic CT This Fall

Get Some Fresh Air in Mystic, CT!

Mystic, Connecticut, is one of the most charming towns on the southern coast of Connecticut.  Throughout the year, there are so many beautiful things to do in Mystic, CT, but it's especially magical in the fall.  Whether you're looking for a romantic getaway or a fun adventure, you're sure to find it on Connecticut's southern coast.

Aside from there being so many fun things to do in Mystic, CT, it's also a wonderful place to relax and unwind, away from the busy din of city noise. Mystic is under 3 hours away from New York City and two hours away from Boston.  Even though it's so close, it feels like another world entirely. 

Convincing you to take a relaxing coastal getaway is the easy part - but luckily, thanks to our Select Registry Bed and Breakfast partners, choosing where to stay is just as easy!  There are three exceptional Bed and Breakfasts in the Mystic, CT area, all of which would love to pamper you and treat you to a relaxing getaway near this classic New England town. Your room is waiting - now book your trip!

Things to do in Mystic, CT This Fall

Though any season is a great time to escape to Mystic, CT, there's something extraordinary about fall. It is one of our favorite times of year to explore this charming New England town. Not only are there are so many great things to do in Mystic, CT, in the fall, but it's a relaxing season in which to enjoy it all, too.

Perhaps it's the enticing smell of apple cider donuts in the air or the colorful foliage dropping from trees.  Or maybe it's the slower and even sleepier pace to the days here.  Whatever it is, we know you'll enjoy a fantastic getaway in Mystic.  

Whether you're looking for a getaway filled with relaxation or adventure, there are plenty of things to do in Mystic, CT, this fall. You can keep as busy, or not, as you want to be! While leaf-peeping is one of our favorite things to do in Mystic CT this fall, that's not all there is to do here. Here are a few other suggestions.

1. 1. Get to know America's maritime past at the impressive Mystic Seaport Museum. It's the largest maritime museum in the country and tops every list of things to do in Mystic, CT.
   2. You don't just have to look at the historic boats here. You can get out on one for a bit of sailing, too! One of our favorite things to do in Mystic is sail aboard the 81’ classic wooden Two-Masted Gaff Topsail Schooner, Argia. The trip takes you along the scenic Connecticut coastline for an unforgettable afternoon in Mystic. 
   3. Enjoy a taste of fall at Clyde's Cider Mill. Cider donuts are a beloved fall tradition in New England, and this treasure is only open seasonally.  Don't miss your chance to bit into these delicious treats made at the oldest steam-operated mill of its kind left in the country.
   4. Another of the most popular things to do in Mystic, CT, is visiting the Mystic Aquarium. A top attraction here is the beluga whales, which have a 750,000 gallon dedicated outdoor habitat.
   5. Explore the 18th century recreated Olde Mystik Village, where you have the opportunity to stroll along the cobblestone streets and browse the more than 60 small and unique shops. A visit here is undoubtedly one of the most exciting things to do in Mystic, CT!
   6. Take a quiet stroll along the Mystic River near downtown - and don't miss the chance to see the famed Bascule Bridge open for boat traffic. The Bascule Bridge was built in 1922, and it opens every hour from 8:40 - 6:40 daily.
   7. While you're in town, enjoy some shopping in downtown Mystic, where you'll find several great boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and more. Perhaps you can get a jumpstart on your holiday shopping while you're here?
   8. Walk the trails and absorb the beauty of fall at the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center. 
   9. Visit the nearby Old Lighthouse Museum.  Climbing the 29 stone steps to the top rewards you a panoramic view of Connecticut, New York, and Rhode Island.
   10. Wine tasting is one of our favorite things to do in Mystic, CT - or anywhere! Travel down the Connecticut Wine Trail this fall, just in time for the annual harvest season! Nearby wineries to Mystic, CT, include Saltwater Farm Vineyard and Stonington Vineyards.

An Afternoon at the Mystic Seaport

There's a reason visiting Mystic Seaport is one of the top things to do in Mystic, CT, year after year! Indeed, no trip to Mystic is complete without a stop at the famed Mystic Seaport. This incredible museum showcases not just Mystic's maritime history but the entire country's. 

From the moment you step inside at Mystic Seaport, you'll feel as though you've stepped back in time to an era in which America's coastal towns were bustling hubs of trade and commerce. There's a lot to explore at Mystic Seaport, too, so definitely plan to give yourself ample time. 

From exploring the seaport village and the enormous, historical vessels preserved here to browsing interesting maritime exhibits, there's plenty to see at Mystic Seaport.  Here are some of the top highlights you won't want to miss.

1. Seaport Village is a thoughtfully recreated 19th-century seaport town. The buildings are replicas, but rather restored buildings that have been transported from coastal New England towns to this museum. Within this village, you'll find costumes, ship smith workers, woodcarvers, oyster houses, and more.
2. Visit the historic vessels docked at Mystic Seaport - by far one of the most popular things to do in Mystic, CT. 
3. Sail on a 20-foot Crosby catboat (or other vessels) at Mystic Seaport Museum. Rides are typically 25 minutes long and travels along the waterfront. It's beautiful, and you'll learn plenty about this storied seaport.
4. In the shipyard area of the Mystic Seaport Museum, watch the shipbuilding trade firsthand. There's plenty to learn at this working shipyard, from wooden shipbuilding and carvings to the ship lift and marine engines. 
5. View the fantastic exhibits inside Mystic Seaport, which includes the figureheads and ship carving exhibit. These exhibits offer an intriguing look at Mystic's Maritime past. There's so much history and folklore surrounding this industry!

Once you've thoroughly exhausted yourself with all of these great things to do in Mystic, CT, the comfortable accommodations and welcoming atmosphere of our partner Bed and Breakfasts in Mystic, CT will be waiting for you. Don't just book. Select! Sink into the ultimate getaway at these upscale properties.

Mystic CT Bed and Breakfast

The Whaler's Inn

The Whaler's Inn has been the hub of hospitality in Mystic for over 50 years. Steps away from the Mystic River, the boutique hotel offers 45 rooms within 5 unique buildings. Visitors enjoy meandering through historic downtown and taking in the sites of this quintessential New England village.

The property offers a variety of guestrooms including deluxe accommodations with river views, fireplaces, and air-jet tubs. Families delight in spacious Junior Suites with bunk beds for the little ones. Guests of The Whaler's Inn enjoy a complimentary $15 per night/per person Food and Beverage Credit at on-site restaurant "The Shipwright's Daughter", which serves breakfast and dinner daily. 

Learn More

Stonecroft Country Inn

Located just 5 miles from Mystic, Ct. nestled on 6.5 rolling acres of lush lawns and terraced gardens in the Connecticut countryside, our beautiful inn offers peace and quiet in our traditional rooms and luxury suites all in an atmosphere of relaxation and romance.

We're just minutes to downtown Mystic, the Mystic Seaport and Mystic Aquarium, area vineyards, and close to Long Island Sound - and a brief drive away is all the excitement of Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casinos.

Learn More

Inn at Harbor Hill Marina

Boasting a prime waterfront location and just minutes to famed and historic Mystic, CT, sits the Inn at Harbor Hill Marina in Niantic, CT. Select one of our 16 rooms for a romantic escape, a relaxing getaway, or a business trip, any time of year.

Outstanding restaurants, beaches, shops, and boardwalks are within walking distance. Visit world-famous Mystic Seaport, Mystic Aquarium, historic downtown Mystic, Casinos, shopping outlets, or wineries that are all only a short drive from the inn.

Learn More