Perched on the scenic and atmospheric Mystic River, just moments away from the breathtaking Long Island Sound, surrounded by endless sandy coves and rugged islands and home to the popular Mystic Seaport Museum, America’s leading maritime museum, it’s easy to see why this bustling locale is at the top of any Connecticut itinerary. Yet Mystic is also one of the leading boating destinations in the state, offering dozens of nearby marinas, large mooring fields, local fishing expertise and a vibrant maritime industry.
The closest marinas to Downtown Mystic are Seaport Marine Marina, Fort Rachel Marina and Mystic Downtown Marina, three facilities either side of the river that offer a combined 179 storm-protected wet-slips and further dry storage units. Down on Murphy Point just south of the Amtrak station you will also find Safe Harbor Mystic, Gwenmor Marina and the Mystic Shipyard East, a trio of dockyards that collectively offer 360 slips, repair facilities and dry storage space. The Mystic Yachting Club at Willow Point, meanwhile, impresses with not only plenty of slips and an upscale vibe but a beautiful, Arts and Crafts inspired club-house where you can relax in style.
Down on Mason’s Island, an exclusive retreat surrounded by water just moments away from Downtown, there’s three more marinas. The Mystic River Marina offers 145-slips and club facilities like a restaurant and an outdoor swimming pool, the Mason’s Island Marina has 120 floating dock slips and the Mystic Point Marina, part of the Freedom Boat Club network, has 120 slips. There’s plenty more marinas in the area as you work your way south toward the Sound or Fishers Island, a stunning rocky island that technically lies in New York State, with Spicer’s Marina in neighboring Noak offering 15 docks and more than 400 slips. And if you find that there’s no spaces left in your preferred docking spots then drop anchor somewhere in Mystic Harbor, which operates as an expansive mooring field for hundreds of vessels.
Lovers of aquatic life should check out the nationally famous Mystic Aquarium, one of only two aquariums in the United States to host sea lions and the only such facility in New England with beluga whales on display. Perhaps the main draw in town, however, is the Mystic Seaport Museum, an outdoor recreation of waterfront life in the early 19th century comprising historic dwellings, a working dockside and 16 historic or rebuilt vessels, including the Charles W. Morgan, an 113-foot, 19th century sail-powered whaler that takes pride of place on the quayside.
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