We crossed the Long Island Sound from Port Jefferson, New York to Mystic, Connecticut. As soon a you approach Mystic Harbor and enter the Mystic river, you know you’re back in New England. Lighthouses, Shaker buildings, and tall pointy church steeples are all typical New England sights. And the culture continues to evolve as we move up the coast: less genteel than the South, but less brash than the Mid-Atlantic.
Mystic was a major shipbuilding center and whaling port. Today, it boasts the 900 acre outdoor Seaport Museum, which attracts visitors from all over the world.
This, along with a quaint town centered on the 102 year-old bascule bridge across the river, made for a very pleasant couple of days.
The first day, we spent cleaning, doing laundry, and boat maintenance so that the second day, we could enjoy the area, and in particular the Mystic Seaport Museum. That was fun and interesting. There’s also a famous aquarium, but we had to choose one or the other.
Despite it’s idyllic and peaceful setting, Mystic was also home to the Mystic Massacre. In 1637, colonial soldiers, assisted by Narragansett and Niantic Indian soldiers, attacked and killed between 400-700 Pequot Indians, eliminating the entire population from the area.
We took a dinghy ride up and down the Mystic river, which is lined with boats. Unlike most places we’ve sailed so far, including the north shore of Long Island across the Sound, the bottoms aren’t soft and forgiving here. There are big rocks and rock ledges under the water. If you stray from marked channels and touch bottom, rather than a soft bump in sand or mud, your boat will stop dead and most likely be subject to keel damage. Extra vigiliance is in order.
The evening was capped off by dinner at the Oyster Club, a very nice restaurant with award-winning chefs.
Today, we push on to Newport, Rhode Island, home of the famous New York Yacht Club, which won and defended the America’s Cup from 1851 to 1983. Newport competes with Annapolis as sailing capital of the USA. More on that soon.
12 Responses
Great memories of Mystic, we honeymooned there.
It’s uncanny how many people have memories of Mystic and/or celebrated weddings, etc. there!
You’re living the dream. We cross over to Maine tomorrow morning and continue to head your way. Hope to see you soon.
Larry, It’s always sad to leave Canada after such an intense experience, but Maine is awesome so it softens the blow. Enjoy Downeast. Still remember our lobster roll dinner in Portland last year. D&S
Mystic is wonderful. I first visited there 70 years ago and it continues to be one of my favorite places. When I was a teenager my friends and I used to venture there from Niantic in an armada of 16’ outboard boats for the day. It is living history.
Perhaps you may be able to find a lobster dinner somewhere in Newport. Lobster is pretty scarce there.
While in Newport, I suggest you visit the Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard. You will see many mega yacht sailboats both tied up there as well as on hard. Some of the most beautiful sailboats you will ever see. They have a great consignment boat show there in mid September which is fun because you can go aboard some pretty special boats there. The last time I was there I saw the Mirabella V tied up there. Unimaginably beautiful 250’ sloop.
https://youtu.be/i7dGFxyM_Aw?si=KoftMeAzKeK79Alu
Also, a tour of the Breakers mansions is very worthwhile.
Dang, Jim, If you keep this up we’re going to sell our cruising guides! D&S
Really enjoy your blog posts!
Looking forward to you sailing into Maine waters!
Bob, We’re looking forward to returning to “home” to Maine and seeing you guys. D&S
Hi Dan. Mystic is one of my favorite vacation memories I spent two full days at the Seaport Museum and loved every minute of it.
I also sailed on a replica Schooner, the Mystic Clipper, for a “Pirate Cruise”. While sailing, a Nuclear Sub was coming back to their base in Groton which made quite an interesting contrast with the Schooner. It’s surprising how big those subs are. We couldn’t figure out what was following the sub some distance behind, and it turned out to be the tail of the same sub, a portion of the aft section submerged while the sub was on the surface. We decided trying to take the sub would not be in our best interests🙃.
Also had to go to Mystic Pizza. Nothing to write home about there. I suppose if Julia Robert’s had been working there it might have made more of an impression.
I was pleased to see the Schooner Roseway in your pics. I sailed on her for a week cruise out Camden Maine many years ago. Also a great memory!
I’m enjoying your posts, Thanks!
Joe
Hi Joe, You’re in good company having memories about Mystic. Cool experience regarding the submarine. Too bad Julia wasn’t working at the pizza shop when you were here 😀. We didn’t see her either. Think she moved to Vegas for the Oceans movies. Dan
Just catching up with your fabulous blogs and photos. As indicated Jim mentioned we have enjoyed Mystic and the surrounding areas.
Many years ago, my previous life, we lived 10 minutes from Port Jefferson, and where we always took guests to enjoy the artsy, quaint village, seafood restaurants and walking the docks ogling the fabulous sailboats. Our daughter Chelsie was born in the Port Jefferson Hospital, Labor Day weekend 1976.
Small world, Donna!