Our Family Travel Diary to Mystic, a historically leading seaport of the area, was one travel destination we have been planning for a while. The story of Mystic’s nautical connection is told at Mystic Seaport, the nation’s largest maritime museum which has preserved a number of sailing ships, most notably the whaler Charles W. Morgan. The village is located on the Mystic River, which flows into Long Island Sound, providing access to the sea. The Mystic River Bascule Bridge crosses the river in the center of the village.
According to the Mystic River Historical Society, the name “Mystic” is derived from the Pequot term “missi-tuk”, describing a large river whose waters are driven into waves by tides or wind. The village is a major New England tourist destination. It is home to the Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration, known for its research department, concern with marine life rehabilitation, and its popular beluga whales.
Our Family Travel Diary to Mystic business district with its many restaurants on either side of the bascule bridge where U.S. Route 1 crosses the Mystic River. Local sailing cruises are available on the traditional sailing ship Argia. Short day tours and longer evening cruises are available on the 1908 steamer Sabino departing Mystic Seaport. The day was simply gorgeous to sit and simply watch the sailing cruises traveling.
Mystic Seaport is the nation’s leading maritime museum and one of the premier maritime museums in the world, founded in 1929. It is the home of four National Historic Landmark vessels, including the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan, the oldest merchant vessel in the country. The museum’s collections and exhibits include over 500 historic watercraft, a major research library, a large gallery of maritime art, a unique diorama displaying the town of Mystic as it was in the 19th century, a working ship restoration shipyard, the Treworgy Planetarium, and a recreation of a 19th-century seafaring village.
Our Family Travel Diary to Mystic offered us many dining options when it came to lunch time but we settled on Oyster Club, a Farm and Sea to Table kind of restaurant. We were glad we did because we discovered the Treehouse at Oyster Club that is open Memorial Day to Columbus Day.
Fom the Oyster Club’s Facebook page: “Nestled up behind the Oyster Club, The Treehouse is a place where smoke & fire meets the ocean. The menu will feature smoked fish, raw & grilled oysters, smoky pork burgers, local veggies and tasty sweets, just to name a few. Our bartenders will be pouring craft cocktails, great wines and frosty beers, while our shuckers open ice-cold oysters plucked from local waters.”
Our Family Travel Diary to Mystic led us to walk off all the yummy food we had at Oyster Club in the Downtown area. There is an open area near the bridge where the girls enjoyed running around. We enjoyed exploring Liberty Pole Square, a small park located next to the S & P Oyster House, which features a historical anchor from a lumber schooner which sank off Cape Cod in 1897.
Our Family Travel Diary to Mystic will not be complete without our Yummy Story Destination to Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream. Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream continues the “Tradition Of Ice Cream Excellence” by using the finest, pure ingredients, . Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream carries on the tradition, making “The Best” homemade ice cream in the same store that has given Mystic its history of excellence for over 100 years.
Hubby and I were over the moon when we found out Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream carries Barbados Rum Raisin because Hubby is from Barbados and we both love our Rum Raisin. That definitely topped our Family Travel Diary to Mystic because Mystic Drawbridge Barbados Rum Raisin Ice Cream was the best rum raisin we have tasted so far and the sweetest possible way we could end our Family Travel Diary to Mystic.
Have you been to Mystic and if so, what’s your favorite thing to see? We are definitely planning to go back and welcome more suggestions!
