Things to Do in Mystic Seaport, Connecticut

Mystic Seaport Things to Do

Mystic Seaport is a great place to come if you enjoy nautical and maritime history. There are always plenty of things to do and new things to be seen.

Mystic Seaport Village

One of the most interesting parts of Mystic, aside from its own history as a shipbuilding town, are the real historic maritime trades’ buildings which were transported from locations around New England. The village and ships are a true living history museum. Notably, the DuPont Preservation ship yard is preserving the world’s last whaling ship, the Charles W. Morgan (1841). The Morgan was declared a national landmark in 1977 and is very much worth seeing.

Experience Maritime Trades of the 1800’s

The 19th Century Maritime Village at Mystic has several hands-on demonstrations to see, including:

Boat Building – In addition to boat building demonstrations, experience boat building lessons. You can learn to build several different types of boats.

Rope Making – The machines that twist the natural fibers into rope are fascinating, and even more fascinating is how strong the rope is!

Blacksmith – See a smithy work on actual products for the ships and buildings at the village.

Brant Point Lighthouse

The first Brant Point Light was built in 1746 and was the second operative lighthouse in New England (the first being Boston Light in 1716). The wooden tower, built in 1900, is the lowest lighthouse in New England with its light only 26 feet above sea level. Inside the lighthouse is a handicapped accessible multimedia exhibition recounting the history and diversity of lighthouses from around the country.

Enjoy a Boat Ride

Take a water taxi across Mystic from one end to the other, go on a harbor cruise or rent your own row or sailboat.  Also, don’t forget to stop by the Mystic Aquarium.

Editor’s Note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about things to do in Mystic Seaport.