Weekend in Mystic Connecticut

Mystic Connecticut has been on my radar to visit + we finally made the trip. It is the perfect spot to spend a weekend away. Here is the breakdown of our weekend in Mystic Connecticut: 

Where to Stay in Mystic

We stayed at The Spark by Hilton Mystic Groton. It was perfectly located right off of 95 less than ten minutes from downtown Mystics + less than five minutes from the Mystic Aquarium + Olde Mistic Village. 

The rooms were clean, comfortable + the perfect size for a place to rest + relax before exploring Mystic. The best part was the amenities. There is a lounge area to hang out + where the morning bagel bar is as well as the 24/7 hot beverages. I always need a coffee so I loved the hot beverage bar. 

If you are looking for an affordable, perfectly located, clean + comfortable hotel with amazing amenities The Spark by Hilton is the place to book. 

Where to Eat in Mystic 

Nana’s Bakery + Pizza

Nana’s was our first stop as soon as we made it to Mystic. Nana’s is a bakery + pizza spot serving up sourdough pizza, breads + pastries. It is a must try if you are heading to Mystic. 

Here is what we got: 

Margarita pizza made with sourdough it was crispy + delicious 

Risotto balls in tomato sauce, Grana Padano + calabrian chili crunch. As a person who makes their own risotto balls these were approved!  

Rye brownie was absolutely amazing. We couldn’t eat all of it + I swear somehow it was even better the next day. 

Lemon bar with rose cream. If you are not into rose flavor this wouldn’t be for you but I loved it. The bar was also gluten free.

Cacio e Pepe doughnut. You read that right. A cacio e pepe doughnut. Promise me you will not leave Mystic without trying this because it was amazing. 

Lemon doughnut. The doughnuts were amazing because they are made fresh come out hot + delectable soft. 

The Irons at Hilton Mystic 

We went to The Irons at Hilton Mystic, the sister property to The Spark by Hilton Mystic Groton conveniently located right down the road. I love the nautical theme, rustic + cozy decor of The Irons. The food was delicious + the service was great! 

Here is what we ordered: 

We started off with the firecracker shrimp which were crispy + delicious - the sauce was great. We also got short rib crespelle which was a rosemary crepe stuffed with short rib.

Main course I got fresh out of the sea fish + chips which were cooked to perfection. Mike of course got braised short rib which was melt in your mouth good. 

Ended the meal with a decadent molten chocolate lava cake which hit the spot.

Seaview Snack Shack

We passed Seaview Snack Shack when we first arrived to Mystic + it caught my attention. I always love places that are no frills. Seaview Snack Shack was just that. A small little shanty off the main road on your way to downtown Mystic. We ate here twice because the food wasn’t only fresh + delicious but super affordable. 

Here’s what we ordered: 

New England clam chowder. Chowder was one of the only things I wasn’t leaving until I got. It was so good I got it twice. 

Crab Cake sandwich 

Fried Scallop Roll

Friend Shrimp Platter

Mozzerella Sticks 

Hot Dog + Hot Dog wrapped in bacon with cheese

Everything was fresh, delicious + hit the spot. Don’t drive pass Seaview Snack Bar make sure you stop + grab a bite. 

Oyster Club 

Oyster Club came highly recommended from many people. As luck would have it we were strolling down Water Street right before they opened for happy hour. We waited online + got it. I couldn’t have been happier we did because the place is a vibe + the food was out of this world. 

What we ordered:

Oyster on the half shell. For only $1.50 an oyster during happy hour that was a steal. They were delicious + sweet we ended up ordering a dozen. 

Mussels in coconut lemongrass broth with chili, cilantro + lime - AMAZING. 

Now the show stopper was Luna’s burger. A dry aged burger that had so much flavor I can still taste it. 

Oyster Club is a hot spot + could be hard to get into. My tip would be to line up before they open at 4PM to enjoy happy hour + grab a bite before the rush of dinner. 

Abbott’s Lobster

Abbott’s Lobster is what I think of when I think of a New England lobster spot. A little spot on the water with a killer view serving up delicious fresh from the sea lobsters. I wasn’t leaving New England without enjoying a lobster + I did. I got a homemade lobster bisque + full lobster. It was delicious + affordable with the view being an added bonus. 

What to Do in Mystic

Mystic Aquarium 

The thing to do in Mystic. Belugas are my favorite animal. You can only imagine my pure excitement when I was greeted by an adorable beluga Juno as soon as we walked in. TIP: from experience always go to aquarium + zoos right when they open. The animals are their most liveliest + this was especially the case for the belugas. The one beluga Juno was literally waiting for us by the glass, bumping his head against the wall + literally taking photos with people. 

You can spend hours at the aquarium + that is exactly what we did. Make sure to get the feeding + seal show times. The seal show was so much fun! TIP: get there early + the seals walk around the front so if you want to get close get the front row. 

The Mystic Aquarium was fantastic + perfect for all ages. The belugas were absolutely adorable, the seals were so fun, there were touch tanks + more. It is the must see attraction in Mystic. 

Mystic Downtown 

Mystic is a cute quintessential New England town along the Mystic River. You only need an hour or two to explore downtown. There are boutique shops, restaurants, ice cream spots + more. We spent the afternoon window browsing, checking out quirky little shops + snacking around town. Pro tip: Park a little outside of downtown + walk in. We park near the CVS. 

Olde Mistic Village

We spent way more time shopping + strolling around Olde Mistic Village than we did downtown Mystic. There is a shop for everyone. There were so many shops that were right up my alley. 

Here are some of my favorites: 

Alice in the Village is an Alice + Wonderland themed tea shop. It is super cute with fun decor + great bubble tea. This is a must stop when in the Village.

Kitch is all things cooking. If you are a big home chef like me you are going to want to check this place out. 

Sofia’s Mystical Christmas had every type of Christmas ornament you can imagine. We collect Christmas ornaments on all our trip + picked up a fun one here - Santa riding a hammerhead shark sleigh. 

Sticky Situations is for the honey lovers. They had unique flavors I have never seen before. I picked up mint honey.

Tiger Lily Tea is a tea shop everywhere I go there is a tea shop which is perfect for me because I am obsessed with tea. I got a watermelon tea I can’t wait to sip this summer. 

Overall I absolutely loved our weekend in Mystic. We went over Mother’s Day weekend + it was the perfect way I wanted to spend that weekend with my family exploring an New England town, eating great food + hanging out with some belugas. 

Our Mystic Weekend Itinerary: 

Day ONE: 

Drive from NJ to Mystic

Arrive at Mystic head straight to Nana’s for lunch

Check in to The Spark by Hilton Mystic Groton

Head to downtown Mystic to walk around 

Got icecream at Drawbridge Ice Cream 

Stopped for a beer at Bank + Bridge Brewing 

Head to The Iron’s at Hilton Mystic for Dinner

Spur of the moment decision - we drove to Foxwoods to check it out. Less than 20 minutes away!

Day TWO:

Bagel breakfast at The Spark

Spent afternoon walking around Olde Mistic Village

Lunch at Seaview Snack Bar

Walked around downtown Mystic 

Got in for Happy Hour at Oyster Club 

Walked off Happy Hour

Drove around 20 minutes to dinner at The Abbot’s Lobster 

Day THREE

Bagel breakfast at The Spark 

Headed to Mystic Aquarium for 9AM opening (highly recommend)

Lunch at Seaview Snack Bar

Drive Home back to Jersey

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