Mystic Seaport – Must-See Museums in Connecticut

I’ve never lived in New England, and I’ve never lived near the ocean. I’ve never, in fact, lived near much water of any kind. So I can hardly say why I find the sight of a wintry New England harbor so alluring. The ghostly silhouette of docked sailing ships in the fog, the peacefulness of an evening snowfall, the faint radiance of a lantern bouncing along the water’s edge.

Okay, so maybe that owes more to Tim Burton than reality, but the point is that historic imagery and seafaring spirit can be found today at the Mystic Seaport in Mystic, Connecticut. Transport yourself one-hundred-and-fifty years into the past, all for about twenty-four bucks a person, with a trip to one of the top museums in Connecticut.

Actually, Mystic Seaport: The Museum of America and the Sea, is probably one of the top museums in the country. As America’s largest maritime museum, Mystic Seaport invites you to explore a meticulous recreation of a 19^th-century New England seaport. I don’t know if the folks at Mystic Seaport would agree, but think Colonial Williamsburg with boats.

First you’ll stroll a lovingly refurnished 19^th-century village, which has … oh, who am I kidding? I know you want to hit up the boats first.

Mystic Seaport owns over 500 tall ships and other vessels, several of which are open for on-board tours. The prestigious, to say nothing of exhaustive, collection even includes four National Historic Landmarks as designated by the federal government.

• Charles W. Morgan – what the Seaport calls their “crown jewel”, the Morgan is a truly stunning 1841-built wooden whaling ship, America’s last surviving example.
• S. S. Sabino – one of the oldest coal-fired steamboats in operation, the Seaport offers daily cruises aboard Sabino during the summer season.
• L.A. Dunton – one of the nation’s few remaining Gloucester Fisherman, this iconic schooner has be restored by the museum back to its earliest glory.
• Emma C. Berry – though not as visually striking, the Berry holds a special place in the heart of the region, as it first embarked in 1866 just two miles up the river.

Learn more about the tall ships at Mystic Seaport.

Now, about that village. Mystic Seaport’s 19^th-Century Village never existed as you see it today, but it’s not inauthentic either. Actual buildings, which at one time served these actual purposes, have been transported from all over the east coast to the museum where they have been fully-restored and brought to life. Visit more than 30 genuine shops and trade buildings, including a rigging loft, a hoop maker, a chapel, general store, lighthouse, bank, shipping office and plenty more.

Because this is a living history museum, the 19^th-Century Village is also brought to life by costumed actors, which they call “roleplayers”, who strive to represent the people of the 1800s as well as they do the architecture.

There’s plenty more – a live preservation shipyard, lantern tours, carriage rides, holiday events, a planetarium, rowboating, shopping – but I’m already running long.

Mystic Seaport in Mystic, Connecticut is open throughout the year, though the daily schedule does vary by season, so plan ahead. General admission is $24. Learn more.

Mystic, Connecticut is located about an hour out of Hartford (or 40 minutes, if you drive like I do), so we usually stay up there and make a daytrip down to the Seaport. For hotels in Hartford, CT, we again recommend the Crowne Plaza Hartford Downtown. Free Internet, weekend parking, shuttle, and the affordably upscale Crowne Plaza rooms we like so much.

Have fun!

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