Guide to the Mystic Seaport Museum

What is it?

The Mystic Seaport Museum of Art is a sea-oriented museum with ship replicas, boat tours, paintings and history about the Mystic River. This attraction is the largest maritime museum in the United States. You'll love visiting both the indoor and outdoor exhibits and participating in woodworking and crafts.

Leashed pets are welcome, but not by the exhibits. Please don't smoke while on the museum's grounds.

Is the Mystic Seaport Museum open?

Yes, the museum is open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where is it?

The museum is located in Mystic, Connecticut, on 75 Greenmanville Ave. It's between the Mystic Yacht Charter and Pennywise Consignment Shop.

Is it free?

No, general entry for adults costs $25.95. Seniors, youth and children get a discount. Children three years old and younger get in free. You can also purchase a membership.

What can I do when I visit?

Exhibits

You can look at interesting exhibits like:

"A Grand Panorama"
"Sailor Made: Folk Art of the Sea"
"Mystic River Scale Model"
"Thames Keel Shipbuilding Exhibit"
"Benjamin F. Packard Ships Cabin"
"Sentinels of the Sea: Lighthouses"

You can also look at ship replicas and figureheads on the Mystic River. Some of the ships you'll be able to see include the Charles W. Morgan: Whaleship; L.A. Dunton: Fishing Schooner; Sabino: Steamboat and Amistad: Replica Schooner.

Mystic Seaport Museum Giftshop

Take home interesting souvenirs like apparel, books, stationary and mugs relating to the museum and history of Connecticut at the museum's gift shop.

Food

The museum's village has a few restaurants you can eat at after looking at all the interesting exhibits. You can try food at the Cafe and Bake Shop, Galley Restaurant and Latitude 41-degree Restaurant and Tavern. Avoid eating and drinking near the exhibits.

Boat rides

Take a relaxing boat ride and get a gorgeous view of the water of the Mystic River. You can take a cruise with the boat Liberty, which costs $4 per person or the catboat Breck Marshall, which costs $8 a person. If you're experienced in navigating a ship, you can also borrow a boat from the museum for free.

Ice Festival

In 2020, an Ice Festival was held at the Mystic Seaport Museum in the early months of the year, according to This is Mystic. Visitors could see toy boats, ice sculptures, dog demonstrations and a live concert. There has yet to be an announcement regarding the festival being held at the museum for 2021 or 2022.

What's the history of the museum?

The museum once served as a shipyard for wooden shipbuilding. Though, with the invention of steamboats, these ships became obsolete, and many people didn't care to keep them around.

That's when Edward Bradley, Carl Cutler and Charles Stillman stepped in. They wanted to preserve the history of the town, so they started an association that eventually became the museum. You can learn more here.

Reviews

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Really interesting museum that surpassed all expectations. Interesting for both children and adults, indoor and outdoor exhibits. If you are interested in history, art, maritime, woodworking, or crafts this museum has something for you!

Ed Perkins from Google Reviews

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The Mystic Seaport Museum offers a unique take on the diverse history of New England's fishing and coastal culture. The tidal river outlook enables the harbor to house ships from several historical periods: from whaling ships to oyster harvesting vessels there's no way to disappoint.

Max Banach from Google Reviews

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We have been to the Seaport too many times to count. Our family has always loved it. Last night we brought 2 of our adult children. The Lantern Light Tour was great! It was a lot of fun! I've never seen the Seaport at night and it was beautiful! All the actors did a great job. We will definitely come back again next year!

Candace Lamb from Facebook

Conclusion

See some of the oldest ships in the country at the Mystic Seaport Museum. Stay at the Charlie Brown Campground to have easy access to this renowned museum.