Late summer is upon us with its sun-dappled days, breezy evenings and nights filled with the symphony of the nocturnal. These sensations become magnified when you pair them with a sea-faring locale. One such town that is a pleasure to visit in the low days of summer is Mystic, Connecticut. More than just the location where cult-classic Mystic Pizza filmed, Mystic offers relaxing waterside walks, boat tours, plenty of window shopping, an array of fine restaurants … and yes, the pizza that put the town on the map.

Your first stop in town should be the parking lot across from Mystic Seaport Museum. There you can park and pay for a shuttle pass that will take you to and from downtown; it beats trying to find parking on the narrow streets. Next, head to the museum, check out maritime exhibits and purchase tickets for a boat ride later in the day. They have multiple options to suit every day sailor’s wants.

Once you’ve made it downtown, you’ll find a multitude of independent shops, many with a nautical twist. Of note were Trove, which peddles “men’s provisions,” and Manufaktura USA, distributor and marketer of Manufaktura w Bolesławcu, lovely Polish Stoneware. As a reward for all that retail reconnaissance, it’s finally time to grab a slice at Mystic Pizza. They feature a slice of the day, but you can’t go wrong with the original. Cool off after with ice cream from small-batch makers at Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream and enjoy your cone on the promenade.

Newlyweds snapping a picture on the Mystic drawbridge.

If, after your tour of Mystic, you’re still in the mood for some waterside enjoyment, consider heading to Stamford, on the other side of the state. While the city offers all the trappings of a mid-sized metropolis, you can also kick back at one of its many beaches. Cove Island is a day park that offers a variety of recreational activities, nature center and many a seat to contemplatively stare out into the Long Island Sound.

— Kelsey Farrell, administrative coordinator