Our visit here started out horribly because the parking lot for the museum is across the street, so…read moreafter we parked and walked up to the corner, we pressed the crosswalk button to cross the street. Having just come in from that same direction, I was well aware that the stoplight that we initiated by pressing the crosswalk button is right around a blind curve. I made sure that the first car actually stopped before I started through the crosswalk, but just as we were almost to the other side, I heard a huge crash that shook me to my core. We turned around, still partially in the street to see that a vehicle that had come around the corner was unable to stop in time and smashed into the car that was stopped at the crosswalk. Luckily no one was injured, but the sound and the proximity and the fact that there was some sort of lingering feeling that our crossing the street caused this accident put me in a really bad headspace. We stayed out in front of the museum for a while to make sure everyone was okay and the cars were moved out of the street but there was debris everywhere and I did have to sit down at a picnic table for about 5 minutes to calm down. All that being said, we actually enjoyed this Museum quite a bit once we got past what had happened. We have visited multiple Maritime museums in the last month and I can honestly say this was probably the best one. If you're at all interested in Maritime history, or just history even, sailing or boat craftsmanship, anything like that really, you will enjoy your visit here. This is not really a museum in the traditional sense. It's kind of like walking through a village in time. You can wander through historic buildings and watch live demonstrations of traditional skills like blacksmithing or rope making or sail stitching. Don't be afraid to go inside the buildings and interact with the employees. The immersive parts of this Museum are the best because they help you to feel like you're really experiencing what it was like instead of just reading about it. I think my favorite part was getting too board and tour a historical boat that was moored in the river. I don't recall what it is named, but you can board and walk around and even go down below deck. You can really get a feel for what life was like on one of these boats. I'm 5'7 and I had to duck the entire time. The beds were so tiny it was as if they were for children. It's crazy to think of grown men being packed down there like sardines. We also enjoyed checking out the lighthouse. They show a little movie inside but you can't actually go up. That was a quick stop and a little photo op but fun nevertheless. We ended up spending a lot longer here than we had anticipated because we really enjoyed the demonstrations and the historical feel of it all. It was dog friendly which is important to us but we also found a little reading room and a nice playground area so I know it would be great for children as well. Even after such a rocky start, I was really glad that we visited here and I highly recommend a stop if you can. Plan to spend at least a couple of hours here and wear comfortable shoes because the ground is gravelly and you will cover more of it than you think.

Mystic Seaport continues to be one of the most thoughtfully run and genuinely enjoyable attractions…read morein New England. Every visit feels like stepping into a living, breathing piece of history, and the amount of effort that goes into maintaining that experience is impossible to miss. The staffing is exceptional. Everyone--from the interpreters in period dress to the shipyard craftsmen to the folks running the exhibits--brings an energy that makes the place feel alive. They're knowledgeable without being overwhelming, friendly without being scripted, and clearly passionate about what they do. It's rare to find a team that consistently elevates an entire visit, but Mystic Seaport pulls it off. The shops are charming and well-curated, offering everything from nautical gifts to handcrafted items to books you won't find anywhere else. They strike a great balance between being tourist-friendly and genuinely interesting, and it's easy to lose track of time browsing. As for the overall experience, it's simply entertaining from start to finish. Whether you're wandering through the recreated 19th‑century village, stepping aboard historic vessels, watching demonstrations, or exploring the rotating exhibits, there's always something engaging to see or do. It's the kind of place where you can spend hours without realizing it, and every corner feels like it has a story waiting to be discovered. Mystic Seaport remains a standout destination--beautifully maintained, thoughtfully staffed, and endlessly enjoyable. A true 5‑star experience. Enjoy

Had free day and chance to utilize MPMRC membership for a wampum history and bracelet making event…read more Event was great to see the Gifts of the Ocean exhibit, discuss wampum history with Matthew Pina and then also make a bracelet within the art room at KTJ. Overall great experience and would recommend some of the classes for anyone interested to have a little artistic fun while here in Mystic!

Admission was free, and it was a great space to see pieces from both local artists and ones they…read morehad in residence. The gift shop was also a good place to purchase locally made items!

Great programs for adults and kiddos! Beautiful trails and friendly staff. We've love it here.read more

Great place for kids and hikers. Educational and great summer camp activities. Wonderful preschoolread more

A great fun little place. The musuem itself only takes about 30-45 minutes to do if you skip the…read moremovie, but there's a lot of information in such a small space. Best of all, its free. A great time just looking and browsing and there's a couple interactive things too. Historians, scholars, really just about anyone can enjoy this spot. Plenty of parking, and located near the Navy Subase. A great way to spend a morning.

One of the few freebies you'll find in and around Mystic CT!…read moreHowever, Donations are suggested. You get to see the insides of naval ships without banging your shins or head on the bulkheads. There is a replica of the Turtle, from the Revolution. Imagine being in a large keg practically blind and deaf. Slowly moving forward to ram a mine into a ship and get away safely. You can be as immersive as you wish. There are people who can answer questions. Without sounding like every other review, I'll stop here. Go visit and see for yourself.

Mrs. K. and I were not interested in actually going inside the museum or in climbing to the top of…read morethis lighthouse. But wow, we were very interested in seeing, walking around it, enjoying the view of the Sound that you can see from here. This structure was built in 1840 to replace an earlier one from 1823 that succumbed to shoreline erosion, it was crafted from large granite blocks, some salvaged from its predecessor. The tower itself is octagonal and 35 feet tall, attached to a 1 1/2 story keeper's house. Initially lit by an oil lamp and eight parabolic reflectors, it was upgraded to a sixth-order Fresnel lens in 1856 - a leap forward in lighthouse technology. But by 1889, its light was extinguished, replaced by newer beacons on the harbor breakwaters. Its second life began in 1925, when the Stonington Historical Society purchased it for $3,650 and transformed it into what's believed to be the nation's first lighthouse museum. Since then, it's become a repository of local maritime and agricultural history, with exhibits ranging from sea captains' treasures to artifacts from the British bombardment of 1814, including a cannonball embedded in a hearthstone and a rare Congreve rocket. The museum doesn't have its own parking lot but you can park nearby if it's not too busy. Stonington Point and the Dubois Beach have a small lot and it's nice there. If you're passing by on I-95, this is only 20 minutes off the highway. Take the time to detour and check this out. Even if it's not season and the museum is closed, walking around is free. [Review 1071 of 2025 - 124 in Connecticut - 24625 overall]

Very nice small, local museum. Exhibits are varied. War, slavery, whaling, local life. Three rooms…read moreon ground floor, one small upper space that is under renovation and the tower. During our visit the fresnel lens was in a crate on the 2nd level. The staircase to the light housing is narrow and two-way. The ladder to the top is sturdy but takes a bit of maneuvering to get on the platform. Area holds ~ four people and is quite warm. The one employee answered our many questions. They offer senior, first responder and veteran discounts on entry. The museum is air conditioned. A good stop while in the area.

Always learning something new at the MPMRC! Came in for "The Art of Storytelling" which was a great…read moreexperience with one of the amazing educators as she told two stories at the gathering place. Once finished had plenty of time to view the exhibits, watch the educational movies and explore the museum in its entirety. If you are ever in the area, ensure to stop in for a visit!

I had a great experience at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center. The museum does an…read moreexcellent job presenting the history and culture of the Pequot people through detailed exhibits, artifacts, couple of films, and interactive displays. I especially enjoyed learning about the region's Native American history and how thoughtfully the exhibits were organized. I will say that I did find myself walking through some parts more than once - it could just be me not being able to find my way around easily, but I didn't find it easy or intuitive to navigate. The Pequot village was definitely my favorite part. Walking through the recreated village felt immersive and realistic, and it really brought the history to life in a meaningful way - especially listening to the audio guide. The attention to detail made it easy to imagine what daily life may have been like centuries ago. Overall, it was an educational and memorable visit -- 4 out of 5 stars!

Wow- Molly gave us the best tour of this house that really brings you back in time. It's a great…read morething to do if you are in the area.

This famous house museum is a must see in the area. Wonderful reenactments, a view of the harbor,…read moreand a house that feels like it was left untouched after the original owners left it. Because it is a "living" house museum, everything looks like it was recently used which makes the place really come alive. The staff here are dedicated to their work and it adds the finishing touches on an already incredible experience. Fun fact - did you know there were over 10 different types of spoons used at a typical dinner service?

Hidden gem and a nice walk down a private road surrounded by a much of homes I probably won't be…read moreable to afford until I'm in my 60s. Makes you feel really poor alright. You can also see Taylor Swift's mansion from the lighthouse. The views are phenomenal and there's also a really nice lawn area to just lay down and hang out.

Some lighthouses are super convenient. Some are not. This one falls into the latter category as…read moreit's a pretty good 20 minutes from where US-1 passes through Westerly. Lighthouses are on the coast, of course. And this one is on a small spit of land that juts out a bit into the Block Island Sound. There has been a lighthouse here since 1745 that goes back to the Rhode Island colonial government. The original structure was destroyed by a storm in 1781 and was replaced at least once. The current structure was completed in 1856. There is no vehicle access to the lighthouse other than those with handicapped placards. You'll need to find parking near Watch Hill Beach and walk down. It's an easy and pleasant walk. [Review 18662 overall - 81 in Rhode Island - 2184 of 2022.]

Wonderful smaller musuem; you can see just about everything in a few hours. I took advantage of a…read morerainy morning while my friend ran errands to check out a couple of the exhibits here. DON'T miss the Tiffany exhibit, some great pieces of his glass AND paintings, and very interesting family history as well. My plan was to see the Tiffany works, but the wonderful surprise (to me...) was the "Exquisite Miniatures by Wes and Rachelle Siegrist" exhibit showcasing the EXTREMELY detailed works this talented couple and their AMAZING, tiny still lifes, landscapes, and just about everything in the tiniest detail. VERY interesting!! Great diversity of offerings for a smaller/mid-size museum. Thought I could see "everything" in a couple of hours, but ran out of time and will have to plan a return visit. Beautiful building, well-laid out exhibits, friendly staff... VERY worthwhile to visit if you're in the area!!

A great museum able to see all in a couple of hours Many…read morefriendly hosts September is a great time to visit