I was visiting family in CT and they wanted to bring me here. Upon entrance, staff were very friendly and helpful with schedules and must sees. I immediately noticed a newfoundland safety rescue presentation and couldn't miss it. There were at least 10 dogs set up for various rescue scenes. It was interactive for children and a sight for dog lovers. Pets and slobber came free. The village experience was interesting, the ship tour and interactive chant/rope pull was also fun to watch. Food was delectable even if water just couldn't stay cold in the heat. We missed the boat ride by a couple minutes so caught the newfoundland show again (not the least bit mad). I'm a little old for a late night Lego movie, but the set up would be perfect for children! I can't wait to go back with the younger kids in our family. read more

Dear Yelp, Haven't visited here since I was a kid. Came here for the day, had no clue it was the wooden boat show weekend. $40 for adult tickets, $25 kids under 12. While the ticket prices are steep, everything is preserved amazingly well. We spent two hours there and could have definitely spent more if it wasn't so humid. Would love to return if ever in the area again. Love, Nicole read more

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Mystic Seaport continues to be one of the most thoughtfully run and genuinely enjoyable attractions in 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 read more

Mystic Seaport Museum - Museums Near Me - Mystic, Connecticut

It's something this Iowa raised girl, living in the PNW has never seen, right?! Absolutely charming and historic village, and such a cool way to spend a day. My Hubby grew up in Connecticut, and apparently came here on half a dozen school field trips, but hadn't been here in over 40 years. While a lot of the attractions were not in operation during our early May visit, there were still a ton of things to see and read about, including a really neat Lego exhibition that we caught the tail end of before it moves on. I would love to come back again, some day. read more

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Our visit here started out horribly because the parking lot for the museum is across the street, so after 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. read more

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We had a good time at the museum and the village. Got a lot of steps in ! The old ships and restored old buildings were very cool. I was a bit taken back by $35 ticket price ( x4 was $140) The folks were very friendly and informative especially learning about whale hunting back in the day and how they did it. Could def spend 2-3 hours here Fun for kids and adults read more

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Mystic Seaport is a maritime museum, the largest in the US. It was founded in 1929 and is on 19 acres nestled right on the Mystic River. There is a historic village and ships right on the water. These buildings were restored and they recreated a seafaring village; they did a great job with that. I felt like I was walking back in time. We enjoyed walking into the old homes and church. There was one converted into a children's museum. The Charles W. Morgan whaling ship is located there. It's a wooden ship built in 1841. We were able to walk in it; it's so cool to see all the living quarters and what life was like as a fisherman. There were other ships and a planetarium too. It's definitely a full day thing. I definitely recommend a visit if you're into history! read more

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This is probably one of the BEST museums I have ever been to, both for the price point and things you get to see/do! The museum itself is huge, you could spend the whole day here! The way part of the museum is set up is like an actual village back in the day. They have some historical buildings that have been there since the 1800s as well as some newer modeled ones to mimic life in the 1800s. Some of the buildings still do traditional activities like ink pressing, cooking, and carpentry. There are also many ships you can board. I cannot recommend this place enough. Great for kids and adults. Note: free parking across the street and this museum is part of the Museums for All program. read more

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I can't believe I've lived here 13 years and this was my first time visiting. I wanted to view the lighted boat parade from here and it was a win win, because I got great views of the parade as well as got to walk around and check out the ships and buildings. The bathrooms are very clean here, which was much appreciated. I'll def have to come back to explore more later. read more

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This is one of the more impressive museums that I've ever been to based on sheer size alone. People aren't lying when they say you can spend an entire day roaming around the grounds here. There is literally so much to do and see. They have a ton of stuff for kids, so if you're bringing little ones this isn't some dry and straightforward museum where they will lose interest. There's a small children's museum with plenty of toys and a playground for them to use and get their energy out. Honestly there's almost so much here that I feel like a review can't really do it justice. This is one of those places you must truly experience for yourself. It is a must visit when in the Mystic area. read more

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We sailed in to CT and visited the Mystic Seaport Museum. If you are a boating enthusiast, this is a great place to spend an afternoon as well as support the efforts of restoring all these history of ship building. Your best value is to talk to as many volunteers as possible as they have the most information. read more

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This museum was on our itinerary on our New England fall foliage organized motor coach tour recently. It's a maritime museum. There are vessels old and new. It's laid out the same way. You start off in what feels like a fishing village. Then later there are modern structures housing artifacts small and large. Onsite is the Charles W Morgan, the last American whaling ship. You can go onboard. We were enthusiastic as we began walking. Then after awhile we got tired and started skipping stops. Some shops were opened. The people inside each are dressed to the period. We went into the print shop and the ship smith shop. Both did demonstrations. The most interesting building was the one that contained ship figureheads. Picture the Titanic. We wrapped up our visit with a stop in the gift shop. read more

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Halloween Event Review: What Lurks Beneath (2024) First time at the Mystic Seaport Museum. The easiest way to to describe it- it's like Old Sturbridge Village. Spacious (to fully enjoy the museums there is a lot of ground to cover- wear comfy shoes.) There are lots of little houses and buildings on the premises and each one had something featured inside. Ex. One house was doing a funeral meal demonstration, one was a little chapel, etc... It was well lit up and a lot to do. There was a small area of lawn games. There was an outdoor play area where kids could run around on a tugboat playground. Newer museum buildings had their regular exhibits open with specials going on for the night such as arts and crafts. A tavern was open, crafting adult beverages. The ship was open to explore (with a few characters waiting for you...) Also a 12+ little 'tour' that was geared to be a little creepy. Tips: 1. The 12+ 'Creepy' tour you must sign up for a time slot. I would suggest doing this ASAP as by the time we got there they were going to make us return in an hour! (Also, It wasn't really creepy- some and 9 and 10 year old could definitely handle it.) 2. The Tavern had no listing outside about what was served except for the food. It was a tight space to get in and out of. If you enter it is crowded and very small. They were doing cider and adult drinks. 3. If you have small children and boarding the boat- actors are there to scare you. Also, duck! The bottom of the bottom has very low ceilings! 4. I would really suggest this being geared for kids 6+ years old read more

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I had been to the area before but wasn't able to visit the seaport until til today. What's an absolutely beautiful place! The entire property is so nice! Wonderful exhibits, some interactive. Walk around at your leisure to stop at the exhibits that interest you. It's a large property so have your walking shoes on! There is also a schedule posted on things that are happening that day. I learned a lot today! read more

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Very cool educational experience, lots of walking. The crushed shells underfoot add a certain ambiance but can be tiresome to walk on; anyone unsteady on their feet will need to take care. The indoor exhibit at the entrance was super interesting, and the ships themselves were an exciting challenge to explore. We could have spent the whole day for sure, there was so much to see. read more

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I visited the Mystic Seaport Museum over the Fourth of July weekend, and I was so impressed by it! Why? It's a maritime museum - the largest in the country, but it's also a history seaport village consisting of more than 60 historic buildings. The historic seaport village was the highlight for me - I loved wandering around the village and into many of the buildings (a print shop, a chapel, a drugstore, a general store, a meeting house, homes, and more) - but I also really enjoyed walking around the preservation shipyard, where you can see several vessels being preserved and renovated. Then there are additional exhibits (one exhibit when we visited - "Monstrous: Whaling and Its Colossal Impact" was really interesting) in various galleries. And there's more - at the museum, you also have several opportunities to get out on the water. You can take a take a narrated cruise or rent a rowboat, sailboat, or pedal boat (included in the price of admission). There's so much to do and see at the museum. You really could spend hours here (there are restaurants and a tavern - we didn't eat but I did have a frozen lemonade since it was a warm day)! It's unique and special and most definitely worth a visit if you're in Mystic for a day or two! read more

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We could've spent all day here! We went with our family and our 3 kids (age range 2-6 y/o) who enjoyed going ins and out of the different displays and houses. The big hits were the cooking demonstration, the adorable Children's museum, the nautical themed playground and climbing aboard and exploring the whale ship! We packed kids lunches, but adults enjoyed the delicious clam chowder from the cafe ! We also got to enjoy the 15-20 min "Zoo in the sky" kids show at planetarium which was perfect amount of time for the kids! read more

This place is huge and you and your family can definitely spend the entire day here. Plenty of activates and learning going on here.

I would give this museum a 3.75 star rating which is why I am rounding up to a 4. We visited in early June and it was VERY busy with schools and senior groups on a random weekday. Several exhibits were closed since it was a monday which was a bummer- looks like more are open on weekdays. Additionally there was few air conditioned areas for the sweltering heat. Overall this museum was cool- I wish the entrances were more clear on which side you should start at since there are two places and multiple parking lots. The exhibits were neat and we especially like the yard with the ships they were working on rehabbing. And the reenactments in some of the old buildings was cool- but similar to some other museums we have visited in the past. We were able to get a slight discount with our AAA membership but the price was still a little bit steep in our opinion. I believe it was about $20 pp. read more

From our hotel, we had a nice, scenic walk along the Mystic River to this indoor-outdoor museum. It was so worth it! We learned a lot about life in Mystic back in the days when it was a principal whaling port. Among the things we did was explore the many shops, including those which made navigational instruments, and printing shops. Those two shops had hosts which gave a detailed description of these crafts. A highlight was boarding a whaling ship, and actually boarding this ship. Nearby was a museum which displayed tools and hunting gear which whalers used to hunt whales. Videos describing the whaling adventures were at multiple locations, including this museum. Also very interesting were touring the shops where many of these ships were being restored. A full replication of the Mayflower, called the "Mayflower 2" was proudly exhibited outdoors, and clearly visible from our river walk. A must visit for those touring Mystic! read more

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A very fascinating, engaging experience for every age! The ability to explore historic ships and watching boat craft demonstrations, and learning about Connecticut's maritime history is something to appreciate then and now! read more

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There's a lot to see here, but definitely doable in a day. The volunteers are very friendly and knowledgeable. If there were more volunteers, it might make the experience better. It was a little slow at times. The planetarium show is an extra $8 per person. The staff was very nice, but the show itself was a little lackluster. There is a separate museum of the fire engine boat which is really cool. The volunteers there are very friendly and spend a lot of time with you. Overall, a fun experience for adults and/or adults with children. read more

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Wow what a thoroughly enjoyable day. Get immersed in all that is boat history and old Mystic. The 19 acre park features indoor and outdoor exhibits. Family oriented but also great for adults. There are docents available in many of the buildings. There are several ships you can climb aboard and see and touch history. The last remaining wooden whaling boat is there too. Plan to spend at least several Hours there. There is food and drink available for sale. read more

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An absolutely amazing museum, if you can even call it that. It's a recreation of an old seaport from the 19th century with original buildings that have been beautifully restored! Each site has a different theme and some beautiful exhibits. Everyone who works there is very passionate about their job and is very knowledgeable about the craft that they are associated with in the village. If you are staying in Mystic this is a must! They even have a ferry you can take to the seaport, and a rental shop for paddle boats and sailboats if you are experienced. read more

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It has been some time since visiting the Mystic Seaport museum so I went specifically to see the SARGENT, WHISTLER, AND VENETIAN GLASS: AMERICAN ARTISTS AND THE MAGIC OF MURANO exhibition. The museum is in a cool looking building, modern and ship like with curved wood and beams. THE MUSEUM is set up nicely with good lighting and changing exhibits to enhance the cultural value. The seaport has some great ships and historical factors that are interesting to see. It was a windy winter day and cold on the coast so my seaport visit was pretty quick. Summertime or warmer weather would make walking around the seaport much more enjoyable. read more

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Ship Ahoy! If you are looking for history, as to how ships were made in great detail, this museum is for you. Stretching for around 1/2 a mile in length, it features numerous ships you can tour, and you can even sign up and take a trip on one or two of them, depending on the weather and availability. You want to know how masts are made? They have it. How the hoops which held the sail in place were made? They have it. How the sails were made? Yes, they have that. How each part of the ship was made by hand before machine tools? Yes, they have that too. Tips: Wear comfortable shoes. You'll need them. This includes a lot of walking and effort. The ships are accessed by stairs, with some accommodations available for those who are not able. They have water fountains, bring a bottle. There are several restaurants available to eat at. The food is generally good. If you are into sea history, whaling, fishing, oysters, clams, or any of the above and more this place is for you. read more

we loved the seaport museum- it had so much to offer both indoors and outside. staff were friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable on each of their areas of work. this museum combines art, history, and culture in such interesting ways. we each were able to appreciate various aspects of the museum. we also LOVED the reindeer and Newfoundland dogs that we met through the meet and greet :) read more

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What a great museum. It is in essence akin to Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, MA, but for maritime living. There is so much to see and the history is fascinating. Going on to some of the ships is pretty cool. I can't imagine how arduous whaling was for the folks who did that back then. The volunteers are very knowledgeable and friendly. It is definitely worth a visit. read more

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A great way to spend a half day in Mystic. The 19 acre property is great for history buffs and families. Besides the Charles W. Morgan ship, there are presentations and activities throughout the day. All of the staff and volunteers were friendly, informative and helpful. I'm glad I went. It was fun and informative, although I don't think I would go again as it's kind of one of those, been there done that, sort of places. read more

Mystic Seaport Museum - Go see the Charles W. Morgan - Museums Near Me - Mystic, Connecticut

Mystic Seaport Museum is awesome! So many hands-on and interactive exhibits, you can even get out on the water yourself. They have recently expanded their dining options and in the little preserved whaling town, there's a tavern! Museum grounds are dog friendly. We used their marina services twice and this is one of my favorite marinas. Staff is attentive and kind. You get access to the grounds after hours and have access to come back if you go into town (which is a short walk away). The boater facilities are great with many hot showers, work space, lounge and free laundry!!! read more

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Amazing! From the village to the ships, everything was well-laid out and intuitive. The exhibits on the whaling and shipping industries were eye-opening. Very thankful to have spent the day here. read more

I haven't visited Mystic Seaport in a long time, and was very happy to return. There is so much to see and do here which is why you can return using your guest pass (which I think is good for up to a week). What can you do here, you ask? Seaport Village A recreated 19th century village transports you back in time to a New England maritime venue with buildings, shops, worker's shacks, a school, chapel and much more. Make sure you stop by to check out the great ship models, many of which are functional. The club that builds these were operating several boat models during our visit. Shipyard This is a fully working shipyard where you can see how new ships are made, and old ships restored. Climb up to the visitors gallery to get a dramatic view of the entire operation. The shipyard operates mainly during the week. Ships Check out the many vessels here, some of which can be boarded: Charles W. Morgan (the last wooden Whaling Ship in the world) Joseph Conrad Full Rigged Ship Kingston II Tugboat Gerda III Lighthouse Tender And many more... Events & Exhibits There are many events and exhibits, I particularly enjoyed the Mystic River Scale Model, impressive in both size and detail. You could easily spend a couple of days here, there is also a playground for the little ones, and a restaurant, though we didn't try that. Tickets are $19 to $23 for children, $27 for adults and $25 for seniors. read more

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The Mystic Seaport Museum is the largest maritime museum in the United States. It has a large collection of sailing ships and a replica of a 19th-century seamen's village. The museum was established in 1929 as the "Marine Historical Association". Its fame came with the acquisition of the Charles W. Morgan in 1941, the only surviving wooden sailing whaler. The Seaport was one of the first living history museums in the United States, with a collection of buildings and craftsmen to show how people lived; it now receives about 250,000 visitors each year. It provides a great chance for young and old to learn about the ships and the villages that once dotted the Atlantic coast of the USA in the early centuries of our country. read more

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We visited the museum on a recent visit to Mystic and all I can say is Wow. Pulling up to the museum, we found parking in the lot across the street and looking at the building we figured we would be done in a few hours. We couldn't have been more wrong. The Mystic Seaport Museum is incredible and plan on spending an entire day. There are exhibits scattered in different buildings on the property, a few films, a history on the whaling industry and coming soon was a glass exhibit that we didn't get to see. There are ships to board, and so many out buildings to explore that tells the history of the area and everything to do with the shipping industry and history of it all. You will find so many fun activities for kids, hands on exhibits, and several different eateries on the property. This gem is well worth the ticket price, and we are still talking about how much fun we had. read more

Mystic Seaport Museum - Front of the entrance, don't let the building fool you, it is a window into an incredible museum and exhibits. - Museums Near Me - Mystic, Connecticut

Great educational experience at the Mystic seaport! Ships looks like pirate ships and I just loved how you could go on those ships and learn how they used to live. Each building was kept like it was back in the day. Some had staff in there reinacting how it used to be and also answered any questions you had. Everyone was friendly and welcoming. Too bad that day it was raining and we missed the opportunity to go on a boat ride, which was included in the ticket price. But due to the bad weather, all boat rides were cancelled. Despite this, we stilll had fun and enjoyed the view. Great time with just a special someone or with the whole family. read more

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Cool stop if you have never seen a seaport village. Liked their boathouse on display. Didn't like the observatory hard to stay awake during the presentation. Don't like the misleading signs about paying for parking. Parking is free. Don't pay. read more

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This was our first planned stop on a two-week road trip all throughout New England after renting a car at the airport and getting a few hours away from the city. We knew there were going to be a lot of historical sites along this trip but with only so much time to enjoy them and a big agenda, we had to narrow it down to the essentials and I'm happy to say the Mystic Seaport was a great choice. We arrived in the rain and it was raining. most of the day during our visit, but we didn't let that stop us. Though some of the things to see are indeed outside, if you're strategic you can bounce from shop to shop or house to house and enjoy it. We started by viewing the ships, and that was the rainiest part of the journey. We loved being able to get on board and see them, but made it a quicker part of the day because of the weather. Then we explored the buildings. I really loved how this was laid out, with a different interest or profession represented in each building. Some were just open to peruse, but others (marked with a flag) had volunteers or others inside who were actually there giving live demonstrations. Blacksmiths, coopers, carvers--I was pretty blown away by the talent and dedication and fascinated by everyone. The highlight for me was a quiet little garden behind the home with the kitchen in it, and then passing from a rainy day into the warm home, especially down into the room with the hearth where a lovely woman was making some bread. It was like being transported to a rainy day hundreds of years ago, and coming in to a warm and happy house with fantastic smells and cheery food. Sometimes even today I close my eyes and remember it. I'm happier knowing that a place like that exists. We bit the bullet and just decided to eat at the small cafe there. It is, you know, museum cafe. Totally serviceable, and though we're not drinkers I think that's part of the allure. We had a lovely small and spendy meal there but the real magic was again the warmth and sitting by a window looking out onto all of these historic buildings while spooning up hot chowder. It was a great stop and a keen choice for history and culture of early New England. read more

This is more than a museum - this is an immersive experience like Sturbridge Village and Plimoth and Pawtucket (Plantation) Museum. One great thing is you can return with your receipt within a week for a second entry. read more

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My husband and I took 4 of our 5 kids here (ages 14 to 25), and spent a week in the Mystic Seaport area. We only allowed two days for the Mystic Seaport museum site, but I could have spent more time there. We went June 30 and July 1st, and it wasn't at all crowded. I enjoyed every live activity that we attended. The reenactments/demonstrations of how a whaling vessel worked gave me a greater appreciation for how difficult that life must have been. I enjoyed seeing the many exhibits and talking to staff at each site who explained much of how things worked back in the 1800s at the Seaport. Loved the chanty songs while they reenacted various activities. It's a great place to visit for anyone with the slightest bit of interest in history or how things work. My mechanical engineer adult child enjoyed the details of how things work, as did my metal/leather/wood-working son, while this was a 2nd trip for my oldest daughter who liked it so much she convinced us to come as a family. My stand-out surprise favorite activity though was the Planetarium. JP gave the BEST presentation, and I've been to a LOT of planetarium shows. I always enjoy trying to get a better grasp of the constellations and stars, but I walked away feeling like I FINALLY got it. It was such a great show on the 30th, that I brought 4 of my other 5 family members to the show the next day, and we ended up going to two of his shows that day - they were that good! Definitely find time for the Planetarium on site. The rope room was so impressive, the cooper was a wealth of knowledge and interesting facts, and make time to visit the printing house too - I loved hearing all of the expressions that are based on printing press related facts. Also, save time to try barrel rolling as fast as you can - amazing how well balanced they are, and how easily they can get away from you. I wish the whole family had tried that event. Such a wonderful museum/park/center, 19 acres of cool history and knowledgeable, engaging staff. Check it all out! Definitely worth the spend. read more

On the expensive side, but a beautiful historic learning center/site filled with reenactment opportunities and buildings/boats to visit. read more

Mystic Seaport Museum - Museums Near Me - Mystic, Connecticut