Mystic is a village which is part of both Groton and Stonington. It’s a lovely seaport town with a great main street filled with shops and restaurants and the Seaport Museum.
While I went to see how it was decorated for the holiday, I was fortunate enough to arrive as the Mystic bridge began to rise and the Peacemaker Tall Ship approached.
The village stopped in its tracks as those in cars, on bikes, walking or jogging took out their cameras and cells to watch the grandiosity of the Peacemaker stretched beyond the now vertical bridge.
A Bascule bridge is a bridge that uses a counterweight to balance to open and close. The Mystic bascule bridge built in 1922 uses cement counterweights on Main Street connecting the Groton and Stonington sides of the area. All it’s parts are fully exposed which makes it particularly fun to watch.
The Main Street is filled with unique and local shopping options encouraging you to browse safely and masked.
On my December evening it was a balmy 55 and I fortunately chose S&P Oyster to have a bite and watch the sunset colors of the sky over the bridge with the Mystic Christmas tree beyond. I paused and appreciated the opportunity. I thoroughly enjoyed the ambiance of the firepit patio, a good red wine and a salad with pan seared scallops. The staff was welcoming, accommodating and covid compliant. Music was also playing and we were all together excited by this December evening.
You can also take a brief ride over to Olde Mystic village which has a bountiful set of holiday lights to encourage shopping. Please Note: I saw the beautiful lights from the road but this venue was quite crowded so I chose not to go see it for that reason.
As I quickly write I see an expected similar day today, December 13th 2020, and hope to encourage and suggest others have such a wonderful holiday experience.
Below link is to a Mystic Seaport Holiday Event – Lantern Lights Village with which I would recommend coupling your holiday stroll in Mystic.
https://btographytravels.com/2020/12/12/ct-new-london-county-mystic-seaport-museum-event/
Pivot and Pause in New England 