How to Celebrate Summerween in Mystic, CT: A Spooky Seaside Escape
- courtney521
- Jul 3
- 4 min read
Move over, Halloween — Summerween is here, and it’s casting a spell over the shoreline of Mystic.
With salty air, historic landmarks, and centuries of ghost stories echoing through its streets and harbors, Mystic, Connecticut, is the perfect place to embrace the eerie side of summer. Whether you’re into real hauntings, local legends, or just love a good ghost story with your ice cream cone, we’ve built the ultimate Summerween itinerary — complete with haunted dinners, waterfront views, ghost tours, and historic hideaways.
1. Walk With the Spirits — Seaside Shadows Ghost Tours
No Summerween is complete without stepping into the shadows. Join Seaside Shadows, Mystic’s original and award-winning ghost tour, for a chilling journey through the haunted heart of New England. These aren’t just stories — they’re true events drawn from local history, legend, and lore.
The Downtown Mystic Ghost Tour dives into tales of shipwrecks, heartbreak, Colonial secrets, and the spirits still said to wander the waterfront.
The Paranormal Pub Crawl and Spirits of Mystic Cocktail Crawl offer ghost stories with a side of signature cocktails and local brews at historic bars and taverns.
Looking for something more personal? We offer private tours for:
Bachelorette parties
Birthday celebrations
Corporate outings
Educational groups
Our team can curate a complete experience with dining or pub packages in collaboration with some of Mystic’s favorite local spots. Just write to us to start planning your unforgettable Summerween celebration.
2. Cross the Mystic River’s Historic Bascule Bridge
The iconic Mystic River Bascule Bridge, built in 1922, connects both sides of town while lifting for boat traffic along the river that once powered Mystic’s booming shipbuilding trade. Stroll across to soak in the views, the breeze, and perhaps a whisper from the past…
3. Honor the First Stories at the Pequot Museum
Before the shipyards and Colonial houses, this land was home to the Mashantucket Pequot people, whose legacy still shapes the region. At the Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center, guests experience Indigenous history through immersive, deeply moving exhibits that offer a richer understanding of southeastern Connecticut’s original inhabitants.
4. Explore Mystic’s History in the Graveyard
Mystic’s cemeteries hold generations of stories — not of ghosts, but of real lives, lost ships, and the legacy of a maritime village shaped by resilience and reverence.
Join our Mystic Graveyard Tour for a thoughtful and historically rich experience. Walk among the final resting places of sea captains, Revolutionary War soldiers, and prominent families whose names still echo through the streets of Mystic. You’ll learn about 19th-century burial customs, symbolism in funerary art, and how Mystic’s past is preserved through the lives etched in stone.This tour offers powerful history and a deeper connection to the souls who built this town.
5. Dine With the Departed at Daniel Packer Inn
Step back into the 1700s with a meal at the Daniel Packer Inn, a cozy Colonial tavern where candles flicker and the past lingers. Set in the former home of a sea captain and said to be haunted by a young girl named Ada, DPI is a local institution where history and hospitality meet.
6. A Sweet (and Possibly Spooky) Stop at Mystic Sweet Shop
This long-running Mystic favorite offers handcrafted ice cream and candy in a charming building with a past all its own. Over the years, guests and staff have noticed... things. But even the most ghost-averse won't skip a visit for the sweets alone.
7. Pub Crawl the Paranormal Way
Mystic’s taverns aren’t just lively — they’re legendary. Our Paranormal Pub Crawl and Spirits of Mystic Cocktail Crawl lead you through haunted bars and historic inns where something more than memory lingers.
Grab a drink at:
Friar Tuck’s Tavern – where something unseen occasionally stirs
Harp and Hound – rich with Irish tradition and Mystic folklore
Port of Call – sleek and stylish, but hiding a haunted past
Let us guide you through the stories behind the spirits — and maybe introduce you to one or two that don’t show up on the menu.
8. Visit Fort Griswold & Fort Trumbull — History That Haunts
Explore the sites of Revolutionary War battles and local resistance. Fort Griswold in Groton and Fort Trumbull in New London offer stirring lessons in American sacrifice, along with tales of soldiers who may still be standing guard. These scenic stops are perfect for history lovers and day-trippers alike.
9. Wander the Mystic Seaport Museum
The Mystic Seaport Museum houses centuries of maritime history — and the souls that sailed with it. Explore tall ships, whaling vessels, and waterfront buildings that once bustled with sailors, merchants, and those who never returned from the sea. It’s a can’t-miss stop for those drawn to nautical nostalgia and coastal legend.
10. Spend a Spooky Afternoon in Westerly, RI
Only a short ride from Mystic, Misquamicut Beach may appear sun-soaked by day, but some claim the cry of the Wailing Woman echoes through the wind. After your swim, join us for a Downtown Westerly Ghost Tour, offered weekends, and discover the haunted corners of Rhode Island’s coastal gem.
Where to Stay — From Haunted Inns to Historic Hotels
Make it a weekend to remember with a stay at one of Mystic’s top overnight options:
The Delamar Mystic Hotel – modern luxury with classic New England charm
Whitehall Mansion Inn – an 18th-century Colonial estate with stories of its own
The Whaler’s Inn – nestled in the heart of historic downtown Mystic
Hilton Mystic – comfortable and convenient near all major attractions
The 1784 Denison Homestead – a historic home turned Airbnb… with plenty of permanent guests (and not all of them book online)
Ready to Summon Your Summerween?
This summer, step out of the ordinary and into the extraordinary. Whether you’re wandering historic cemeteries, sipping cocktails with a side of ghost stories, or hearing centuries-old tales on the Mystic River, Summerween in Mystic is a spooky celebration you’ll never forget.
Comments