The Most Haunted Places in Mystic Locals Swear By

Mystic, Connecticut is celebrated for its charming Mystic River views, bustling drawbridge, and vibrant dining scene. But after dark, this riverside town reveals a side shaped by centuries of conflict, industry, and seafaring legend. Civil War soldiers, Revolutionary patriots, sea captains, and townsfolk seem to linger along the Mystic River, in its taverns, and throughout downtown.

At Seaside Shadows Haunted History Tours — Mystic’s original ghost tour, founded in 2013 by historian & author Courtney McInvale — we’ve spent over a decade uncovering and sharing these stories. Courtney’s bestselling book Haunted Mystic was the first to bring many of the town’s most enduring ghostly legends to light. She has also shared Mystic’s stories on national programs including Portals to Hell with Jack Osbourne, the Ghost Adventures Conjuring House episode, and Beyond Belief with George Noory, as well as multiple appearances on Coast to Coast AM.

Our tours have been recognized time and again — ranked #3 Best Ghost Tour in the Nation by USA TODAY, named Best Ghost Tour in New England by Yankee Magazine, and honored as Best Ghost Tour in Connecticut by Connecticut Magazine. For eight straight years, we’ve also received Tripadvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Award, placing Seaside Shadows among the top 10% of attractions worldwide. Recently, CT Public spotlighted us as the ghost tour Nutmeggers themselves recommend.

Here are some of the places where Mystic’s haunted history comes alive.

1. Port of Call — Civil War Spirits Along the Mystic River

Mystic thrived as a shipbuilding hub during the Civil War, and Port of Call sits at the heart of that storied riverfront. The restaurant celebrates Mystic’s maritime traditions, but the echoes of the 1800s are everywhere. Sailors who never returned from sea, captains who lost their ships, and townsfolk tied to the river’s fortunes are said to still make their presence felt. With refined dining paired against a backdrop of restless spirits, Port of Call embodies Mystic’s blend of past and present.

2. Captain Daniel Packer Inne — From Revolution to Civil War

Since the late 1700s, the Captain Daniel Packer Inne has been a cornerstone of Mystic life, witnessing both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. Soldiers, sailors, and townspeople alike have passed through its rooms, leaving stories behind. Guests today often recount encounters with a little girl’s ghost — affectionately known as the “giggling spirit” — who seems to linger by the fireplace. This fan favorite combines hearty meals with a brush of the supernatural, making it one of Mystic’s most atmospheric stops.

3. Friar Tuck’s Tavern — Industrial Revolution Echoes

The 19th century brought the Industrial Revolution to Mystic, transforming the Mystic River area into a hub of manufacturing and trade. Friar Tuck’s Tavern, a lively gathering spot today, has walls that stood through those years of rapid change. Patrons enjoy the camaraderie and food, but whispers of former workers and townsfolk remind us that Mystic’s industrial past still resonates. It’s a place where history hums beneath the clinking of glasses.

4. Mystic River Bascule Bridge — Guardians of the Waterway

One of Mystic’s most recognizable landmarks, the Mystic River Bascule Bridge has risen and lowered daily since 1922. Yet its story stretches far beyond its century of service. The bridge stands on ground where generations of ship captains and sailors gathered, shaping the town’s maritime identity. Locals say the groaning gears aren’t the only sounds heard here — some believe the spirits of long-departed captains still guard the river’s passage. By day an engineering marvel, by night a sentinel of Mystic’s haunted past.

5. Mystic’s Colonial Burying Grounds — Silent Witnesses

Mystic’s colonial burying grounds, dating back to the 1600s, hold the earliest settlers, sea captains, and families of the town. These sacred spaces have borne witness to war, epidemics, and everyday life across centuries. Weathered stones and silent landscapes remind us of the lives that built Mystic and the stories that endure. Visiting these grounds with Seaside Shadows offers a chance to honor history while reflecting on the presence of those who came before.

Why Locals Choose Seaside Shadows

• Authentic & Original: Mystic’s first ghost tour, founded by historian & author Courtney McInvale.

• Published Authority: Based on the bestselling book Haunted Mystic, which first chronicled Mystic’s ghostly legends.

• National & Regional Recognition:

  • #3 Best Ghost Tour in the Nation (USA TODAY 10Best).

  • Best Ghost Tour in New England (Yankee Magazine).

  • Best Ghost Tour in Connecticut (Connecticut Magazine).

• Traveler Trust: Tripadvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Award for 8 consecutive years — placing Seaside Shadows in the top 10% of attractions worldwide.

• National Media Appearances: Courtney McInvale has appeared on Portals to Hell with Jack Osbourne, Ghost Adventures (Conjuring House), Beyond Belief with George Noory, and multiple Coast to Coast AM interviews.

• Local Favorite: Featured by CT Public as the ghost tour Nutmeggers choose.

• Rich Storytelling: True history interwoven with folklore and legend, researched and presented with care.

  
  

Conclusion

Mystic is more than a postcard-perfect New England town. Its taverns, bridge, riverfront, and colonial grounds all tell stories that stretch from the Revolutionary era to the Industrial Age. With every step, you’ll uncover the lives, struggles, and spirits that shaped this historic riverside community.

Experience these stories first-hand on a Seaside Shadows Haunted History Tour. Whether you’re drawn by the Civil War spirits at Port of Call, the giggling ghost at the Daniel Packer Inne, or the echoes of sea captains by the Mystic River bridge, you’ll see why Mystic is truly one of New England’s most haunted towns — and why Seaside Shadows has become one of the most awarded and recognized ghost tours in the country.

Book Your Mystic Ghost Tour Today