The nation’s leading maritime museum, Mystic Seaport Museum was founded in 1929 to gather and preserve the rapidly disappearing artifacts of America’s seafaring past. It features large indoor and outdoor spaces, including ships and an entire village, that you can spend hours exploring. Buy tickets for a river cruise around Mystic on the Sabino, a historic vessel built in 1908, which departs from Downtown Mystic.

One of only two U.S. facilities holding Steller sea lions and home of the only beluga whales in New England. And, you know, adorable penguins.

USA Today Readers' Choice #1 Casino Hotel in the U.S. for 6 years running. Situated on 185 acres of sovereign tribal land along the Thames River, Mohegan Sun is home to two unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, two world-class spas, a golf course, over 70 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena.

Per Condé Nast, "an iconic, indispensable part of the Watch Hill community, and ever since the 2010 reboot, it has become a hub for locals and weekenders alike. Having a drink on the lawn is something like a rite of passage for any New England summer, so you're as likely to see a group of college graduates giggling over gin and tonics as you are a multi-generational group making memories."

Choose from 2 tours: Classic Lighthouse Cruise and Lights & Sights Cruise. All cruises depart at 12:30pm. Reservations strongly recommended.

This recreated 18th-century New England village offers a refreshing change from shopping malls as we know them. Browse or buy in the more than 60 small shops or dine in one of this charming setting's many eateries.

Take one or both tours in combination for a delightful sightseeing excursion through some of the most scenic areas of Connecticut: scenic train ride in restored railroad cars pulled by a coal-fired locomotive and a ride up the Connecticut River by riverboat.

The largest lobster rolls in the world? Probably. As seen on Food Network's FoodNation with Bobby Flay, their rolls come in 3 sizes:

-Famous (1/4 pound of lobster)

-OMG (1/2 pound of lobster)

-LOL (1 pound of lobster)

Yes, they use fresh Connecticut milk to make artisan cheeses, but they also use these skills to make fancy grilled cheese (as seen in the picture).

Yes! Actually filmed here. The 1988 movie that put Julia Roberts on the map and allowed her to land the lead role in Pretty Woman just so happens to have been named after and filmed at the real Mystic Pizza.

Sift Bake Shop Owner and Head Pastry Chef Adam Young won Food Network's Best Baker in America competition in 2018.

Celebrating New England’s fresh & flavorful food heritage, Executive Chef David Standridge introduces an inspired menu that changes daily, reflecting the unique character of coastal Connecticut. Located in The Whaler's Inn.

Voted one of the 24 Best Bars in America by Esquire, The Port of Call is a nautical-themed cocktail lounge and restaurant that hearkens back to the days of maritime excursions, exploring international cocktail culture and cuisine together, port by port.

Below deck from The Port of Call, you’ll find Dive, a watering hole in the belly of the beast, inspired by the bygone days of deep sea exploration. Grab a beer and try your hand at shuffleboard and their vintage arcade games.

Enjoy some seafood by the water on their patio or inside with a view. They take reservations.

Featured in The New York Times (Seafood in a Skipper's House), this inn was built on the Mystic River in 1754 and offers you a choice between the pub downstairs and a more formal dining area upstairs - each with the same menu.

This culinary-forward brew pub was recently converted from a bank.

As featured in The New York Times: "Set in a marina, Red 36 in Mystic juts out over the water, and with sunlight streaming through huge windows, timber rafters overhead and an outdoor dining deck, the place feels like a big boat."