Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Stonington, CT

In the town of Stonington, visitors will find themselves navigating two historic maritime settlements that are both delightful and rich in heritage.

Nestled on a slender peninsula and still home to a modest commercial fishing fleet, Stonington Borough is captivating with its clapboard homes, local boutiques, an old lighthouse, and a museum located in the Victorian residence of explorer Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer.

Moreover, the Stonington town line stretches west to include part of Mystic, which is a favored destination due to its bascule bridge, distinguished Seaport Museum, aquarium, and the historic whaleboat Charles W. Morgan.

Hidden within the countryside are vineyards like Saltwater Farm, which has been cultivated on a WWII-era airfield.

Let us delve into the notable activities in and around Stonington:

1. Stonington Borough

The historic center of Stonington exemplifies a quintessential New England maritime settlement, benefiting from almost negligible road traffic.

Compactly situated on a mile-long peninsula, Stonington Borough features walkable streets, shaded sidewalks, and elegant residences adorned with manicured gardens.

While strolling along Water Street, visitors can explore stylish cafés, galleries, and eclectic shops, many featuring charming old canvas awnings.

A summer evening meal coupled with a sunset over the harbor from Stonington Point will leave many in awe.

2. DuBois Beach

Protected by seawalls on the western side of Stonington Point, DuBois Beach boasts several factors that place it among New England’s finest beaches.

First and foremost, the gentle surf is ideal for children, complemented by captivating views toward Fisher’s Island in Long Island Sound and across Stonington Harbor to Wamphassuc Point.

A shaded gazebo located at the back offers picnic opportunities alongside a small dock and jetties where families can attempt crabbing.

DuBois Beach operates from Memorial Day to Labor Day, with lifeguards present daily during the peak summer season.

A nominal fee of $10 is charged for non-residents.

3. Stonington Lighthouse Museum

This granite lighthouse, located at the tip of Stonington Point, was operational for only 50 years from 1840 to 1889. However, over 130 years after its decommissioning, the structure remains well-preserved, exemplifying a mid-19th-century beacon.

Exterior features include an octagonal tower, along with ornamental cornices above the entrance and below the lantern.

The Stonington Historical Society operates within, showcasing portraits, navigational tools, period furniture, and various artifacts related to the captivating history of Stonington.

Among the highlights is the lighthouse’s Fresnel lens, installed in 1856 to replace the original oil lamp.

Climbing the tower offers a panoramic view encompassing three states.

4. Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer House Museum

While exploring Stonington, a visit to the interior of one of the historic residences is highly recommended, and this can be experienced at the Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer House, constructed between 1852 and 1854. Palmer (1799-1877) was a distinguished Antarctic explorer, seal hunter, and acclaimed clipper ship designer.

Palmer Land in Antarctica, which he discovered and explored in 1820, is named in his honor.

The Stonington Historical Society preserved this house, a blend of Greek Revival and Italianate architecture, from demolition in the 1990s and converted it into a museum.

The interior is styled to reflect the period of Palmer, featuring a model of Hero, the sloop he sailed to Antarctica.

Exhibits include numerous model ships along with period attire and dollhouses, providing insight into the domestic life of the Palmers and their participation in shipbuilding and international trade.

5. Mystic Seaport Museum

Situated along the Mystic River on the Stonington side, the Mystic Seaport Museum is recognized as the largest maritime museum in the United States, immersing visitors in a functioning 19th-century seafaring village.

The museum houses over 60 historical buildings, meticulously relocated from various parts of New England and lovingly restored.

Within the village, guests can explore the diverse trades that supported a port like Mystic, including riggers, blacksmiths, coopers, and woodcarvers.

Additionally, the museum features its own active shipyard, where a fleet of historic vessels is being restored using traditional methods.

The highlight of the fleet is the Charles W. Morgan whaleboat, to be discussed next.

The museum also includes a planetarium to educate visitors about the history of maritime navigation, along with significant exhibits at the impressive Thompson Exhibition Building.

As of autumn 2019, a display of J.M.W. Turner watercolors on loan from the Tate was featured.

6. Charles W. Morgan

A visit to the Mystic Seaport Museum is incomplete without seeing the Charles W. Morgan, the last remaining wooden whaleboat in existence.

Launched in 1841, the 32.5-meter vessel was part of a whaling fleet that consisted of over 2,700 ships. Its whaling career extended 80 years (until 1941), during which it made 37 voyages, each lasting as long as three years.

Visitors can go below deck to observe the living conditions of its 35 crew members during these extensive journeys, enhancing the understanding of Mystic Seaport’s whaling exhibit.

Experience the confined sleeping quarters and the area where blubber was converted to oil.

7. Mystic Aquarium

At this expansive aquarium, thousands of marine creatures are ready to be discovered within both indoor and outdoor habitats.

This facility is one of the only two venues in North America where visitors can observe Steller sea lions, alongside a sizable colony of African black-footed penguins, harbor seals, beluga whales, Northern fur seals, and California sea lions.

Among the fascinating creatures on exhibit, guests will find vibrant tropical fish such as blue tangs and clownfish, alongside octopuses, jellyfish, sea turtles, sand tiger sharks, unicorn fish, and Japanese spider crabs.

Mystic Aquarium also provides a variety of interactive programs, or visitors can enjoy the Ray Touch Pool or Shark Encounters, where they can feel a bamboo shark swimming past.

Be sure to attend a performance at the Blue Theater or the 4-D Theater, accented by an entertaining live sea lion presentation at the Foxwoods Marine Theater.

8. Downtown Mystic

Take some time to wander around Mystic’s charming Main Street and observe the quaint wharfs alongside the water.

True to its maritime origins, the shopping experience in Mystic is quaint, sophisticated, and themed around maritime culture.

Galleries, homeware boutiques, various jewelers, women’s shops, a delightful independent toy store, antique shops, a vinyl record store, and many eateries await your visit.

New England-style seafood takes center stage in Mystic, but the array of dining options also includes ice cream parlors, cafés, cozy taverns, bakeries, microbreweries, and fine dining establishments, ensuring there’s something to satisfy every palate.

9. Mystic River Bascule Bridge

The presence of the imposing drawbridge, which carries Route 1 over the river, is essential to Mystic’s identity, as it opens every hour and on demand during the summer months.

This structure is worthy of closer inspection, as all of its mechanical components are externally visible.

This design was patented by New York engineer Thomas E. Brown in 1918 and constructed by J. E. FitzGerald Construction of New London in 1920. Electric motors operate two large bull wheels attached to dual plate girders to lift the 66-meter-long span.

Above it, two substantial concrete weights are used as a counterbalance.

One can observe the bridge mechanism in operation at the 40-minute mark of each hour during daylight from May 1 to October 31. Mystic River Park, located south on the east bank, offers a pleasant view of the bridge from its boardwalk.

10. Saltwater Farm Vineyard

Even the most seasoned oenophiles would find it hard to identify a wine destination comparable to Saltwater Farm Vineyard.

The tasting room is positioned on the mezzanine of a repurposed aircraft hangar, and outside, amidst the vineyards, lies a preserved 500-meter landing strip that dates back to the 1930s.

This former private airport is bordered by marshland on Wequetequock Cove and has a farming legacy tracing back to Stonington’s early history in the mid-1600s.

The wines produced here are small-batch, estate-grown varietals including Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Franc Rosé, as well as a Cabernet Franc-Merlot blend.

The tasting room operates seven days a week from April to December (reservations required on Saturdays), featuring cheese and crackers along with a schedule of live musical performances.

11. Stonington Village Farmers’ Market

If there were an ideal location for a farmers’ market, the town dock in Stonington Borough would be it.

This spot is where Connecticut’s last remaining commercial fishing fleet continues to land lobster, flounder, and scallops.

The Stonington Village Farmers’ Market operates here on Saturday mornings from late May through October, transitioning indoors for the winter months.

Featuring at least 25 local farms and producers, the market offers organic fruits, vegetables, artisan cheese, eggs, farm-raised meats, bread, baked goods, flowers, milk, and pickles.

Additionally, craft vendors sell antiques, cosmetics, and jewelry, alongside prepared food selections such as wraps and pizza to satisfy your cravings.

12. Stonington Vineyards

One of the inaugural stops on the Connecticut Wine Trail is situated in the sun-drenched uplands of Stonington.

Stonington Vineyards is open 365 days a year, conducting tours every day at 14:00. The vineyards located on these picturesque hills were established in the early 1980s, while the winery was created in 1989 and has since been modernized in 2014.

The winery has earned acclaim for its barrel-fermented choices of Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Franc, and blends such as Triad Rosé (Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, and Vidal Blanc). Tasting hours are from 11:00 to 16:30, with extended summer hours on Fridays featuring outdoor concerts during July and August.

Visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic, enjoy their wine outdoors, and soak in the tranquil surroundings.

13. Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center (DPNC)

Within the Stonington countryside lies a nature preserve spanning 350 acres, featuring picnic areas and over 10 miles of trails ideal for hiking and birdwatching.

In addition to providing a nature preschool and educational initiatives for all ages, the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center contains a natural history museum featuring interactive displays that illustrate the woodland, wetland, and meadow habitats found in Southeastern Connecticut.

Live animals can also be observed in terrariums and aviaries housing rescued birds of prey, reptiles, and amphibians.

A nature store is open daily, offering birding guides specific to the region, feeders, nest boxes, handcrafted jewelry, and local specialty products such as hickory maple syrup.

14. The Velvet Mill

This remarkable brick factory, originally constructed by A. Wimpfheimer & Bro., Inc., produced velvets from the late 19th century until fairly recently.

During its peak in the mid-20th century, the facility housed approximately 300 broad looms and employed around 450 individuals.

After the business vacated, a community of small enterprises made the space their home.

The Velvet Mill is uniquely diverse, hosting an artisanal bakery, a coffee roastery, an espresso bar, a nano-brewery, and even a seasonal farmers’ market in the winter.

This mix is complemented by arts and crafts studios, design shops, antique dealers, bicycle restoration professionals, and a wide array of alternative health practitioners.

15. SUP and Kayaking

Coastline Surf & Paddle, located at Don’t Dock Marina in Stonington Borough, offers paddleboard rentals and guided tours around the serene Stonington Harbor, Lambert’s Cove, and Quanaduck Cove, along with lessons for those new to the activity.

Paddleboard, paddle, and lifejacket are included in the rental price.

Mystic is best appreciated from the water, and during the summer months, visitors can admire the wharves, historic brick mills, charming residences, and the iconic bascule bridge from their vessels.

Adventure Mystic, situated a short walk from the bridge on the east bank, rents single and tandem kayaks and paddleboards for durations ranging from an hour to a week.

The knowledgeable staff is available to provide guidance concerning tides and notable sights to explore.