Mystic Seaport Museum Reviews

Second visit in recent months. This time took a river cruise on The Sabino. Worth the time. Reasonably priced but the guide made the ride even more memorable. Karolynn Thompson gave us a detailed overview of the river and the seaport. Very knowledgeable. Boat was spotless!

Great experience! Educational and fun. We had the perfect weather, packed a picnic lunch and sat under shady tree. The view of the water and boats were breathtaking!

This is so much more than a museum. The museum alone could take a day if you take the time to read everything. It's fascinating. But to see the entire property needs a minimum of 3 hours. So park and plan for a half day.

IMPORTANT: It's not worth going off season, because there's so much you'll miss. Kids will love going on the tall ships and in and out of the houses.

This living history museum is outstanding. Some of the highlights include the Charles Morgan Whaleboat built in 1841 and a short boat trip of the neighboring area.

I absolutely loved Mystic and all that it offered. By far my favorite city in all of New England. Mystic, as a whole, the Seaport Museum, and everything there was superb. Don't miss this, it encompasses the whaling community in the colonial times and brings the vibe of a true seaport town.

My husband loves every old ship place and I go along. It was a lovely day to be outside walking on floating ships, seeing warehouses filled with old boats, and admiring the variety of shops that worked to support this seafaring industry. There is a lighthouse also on the grounds with a couple short videos inside. Free parking is right across the street. It is a very flat outside venue for walking. But getting on the ships and seeing you have to climb stairs. You can find food, drinks, and snacks inside with ample seating areas. We spent about 90 minutes here including a snack stop. That is about the minimum to walk by everything. They have several nice places to sit, stop and rest. We walked the whole thing and bought a souvenir. It has 2 entrances with nice bathrooms and shops.

It was a beautiful day outside, and we enjoyed the grounds and outdoor activities/exhibits immensely. However, the indoor movies, exhibits were also wonderful. We really had a fantastic time, and learned so much! This is great for all ages.

If you're touring New England, I think visiting Mystic Seaport should be a priority. It's only about an hour from Newport, RI.

This "living museum" tell the story about maritime life and industry with great insight from tradespeople. Yes, there are sailing ships and after being onboard you'll wonder how people could tolerate such conditions. The museum exhibits are comprehensive.

Even if you try to breeze through it, plan on a minimum of a couple hours, but better yet plan on half a day.

Most kids will like it and it's expansive enough for the m to burn off some energy.

There is so much to do at this museum. I also found it very unlike any other outdoor museum I have visited. That is a super positive. So fun. Go and enjoy.

So glad our tour stopped here … so much fun history, cute building set up in original time, taverns, beautiful photo ops … this was a great afternoon!

Incredible. Fun for family. The boat ride is a must. If you have kids they will love building their own ship that they can take home.

I loved this museum/recreated village, so much so I came back twice (It had been too hot and there was too much to see before I had to leave the first day). The museum itself had a 'story boat' exhibit, i.e. boats with stories behind them and that was nice. However, the real draw for me was the recreated village. Most of the buildings were small museums in and of themselves. There were yacht club silver trophies in one, figureheads and scrimshaw/needlework by sailors in another. It doesn't shy away from the whaling heritage of the area. There is also the Charles Morgan masted sailing ship that is very cool to see. There is so much to see here it's hard to work it all into a review. It's well worth your time and it's a lovely setting. The only quibble I had was parking is at a premium so plan to be there early or having to walk a distance from a further lot.

Fun interesting and very friendly staff 👍👏🏻🙌. Would go again. Nice to see them actively restoring a ship while there. 🌞🌞🌞

There is so much to see here. Two historic ships and lots of buildings, exhibits, and hands-on activities of the time period. We also were able to row boat out into the harbor. The gardens are also very beautiful. I think it was well worth the price of admission.

We went in the evening at everything was decorated so nicely. Some of the houses had people act out short plays. Everyone enjoyed it

We arrived in Mystic today and had a good few hours to spend before checking into our hotel. We noticed the Mystic Seaport museum and decided to go in and visit, if I’m being honest I’m not a great lover of museums. However the seaport museum was very interesting with different ships that you could go onboard and also areas you could visit where they are being restored. Also there are buildings showing the history of the area , and also today there was a large number of vintage motor cars and exhibits. The museum is well worth a visit so give it a try 👍

Beautiful water, fun time exploring the ships.
Need to be able to hear the tour guide on the boat better. Loved the village. Pretty and calm.

Really enjoyed walking around outdoor museum. Everyone was friendly and informative. A day on the water is always fun.

A few buildings were closed and we breezed through the displays about how nasty people used to kill all the poor whales. But the boats were fun, got to tour a fishing boat that's not usually open to guests because they're restoring it. My husband got to help a worker hoist the sail on the Morgan. Place is large so if you like reading everything plan for a few hours. Parking is free in the North or South lot across the street from either entrance. Was very busy. If you have a stroller please don't go, the baby won't remember the museum and it just gets in the way of adults who paid a steep price to get in here.

I was very pleased with this museum. It was nice to be able to walk outside and see the boats and shops, go through the shipyard and learn about the process of ship restoration. The village experience is a great feature as you can walk from shop to shop, learning about goods and services, as well as about jobs working the ship industry. I also enjoyed walking through the art galleries.

Tickets are overpriced for the amount of activities you can do at Mystic Seaport in the cold weather. There was only ONE boat you can go on (and it's not because of COVID), and there was not much to do or see even inside the Museum for the ticket price. The Museum enclosed everything, so you are forced to buy the ticket. It is not worth the money in the winter. When everything is open (for the season), that may be different.

Very informative about the history of whaling and shipbuilding. Wish more of the ships were open for touring, but we went on a Monday, so a number of the buildings and ships were closed. Staff members were informative and helpful.

There's a AAA discount if you ask, and there's free parking across the street. I thought the first building was the entire museum and was disappointed until we exited out the side door. Then, I realized how expansive the grounds are. You can go on the boats, and you can take small boats out on the water at no additional cost. There are plenty of buildings and exhibits to explore, as well as food and places to sit and enjoy the water view.

A great place to casually walk around and see the sites. Unfortunately it was pouring when I was there so didn't stay long. Also I was there right at opening time and most of the exhibits weren't open.

This is a big museum, a very big museum! It covers 19 acres and there is a lot in each one. It takes a whole day or perhaps even more to see it. Wow! In fact, the museum is the largest maritime museum in the United States.
There is so much to see here. For example, the Charles W. Morgan is the world's oldest surviving (non-wrecked) merchant vessel, the only surviving wooden whaling ship from the 19th century American merchant fleet (of an estimated 2,700 built), and second to the USS Constitution, the oldest seaworthy vessel in the world. The Morgan was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966. It was wonderful to be able to tour her!
The reconstruction of the L. A. Dunton was fascinating! I loved how we were able to tour this ship, even as it was undergoing major renovations. It was truly fascinating!
This place is highly recommended.

This is an outstanding museum! There is a lot to see and we learned so much about whaling, from a very knowledgeable museum volunteer, and life in Mystic many years ago.

Lots to see and do even on a chilly spring day but be sure to dress warmly because you are in and out of many buildings and ships, often with little or no heat. Excellent signs, displays, docents, and variety of experiences. Something for all ages, along with a large gift shop and places to eat. The most exciting parts include visiting the Morgan tall ship, a large model of Newport - a miniature display in a building, and a ship getting repaired,

Well worth the time! Several big ships and a sea village to visit made this one of our favorite stops on our vacation. We took the short river cruise and got fantastic photos from the water as well as a brief summary about everything at the museum. We loved visiting the cooper!

The park is well situated with lots of interesting things to see. The staff is friendly and helpful, the experience is worth it.

This was a really fun way to explore Mystic for the day!! The seaport village was fascinating and learning about the whaling trade was eye opening. Expect to spend about 3 hours exploring and visiting the various buildings. You were also able to board a whaling vessel. We parked in the south parking lot which is right across from the south entrance. You can also park there and take the shuttle to downtown for a $10 fee. We did that twice. Or you can park in the free parking lot side and walk. Bring something to drink. You can buy food on site too. Great way to spend the day!! We purchased tickets online, but you can buy tickets on site. Have fun!!

The Maritime Museum is one of the best I have been to.
Each area fully explains the local history with Whaling being a highlight due to being able to go on board a genuine whaling vessel from the period.

This was an enjoyable trip for a family with many different experiences. We explored ships, had a nice boat ride on the Liberty, a planetarium show and toy boat building. It was a nice day and we enjoyed walking and exploring the historical village as well. The museum offers a unique and enjoyable experience plus the staff was kind and informative.

My husband and I spent part of a day at the museum, and we really enjoyed it. The museum is a seaport village with working businesses and homes, as well as the Charles W. Morgan and a museum on whaling vessels and history. Though we didn't know much about it originally, we both found it fascinating, and the exhibits were great. This was a really fun place to spend some time.

Not worth $66 (for 2 senior adults) - actually, not even worth $20 apiece. We had been to the Seaport many years ago - back then it was vibrant, lots of visitors, lots of guides in period costumes, all buildings open and each a learning experience as the guides explained things and answered questions. Wonderful day, so we decided to revisit. Wow - what a disappointment! Yesterday - mid July, height of summer vacation season - there were only a relatively small number of visitors (others must have seen the reviews from the past few years - I wish we had checked before we went). Many buildings were closed; out of those that were open, only *one* building (model ships) had a guide. The small planetarium wanted another $8 per person for a show - the 2 afternoon shows were 2 hours apart, not very convenient. The whole place was depressing. Like a ghost town.

Went during off-season on a gorgeous November day. The ship was open for viewing and one or two of the historic shops. Did the planetarium, which was enjoyable (classic equipment).
Nice coffee shop with food in the lobby and lovely patio seating. Attendants were knowledgeable and pleasant.

I visited in early July. Was looking forward to learning about things around the shipyard. It was anything but that. The buildings were open but their were maybe 2 total that were actively working inside. The ships outside was probably the good part. The restaurant is good alot of food for the price.The price too get into seaport not worth it though.

Beautiful place! Very nice museum that is definitely worth a visit! What adds to the charm is seeing the workers at work restoring the ships, not to mention the maritime history told by the historians on site. Plan a day if you want to see everything. We took a big 4 hours and did not read everything and visit all the historic buildings of the village. It was really a wonderful discovery!

Did this as a day trip. Very interesting. The volunteers were extremely pleasant and able to answer questions.

We visited on cold Sunday afternoon and not all the village stores were open but that was ok because we did not have enough time to properly explore all the ones that were open. We really could have used more time and please note that at this time of year they are only open Thursday-Sunday, so even though our tickets allowed us to comeback again, we disappointedly could not return the next day because they were closed. If you like history, then this place will fascinate you. There is so much to see and learn.

I found it a bit boring. If you’re a history buff… I think you would enjoy it more than I did. I also think for what it is the price was a little high.

My phone died before I could finish taking more photos I wanted to get as much as possible , Didnt get to mystic 😢

Very nice seaport “town” with many different activities.You can watch old watercraft being restored, take a short boat trip, visit with interesting volunteers, and just enjoy the shops.
Highly recommend for students and people interested in maritime history.

My group thought this was a really cool museum. We went during inclement weather and honestly? that was okay because there was hardly anyone there and we felt like we had the place all to ourselves. Not everything was open because it is the end of the season and we arrived about an hour before close. But we still got to see and do a lot in just an hour. I know next to nothing about the ocean/sailing/whaling whatever given that I grew up in a corn field in the middle of nowhere. But this place will teach you that and waaaay more. It's super fun to just walk around and see everything.

Very nice working museum to see how life was back in the old days. Well worth spending a day at the Seaport Museum. I came away with a lot of knowledge about how ships were built. Good family trip.

We really enjoyed our day at Mystic Seaport! I'm surprised at the reviews that say you only need a few hours, there - we spent the whole day and still didn't see everything. I wish I had known ahead of time that for an extra $10 you can buy a two-day pass. We definitely would have done that - then we could have taken our time to see everything and not felt rushed. Included with your admission you can take a rowboat, small sailboat, or paddleboat out on the river - that would have been fun, but we didn't have time. I was pleased that there were plenty of benches throughout the property, so lots of opportunities for a quick rest when we were on our feet most of the day - also places to refill our reusable water bottles. The half hour boat ride on the Steamship Sabine was a nice opportunity to sit and rest for a while. We would have taken the two hour cruise that leaves at 5:30 and goes out into Long Island Sound, but they didn't sell enough tickets for the cruise to go that day (they need a minimum of 6) - I was surprised, because it was a nice day. We learned a lot about maritime history and how life was lived in the 1870's, quite fascinating. The docents were friendly and knowledgeable. I'd love to go back someday and see the things we missed!

This museum is wonderful. There is much to see. You can climb board restored ships. There’s a recreated seaport village. There are other, interesting exhibits, including an art exhibit. There’s a shipyard that actively restores old ships. You can easily spend a few hours here.

My wife and I are members and have been for many years but only visit occasionally. They continue to do a great job maintaining the exhibits and improving the experience. An outstanding seaport village experience that brings you back in time. Also extremely educational. Unfortunately being off season not all of the property is open, but understandable as it was pretty quiet. In the warmer months it is usually hopping. A must see if in the area.

We went to the Christmas Lantern Light Tour. For $33 per ticket, it did not live up to our expectations. You have to get there as soon as it opens for a chance to get tickets for the Horse Carriage which we did not know. We got 2 tickets for 6:40pm. We had dinner reservations, so we would just make by doing that time. We then went at 6:40 and they said they were only taking tickets for 6:20. I have no idea how that makes sense. I told a clerk to give them to someone else because we have plans and the response was " oh, I guess they are running behind. " Almost everything was closed. People were supposed to be singing continuously and stopped after 5:30 while we were there. The synchronized music to lighted Christmas trees were nice. There really wasn't much to do and an hour or so is all you will need. I wish there was more going on and it was organized better. $66 for two people and not being able to do what we want was disheartening.

Great museum with plenty of options for everyone. The buildings are not all open at the same time (maybe an issue with having enough volunteers) but a majority of the boats are open (and there are many). The best way to see the boats is to pay the five dollars for the harbor boat tour…great guide and very knowledgeable. Huge gift shop but a tad overpriced. The daily entry fee entitles you to come back within 7 days which is good although at $23 it’s a bit expensive. Perhaps if all the exhibits were open it would feel more acceptable as a price point? In general if you like history and boating you can’t go wrong.

The museum was an outdoor experience mostly. I enjoyed learning about the past including the whaling. There is also a history to learn about the Indians & how the navigate the rivers years ago. There was an amazing canoe on display that was carved out of a tree trunk. There was an iron & metal attraction where you can watch how they made tools & such. Also there was a retired FDNY firefighting boat that we toured. That was especially interesting because my son is A firefighter for FDNY. Interestingly enough we toured that same boat when it was displayed in Greenport LI. There was much more to see that was very interesting & I would recommend the trip to anyone that likes to do some walking & learnig. Overall our trip to Mystic was very enjoyable because there is more things to do in Mystic like the aquarium & Mytic village. I will definitely go back next year.

Was not my thing, the weather was not favorable, and it required some walking. It's to me, more like an old historical site that was preserved.

I scheduled my visit even though it was for a Monday in late October. I arrived shortly after opening, and obviously, there were few visitors at this time period. Regardless, it became quite evident that in peak season, there is plenty of space and room to manage large crowds. Amazing attention to detail, this is really a living museum. I was able to interact and have wonderful conversations with the knowledgeable re-enacters and staff members. The print maker, the forger and the cooperage among other trades were actively working. More buildings were self guided, which presented a picture of life back in the ship building days. Obviously, the focus is upon the ship building, living and working conditions, craftsmanship, trade routes etc...one gets the full picture here.

I suggest comfortable shoes, and don't look at your watch. Interact with the staff, ask questions, and explore the grounds. Hidden treasures are found around every corner.

I really wanted to love this place but it was just pretty average. Some of the exhibits were really well done and some were sparse and uninteresting. It's definitely geared more for younger children as several buildings were made into hands on play areas for the kids. We took the boat ride which was nice and I got some decent photos of old ships. It just didn't feel like you were in an old seaport like other historical villages we've visited in our travels.

Maybe we just visited too late in the season, and maybe I’m not interested enough in shipbuilding, but I couldn’t wait to leave. It was another museum, and I have seen ships, museums, and historical villages before. Obviously a lot of people really like it, but just keep your expectations low.

We had to cut our visit short due to brutal heat and the sun (so much of the museum is outdoors and/or not air conditioned, for obvious reasons). If possible, avoid coming on a super hot day, or bring sunscreen/hat, etc. Other than that, parking was easy, and it didn't feel crowded even on a very busy holiday weekend. Lots of kid-friendly activities.
The place looks deceptively small until you get inside and find out it's actually sprawling, although everywhere was quite easy to walk. They were out of maps during our visit, but they have Wi-Fi and online info, which is necessary to figure out what you want to visit. Some ships may only be visited on tours, and there are a couple of them a day, so plan for those first. Lots of interesting demonstrations (shipsmiths, coopers, etc.). Not everything is open all at once. Fascinating for anyone into maritime history, and certainly worth a visit or two. Planetarium movie is extra.

Easy to get to from I95 and nearby Mystic Aquarium. Plenty of free parking at both lots lo ated in front of the North and South entrances.

Ticket price for Adult tickets are $27 each. Kids 18 years and under are free. But, for the last two years, the State of Connecticut have had a Summertime program that Adults get in for free with one Child ticket. Only for CT residents.

We loved this place. It shares a piece of history of what commercial fishing and shipping was like, especially around the State of Connecticut. It shows how important it was for our Country's economy and for the development of Mystic.

There are ships and boats of different sizes that we were able to see up close. There's a Planetarium, many exhibits around the Seaport Village, a Children's museum, a Lighthouse replica, a small boats showing and many more things.

There are several places to eat and drink around the museum. A bit expensive for us though. From upscale to a cafe. The gift shop is nice, with a few choices to get souvenirs for everyone.

Highly recommended.

Wonderful experience. Informative staff at all of the exhibits. Ships to tour and you get a real feel for life during that time. We took a ride share here, so don’t know about parking. Plenty of places to sit and a few restaurants inside the exhibit.

Beautiful Spot. Very busy. Construction on the bridge made it appear a little hazardous. Hot day... Overall a pleasant experience. Mystic Diner, Not so good.

I wanted to like this, but unless you are really really into nautical life I would not bother. There’s hardly anyone there to explain anything, we actually on had one knowledgeable gentleman who was in the print shop.

Every child I saw looked extremely bored. The worst part was it was $30 per person and there was nothing you could read about any of these things, and honestly, I could have cared less. No pavement or grass, just dirt to walk on.

This was advertised as an “adventure”, not just museum entry, so we were confused. Plus, you can save $10 by buying tickets at the museum instead. But the museum was worth every penny. We spent the entire day there. Plenty of friendly and fascinating docents with history stories. We especially liked the Amistad slave ship and the Charles W. Morgan whaling ship.

You could spend hours here! We enjoyed exploring the whaling ship and many of the exhibits, stores and homes. This would be a great activity for kids of all ages.

This museum was a lot larger than expected. We were there 4 hours and still hadn't seen the entire property! We enjoyed our day. Worth the time!

There was so much to take in. But the tour of the the shipyard and the explanation of ship building was fascinating. And watching the craftsman work on the ships was so cool.

On your own tour but QR codes to scan for explanations. Guides at sites had good stories and explanations!!

It's a lovely site, the seaport is beautiful. I found the exhibits interesting but a bit no-hit. The market was nothing special. Wanted to enjoy it more. Wish I had.

A great step back into history of a what a whaling port must have been like 150 years ago. Many different little buildings ranging from a cordwainers building, to general store, apothecary, print shop, foundry, boat builder shop, etc. Took a 15 minute cruise on the river which shows most of the ships from the water side. They also have a great whaling museum. Since we couldn't really see everything the first day went back the next to go to the Planitarium. Free admission if you return within 7 days. Very clean and everyone is very friendly and will talk your ear off about each display if you let them they are so proud of the seaport

This is a truly special place to visit. They've definitely added some new exhibits since the last time I visited more than a decade ago, so much so that we weren't able to see everything. Among the highlights are going aboard the old ships, exhibits of artifacts brought back by sailors, a planetarium and so much more. Younger kids might get bored after a while, but if you're interested in maritime history, or just American history in general, you need to give yourself enough time here.

You got to go. Fantastic. Living history and stories by all the staff. You can see reconstruction projects in action. there are so many displays and interpretative exhibits. the staff helped me dig into obscure history and learn about my ancestors. Give yourself hours! You will want to see everything.

A most impressive display of maritime history. Staff were knowledgeable and enthusiastic in retelling the history of the various exhibits.

Everything was closed!! The place is very nice but when I entered the information about the places to visit in Mystic, it mentioned The Museum was open all the other places inside the compound were also closed. Therefore we just walked around. I understand the closures, but I didn’t like that appears as open.
The surroundings are nice.

The seaport museum is well put together and very extensive. I spend over a full day there (came in late first nite, and they gave is a free pass for last hour when I got there) wasn't even able to soo everything in that time. Definately be returning for more!

Take the $5 boat ride. It's worth it. Great gift shop! Excellently educational! What a place. Be sure to plan to spend the day and come back with the free return within 7 days. Nothing lacking at this Seaport Museum.

Astounding. Built as a common workboat, the Gerda III was used by 22-year old Henny Sinding to rescue over 300 Jews and 600 Danish resistant fighters and Allied pilots from Nazi-occupied Denmark. Henny hid groups of 10-15 in the cargo hall as she set out on her lighthouse duties and detoured to neutral Sweden bringing the passengers to safety. The rescue was part of an effort that saved more than 7200 of the nearly 7800 Jews living in Denmark.

I visit every year and learn something new.

Mystic Seaport is a great place to spend at least 4 hours.(That would be about $6 an hour) There are probably 2 dozens historic buildings and 3 or 4 boats that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There is an active shipyard that you can actually walk through....while they are working! The Liberty boat tour is $5 well spent. It is a 25 minute tour of the museum from the river side.

watch schedule during off season. The museum wasn't open the day I went. The ships are great. It was a lot of walking - but worth it.

We really enjoyed the old ships and the museum. The history lessons were great. This is a wonderful place for children to visit.

Only half of the museum was open because of the season, but that half was really cool.Boarding and exploring the whaling ship Morgan was informative & entertaining. The majority of the museum village (church, general store, druggist, schoolhouse, etc) were open & staffed with guides. Planetarium show also worth the watch.

was not worth the price. Most of the exhibits were not live at all except 3 buildings. Their were no demonstrations at all and the only decent part were the ships and the restaurant.

Historical perspective was fantastic. A more guided tour would have been welcomed it was basically you’re on your own. Then there was a pirate activity with an additional charge. Not very well organized.

Quaint and small museum, with a slight skew towards whaling history. Mostly replicas and made ups. There were some surprising facts about the Africa-Americas connections that were quite mind blowing. The cafe and the shop are quite over overpriced, I thought.

We went in mid-Sept. and found it bigger than expected based on the website. since it wasn't peak season it wasn't crowded but also a few buildings weren't open. We enjoyed it.

What an awesome way to spend the day, at least for me. Lots of things to see. It was pretty much a village of history with boats and other cool things. Free parking and the price of admission - VERY WELL WORTH $29 per person.

We visited the museum on a recent visit to Mystic and all I can say is Wow. Pulling up to the museum, we found parking in the lot across the street and looking at the building we figured we would be done in a few hours. We couldn't have been more wrong. The Mystic Seaport Museum is incredible and plan on spending an entire day. There are exhibits scattered in different buildings on the property, a few films, a history on the whaling industry and coming soon was a glass exhibit that we didn't get to see. There are ships to board, and so many out buildings to explore that tells the history of the area and everything to do with the shipping industry and history of it all.

You will find so many fun activities for kids, hands on exhibits, and several different eateries on the property.

This gem is well worth the ticket price, and we are still talking about how much fun we had.

This was a return trip 38 years in the making. My parents took us here when we were young and I wanted my kids to experience it. This is an all day event or can just be a stop on a day trip. You make it what you want it to be. If you like nautical history or just like to get outside this is a great place. There's also historic Mystic with shops downtown about a mile or so up the road.

We are members so we are frequently at the Seaport. There are always events and things to do there. We love that we can bring our dog and walk around. Our daughter loves going on the Charles Morgan!

The centerpiece of the Seaport museum is the Charles W. Morgan, the only surviving whaling ship from the 1800's. There are periodic demonstrations such as the rigging of the ship, how cargo was loaded, etc. The tour below decks showed just how cramped quarters were and gave testimony to an adage I once read about "there are no secrets on a sailing ship." Three other ships from various times in the 1800's and early 1900's round out the collection, supplemented by extensive indoor exhibits.

There are various small exhibits that one can duck into, my favorite being the Print shop, featuring a variety of 19th-century printing presses, one of them from the early 1800's, and where there are talks on the art of printing from hand-set type.

There are facets which would appeal to a wide range of interests, though I'm least sure about adolescent girls if they have no interest in history. Lots for the boys to gawp at and run around and imagine.

Only reason not a 5 is unfortunately post Covid several displays were closed & some buildings empty. Fun, educational & a beautiful day. Because it’s before Memorial Day less crowded also. A definite must if you are in mystic area.

We watched a historic ship from Delaware depart (took a long time) and it was fascinating. We walked the historic building area, talked with docents (most were terrific), bought an inexpensive harbor tour, ate lunch at the taverns on a beautiful day and LOVED the key lime pie at the bakery/cafe. Plan for a full day, park for free and learn about the early days of whaling and ship building.

My family and I visited this museum and we were all pleasantly surprised! The museum is spread out over a large outdoor space with numerous buildings and floating ships which can be boarded. There were row boats that visitors can take out on the water, free of charge due to the current situation. There was also a larger boat ride that was narrated by the captain explaining some history of some ships docked in the harbor, also complimentary at that time. You just have to make sure to reserve a seat prior to boarding due to limited seats. There was a restaurant on site just in case you get hungry and a small snack stand near by for smaller meals. We spent a good part of our day at this pleasant, history filled museum and if you’re out at Mystic Connecticut, I highly recommend this place!

This is a lot bigger of a location than we had planned. We got here at open and there was so much to do. We did a guided tour through their boat building facility which was super informative. The kids loved exploring the recreated village. They especially enjoyed designing and building their own boats (small fee like $8 per boat). Everything was really hands on which is awesome with kids. The kids and dad's even got to take a row boat out on to the bay which they loved. All the staff we interacted with were super awesome.

There is dining on site but food costs were that of an amusement park.

Went during wooden boat show. Enjoyed it. The one annoying this was all the pride propaganda everywhere you looked. Don't worry though you won't have to worry about seeing any American flags.

Great maritime living history museum with exhibits, period vessels, a historic shipyard, period artwork and a recreated whaling village. Tells the story of New England whaling when its ships spanned the globe and the industry and trades necessary to sustain that industry. Interactive exhibits and activities for children. Pier adjacent and for access to the Charles W Morgan and the Firefighter was closed which was not announced at check in. My last visit here was over 45 years ago. Some modernization of the exhibits and new buildings has taken place since then. The recreated village could use some TLC. While it is supposed to look rustic and period that does not mean that the wood needs to be worn and the equipment, furniture and structures dusty or dirty.

This museum is HUGE!! You are allowed to board actual clipper ships and whaling vessels, listen to craftsmen doing their jobs, and learn all about 19th century boating life. This is highly recommended for everyone!!!

Stopped here on the way to Rhode Island. Had a nice day viewing the old ships, buildings and learning about how shipping use to be. Due to Covid there weren't a lot of people there which was nice as it gave us time to walk around and see everything.

Worth a stop if you are passing by.

The museum is a wonderful combination of history, science, art, and culture. Every staff person was knowledgeable and friendly. Every exhibit was interesting. I was amazed by the diversity of information and experiences. Very highly recommended for the curious. I wish I lived here so I could come back for the events.

Been here many times and am never disappointed. Several things were closed due to off-season but still interesting to walk around and see the ships and outdoor exhibits.

World class living history museum, if I could give more stars, I would. We arrived at the the 10am opening time and left at closing time, 5pm - thoroughly enjoyed every minute. (Let me just quickly say - don’t eat lunch at Greenman’s Landing - not good! Two bones in my chicken salad, chicken tenders and the fish and chips were gravely over-fried, much like a hockey puck texture. Recommend eating at the Anchor Cafe in the South Entrance Visitors’ Center, same building as the Museum Store. Or bring your own lunch with you.) Ok, back to business! The entire experience is amazing, in large part due to the utter commitment of all of the docents - each and every one of them is thoroughly passionate about what they are doing. I know I’m gushing but I’ve never seen a more dedicated group of individuals, staffing nearly every one of the ‘houses’ which have been brought here to the museum, set up to replicate the ship building town that was here in the mid 1800s. The people who run the print shop, the shipcarver’s shop, the nautical instrument shop, the cooperage, the Buckingham house - and more! - are all-in with their topics and really want you to understand - they educate you, they explain, they make the village come to life, as it would have been in the mid 19th century.

If you can, be sure to head to the “waterfront cruises” spot on your map, and book one of the museum harbor cruises. We bought tickets on the boat ride where the captain, George, takes you on an authentic liberty ship boat ride around the harbor, explaining various vessels, historical significance, modern impacts - educational and fun ride! George was such a pleasure!

We so very much enjoyed the team on the Charles Morgan whaler! We probably spent the majority of our time on the Morgan as there seem to be the most scheduled activities and recreations on her. Be sure to take note of the schedule so you don’t miss out, as for instance, the very first activity starts at 10:15am on the Morgan, only 15 minutes after the museum opens. So many great staff here on the whaler - for instance, A.J. who sings shanties (all memorized!) and plays what I believe is a concertina. And Hanna, who also has countless shanties memorized! The entire team of recreators are all excellent sailors, demonstrating how to raise the sails on the whaler, how to use the dinghie to actually go out and harpoon and haul back the whale and so on and so forth! Then this same team does similar demonstrations and recreations at the fishing ship, showing how the nets were cast to catch fish. The people that work here are passionate about what they know and all they really want to do is share that passion - you can’t ask for more! Highly recommend and definitely plan on staying here for the full day. Young kids will have fun sure, but from an adult perspective, if you have any interest in maritime history - you will get so much out of this.

I requested you email me the tickets four times and never received them. Please process refund requested.

I was passing through the area and so decided to visit the museum. I wasn’t quite ready for how much there was to see and do. I only stayed for about 2h, which allowed me to only just scratch the surface. There were was lots to see and do for both adults and kids. I particularly enjoyed the exhibit on whaling. Overall, an enjoyable way to while away a few hours, but expect to be 4-5 hours if you want to see most of it!

The museum is simply amazing with the reconstruction or preservation of the whole city as it was in the last century animated by full of young or exciting older volunteers .. and with always a kind word when they realize that you are French .. indispensable to understand the roots of this new England

We loved our time exploring Mystic Seaport !!! Beautiful ships 🚢, interesting history, interactive for the kids, cute children’s museum. Loved everything about it. Hope to return again!

This place is only open on Thurs- Sunday so if you are actually traveling around, half the week is ruined. They have it so tightly locked up you can’t even walk down to the water to get a glimpse of the tall ships!!! They need to be informed that some people actually DO travel on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday! Absolutely furious.

Enjoyed walking the downtown area, driving around the wharf and beautiful historic homes. Mystic is a very nice city and the people were so kind and friendly.

GreatPlace for kids and even adults I was really impressed it was plenty for the kids to see the museum was great and the fish tank was really nice,

This is so much more than a museum! Full of interesting exhibits as well has historic things to see. Wish we would have spent more time here! Definitely recommend, and probably plan a day and a half to really see it all. The wooden whaling ship was a highlight.

Really enjoyed the grounds. Just walking around getting a glance in to how Mystic was in the Steamboat days.

Plan to stay from open to close to enjoy all parts of the seaside town. We enjoy both the artists and the synopsis in each building of life in historic Mystic.

I came to visit on a beautiful Fall Tuesday. Not too crowded though there was one group of school children.

This is a seaside village museum. Lots of buildings to walk thru. Most of the buildings were open and what was there varied. Some had examples of various sea going activity, figureheads, models, equipment and small boats. Others depict something that was used at the time, temperance lecture, store, lighthouse. A lot of them have people showing how things were done. Print shop, barometer/watch shop, restaurant cooperage and wood shop were all open with people showing what was done. They only had 1 boat the Charles Morgan the only 18th century whaling ship left that you could walk on and check out. There were others at Anchorage that you could view from the dock. They also had several other shops that they were working on in the shipyard. They also had some art exhibits depicting maritime themes. Great visit.

Mystic Seaport Museum is an interesting maritime museum to visit and explore, especially if you’re interested in whale hunting industry and history. Here we can see Charles W. Morgan, fhe last whale hunting ship afloat, and a comprehensive museum about whale hunting and industry. Worth your time to visit and explore while in Mystic.

I enjoyed the seaport looking back in time in the different houses/workshops. The tall Whaling ship was amazing.

What a gem of a museum! Tickets were pricey but absolutely worth. There was something for everyone here—from a play area for my 5 year old to exhibits that captivated my otherwise video-game-playing 16 year-old’s interest, and you even get a second visit within the week of your ticket purchase, so be sure to visit at the start of your stay to have time to come back. We had fun playing with old timey toys, climbing on boat shaped play structures, viewing beautiful artwork, and talking to staff who were all so friendly and forthcoming with interesting facts. We even got a hand -forged bottle opener as a keepsake from the metal forging shop after watching an item being made. I would call it a living museum with the staff actively working on restoration projects and making things in the different houses (like a soup recipe from the 1700s). Felt like we were walking back in time. Paper maps are given at check in. Only drawbacks were that the videos in the lighthouse weren’t working and the planetarium show was underwhelming, but everything else was wonderful.

There is quite a bit to see and quite a lot of ground to cover to see it. Several shops were closed, but the ones that were open had very knowledgeable staff. They could speak to multiple areas of the museum which was pretty awesome. I great step back in time, into history.

Enter and go at your own pace. As museums go, this one won't break the bank. Beautiful area. It was self guided so you can see what you are interested in. When you need a break there is food and drink available. We stopped in the tavern as were surprised to be able to grab a beer. Reasonably priced. Plenty of room for the kids to run but you'll have to watch carefully near the water. There were a couple exhibits with a presenter. The one we found very interesting was the shipsmith. A blacksmith for boating items. Free parking right across the street

We were there opening day 2022 . Very educational concerning whaling industry and boat building in the area. Very much enjoyed the boat tour of the harbour,it is a must. Everything was not up and running yet on our visit,to be expected so early in the season but still enjoyable and wore us out.
We plan to come back this summer.

What a way to spend the day! For anyone who's a fan of maritime history, this place is a gem. Even if you're not a fan, I bet you'll find it interesting enough just to admire all the beautiful ships and to walk through the "town" to admire the replica buildings. We spent the whole day here and I definitely wish we had saved time for a second day. If you're a fan, it's just not enough time to really see and read everything and get a chance to talk to all the staff doing presentations. Can't miss this place if you're stopping in Mystic!

Took 5 year old grand daughter . She loved it all. Everything moved smoothly even though there were lots of folks there. Nice variety of exhibits in and out and a fun show. We did not take in the films.
Suggestion- we would like to see more child friendly gluten free offerings in the cafe. And more less expensive things to buy in the gift shop for grandparents on a fixed budget.

This was so much fun. Lots of stuff for families to do. My husband and I visited as a couple and had a good time too. All the volunteers who gave the demonstrations were super informative.

I didn’t know until we arrived that you could take out paddle boats and row boats for free. We had so much fun on the Mystic River.

The Charles Morgan boat was fun to explore. I loved that it was dog friendly.

Situated of course on the water, it is an absolutely beautiful setting. On one end of the seaport you're able to see people working on a ship. Oftentimes using tools of the 1800s. You are able to go on board the Morgan, a beautiful whale and vessel. There are shops to imagine what life would have been like living at that time and there are several options for children to make or participate in. It is a very good learning experience for children.

My second time here, it has been quite a few years. Not too many people in October and I bought a multipass to go to the aquarium for a discount same day. Free parking- nice. Many of the buildings in the "village" had staff to talk, explain and show. Beautiful surroundings on the water, small boats to rent if you want to go on the river, food available, really nice gift store and several full size ships in the water. Extra buildings and activities just for kids and places to go inside if cold or raining. The buildings surrounding the museum from street side also have posted tablets from the original owners info.

We were in Mystic for a few days and this was on our bucket list. It did not disappoint. We all found it very interesting to see how people lived long ago. I wouldn't recommend it for young children. The young children we saw were bored and cranky. Perfect for older kids and adults.

Talking with subject matter experts. I only wish there were more of them there. Slow to recover staff from the pandemic.

You really have to be an avid sailing and shipbuilding enthusiast to really appreciate this place. To me, although the exhibits were interesting, it was not worth the price of admission to this place. Would recommend a visit to this place only once but only if you are really interested in this type of experience.

Covering 40 Acres there is such a lot to see,You need a full day,Actual boats from the 1800s you can go aboard and explore

A great place to casually walk around and see the sites. Unfortunately it was pouring when I was there so I didn't stay long. I was also there right at opening and most of the exhibits weren't open.

We went on a beautiful, sunny, not-too-hot day. The Mystic Seaport Museum was not overly crowded; perhaps because there was an art festival in Mystic that drew people away. We enjoyed viewing the exhibits, exploring the last wooden whaling ship in existence in the world and gaining new appreciation for the way the sailors had to live and what they had to do to hunt and bring in their prey! The exhibits in the houses and shops were interesting, as well, and again, gave us a glimpse of what it was like and how far we have come in gaining amenities to make our lives easier.

We spent 2-3 hours; we could have spent more, but had done enough walking for the day!

This was a great place to visit. Super friendly staff. Grounds very well kept. You can exit and reenter as many times as you want on same day. Boat tour was nice. You get to see the boats in greater detail from the water versus walking around the docks. Many buildings and many exhibitions. We also went to the planetarium which was nice. Really liked the store, lots of snacks, gifts and souvenirs.

being able to tour and learn about the preserved and functional ships in the collection. The staff and operations where excellant and I feel its a great value for the cost of admission. Plan to make it an annual trip!

Going back in time was great. Love the ships, the ship models, woodcarving, coopering, etc. Spent way more time than priginally thought

This was a wonderful experience seeing how ships are built and actually going into the ships was amazing. It was definitely worth the money. Many things to do especially for kids.

Such a fantastic place with a little bit for everyone. Spent the morning, lunch, and then an hour after with 2 little kids, and it was educational and fun for all. The ship playground was a huge hit, as were the ships themselves. Lunch outside was also great. Some exhibits / activities were closed due to COVID, which was understandable. We also got a free book with entry that is absolutely beautiful.

I would NOT want to visit during cold weather though.

My wife and I had a wonderful time visiting this place.

It was a perfect day to stroll around and check out all the cool ships and shipyard items they have to offer at this museum.

We love American history and knew we had to stop here.

We took advantage of the military discount.

It was fun going into each of the buildings in the village. The blacksmith shop had someone forging a whaling hook.

The school house was one room as was the church. They had a recorded sermon playing that would have sounded like the pastor in the 1700’s.

If you have children there are many interactive things they can do while learning history.

We loved going on board the whaling ship the Charles W. Morgan. There was someone on board to answer any questions.

They have several places to eat and a nice gift shop.

We spent almost two hours exploring.

Fascinating history of whaling ships, schooners and life for those who stayed on shore and supported the fishing and whaling industry. We spent most of the day there and would have returned if we had the time. All of the guides were well versed in the history and ready to answer any question. That was our favorite part of visiting Mystic. Don't miss it!!!

We loved the museum. The staff is really knowledgeable and the boats and exhibits were fascinating. We enjoyed the short tour of the harbor on the Liberty. The planetarium show was informative and entertaining, a welcome break from the heat in the afternoon. The working shipyard was an added bonus. We spent about 6 hours here and didn't see all the museum had to offer. Highly recommend.

We had no idea how large and complete this museum was! It was wonderful to be able to walk onto real ships, see a lighthouse, visit a recreated whaling village. It was very well done and people were around if you had questions or read placards on your own. We enjoyed each display and the working shipbuilding yard.

My husband and I were on our first drive of the New England states and had plenty of planned stops. Of course, Mystic Pizza was one of them and we weren’t disappointed. Great pizza and atmosphere!

Mystic is a great town in CT. The old town has museums and lots of things for children to do. Loved taking the row boat out. Granddaughter loved it.

I enjoyed seeing all the different ships in the exhibit and the houses that represented the era but it needs more info by the houses. It has QR codes outside some of the buildings but they don't work. The map provided should also have info on the houses shown. Too much to see and not enough info.

Our self-guided tour at Mystic Seaport was the last activity of our week-long New England tour. The combination of incredible exhibits, great interpretation panels, live trade re-enactors, and wide open grounds made this a perfect visit. As an adult educator, this is adult education at its best. We learned a lot and want to come back with grandchildren.

It was interesting to take in the history of the time, but the dearth of staff and open exhibits hardly made it worth the cost and time, at present. Almost no one around for questions and the feeling of being "present in the moment" was simply not there. Under ordinary circumstance, I would rate it a 4. Wait until things get back to normal.

Very interesting. A recreated early 1800's seaport village. Walk onto actual old sailing vessels, see what life was like in the 1800's.

Regarding history, even recent history, this country is sometimes scoffed at as the United States of Amnesia. That is, we forget things; or perhaps because we just never learned them. And this is evident in regards America's long storied relationship with the sea. Yet there may be a reason. Acclaimed Nantucket writer and sea historian Nathaniel Philbrick has noted that once, not so long ago, roads were scarce; travel was best done by ship (or canoe); and his quaint beloved island - the whaling capital of the New World - was a socioeconomic colossus. Hence, for a vibrant antidote to such forgetfulness, come to the world class Mystic Maritime Museum. Come casually, leisurely and vaguely intrigued - as if meeting an old dear friend long parted. Our first foray at Mystic began after parking across from their North Entrance; inside, one is quickly struck by its clean, elegant atmosphere and its abundance of riches. Melodious shanty music, for example, emanated from the walls as if musicians were in the next room. (A kindly staffer - a happy norm here - explained the music was from a recent shanty festival.) And after paying admission, we traipsed into the next room which featured several different boats - from Native seal skin dugouts to an NY sail-topped canoe in which two intrepid souls once ventured 900 miles. (Already, I'd encountered enough history to enthrall a curious 10 year old or senior for days!) But enough landlubbing, eh? Venture out on the sea - or its closest cousin, the Mystic River! We paid five bucks each (after a slightly labyrinthine stroll to the campus's south wharves, asking directions twice) where a sturdy vessel and guide beckoned. For the next half hour, we learned the history of actual ships moored here - from fishing ships that hauled catch in gruelling two week stints to a rugged firefighting ship employed in NYC on the fateful day of September 11th, 2001. A final stop at their enticing gift shop and a sea of good memories was all that remained - and a new respect for our seafaring ancestors.

Beautiful museum. Friendly staff. Great history. Loved seeing the current preservation happenings. Great family place.

Much larger than expected. Many buildings spread over several waterfront acres. Remarkable amount of information presented in varied and interesting ways. Can't possibly see it all in just a couple of hours, but what you do see will provide an appreciation for the challenges of earlier times & what it took to meet them.

We took a guided tour of the shipyard first. That was awesome. The guide has been there 38 years and all the information he shared helped to enrich the rest of the museum. All the staff and volunteers we met were very friendly and extremely informative. We spent the entire day there and were glad we did.

Enjoyed walking around the village with informative signage explaining each structure, boarding a turn of the century schooner and visiting the museum. Unfortunately many of the buildings were closed and 3 of the ships were restricted from boarding including the Joseph Morgan (in drydock) and the Amistad. The Spouter Tavern was also closed and spoiled our plans to have lunch in a 18th century tavern!!!

We visited the seaport on April 18th and most of the boats were still wrapped up or closed. Not much was going on. The Morgan whaling ship was a nice visit----check out the bunks! I felt it was worth listening to the docent tell stories about the vessel. Other than that, no sails were up and there were no vessels to climb aboard to said around. Definitely go during season!

Way bigger than we expected! There was so much to look at, and it felt like stepping back in time. Lots of places to walk and things to see outside.

The most recent addition is the Grand Panorama - fascinating. The volunteer in the Nautical Instruments really knew his stuff.

This was part of our 3-days in Mystic on a cruise bus from Pennsylvania. Had no idea what we were walking into here since it said "museum". We walked in the building, got our tickets, walked out the side door into another world! This is a village which takes you back to whaling days! We happened to catch the 11:30 am show of the demonstration of them leaving the whaling ship (sliding down the ropes!) to the boat, explained all the instruments used in the business.

It was quite a unique experience stopping in some of the buildings - print shop, chapel, drug store, etc.

We got the combo ticket with the Aquarium and visited the Mystic Seaport after we finished at the aquarium.

The re-created seaport town was very interesting to see. It was a hot day so walking around was a bit tough. We enjoyed a short play called the Whalers Tale done by three talented actors in what could be considered the town square. We then got on the whaling boat and got to experience a whaling boat being pulled back up onto the bigger ship. Our daughter got to help pull the boat up.

Overall, it was a nice experience, but we probably would have enjoyed it more in a bit cooler weather.

Worth the visit - you learn a lot about the area and how it came to be.

I didn't think this was going to be terribly interesting because I'm not really into the nautical life but all of us really enjoyed it. There's so much to see - you can walk onto the boats, there's a working shipyard, small museums, and then a recreated village. The staff were very nice and informative. The village has different buildings like the grocer, blacksmith, cooper, etc, and most have staff inside providing information. Even my three teens enjoyed it.

This was really a blast for me, my wife, and my two-year-old. Incredible recreation of an old-time fishing village, beautifully situated on the water with activities for the children. This is a must-visit in any trip to Mystic.

I loved sea-ing all the big, beautiful ships. Besides learning about the ships, you also learn about the storefronts in a typical harbor town in the 1870s.

Honestly, the ships, especially the Morgan, were astounding and I hope to come back one day to fully enjoy it.

I feel like the way they have closed off all the streets and “hidden” the ship is a little skeezy. I thought you’d be able to just go snap a pic and leave. We didn’t have time or interest to tour the whole grounds or ship. I can see $30 to tour the ship. But it’s being hidden from the public to get people to pay $30 and that just didn’t sit right with me. It seems to me you used to be able to walk aRound the grounds or view the ship from affair for free and now they have cornered it off. Google maps acted like you could drive on streets that are now blocked off. Kinda lame, Mystic. I kept my money.

Traveling to Connecticut was a delightful experience filled with charming coastal towns, stunning landscapes, and a rich tapestry of history. From exploring the quaint streets of Mystic to marveling at the picturesque beauty of the Connecticut River Valley, every moment was filled with awe and wonder. The state's vibrant culture, diverse culinary scene, and welcoming atmosphere made it a memorable destination worth visiting again and again.

Mystic Seaport Museum is a true national treasure. A really good idea is to book a two day visit for only $10 more than a one day pass.
We enjoyed boat ride on the Mystic River, a visit to many of the exhibits, a "Pirate" play aimed at children, and a cold drink at the outdoor pub. Visiting the Charles W. Morgan is a "Must See" as is the exhibit on whaling. "Monstrous".
The book store and gift shop is quite good. It would be better if they had postcards of some of the exhibits, though.
The grounds are quite extensive and it is very easy to spend the better part of two dats there. You will still not see or do all that is available.
There were about 20 of us in our group and all found the visit quite enjoyable, intereesting and informative. All the employees we met were quit helpful and very nice.

There is an original whaling ship, the Charles W. Morgan in the river behind the museum. It is totally seaworthy and you can walk all over it. It was built in 1841. Incredible history. They have a planetarium that has a real astronomer who is an outstanding guide and narrator. The village in the museum looks like something out of the 1800s, which it is. There is something for everyone but if you want to see everything it might take 2 days or more. This is a truly outstanding museum.

We have visited 3 times now and have found new improvements every time. This is a wonderful place to enjoy the beautiful air and soak in some history. Even with the Covid restrictions still in place it was very enjoyable. Everyone was very respectful of each others space and the people working there were equally helpful. Don't miss out on a chance to walk through the Charles Morgan whaler which is the last of its type. They do beautiful work restoring these beautiful treasures. The history in the other seaside working village is wonderfully draped in history.

This is a wonderful indoor/outdoor museum. You'll see all the things that went into being a seafaring center in the 19th century including a restored whaling ship. They have a planetarium, art exhibits and various special events as well. There was an antique car show during my visit. I've been several times and always enjoy my visit.

This place is just fantastic. My wife, son and daughter also felt so too. They educate but do not over-educate (I’m a lawyer and teacher). They have plenty of interactive exhibits, hands on exhibits, working demonstrations and original buildings / artifacts. They have boats. Lots of cool boats.

We came here on a northeast trip to New York, Mystic, New Haven, Newport, Cape Cod and Boston. We saw and did a lot of awesome stuff. And coming here was probably the highlight of our trip.

We knew many shops and buildings were closed due to Covid and that there were long waits for most activities (boat excursions and pedal boat rentals) so were reluctant to go here. However, we really wanted to visit and the price with AAA discount was reasonable. When we got there, we immediatley tried to sign in for the boat excursion tickets to ensure we got on. Unfortunately the ticket man did not have tickets yet and was not sure boats would be running that day due to winds. He asked us to check back. We kept checking throughout the morning but he was still not given any exact info on times,... Meanwhile we went to the boat dock to signup for a pedal boat to ensure we got one of those. Rental office was not taking signups so it was first come, first serve and there was only ONE pedal boat (many sailboats and row boats). My cousin and I were very dissapointed and so spent the morning browsing the building exhibits and boats (slightly interesting for me, very boring for her). We were beginning to think the day was an overpriced mistake, but then I ran over at ten to 11:00 and was able to be first in line for the pedalboat. We enjoyed a short very windy pedal around the harbor close to the Seaport. Later as we were preparing to leave the Seaport, the ticket man called me over and told me that the boat excursions were starting up and he had saved two tickets for us for the first boat out! What a thoughtful act of kindness. Definitely made our day. The excursion was wonderful - a short informative ride around the harbor. Later as we were exiting the Seaport, we received our free book - a gorgeous hardback book of folk art of East Coast Seaports. I loved it. We were very glad we chose to visit Mystic Seaport and it was definitely worth the cost. Highly recommend this place to all tourists and especially families. Very beautifully maintained, friendly staff, plentiful restroom facilities, ...

It was ok. Not the best thing we did on holiday. Perhaps not the right place for us. Think we might have been better going to the Aquarium instead

This museum is amazing! The staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and welcoming! At each location, they answered our questions and offered interesting information. Our favorite location was the working ship yard. The gentleman who talked with us had a deep passion for the boats, their history and restoration - it was fascinating! Also really enjoyed the whaling exhibit and touring the Charles W. Morgan. The town buildings were interesting and informative. To be honest, we were a little sticker shocked by the admission cost upon entrance, but after touring the museum we were wondering why they didn't charge more. Worth the cost of admission, and we're so glad we visited!

We went to tour the whaling ship and it was closed. Of the four ships, only one was opened. More of the buildings were closed than were opened. The snack restaurant was closed. This is not a really cheap museum to visit and if most of the exhibits are closed, the least they could do is let you know before you buy the tickets. Personally, it was a big ripoff.

This was a living history area. There were three parts; a working ship yard, the seaport historical area, and a gallery area. We visited the first two. The historical area had many different types of ships and boats across the region and over time. Excellent signage to explain what you were seeing. Some buildings had working artisans. Most did not. The ship yard had several ships in dry dock. These were interesting to observe. Expect to spend several hours if you want to see it all.

Our friends had never been to the Seaport. They along with us had a wonderful day! Weather was perfect. We really enjoyed the folks in the exhibits who showed us what life was like during that period of time.

Wonderful place to see history, rain or shine. Well worth the price. So many beautiful ships and buildings legitimately from the 19th and early 20th centuries

I think the most amazing thing about Mystic Seaport is that it really feels as if you stepped back 180 years in time. The buildings, the ships, the people, and their work is a completely realistic portrayal. It generates a powerful level of respect for what life was like then. (Sherman Homan 7/14/22)

We spent the better part of the day here at this massive seaport museum. There are two entrances and either one is fine. AAA and senior discounts are accepted. Nice!! There is ship after ship to visit and so much history, from whaling to shipbuilding. Many small shops and buildings all holding interesting bits of history. The figureheads display was one of the best we have ever seen. The full size whaling ship Charles Morgan a real treat to board. The nearby Spouter Tavern is a good lunch spot just steps away. If you enjoy nautical history, this is a must. A wonderful day!!

It was nice. It is mostly outdoors, so going on a nice day is important. I would say that 1.5 hours is about right. It was enjoyable.

It was 'school field trip' type experience. Nice to kill a little time and learn some things about seafaring.

Nothing remarkable, but I am glad I went.

The whole seaport experience was amazing. Seeing craftsmen work as they did 150 years ago is truly a treasure to be seen. My 12 and 14 yo were captivated enough to appreciate and enjoy what they were seeing. Tall mast ships to explore, hands on activities. 19acres to explore and it really is exploring since it’s self guided. Beautiful scenery on the water. Easily spent 3 hours and that was kind of moving through quickly. A great way to spend a day.

To my fellow wheelchair users, Mystic Seaport is NOT wheelchair accessible. There are about three relatively brief stretches of paved paths which are good, the rest are decidedly not … Far too much gravel, cobblestones, bricks, uneven sidewalks, and sudden drop-offs. There are many small, old historical buildings. Would you like to see what’s inside? Well, you can’t. Most of them have steps, no ramps, no access.

I use a motorized chair which can be disengaged and pushed. My state of mind here varied from briefly relaxed to nervous and terrified. There’s a reason they charge wheelchair users half price. My husband and I enjoyed a nice quiet lunch there but the effort in getting there and then back to the exit wasn’t worth it. I left this place feeling upset, anxious, disappointed, and in pain from all the jostling.

If you’re looking for a fun, entertaining, fully wheelchair-accessible place nearby, go to the Mystic Aquarium instead. You’ll feel accepted and welcome. A 100% better experience!

It was very nice but there were buildings with air-conditioning so I’m a hot day that we went we bounce between air-conditioning and non-air-conditioning. The friendliest and most informed people I have met.

Started our day at the boat yard where you could board the L.A. Dunton that is being restored. It’s very interesting seeing the ribs of a wooden ship. We really enjoyed boarding the Morgan whaler and learning about the history of the ship and industry involved. Also enjoyed the tour of the New York fire boat.

Our only regret is we did not have more time large I think they said it was like 19 acres. They mayflower II being restored which was an added bonus. There are many exhibits along with live interactive guides. A working Lumbermill which was a added bonus for my husband who loves woodworking

My wife and I haven't been to Mystic Seaport in over 30 years and were very impressed by the changes. Some of the indoor exhibits were closed but enough of the others were open and following COVID protocol to make it an excellent trip.
One of the more impressive "new" exhibits for us anyway was the Gerda III . It is a Danish ship that rescued Jews from Nazi-occupier Copenhagen. Don't miss the river cruise.

The visit to the whaler alone is worth the visit. And in addition there are many other things, first of all the reconstruction of the village that attracts young and old. Visit recommended.

Spent many hours here as a stop on a bus tour of New England. Great overview of the history of life and community in a seaport town. Many buildings to explore, some with live demonstrators that will answer questions. It's quite a large place, so wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather, it's all outdoors. We didn't have time to see the items inside the actual museum, but all of the outdoor buildings, ships and working shipyard was plenty. There was one fast casual restaurant open that was very good, restrooms are located around the town site. Worth several hours of exploration, especially the ships you can go inside. Don't miss the Charles Morgan whaling ship. Fascinating history.

We enjoyed this seeing the ships and all the history. There is a lot to see here. Some of the buildings were closed but we still saw plenty. We ended up spending about 4 hours here. There is a boat ride you can take for an extra $5.00 per person but we didn't take the ride. They did honor AAA for a discount of $3.00. You can also return if you keep your ticket, if I remember correctly, it was within a 7-day period. Parking is free in both parking lots. The town of Mystic is only about a 10-15 minute walk from the museum.

As seniors, my wife and I decided to visit the museum in October to "beat the crowds" as it turned out the 27th of October was "crowd-free". We spent the day wandering around the museum as it was a sunny day. The grounds were clean and well kept the exhibits were very interesting and the staff was very informative. If fact the staff enhanced our experience that we probably would never have with the summer crowds. Parking was a breeze as we parked right across the North entrance. I would recommend October to any seniors wishing to visit the museum.

If you are going to visit both the Seaport and Aquarium look for the Mystic pass. We found it a great place to visit. Next time we will allow more time to enjoy all of it. I enjoyed the boats, ships and seamanship exhibits. My wife enjoyed the stores, churches and other historic buildings. Nice to go back in history. We both enjoyed the Morgan and the rope works shed.

last night, i was at lantern light tours, a christmas tradition at mystic seaport. it was so much fun. i met santa. the trees were all lighted up. they had a lot of pretty christmas lights. the boats were all lighted up. they had horse and buggy rides they had christmas music. they had a nice cozy fire, you could warm your self by as a guy sang carols it was a fun event. the only thing is i wish i bought a flash light.

Took a day trip from Boston to this museum. It’s like Williamsburg on water. It was not quite the summer tourist season so some of the replica buildings were closed. Despite some things not being open, me and my dad spent almost three hours here. Enjoyed seeing the staff restore the old ships. Well worth a day trip from Boston.

With lunch here, spent the entire day. Did the boatyard tour when we entered and then walked the entire site, reading the placards, didn't dally and didn't race through. Didn't have kids to visit the children's exhibits and didn't really engage with most of the staff manning the print shop or the cooper's, for example. Not a lot of interpretive staff but decent signage. Viewed the several exhibits (one was closed while they were switching to a new exhibit) at the end of the day, and am glad we did them last (they are at/around the north entrance). I think you would have to motor to get through the site in 2 or even 3 hours. So I am glad we didn't have anything else planned as I wouldn't have felt I got the full value of the entrance fee if we had had to rush through. A variety of buildings and their history were interesting in themselves; a scale model of the shipyards and buildings in the 1800s supported with photos and text; a real variety of various aspects of not only shipbuilding but of living off/from the sea. Several buildings were closed but there were so many, we didn't feel like we missed much. And any staff and volunteers we engaged with were unfailingly pleasant. Appreciated the free parking.

We spent about 2 hrs here, it was interesting to see all the historical activities, the bank, fish market, the cage for lobster…also had a very interesting introduction about the boat repair, such a talent job. It is a fantastic way to help people learn about history!

A museum restored in the old style of whaling and partly still in operation. Boats will continue to be built, restored and repaired there. You can go into a lot of houses, look at how ropes are made or even barrels. Semmann's knots are explained and you can look at an old small library or an old school with wooden benches. It is a large area, there are restaurants where you can sit outside. Many all ships can be visited. Admission costs $27 per adult and you should plan for 1.5 — 2 hours. Admission once paid is valid for several days.

I enjoyed and learned things at 2 ships. The old whaling vessel and the Amistad replica. The rest of the village was dull and a carbon copy of things I had seen other places, done better. Unless you are really interested in ropes, masts, mastheads etc you can skip this place.

I was with a person who has difficulty walking. The rutted paths made using his walker very difficult and unlike other similar attractions, there was no golf cart to take mobility impaired people around.

First ever visit to Mystic Seaport. Very impressed with the history coming to live. One complaint though. It is listed as "walkable for all". I found the walking cumbersome with the gravel walkways and lots of steps to get into most of the attractions there.

I was so impressed by the museum. The staff are great. Amazing experience. The shops and ships are amazing. The grounds are so cool.

We loved going into the different buildings and learning all kinds of new things. We loved touring the ships also.

What a surprise. This is 19 acre museum, and had so much to see and learn about. We were surprised how much there was there.

This museum is spectacular! We generally don't visit the same places more than once or twice but this is the exception. We have visited 3 times and find something new to see and learn about every time. The people here are extremely knowledgeable and friendly. With Covid still being an issue we felt completely comfortable as everyone was careful about social distancing and the museum and facilities were very clean. We will look forward to bringing our grandchildren in the next couple of years as they get old enough. Thank you for another wonderful Anniversary getaway!

My husband and I spent a few hours here walking in and out of the buildings and museums. Some of the bigger museums have very informative guides who will provide additional info and answer questions. We also got to walk in and around some of the ships. We learned so much about ship building and whaling in general!

Enter and go at your own pace. As museums go, this one won't break the bank. Beautiful area. It was self guided so you can see what you are interested in. When you need a break there is food and drink available. We stopped in the tavern as were surprised to be able to grab a beer. Reasonably priced. Plenty of room for the kids to run but you'll have to watch carefully near the water. There were a couple exhibits with a presenter. The one we found very interesting was the shipsmith. A blacksmith for boating items. Free parking right across the street

The whole seaport was very cool to see. It was very hot, so we tried to escape into AC as much as possible but most of the buildings were without air conditioning. We still had a great time. There is so much to see. It's amazing to see how things were done many years ago. We liked going into each little house/building. We did the Charles W Morgan boat tour which was eye opening. The firefighter boat was closed even though the sign posted tours every hour. We also did the Sabino boat tour which was lovely and refreshing. Some of the houses right on the water are beautiful.

Ships and museums were rich in history and art, Don't bother with the Planetarium.. It's dated and overrated, and not worth the wait. Several of the attractions should have been manned, but were still running in Covid mode. Regardless we had a good time and the kids enjoyed the splendor of traveling back in time. We were done with everything in 3 hours.

Still a great place to visit. Unfortunately being in our upper 70’s we just couldn’t do all of the buildings that we did before, but we saw the majority of them. We also got to enjoy some hot fudge sundaes.

What an amazing place! You need to dedicate an entire day (and then some) as there are so many demonstrations, talks, and tours to do. Did the river cruise to get some "sit time" and it was pleasant way to see the shoreline from the water. The functioning shipyard was interesting as well as the old time town set for strolling. If you do one thing in Mystic, this is it

Very cool Museum. Very informative signage and you can go at your own pace. Being able to go on and in the boats was a cool experience. The seaport village was great. With school group there entertaining the kiddos was hard for adults to interact in the locations.

So much to see,so much to explore and learn. The history of the seaport is something I haven't experienced before. In & out of buildings gives you new things to think about.

I loved everything about museum. The boats, the staff, and the place. The guides were helpful and informative. I loved the new section that was built. There is this amazing mural of a whale on the wall that is breathtaking.

First experience there, a very nice day.
A lot od things to see and do but bring an umbrella for the shade

... since the first time my wife & I visited almost 20 years ago, anyway. This time we were joined by adult siblings & in-laws, and we all thoroughly enjoyed our time at the Seaport facilities. There is great variety among the permanent exhibits by topic & by era, with easy-to-read informative displays & friendly attendants ready to engage with visitors to offer extra information & experiences. The addition of the Thompson Exhibition Building at the main entrance provides a unique architectural landmark, while presenting an attractive space for rotating exhibits that has room to stroll (or roll) around in. The Greenmans’ Landing cafe is a marked improvement over the venue it replaced for casual dining, with a variety of seating styles & the self-order features supporting social distancing. Our group was especially entertained & informed by our guided tour of the retired FDNY Fire Fighter fireboat. The rest of our visit was spent exploring the various display buildings & frequent stops to cool down on a sunny steamy mid-July day. We drove 45 minutes from our Narragansett R.I area vacation rental to explore Mystic Seaport, and there were no regrets on the drive back.

Our 12 year old enjoyed the lawn games on Memorial Day weekend. We made a wooden boat - very fun. Took the boat ride and learned about the boats along the shore. Found out the admission ticket is good for 7 days if you have your receipt. This isn’t posted any where that we saw but we are taking advantage of it to try the row boats and sail boats - free.

We enjoyed our visit; we stayed about 3 hours and it was not crowded. We wish there had been an audio tour accompaniment. The best spots were the places that had people who actively shared information—not waiting for questions to be asked. In the shipyard, a man was energetically telling us about all the restoration and the materials used in the process—we loved that.

We all enjoyed the museum. I would recommend a spring or summer visit rather than April. It was cold and breezy. Even so : we all found that it was interesting and educational

Visited with a bus trip that included the travel/transportation, admission to both Mystic Seaport and Mystic Aquarium. Looking at the individual admission rates on the board, the place is not worth its salt. Comparing it to places such as Old Sturbridge Village, Upper Canada Village, and the Cooperstown Farmer's Museum, Mystic Seaport needs to kick it up a few notches. No interpreters dressed in period clothing, no one around to explain the history of the buildings and community and the ships, some narratives and placards completely missing from the buildings. Some beautiful artifacts and ships to see but little/no information and not terribly authentic like I had hoped. If they want to continue the museum's mission, I suggest that perhaps they make some improvements and strive for something more appealing and informative.

We thoroughly enjoyed our museum visit. There is so much to see! We were there on a beautiful day and stayed all day. We took our time exploring and were able to see many presenters. So many helpful volunteers ready to answer questions. Two big parking lots with easy access to the 2 museum entrances. Don't miss this when visiting Mystic.

Well maintained whaleboats and ships of old. Plenty for kids and adults to learn about seafarers and oyster industry and shipyards and printing of old times and plenty. Kids play area was good.

Great experience! Walk onto the boats, learn, take in the views, hoist a mast all while having fun! Great stop for families.

We had a day off and spent it in Mystic- actually it was 5 or 6 hours at the Mystic Seaport Museum! What a blast! Besides a wonderful art gallery at the entrance, there are other displays in other buildings (whaling, figureheads, etc) and then an old whole seaport village to visit! We saw the cooperage, pharmacy/doctor office (including how leaches and cupping was used), hardwares (kitchen/home duties), etc. The most fun for us was the working shipyard! We got to talk to the skilled craftsmen who were working on some of the ships they are redoing. My husband could’ve stayed for hours just watching and talking to them. They are going great work on these ships!

Great kids activities too.
Such a great way to learn for everyone!
If we lived nearby we would definitely get a membership do we could come often.

Definitely a place to see when visiting Mystic. We enjoyed the time outside walking through a historic sea village on a gorgeous Fall Day, not to mention a break at Gray’s Ales.

Probably my fifth visit here over 50 years. I’ve been to nautical museums all over the country and Mystic has the best balance of boats/background history/technology of boats of all of them. Felt that the staff does it’s best at explaining to a varied crowd of all ages and knowledge what they are doing and why. Really enjoyed helping the crew of the Morgan raise the whaling skiffs back up onto the davits, even though while trying to sing the chatty.
There should be a little more explanation of the state of the Johnson vessel and why it is in the mud.
Enjoyed being able to walk around the shipyard as well.

We (three ladies in our seventies) chose to take the Sabino 90 minute downriver cruise on the Mtystic River. It is sponsored by the Mystic Seaport Museum. It is advertised as "Come enjoy a silent, peaceful ride and see the sites along the Mystic River." Sounded good to us. So, we purchased our tickets and waited for the Sabino to come to the dock for boarding. However, they had apparently picked up a group of passengers prior to arriving at the regular boarding dock. And, so began the cruise from hell. The group that was picked up first consisted of about 25-30 twenty-somethings who were celebrating someone's 30th birthday. We had to endure screaming, shrieking, yelling and loud laughter the entire 90 minutes. They had a case of beer and lots of wine and everyone was drinking heavily. We couldn't even talk to each other on this "silent, peaceful ride". Absolutely the worst experience! And we had paid $35 for this nightmare. They could have at least warned us, and we would have taken the cruise another day. Really super bad customer service, and we wouldn't recommend this cruise for anyone. Who knows what kind of people would be cruising with you!!

this was great, mostly outside but great history. very friendly staff and very knowledgeable. 3 ships you can board.

Spent the afternoon browsing through the outdoor museum. Amazing history, great views and very friendly staff. If you get to meet AJ cooking in number 11, stop and say hello and get a great cultural experience. AJ was amazing!! Also to note, this museum is very accessible for wheelchairs or otherwise comprised individuals, great discount, might not be 100% accessible but totally worth the experience.

This museum is more then we could have ever imagined! We boarded a 100 yr old ship being restored and toured the CW Morgan, a fully restored whaling ship. Be sure to stop in the boat shop and say Hi to Rosie and Abby! They will assist you in choosing a day sailer, paddle boat or a row boat for you to and your family to use for free. Steve the Blacksmith was friendly and knowledgeable in his trade. Take the time to catch a
demonstration, you won’t be disappointed. We were there the entire day and loved every moment. Looking forward to going back on our next visit.

Thought it would just be 1 building as the museum but is so much more. Indoor and outdoor exhibits of shipbuilding and life in the seaport village.
Especially liked going abroad the Charles W. Morgan, last remaining whaling ship. Also saw young volunteers working to restore a large ship.
Enjoyable day to walk through the entire grounds.

We visited with our three daughters and six grandchildren from 6-18. There was something for everyone. Lots of outdoor space and exhibits for the young ones and very educational exhibits for the older ones. Homeport with its non-tech games like skittles entertained everyone. Absolute must for all families.

Felt that the $27 per person fee was just not worth it. $10 car parking where you should instead park and walk down to the village in 10 minutes.
The whole experience is like an overpriced Disney event and just not worth the money.
All shops are expensive

A lot to see but with no explanation. This is a large complex but nothing to tell you what you are looking at. I think a guided walking story and explanation of the history would really have helped. We just walked aimlessly and with a 7 year old, we all were bored.

Amazing variety of building and boats that transport you back in time. Ride on steamship with narrated history was a must. Loved the staff/volunteers who demonstrated blacksmithing and other old time crafts. The museum itself was small but also very interesting.

Spent quite a bit of time here. Lots to see and do and learn for all ages! We took a tour of the fire boat, saw the printer and wood carver in action and watched a demo of the newfoundland dogs in training...and more! It was a full beautiful day!

I learned so much here. Some of the highlights for me were the whaling ship, the printing press at the preserved village, and the 85-year-firefighting boat that even assisted on 9/11. At each exhibit, I found myself imagining what it would have been like to live that life.

Still great after all these years. I went as a child, youth,young married and with our kids and now returned after more than 25 years to find it still great. I have such great memories of the museum and the entire Mystic area and they all came back on our recent visit. Engaging and educational you can almost hear the sounds of the seaport workers in their shops. Exploring each area feels like an adventure, especially on a cool sunny day. The new exibit hall is a great introduction to the seaport or whatever is the current subject of its exhibit. Workig restorations and historical exhibits all blend seamlessly. The price alone is till amazing in its competitiveness that it hasn't changed all that much over the years. We were visiting our daughter and her SO and decided on a day trip here. A great choice, it was nice to just compare our visits with her and her sister as children to her,now as an adult. What a great day!

Even with some of the exhibits closed due to COVID, it took 1 1/4 days to see it all. First, head to the included boat ride and water tour of the tall ships so you won't miss your opportunity. They make an effort to involve children, but younger than school age will be a waste of money.

We did not know what to expect but we had the BEST time at this museum. We spent the majority of our day there because there was so much to see. It was all incredibly interesting and there was a great diversity to the exhibits. Some are interactive, some art, some history, etc.

This place was amazing!!! So many things to look...we spent 5 hours here and could have spent more time. They do offer a little boat ride but you do need to buy tickets so don't forget to get those.

Visited on a post season weekday and no crowding issues. Social distancing not a problem. Masks required. Several shops and exhibits were closed but had pretty comprehensive visit.
Entry price included a very fine book worth the admission.
Started with the cruise around the museum and got a good overview. Did a walking tour of the village, looking in windows and doing walk throughs. Amazed at all of the small crafts and trades shops needed to support the shipbuilding.
Great exhibits of ships from the past including fishing ships and whalers.
Finished the day with a trip to the Planetarium for a navigation by the stars presentation.
Excellent museum, a must do for anyone with interest in the nautical exhibits.

Nice had a great time. Me and my wife definitely got a good history listen. It was so hands on. Definitely great for kids. The planetarium was our favorite. Such a great surprise.

We didn’t know that you had to pay for admission in order to walk the dog around. We figured you needed to if you went into the buildings, exhibits or ships but without any intention of doing that, we still had to pay $50 to walk the dog. But the grounds are very clean, nice views of the river, and the staff was very friendly and helpful. Enjoyed sitting on a beach and watching the families with kids.

Very nice museum.walked and enjoyed the history of this nice town.class!We are from Russia.St. Petersburg. Were in October 2021.Zykov.A.G.Lebedev.T.V.Lebedev.I.A.

Loved this little town! Great restaurants and shopping along with a wonderful museum of Seaport history!

It was a fun learning experience. It was great for adults as well as for children. We went to the planetarium to learn about how the sailors used the stars to navigate.

Learning about the schanties, clock maker and sextons, whaling boat and how the crew would catch and kill the whale for oil. Everything in the seaport village was educational. I enjoyed it all

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the Seaport museum. The village is a wonderful representation of what life was like in the 19th century. If you care to see demonstrations, I would suggest visiting on the weekend. Several of the shops/homes had volunteers on hand to answer questions. The senior admission fee was $24 and since we visited on a Wednesday morning, it was not crowded at all. We also did a self-guided tour of the Charles W. Morgan whaling ship. There was a docent on hand to answer questions. You could easily spend an entire here.

We stopped in here while on vacation in Mystic, CT because my son collects magnets.
It is a very nice place, although pricey.

The live museum is not fully operational. Most of the rooms were closed and the actors didn’t dress up like the figures they were supposed to play. Very disappointing from a “live museum”

We needed more time to truly appreciate it all. There was SO much to enjoy and for all ages. We took advantage of watching a couple of short documentaries, and learned a lot. There were also play areas for kids, and places to eat-- overall, I highly recommend!

We went to Mystic Seaport Museum with my nephew, his wife, and his family of three boys (14, 8, & 4). While several of the buildings were closed (on a Sat.), enough were open and enough activities & demonstrations were taking place to keep the kids occupied. The facility is quite nice and very engaging for children (and adults as well). They have numerous boats/ships in their harbor, some under repair and some one may board. They also have several watercraft (rowboats, paddle boards, etc.) that may be taken out in the harbor. We did not get through the entire facility in one afternoon. I might add it was also encouraging to see younger folks giving demonstrations on rope tying, rope making, securing sails, etc.--skills that might soon be forgotten if some of our younger generations don't learn them as these young adults have.

This is a great stop if you want to learn about maritime history. There are many indoor and outdoor displays, There were interpreters available to help with the understanding of the displays. The staff who work on the ships/boats are eager to talk to you. Everyone whom we encountered seemed to be genuinely interested in sharing their enthusiasm about this great place

Very cool place to bring the kids. Numerous boats and exhibits to explore and have them learn. Plus you get some sunshine, fresh air and a little exercise. Winning. It’s good for at least 2 hours but you can double that easily with scheduled tours and activities.

It was an exceptional learning experience that unfolded in awe inspiring ways. We wondered what we would discover in the next exhibit. We marveled and we learned many historical facts that, although we could have found on the internet, seeing the artifacts in this up-close, arm's length away experience could not be compared.

Have your walking shoes...I thought this museum was one building but it is a small community. We loved it!

Great visit to Mystic Seaport Museum. Spent a few hours here touring the boats and all the homes throughout. Very interesting and can spend a whole day here.

What a neat way to explore the history of New England. This is an immersive experience - climbing onto the boats and peeking under the decks! So many bits of the sailing industry to learn about in the individual shops. Each interpretive worker was full of great information and made two hours here pass in a flash.

Mom and I love Mystic Seaport and enjoyed our visit there on July 4. However I felt I needed to warn others pushing people in wheelchairs that this site is not fully accessible for them. Yes there are ramps that allow you to reach the exhibit area but beyond that, the terrain becomes uneven. Paved areas - slate tile - are uneven in many places causing my mom’s wheelchair to be caught many times and forcing me to have to lift her up to get past such spots repeatedly. Exhibits often have no ramps do you can’t get inside the buildings or the doorways require someone to hold it open while the wheelchair occupant and their pusher go through. Dirt covered streets also snagged our wheelchair wheels often so we gave up using those. Then when we went to exit, we had to grab two other visitors to lift my mom’s chair onto the ramped area because there was no ramp TO that area. Praying that some investors will gift this historic site with the funds needed to make this lovely place far more accessible to the handicapped than it is today.

Educationaloutdoor museum with lots of interesting exhibits. Highlights are the exhibits on the 19th century whaling industry and a chance to see the Charles Morgan, the last wooden whaling shipin the world. Fun activities for small kids too in case they get bored with the history lessons.

To completely see this place you need 2 days. We went into all the houses and boats and was very cool. They have water fountain and bathroom available. The ticket is valid for 7 days. The restaurant serve delish food and the price is affordable. Take a hat and some SPF. Comfortable shoes and take your time enjoying the whole town. Also, the trips around the lake are very cute and cheap 5$.

Honestly - one of our favourite activities in Mystic. We've been twice and the first time - we were rushed. But the second time we were able to spend more time and were able to really explore. I wish all of the buildings were open when we were there - but the ones that were open were great and informative. We really liked the wood working and the house with the baking.

Very interesting, historical, cool learning experiences.A fun day of many firsts! I have never been on a whaling ship, in the hull of a ship, or learned so much nautical information. Lots of walking, some stair climbing, but lots to learn. I went with my husband, but seemed like there was lots to do with kids!

Great time! Well worth it!
Staff was very interesting and attentive
Learned a lot about whaling and fishing boats. Lots of hands on opportunities.

We, a family of four with adult children, had some lovely hours at the museum. It's a bit worn out, but the harbor environment was amazingly beautiful, and the history of the area was exciting. We bought a boat trip, where we had a good conversation with the sailor/guide during the half hour on the water.
Museum and activities are highly recommended.

Wonderful museum! The art exhibition they were hosting was beautiful and well presented. Nice people to answer any questions

We had an enjoyable afternoon exploring the replica of the town and seeing the ships on display. Great if you enjoy history!!

We stayed for several hours and could have stayed longer. If you are a fan of history or boating, you may wish to return within the week, which you can do for free with your ticket.The highlight for us was a tour of the Charles W Morgan, the last wooden whaling ship in existence. We were fortunate to encounter docent Ron H. who vividly described life on the whaling ship! The volunteers and staff went out of their way to be helpful. We saw a lot of activities to involve children and there is special free admission for young people this summer, at least from Connecticut.

For a well-presented look at life in a New England seaport, this is the place to be. There are many buildings and shops, each highlighting a single part of the business of shipbuilding life. Some have displays explaining the exhibit (rope making, for example), others have live demonstrations of the craft (blacksmithing). There are several ships to explore hands on. There is a lot of flexibility in how you experience this museum - we spent about 3 hours there and still didn't see everything.

Enjoyed learning more about the history of the area. Also, the still-active shipbuilding site was interesting.

This would be a nice place to go if you are into ships and shipbuilding. Personally, it just wasn't my type of place, but I'm glad that I can say I was there!

we have a cond in Charelstown RI and went to this really nice museum in Mystic,Ct. and it was a great place for a famIily to visit. Yhou get to see the history of the area and all the information in regard to the ships that sailed out of the Harbor here.
It is near the entrance to the area where you walk into history with homes and business's that were there when Mystic first came about.Good parking across the street. Nice places to eat and the village can take hours to visit. Go to Mystic pizza where the movie of the same name was filmed. Then go across the street to the fantastic award winning bakery.

I brought my family for a visit and they were amazed at the ships and the village. Plenty to do for the kids, great history for adults.

Mystic Seaport has an outstanding collection of historic 19th Century artifacts from American nautical history in general and whaling history specifically. Contained in a series of 19 Century buildings that were either onsite since this part of Mystic was a shipyard or brought in on barges from nearby New England site, each building concentrates on a particular aspect of whaling and the naval technologies used by the crews. The museum grounds are laid out to look like a 19th Century whaling village.

As you'd expect, the largest building holds the most extensive overview of whaling, how it was important to the 19th Century industrial revolution, where the diverse boat crews came from, and how whale oil was eventually superseded by petroleum products.

Some of the interesting exhibitions (some temporary) currently in the museum:

* A collection of contemporary art murals called "Oceananus" showing how the oceans are adapting to human influence (such as "rafts" holding migratory ocean species formed by discarded plastic).
* A collection of decorative arts (such as boat racing prize cups) showing how various nautical motifs are incorporated, such as the series of "Astor Cups."
* Displays of elaborate interiors from famous yachts salvaged from the ships, such as from the "Packard" ship.
* A scale model of the entire Mystic River area in the late 19th Century, showing where all the shipyards were located and what the remainder of the Town of Mystic looked like.
* An active shipyard showing various historic boats being restored by master boat builders.
* Various small & large ships either still afloat or in large storage sheds.
* Many of the exhibits are staffed by local experts (such as blacksmiths & printers) who can explain the technologies displayed in more detail.

The museums grounds are extensive; plan to spend an entire day to see everything. A must see if you are in the area.

We visited during the long Memorial Day weekend. Touring inside the old ships were interesting and informative for kids and adults. It was a nice walk along the seaport while viewing the relics of the shipyard. The cruise was nice too. It was a 2 hr drive one way, but definitely worth the trip and exceeded expectations.

We got there right at 10am and left around 2pm. There is so much to see here. The Charles W. Morgan was a beautiful ship with so much history. We spent time walking through all the homes and stores. Some of the places had employees in them that were very knowledgeable about the area and the building they were in the town at that time. It was a nice afternoon.

If you can do one thing in Connecticut, this is it! It is like the Greenfield Village of the Sea. Where else can you walk into an old ship and observe it's restoration first hand? Also, there are affordable boat rides in the bay in which they share the history of the area. This is the perfect site for any boat history enthusiast.

Nothing was open. Could not enter any but 2 blogs. Did not give us the senior discount even when asked. There was no disclaimer about not being able to enter the buildings or a price reduction for the limited access. Paid to tour Charles Morgan and couldn’t get near the ship let alone go aboard

Beautiful seaport! Is a fun-learn experience! Is a fun experiece even to grown ups. Highly recommended in Christmas!....

Worth the drive and the reasonable price.

Spent about five hours here today. I especially liked the work areas. Amazing how they repaired and restored ships!

The whole village is a great example of early new England living in a harbor.

Several retired ships including the Morgan, last of the ships designed for hunting whales.

Great place to bring the family or a place to go if you're a history buff.

We were very pleasantly surprised by this museum. There is so much to see and do here - really something for everyone. We were there for six hours and still didn’t get to see everything!! Great fun for small kids to adults! There are lots of food and drink options here too. We all learned something new and had a wonderful time!

Awesome working shipyard. Great history and restoration of old ships. Great outdoor walking museum. Try to get the tour. Very interesting.

We enjoyed our day at Mystic. Many of the buildings had interpreters and I was able to brush up on my physics. The boat ride was informative, and you can get lunch for about $15. They have a AAA discount but you have to ask.

We were there for 4 hours and wishing that we had more time. We're 3 adults and one teenage and we all learned something new.We didn't have time to go to the planetarium show due to limited capacity.

Due to some unforeseen situations we ended up with an extra day in Mystic...to our pleasure! We visited the Seaport Museum, the cost was about $25 per person and the beautiful book you receive when you leave is worth the price in and of itself. We were able to take the harbor cruise included with the cost of admission which was full of information. TheHB Dupont shipyard was interesting and very educational. Many of the exhibits were open to view, there were a few that were still closed. We were fortunate to have an absolutely beautiful day. Note to self, park down at the South. entrance and start there. We parked in the North entrance and went through the exhibition hall and went backwards unknowingly. They were offering 3 days for the price of admission so you could return on multiple days. You could also take out row boats or sail boats for 30 minutes free of charge. We followed this with a trip to the aquarium in the afternoon. For the price, this is DEFINITELY the better deal!

Mystic is Williamsburg on the water. A working museum with loads to see! To see it all and take the time to take it all in 2 days is not going to lead to boredom. Great place to visit and learn.

If Mystic is on your itinerary, you will visit Mystic Seaport. It wasn't the favorite thing I did on my trip to New England, but it was interesting. They seem a bit confused as to whether they're a living history experience or just a mostly outdoor museum. There's a bit of both. I honestly preferred just the outdoor museum, since some of the living history people got to droning on and on and on. The place is worth visiting, though, and they do give a good background on the history of the area.

What a great place to explore. The Mystic Seaport Museum is a large indoor/outdoor space that you can spend hours exploring. There are building to go into that have some art exhibits and others that show lives from the past. There is a whaling ship built in the 1800’s that you can go into and explore which was really, really cool. The weekend we were there they had visiting raindeer, ice sculptures and a s’mores making area. Great place for old and young alike.

The Mystic Seaport Museum is a fun educational experience. Make sure you visit the planetarium while there and learn all about our night sky and how mariners utilized the stars to navigate. Be prepared to do a lot of walking. Plenty of hands on activities for both kids and adults.

A must see if visiting Mystic. You'll spend some time there, depending on how much you want to read and learn from all the displays in all the various buildings there. Nice walk along the Mystic river with all the boats parked at their moorings. Some exhibits were closed for the season, as was one of the restaurants. Buy your ticket online, save the email for free admission another day in the week. That was a nice surprise. Make sure to tour the ships available for going on board.

We went to the Mystic Seaport Museum’s Christmas Lantern Light Village.

A total of 6 adults, and 6 children under the age of 5 ($246.00 2 of the children were free)

We were told to arrive at 5:00PM. Arrive at 4:50, parking lot was nearly full. There was a line of 100 people waiting for their tickets to be scanned. Waited outside in the 32 degree weather until it was our turn…

Waiting outside in long lines in the freezing cold is the theme here…

Every little building on site is crammed full of people. 99% of the events are not toddler friendly.

Want a hot chocolate? Wait a half hour! $5 per cup! No food on site.

There is very little as far as festive Christmas lights or Christmas music. It is basically small rooms, with people in strange outfits, doing strange things.

For my high school history teacher - maybe - for a family with young kids - RUN

This recreated village left us disappointed. Many of the shops were closed. The folks doing the work such as the blacksmith didn’t really know what they were doing. Very few ships to explore. It was July and they were filming a Lifetime movie with lots of fake snow and the movie crew rudely yelling at visitors or blocking major walkways.

Admission was $31.00. Nothing was open including one of the ships. It was like a ghost town.
Perhaps April is considered off season. It would have been nice to know that when we bought the tickets.
The planetarium had special exhibits but that was an extra $8.00 in addition to the $31.00 admission.
The movie/video in the lighthouse wasn’t working. We saw one employee in one of the buildings explaining how barrels were made but that was it. We didn’t see any other staff. There was a board map near the main building but no printed maps. So we were left to wander around. There are four in our family…. $124.00 that could have been spent elsewhere. Don’t waste your time or money.

I had heard a lot about the Museum, but I really had to experience it to truly appreciate it. Three hours was not enough time to see it all, but found it time well spent. Highlights for me were touring an actual whaling ship. :Listening to the blacksmith talk about the wild ride of the whalers at 22 knots in their small boat once the whale was harpooned. Also, enjoyed the rope making display and the display of mastheads. You had to have a good one or nobody would utilize your ship. Most unexpected was the artwork displaying invertibrates. There was much much more!

We visited on a sunny weekday in October. Some exhibits were closed but it was still a well-done maritime museum. We were able to board an authentic whaling ship.

Love all the history surrounding these places.
Especially great for kids, the lessons are endless.
Everything was clean, the personnel helpful and great facility.

Mystic Seaport Museum is a beautiful place to explore. There is so much history to be learned about Mystic's past of not only the superb ships but of the people who had made this place their home.

The place is amazing, we spend the entire day there and just about covered everything, the staff is amazing and very knowledgeable explaining in detail the exhibits, a true step back in time.
On a personal note, I came across the Greda III tender not knowing it was there, I happen friends with some of the descendants of the rescued persons so there was a personal connection there.

Walking distance from town. We were there July 1,2023. We were lucky to be at the museum during reenactment’s & got to take part in pulling on the pirate ship. It was absolutely enjoyable, and my boyfriend loved the fire boat. Booked our tickets online for 1/2 price😃

The Seaport is a great place to visit even during Covid times. Most things are all outdoors! It's beautiful and well-maintained with just the right amount of special activities like live music or outdoor festivals thrown in for your ticket price.

The best in the world facino me the good place to come as a family, fun educational good relax good food well recommended

It is a place for fans of the genre, but it is worth a short visit because it is not a classic museum concentrated in one structure. You walk by the water and there is no confusion. You enter small wooden houses based on the interest you have in what is exposed inside. In one there is an interesting model that reconstructs the port of Mystic as it was in the days of the first settlements. Some outdoor posters tell stories about Native Americans present at the time of the colonists' landing and the development of the shipbuilding industry and its upheavals for them. Only here you have the opportunity to board the Charles W. Morgan, launched in 1841, get down in the berths of the sailors and understand a little bit what work was like on board: it is the only wooden whaling ship (three masts) that survived in the USA. Wow!

My daughter was excited to see the panorama that was on display in the main building. She is an artist and was explaining to me how someone would have painted something like that.

Walking through the village was a lot of fun. We spent about 4 hours here, but could have spent the day. Everything is included, except the main planetarium shows, although they do provide a walk-through show for everyone to gain entry.

This would be fun and educational for children and adults. There are activities for the young ones, with some things that are scheduled throughout the day.

We didn't tour the museum but we did to the river ride on a small passenger boat. Very nice trip down the Mystic Seaport and back. Trip was about an hour. Very relaxing.

This museum is done incredibly well. There are no shortage of things to do and see and despite spending the whole day here, we still felt there was more that we were missing out on.

Plan on a couple of hours to se everything. There are several restored buildings to tour, many with docents giving demonstrations. You can walk onto the ships and see exhibits in other buildings. The grounds are beautiful, located by the river.

There is a lot to see and do here. My kids enjoyed the ships and shops/demos the most. We spent a couple hours each day for 2 days. There is also a fun playground space with boats and a mast/sail to climb on. It was a perfect way to unwind after a long drive.

I read estimates about spending 2 days here, but we spent about 8 hours and got to see everything once and some things twice. I felt like we saw all that we wanted to, and at a leisurely pace. It was a nice time.

Reduce entrance fee by 90 percent

As a result of CVID 19 and the associated loss of revenue the museum has seen fit to PERMANENTLY lay off almost all the full time staff to include craftsman and maintenance crew. The lonely professional wood carver was tucked away in a "family quiet room" with not a single person in the building..
The only crafsman on duty was at the print shop and his talk was excellent. As the museum is charging full admission fee for a downsized if not empty facility I would recommend skipping this facility completely until such time that it is staffed appropriately. Using docens is not what makes this an educational experience although they do an excellent job of directing one to the nearest restroom.

One of the best educational experiences in America. One could between 2 and 20 hours visiting, depending on whatever you want. Great, enriching experience for my two-year old, as well as my 71 year old father!

This was a highlight of our trip! It was so cool and educational! Both my 9 year old son and I had a blast! It’s an expansive open air museum (with interactive components) so I would recommend wearing comfortable shoes and clothes. My son especially liked walking on the ships and seeing the school building (he was so surprised at how small the school was). We ate at the restaurant on the property (it was a bit pricey but very convenient). I’m so glad that we visited the seaport museum- it’s a must when visiting Mystic!

Wonderful local history lesson walking through Mystic Seaport. Most exhibits were open, the weather and scenery were beautiful, the staff was friendly. I've been to Mystic several times but have never gone through the Seaport. As we are moving out of state I am glad I experienced it. Well worth the $31.