Location: Stonington
Top Things to do in Stonington
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What to do and see in Stonington, United States: The Best Places and Tips
The town of Stonington is located in New London County, Connecticut, United States, in the state's southeastern corner. It includes the borough of Stonington, the villages of Pawcatuck, Lords Point, Wequetequock, and the eastern halves of the villages of Mystic and Old Mystic (the other halves being in the town of Groton). The population of the town was 18,545 at the 2010 census.
Restaurants in Stonington
1. Mystic Dark Room
Overall Ratings
5 based on 62 reviews
Mystic Dark Room is an intimate show lounge offering unique entertainment experiences, accommodating its guests with all front row seating, allowing all who enter to feel like a VIP. Up a winding staircase, past the iron and brass gates, guests escape into a chic metro-loft atmosphere, ornamented with leather couches, private tables, larger than life concert style sets, lighting and special effects. This year’s line-up includes adult’s only fare with Grab weekend evenings in the fall. In December, Nutcracker Spectacular is the holiday hit that is returning from Foxwood’s Grand Theater to make Mystic its new home, with an extravaganza that’s family oriented and packed with edge of your seat excitement. February shifts gears back to an adult evening line-up with Flash perfect for sharing with a Valentine, and March marks the encore season of The Little Mermaid a Broadway style “dancical” that enchanted children and families last spring. Guests attending Grab or Flash are invited to BYOB, relax and unwind with wine, champagne, ale or brew - or their non-alcoholic beverage of choice. Following all shows, the soirée continues with intriguing interactions between guests and artists - we encourage you to take advantage of the dance floor and light show.
Reviewed By Liz D
I've attended serveral performances at the Mystic Dark Room and they are always an amazing experience. From an evening out with my husband to an afternoon with the family - they offer a variety of performances throughout the year. I especially love The Nutcracker where the dancers keep the beautiful tradition of the ballet but bring in unique touches to make the performance even more memorable. The intimate setting makes you feel like you're part of the show!
2. Stonington Vineyards
Overall Ratings
4 based on 143 reviews
Reviewed By Curious_Chemist - Connecticut
This is one of the more picnic friendly wineries we have encountered and have had one here in the past. The grounds are large and there is a good amount of tables for sharing a glass of wine and a large green for spreading out...MoreDear Guest, Many thanks for the wonderful review! We appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback with future visitors, and will hope to welcome you back again soon for a picnic! Thanks again! Best, Stonington Vineyards Management
3. Flying Horse Carousel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 111 reviews
Restored carousel which is a National Historic Landmark.
Reviewed By mrpesce - Doylestown, Pennsylvania
Just happened to be in town and decided to look around and bumped into this. It is a living, working piece of history. If you're looking for safe and new this isn't it. There are some basic safety measures but it's as close to original as you can get. Just cool looking.
4. Wilcox Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 124 reviews
Reviewed By Joe_from_Boston - Andover, MA
Fabulously well maintained arboretum-style park. Most trees labeled with there name. Often the site of special events like the Mem Day Weekend Art Show, Westerly Pops and Fireworks, Shakespeare in the Park, and more. Very nice to visit and walk around even if no event!
5. Saltwater Farm Vineyard
Overall Ratings
4 based on 111 reviews
Reviewed By Bonnie H - Charles Town, West Virginia
Just attended a wedding here this past weekend. The location is beautiful and the venue stunning. The food was terrific and the staff right on everything. My husband tried one of their wines and stated it was excellent!
6. Napatree Point
Overall Ratings
5 based on 107 reviews
Watch Hill bird sanctuary.
Reviewed By chiefwahoo1989 - Manchester, New Hampshire
My wife and I and one of our friends visited Napatree as we read it was one of the best spots in RI for shelling. Judging by how many shells my wife came home with I'll go along with that statement, haha!
I was more interested in the walk along the beach itself, and it wasn't a disappointment. Once the fog lifted off the beach the views stretched for miles. We mainly stuck to the ocean/Long Island Sound side of the point. You could see from one end to the other, and the walk was pleasant, especially at sunset when the crowd dwindled considerably. That just gave us our own personal sunset, which was fantastic.
A word of caution: heed the tick sign at the entrance. My dog and I took one side trail over the dunes in between and I immediately pulled 6 ticks off of him and 2 off of me once we were back on the long beach.
7. Charles W. Morgan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 355 reviews
Located at Mystic Seaport, this is the only existing wooden whaleship.
Reviewed By tmrlm - the fort
The last of it's kind an old whaling vessel.When we were there the sailors explained about the ship, you can take your time and look around at designated times the explain about the vessel and demonstrated the loading and unloading singing sailors songs. Quite interesting all around. We could even watch them raise the sails. Very informative
8. Sail Trim Again
Overall Ratings
5 based on 51 reviews
Sail & Motor yacht sightseeing, romantic sunset cruises, tours of Mystic Seaport Museum, affiliated with Ocean HouseFrom the Shores: Historic Narrated Harbor Tours - Enjoy a cruise aboard Encore or Trim Again and listen as Captain Jack shares the history of Watch Hill, Westerly, Block Island, Stonington, Fishers Island, Noank, Mystic, and New London.Private Mystic Seaport Tour - Charter a cruise to Mystic Seaport and explore the Museum with Captain Jack. Tour highlights include exploring the "Treasures from the Collections" exhibit, seeing the Danish workboat Gerda III and learning how the boat helped rescue Jews from Nazi-occupied Denmark, and climbing aboard the last wooden whaling ship in the world, the Charles W. Morgan. Sunday Mornings with Captain Jack -Sail or motor yacht to historic Stonington Harbor and take a narrated walking tour. Coffee and baked goods are provided.Rum Runners' Excursion - To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of Prohibition, take a journey back in time from Watch Hill, Westerly, Stonington, Mystic, Fishers Island and Greenport, NY, aboard Encore, a classic example of a 1920s rum-running seaworthy vessel. Special half and full-day charters are available, including the thrill of opening up the power of Encore's 700hp of speed, visiting a former speakeasy for lunch and drinks, and a private trap/door/bar tour.Oyster Farming Tour - Visit an oyster hatchery and go behind the scenes at Mystic Seaport and look at historic oyster tools and boats. Learn how oysters improve water quality and the variety of methods used to grow and harvest oysters. The program includes a tour of Mystic Seaport, a stop for lobsters at Abbott's Lobster in the Rough in Noank, and a sunset cruise home. Half and full-day charters available.American Museum of Natural History Great Gull Island Tour - A special opportunity for guests to volunteer tagging Terns.Block Island, Montauk, Newport and Sag Harbor full-day and overnight excursions.
Reviewed By Timothy M
I believe I make a good critic since I own and operate 2 shore excursions tours in the Caribbean. One is a coastal cruise and the other is a shore-based tour. After 10 years running I know the business well. The excursion I took on...MoreThank you Capt. Tim. Your comments mean a lot. It was great sharing our beautiful and Historic area with you. Regards, Jack
9. Old Lighthouse Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 95 reviews
A museum dedicated to whaling, sealing and farming as it was hundreds of years ago in Stonington.
Reviewed By Mary H - New Canaan, Connecticut
Interesting small, local history museum run by the Stonington Historical Society. Local industries and seafaring histories displayed. On a clear day, a panoramic view from the tower of the ocean and three states. Nearby parking lot for the small beach can get crowded on a summer day. A couple of picnic tables by parking lot.
10. Mystic Seaport
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Mystic Seaport is the nation's leading maritime museum. Founded in 1929, the Museum is home to four National Historic Landmark vessels, including the Charles W. Morgan, America's oldest commercial ship and the last wooden whaleship in the world. The Museum's grounds cover 19 acres on the Mystic River in Mystic, CT and include a recreated 19th-century coastal village, a working shipyard, formal exhibit halls, and state-of-the-art artifact storage facilities. Mystic Seaport is located one mile south of Exit 90 off I-95 in Mystic, CT.
Reviewed By Jon5440 - Arlington, Virginia
We very much enjoyed spending a half-day at the Seaport. There is an excellent collection of buildings covering every aspect of the ship related economy from its heyday, located on a picture worthy waterfront just outside of town. The ships themselves were really great - in good shape and very easy to appreciate thanks to good signage and very helpful staff and volunteers. They really made the day, as each seemed genuinely happy to talk about their area and answer questions. We particularly liked the scale model of Mystic in the 1800s, scampering around the ships, viewing the refurbishment of the Mayflower II (there for another year or so), and the wacky virtual reality temporary exhibit of the arctic. That was a bit out of place but oddly relaxing to walk through with the VR goggles.
