A Winter Weekend in Mystic, CT: Fireplaces, Tastings, and Slow Mornings

Many Mystic attractions change their hours between seasons, so check each website before you go. A few of our favorite things to do in Mystic in winter include:

1. Mystic Aquarium. With so many of its exhibits indoors, the aquarium is an easy choice on a cold or rainy day. Ask our front desk about discounted tickets for hotel guests.
2. Mystic Seaport Museum. The museum’s galleries, historic ships, and re-created 19th-century coastal village tell the story of Mystic’s maritime past. Confirm the winter schedule on the museum’s website before your visit.
3. Downtown Mystic. Downtown’s boutiques and galleries are a short walk from our hotel, and the Bascule Bridge connects East and West Main Street. For new reads, Bank Square Books, now at 80 Stonington Road, is a short drive away.
4. Olde Mistick Village. This shopping village sits next to Mystic Aquarium. In February 2026, it hosted Frozen Art in the Village, an ice sculpture event, so check the village’s events calendar for 2027 dates.
5. Coastal walks. Bluff Point State Park in Groton and Barn Island Wildlife Management Area in Stonington both have trails along the water and salt marshes. Dress in layers, since the wind off the water makes it feel colder.

Visiting in December? Our Mystic, Connecticut Christmas guide covers the holiday lights, the Lighted Boat Parade, and other seasonal events in town.

Wine Tasting Near Mystic in Winter

Two of the best-known wineries near Mystic keep their tasting rooms open year-round, so a winter visit is easy to fit into your weekend.

1. Stonington Vineyards, about 10 minutes from downtown Mystic, has been producing wine since 1987 and is known for its Chardonnay and estate-grown wines. The tasting room is open daily, closing only on New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. From November through April, guided wine tours are offered on Fridays and Sundays at noon.
2. Jonathan Edwards Winery, about 16 minutes away in North Stonington, pours its wines in a restored 1880 dairy barn. The winery makes wines from both Connecticut-grown grapes and California fruit. The tasting room is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closes on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

For more wineries in the region, see our guides to the Connecticut Wine Trail and the best wineries near Mystic, CT.

The Chef’s Tasting Menu at The Shipwright’s Daughter

The Shipwright’s Daughter, our on-site restaurant, is led by Chef David Standridge, winner of the 2024 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Northeast. The kitchen focuses on local seafood, whole-animal butchery, and vegetables from nearby farms, and the menu changes often based on what’s available.

The 5-course chef’s tasting menu is the best way to experience the restaurant. Courses typically move from raw and chilled seafood to handmade pasta and vegetable dishes, then local fish or meat, and finish with dessert. Optional wine pairings come from a list of more than 150 wines that have received a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence every year since 2022.

Reservations are highly recommended. You can also add the tasting menu to your stay through our Enhance Your Stay packages.

Slow Mornings: Breakfast and Coffee in Mystic

Breakfast at The Shipwright’s Daughter is served à la carte, with eggs cooked to order, house-made pastries, and a seasonal menu built on New England ingredients. The baristas make a full espresso menu, including the house turmeric-infused latte. Guests in select Stanton House rooms can also have breakfast brought to their suite.

Complimentary coffee is available in our lobby throughout the day, and freshly baked cookies come out every afternoon. For coffee and pastries around town, Sift Bake Shop is a short walk across the Bascule Bridge on Water Street, and our guide to the best coffee shops in Mystic has more local favorites.

Where to Stay in Mystic in Winter: Rooms with Fireplaces

Two of our six buildings have rooms with gas fireplaces.

• The Stanton House is our most modern building, with an elevator and full ADA accommodations. Its Riverview Deluxe Suites and Riverview Penthouses have gas fireplaces, living areas, kitchenettes, private balconies, and views of the Mystic River and the Bascule Bridge. Guests in select Stanton House rooms can have breakfast from The Shipwright’s Daughter brought to their suite.
• The Hoxie House is adults-only. Its Deluxe Queen and King guestrooms have one-touch gas fireplaces and air-jet soaking tubs, with views of the river and the bridge.

To compare every room type, see all of our rooms and suites.

Only select rooms have fireplaces, so book early for winter weekends. Booking directly with us lets our front desk team help you choose the right room. For a night in, add our A’board and Bottle package: a charcuterie board from Chef Standridge, with artisan cheeses from Mystic Cheese and a bottle of Saltwater Farm Vineyard wine, waiting in your room when you arrive.