This Surprising Town Wants To Be The East Coast’s Next Big Beach Escape

Share The Article

When it involves the East Coast, Florida tends to steal all of the shine for seashore getaways, adopted by the Big Apple for its huge city sprawl with seemingly each attraction below the solar.

But a neighboring state many choose to cover out and dwell in peace over circling Manhattan for an overpriced parking spot every morning is able to change its status as a blissful hideaway and pass-through state in favor of changing into a vacation spot in its personal proper.

Arguably New England’s most underrated state, it is brimming with small-town appeal, coastal delights, and epic eats regardless of most easily stopping right here to refill their tank and proceed on their merry manner.

That mentioned, there’s an exception for every part, proper?

In this case, there’s one seaside city all however sure to attract a summer season crowd, but has largely remained below wraps regardless of Julia Roberts’ finest efforts.

They’re not glad settling for a busy summer season season both — they need to reopen an airport for business flights for the primary time in a long time, aiming to turn out to be the East Coast’s subsequent large seashore escape.

Discover The Mystique Of Mystic

Connecticut has a journey hotspot?

It does — and it’s not Hartford or the school city/pizza paradise of New Haven.

It’s the postcard-perfect city of Mystic, straddling the Mystic River and Mystic Harbor to spherical out a full waterfront dose of “Mysticism”.

Like its New England neighbors, comparable to Cape Cod and Kennebunkport, this coastal appeal boasts comparable delights come summertime, with stress-free days aboard a river cruise, limitless boutique purchasing, and capping off a sunny day with a glass of wine and unbelievable contemporary seafood whipped up in a quintessential weathered clapboard shack.

Of course, if you happen to’re a 90s child like me, you absolutely know the film Mystic Pizza. 

Long after the credit rolled, Mystic has remained the kind of timeless seaside escape folks flock to for drawbridge views, bobbing boats, breezy, salty air, and that almost-tangible New England appeal that feels tailored for summer season.

But what in regards to the seashores?

Mystic could also be a waterfront beaut, however it’s not notably recognized for its seashores, although there’s one for positive value visiting:

Williams Beach Park provides a small however worthy swath of sand good for a laid-back seashore day, with family-friendly inexperienced area and simply sufficient shoreline to scratch your summertime itch — even when your odds of recognizing the Kraken are most likely higher saved for native lore than the waterline.

New Airport In The Works

A brief drive away in New London, they are not coping with Mystic’s crowds — they’re coping with the forms of reopening an airport that hasn’t dealt with business flights since 2004.

Remember what I mentioned about Connecticut being a pass-through vacation spot? It’s true.

Famously, comic and podcaster Joe Rogan has sworn off performing right here, stating Connecticut is “just a highway” and “not a real state”.

Local officers need to alleviate congestion, particularly on I-95, and maybe change their status too.

Mystic is Connecticut’s hottest vacation spot regardless of the glitz and glamour of Greenwich and the a lot larger hub of Hartford.

A brand new airport would join this blissful area, making it simpler for Mystic lovers to achieve extra conveniently and for residents “Nutmeggers” to not should make the drive to Hartford or one in every of New York City’s quite a few airports.

From New London to Stonington, there are dozens of hidden gems ready to be found by the plenty, together with unheard-of islands like Fishers Island, simply south of Mystic, able to be developed as “it” locations.

With no timeframe in thoughts, the airport stays a mere concept, however there is not any denying this area desires extra vacationers.

In reality, in their very own phrases, they’re virtually begging for “any airline” to take over Groton New London Airport.

If solely Spirit obtained the memo earlier than dumping Hartford…

Beautiful Beaches Galore Nearby

Speaking of Fishers Island, if you happen to’re up for a grand journey, that is an awesome start line to find Connecticut’s unsung seashore paradises.

Home to Isabell Beach, which has but to obtain a unfavorable Google evaluate, and an etched-in-time townscape of ice cream parlors and normal shops, you will not be upset.

But if you do not have a pal with a ship, you possibly can keep on with the shoreline and discover different seashore cities properly value your whereas simply as aforementioned Stonington with beautiful DuBois Beach and Groton with many off-path seashore spots far faraway from metropolis life, comparable to Bluff Point Beach deep inside Bluff Point State Park ($10 entry charge).

Connecticut’s shoreline is certainly value a go to, however it nonetheless flies below the radar since not each traveler desires to hit the street — even Mystic vacationers make not notice what they’re lacking out on.

For what it is value, the “Constitution State” feels very safe to visit, particularly hopping from one beachy city to a different.

A brand new report claims violent crime noticed double-digit declines statewide.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Senior Lead Writer & Journalist primarily based in San Diego has visited 44 international locations and written over 1500 articles with a concentrate on sharing his personal journey experiences and shining a lightweight on lesser-known gems.