Learn about life in a recreated 19th-century seafaring village or climb aboard one of the world’s last wooden whaleboats in this expansive outdoor maritime museum.
Mystic Seaport: The Museum of America and the Sea presents a larger-than-life insight into America’s maritime heritage through immersive experiences, original artifacts and preserved vessels. Explore a vast range of sailing ships and boats or see more than 60 meticulously restored historic waterfront buildings. Make your way around this seafaring village, which has been recreated to depict the world as it was in the 1800s. At Mystic Seaport, you can be the captain of a sailboat and cruise down the Mystic River.
Stroll through the village to see real New England buildings and meet historians, performers and storytellers who will weave a life-like insight into 19th century Mystic. Take a ride on a horse-drawn carriage or watch the shipsmiths working on the rigs. Wander through expertly recreated gardens and listen as the museum’s chanteymen perform traditional songs from the seafarers of long ago.
Don’t miss climbing aboard the Charles W. Morgan, the last of the historic American whaling fleet that launched in the 19th century. Built in 1841, the Morgan sailed the seas until 1921 and is today the treasure of Chubb’s Wharf. Walk the decks of this historic vessel to learn about the whaling industry. See more nationally significant historic vessels moored in the wharf, such as an 1866 fishing boat and a 1908 steamer.
Visit the museum’s Preservation Shipyard, where you can watch restorers working on the historic vessels. Check out a collection of carved ships’ figureheads and see fascinating nautical instruments on display. Head to the museum’s planetarium to see the constellations soaring above as you learn about how sailors would use the stars to navigate the seas.
Take the chance to cruise around Mystic Seaport in a historic vessel and learn about the different ships as you sail by. You can also rent a rowboat or a sailboat and make your own voyage around the port.
Mystic Seaport: The Museum of America and the Sea is located on Mystic’s historic waterfront. Discounted admission is available to seniors and children. The museum is open daily, except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Check the museum’s daily activity schedule to plan your visit to this exciting hands-on attraction.