This is Michelle from “RVing Today.” This destination story is Mystic, Connecticut, which is a village in Groton and Stonington Connecticut. Historically, Mystic was a significant seaport with more than 600 ships built over 135 years starting in 1784.

Mystic is a busy village. So I chose to stay at the Mystic KOA Holiday which is very close to everything and has all the great amenities.

Ten minutes away is our first stop, the Mystic Seaport Museum. Parking is free, and they have large parking lots. You might find a spot for your RV. You can spend an hour or a day in this beautiful area. It consists of more than 60 historic buildings, most of them rare commercial structures moved to the 19-acre site and meticulously restored. This is a 19th century seafaring village. What a great way to spend a day. And it offers wonderful educational opportunities as well. You can actually get on board some of these ancient ships.

Does your RV have a name? Mine does. Many of us name our RVs. It’s kind of fun. But boat naming started over 1,000 years ago when sailors named their vessels after gods, goddesses, or saints, hoping to bring good fortune to their travels. The wrong name could be the difference between good luck and being lost at sea. It also usually involved an elaborate ceremony, a christening with wine or champagne poured on the boat.

Mystic Seaport also has a working shipyard where traditional techniques are taught to new generations.

If you’re hungry or thirsty, there are lots of opportunities at Mystic Seaport, from cafes to restaurants.  But we have special lunch plans elsewhere. Be sure to check out the seaport stores on your way out, many interesting items, many of them with a nautical theme as you would expect.

Our next stop today is the Mystic Aquarium. This is one of my grandson’s favorite spots. This marine aquarium has one of only two United States facilities holding stellar sea lions and it has the only beluga whales in New England. One of the special exhibits is a real treat to my grandson, the Jurassic giants’ dinosaur exhibit. So if you have children, do consider visiting the Mystic Aquarium.

And now for lunch, one of my favorite places to eat in this area is Mystic Pizza, and it just so happens that it was the launch of one of our favorite actresses, Julia Roberts. The story goes: “Our pizza captivated screenwriter Amy Jones while she was summering in the area. Miss Jones chose Mystic Pizza as the focus and setting of her latest work. Her story follows the lives and loves of three young waitresses. The movie was filmed all over Mystic and in neighboring towns. The classic film, ‘Mystic Pizza,’ was released in the fall of 1988.”

I can attest to the fact that their food, is very delicious. I got the veggie delight pizza, a salad, and a glass of vino, and it made a wonderful lunch.

While enjoying the village shops after lunch, I was delighted to hear the sound of the drawbridge going up. The Mystic River Bascule Bridge actually connects the Groton side of Mystic with the Stonington side of Mystic and its a famous drawbridge built in 1922. What a great ending to our visit to Mystic Connecticut.