Connecticut’s southeastern coast is small in size but oversized in stories. New London once launched whaling ships to the world’s edges; Mystic, a historic shipbuilding hub, now welcomes travelers with wooden schooners and riverfront dining; and nearby Groton preserves America’s submarine legacy. This 7-day itinerary braids maritime history with beach time, forested walks, and seriously good seafood.

Expect classic New England: clapboard houses, salt marshes, lighthouses, and harbors thick with sailboats. You’ll wander Fort Trumbull’s ramparts, step inside the USS Nautilus, and watch the Mystic River drawbridge lift for passing boats. Evenings bring sunset at Ocean Beach Park, oysters on the river, and a little live music or craft beer on Bank Street.

Practical notes: Having a car makes this trip easy, though Amtrak serves New London and local rideshares fill gaps. Seafood shacks can be seasonal (April–October), while museums and aquariums run year-round. Cuisine skews coastal—lobster rolls, chowder, oysters—balanced by inventive bakeries and farm-to-table kitchens.

New London, Connecticut

New London punches above its weight with a deep-water harbor, a colorful arts scene, and 19th‑century buildings along lively Bank Street. From the Lyman Allyn Art Museum to Fort Trumbull State Park and Ocean Beach Park, it’s a compact, walkable base with plenty to do between coffee stops and seafood feasts.

Top sights include the waterfront Promenade, Fort Trumbull’s star-shaped bastions, and the galleries around State and Bank Streets. Food-wise, think lobster rolls from a dockside window, Portuguese flavors reflecting local heritage, and sunset dinners overlooking the Thames River.

• Stay: Browse stays in New London on VRBO and Hotels.com. You’ll find waterfront inns, midrange hotels near the station, and cozy apartments steps from Bank Street.
• Getting here: Fly into Providence (PVD), Hartford (BDL), or Boston (BOS), then drive 1–2.5 hours. Compare flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Amtrak’s Northeast Regional also stops in New London (about 2h45 from NYC; 1h20 from Providence; fares vary).

Mystic, Stonington & Groton, Connecticut

Mystic is a postcard come to life: historic shipyard at the Mystic Seaport Museum, a working drawbridge, and boat-flecked river views. Nearby Stonington Borough brings a quiet, colonial-era village vibe with a pocket beach and winery-dotted countryside. Across the Thames, Groton dives into naval history with the free Submarine Force Museum and the USS Nautilus.

Between museum-going, grab a seat for raw bar happy hour, walk the nature trails at Denison Pequotsepos, and chase sunsets from granite jetties. It’s a perfect complement to New London—close enough for easy hops, distinct enough to feel like a fresh chapter.

• Stay: Search Mystic-area stays on VRBO or hotels on Hotels.com (think river-view boutiques, family-friendly suites, and classic inns).
• Travel between bases: New London ↔ Mystic is ~12 miles, 20–25 minutes by car; rideshare typically $25–$40. A local commuter train operates select hours; otherwise, driving is simplest.

Day 1: Arrive in New London

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs along New London Waterfront Park and watch ferries angle past lighthouses. Pop into the Lyman Allyn Art Museum if time allows for a focused hour with American art and sculpture.

Evening: Dinner at On the Waterfront for pan-seared scallops and river views, or The Social Bar + Kitchen for elevated pub fare and Connecticut beers. Nightcap on Bank Street—Hot Rod Cafe is casual with taps and wings, while Copperwood Grill offers a quieter pour.

Day 2: New London’s Waterfront, Fort, and a Playful Scavenger Hunt

Morning: Coffee and a toasted bagel at Muddy Waters Cafe, a local institution with Thames River views. Walk to Fort Trumbull State Park to climb the ramparts and learn how this fort guarded the harbor from the 1800s through WWII.

Afternoon: Lunch at Captain Scott’s Lobster Dock (buttery hot lobster roll or fried whole-belly clams; seasonal), then explore Bank Street’s galleries and murals. Cap it with a lively city game: Nutty New London Scavenger Hunt—a hosted, interactive romp that sends you to quirky landmarks and hidden corners.

Evening: Drive to Ocean Beach Park for a boardwalk stroll, arcade games, and a wide sandy beach—sunsets glow over the Sound. Dinner back in town: try Right Path Organic Café for plant-forward bowls, or Noble for ramen and bao if you’re craving something cozy.

Day 3: Mystic Seaport Museum and Riverfront Eats

Morning: Transfer to Mystic (25 minutes). Start at SIFT Bake Shop for almond croissants or a cruffin, then head into the Mystic Seaport Museum. Board historic tall ships, peek into a 19th‑century shipwright’s shop, and walk the waterfront village.

Afternoon: Lunch at Sea View Snack Bar for clam strips with a view, then wander Olde Mistick Village for boutiques and fudge. If energy allows, stop by the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center for short wooded trails and native wildlife exhibits.

Evening: Dinner at S&P Oyster by the drawbridge—order the lobster-topped guacamole and a grilled swordfish special. For craft burgers and a deep whiskey list, Engine Room delivers in an old brick mill space. If the bridge lifts while you dine, it’s part of the show.

Day 4: Stonington Borough, Wineries, and Coastal Calm

Morning: Coffee at Indulge Coffee & Sandwich Co., then wander Stonington Borough’s granite jetties and tidy lanes. If open, the Lighthouse Museum offers sweeping harbor views from its lantern room.

Afternoon: Winery hop: Stonington Vineyards for crisp whites and picnic lawns; Jonathan Edwards Winery for rolling-hill views and Connecticut‑meets‑Napa blends. Lunch at Dog Watch Café on the harbor—fish tacos and chowder hit the spot.

Evening: Back in Mystic, go casual at Nana’s Bakery & Pizza (naturally leavened pies; don’t skip the fermented doughnuts if they’re around) or book a table at Bravo Bravo for pasta and a martini done right.

Day 5: Foxwoods Day—Culture, Games, and a Rock ’n’ Roll Lunch

Morning: Drive 25 minutes to Mashantucket. Begin at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center—one of the country’s most compelling Indigenous history museums, with immersive exhibits on tribal lifeways and a recreated 17th‑century village.

Afternoon: Sit down to a set-menu classic at Hard Rock Cafe Foxwoods. Choose two or three courses (think Legendary® burger, baby back ribs, or a Caesar with grilled chicken) amid music memorabilia galore.

Evening: Try your luck on the gaming floor, browse the outlets, or catch a show. Prefer low-key? Return to Mystic for oysters and a night stroll by the drawbridge. Drivers: parking is plentiful; rideshare returns to Mystic typically cost $35–$55.

Day 6: Submarines, State Parks, and Shoreline Views

Morning: Cross to Groton for the free Submarine Force Museum and USS Nautilus. Step aboard the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine and tour exhibits that trace silent service history through the Cold War.

Afternoon: Lunch at Paul’s Pasta Shop (housemade rigatoni, riverside deck when warm). Then continue to Harkness Memorial State Park: Italianate gardens, a grand 1900s estate, and sweeping lawns rolling to the water—bring a kite or a picnic. If you’d rather hike, Bluff Point State Park offers a 3.6‑mile loop to a breezy bluff and pebble beaches.

Evening: Back in New London, settle in at On the Waterfront if you missed it, or try Mambo Bar & Restaurant for Latin-inspired mains and mojitos. If it’s summer, an after-dinner cone at Michael’s Dairy is a tradition.

Day 7: Lazy Brunch, Last Boutiques, and Departure

Morning: Brunch at Rise in Mystic (cinnamon roll pancakes, avocado toast with poached eggs) or Washington Street Coffee House back in New London for strong espresso and a breakfast sandwich. Poke into Mystic Knotwork for hand-braided souvenirs or collect a last waterfront photo from the drawbridge.

Afternoon: Depart after lunch. Driving to PVD or BDL takes 1–1.5 hours; BOS about 2–2.5. Compare flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Build in time for traffic around New Haven and Providence.

Optional Add-On: Accessibility Support

If you or a travel companion would benefit from extra mobility, consider a regional rental that serves Western MA and Northern CT for day trips or extended use: Convenient Mobility Scooter Rental in western Ma and northern CT. They’ll coordinate logistics after booking.

Where to Sleep Each Night (suggested):

• Nights 1–2: New London — check options on VRBO or Hotels.com.
• Nights 3–6: Mystic — stay riverside or in-town via VRBO or Hotels.com.
• Night 7: Either base, depending on departure airport.

Transport Snapshot: Fly into PVD or BDL (often $150–$350 RT from major U.S. hubs outside peak summer). Rental cars run ~$45–$90/day outside holiday weeks. New London ↔ Mystic is a 20–25‑minute hop; Groton and Stonington are 10–20 minutes more.

From whaling lore to nuclear subs, from sandy boardwalks to refined riverfront dining, this Coastal Connecticut itinerary balances history and hedonism. You’ll leave with sea salt in your hair, a camera roll of lighthouses, and a newfound affection for this quietly magnetic corner of New England.