Mystic Seaport Museum logo in white text on orange background
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A young child steering a wooden ship's wheel on a boat, with one hand raised in excitement, overlooking a waterway with buildings visible in the background.

Experiences & Events

Make memories with unforgettable events, exclusive member perks, and immersive experiences at the Museum!

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A Year of Fun Loading...

Your adventure begins here. From hands-on workshops to waterfront exploration, discover all the ways to experience maritime heritage at Mystic Seaport Museum.
A museum curator in a striped shirt stands inside a glass display case presenting ancient artifacts, including cone-shaped pottery vessels and various tools arranged on shelves behind him.
A museum exhibit displays whaling history with wooden barrels, hooks, and tools arranged on platforms, accompanied by historical photographs and text panels describing whaling techniques used by Starbuck and Stubb.
A wooden archery bow with a cream-colored shaft and brown leather grip, displayed against a black background.
A visitor with a child in a stroller views a museum exhibition displaying carved wooden figurines of various historical figures and characters, illuminated against a dark wall backdrop.
A luxurious interior room featuring ornate wooden paneling with inlaid designs, a burgundy velvet sofa with carved wooden frame, decorative columns with gilded capitals, inlaid wooden doors, cream-colored coffered ceiling, and light wooden flooring.
An underwater scene featuring LEGO minifigures exploring a sunken shipwreck surrounded by coral, jellyfish, and aquatic structures, with divers and a submarine visible in the turquoise water above.

World-Class Exhibitions

Reveal profound connections to the sea through immersive exhibitions filled with hands-on elements, artifacts, stories, and maritime adventures for all ages.

A small rowboat with four people wearing life jackets rows across calm harbor water, with a bascule bridge and waterfront buildings visible in the background.
A scenic waterfront village with a bright yellow-sailed boat in the foreground, several small boats with visitors in the water, historic wooden buildings including a green boathouse on stilts, and larger sailing vessels docked at a pier in the background surrounded by trees.
A historic waterfront scene featuring a white two-deck paddle steamer named "Sabino" flying an American flag, surrounded by traditional sailing vessels and period buildings along a calm waterway under a clear blue sky.
An instructor helps children into a small boat at a New England coastal dock, with multiple colorful life jackets hanging on a line and weathered wooden buildings in the background.
A blue and white passenger tour boat named "Mystic Seaport Express" operated by the Mystic Seaport Museum carries tourists on the water in Mystic, Connecticut, with a blue canopy overhead and residential waterfront properties visible in the background.
Two children wearing red life jackets ride a blue pedal boat on calm water near a coastal town with red buildings, sailboats, and docks.
Two people sit in a classic sailboat with tan sails moored in shallow water near a white waterfront house on a sunny day.
Three children looking out large windows at a waterfront view with houses and trees in the background, sunlight streaming through the windows.

Get Out On The Water

Navigate the Mystic River together—cruise aboard a historic steamboat, sail a classic catboat, or take the helm of a rowboat or pedal boat.

Two adults and two young children sit on wooden stools at a counter in a bright, yellow-walled room, looking at an interactive display window featuring children's artwork and a "Draw Cloudy Skies" tutorial.
The Treworgy Planetarium building with purple flowering wisteria vines cascading down its brick facade and entrance doors during spring bloom.
Two children play cornhole on a lawn while an adult supervisor watches them. The setting appears to be a park or community space with green trees, a white gazebo, and brick buildings in the background.
Two young children playing tug-of-war with a rope in a grassy yard with farm buildings in the background.
A young child in a white dress playing with a hula hoop on a sandy beach, with boats and beach huts blurred in the background.
A young child in a striped shirt plays with colorful wooden blocks and an American flag in what appears to be a classroom or educational setting, with a "Boat Livery" sign visible in the background.
A family group visits a wooden interior museum or historic site where a young female guide in a blue shirt explains an exhibit display to visitors including adults and children gathered around a wooden table with artifact specimens.
Two children engaged in a hands-on activity at a wooden table in a classroom or community center. A boy wearing an Argentina soccer jersey interacts with a girl in a checkered shirt as they work with materials and tools on the table. An adult in a pink shirt supervises in the background.
Two children viewing an interactive museum exhibit about simple machines, including a large red wheel and educational photographs and diagrams about inclined planes and gears on a yellow wall.

Family Fun

Explore hands-on activities kids love. Build a toy boat, play historic games, navigate the stars, and enjoy interactive spaces in the Children’s Museum, Home Port, and throughout the Village.

A person in a blue denim shirt arranges metal typeset blocks in a printing press, demonstrating traditional letterpress printing techniques.
A black metal armillary sphere with degree markings visible in the foreground, framing the entrance to the Treworgy Planetarium in a red brick building with a blue door.
Interior of David Crockett Hero museum with visitors observing staff members working on historical artifacts and displays, featuring rustic wooden furnishings and period signage.
An older man in a blue shirt works with rope and canvas sailcloth inside a wooden barn, with coiled rope and nautical equipment visible in the background.
Two museum staff members examine a colorful rainbow-striped fabric on a wooden floor in a workshop setting, with sails and maritime artifacts hanging in the background and another staff member working at a table.
A blacksmith in a light blue shirt and glasses works at a forge, tending to a fire with a metal rod while surrounded by tools and equipment in a workshop.
Two people in denim shirts working together to hammer wooden barrel hoops, with a tall ship's masts visible in the background at what appears to be a maritime heritage site.
A man in a light blue shirt and a woman in a blue shirt operate a large antique printing press together in what appears to be a museum or historical workshop, with windows showing a brick building in the background.
A woman wearing a yellow floral shirt and straw hat assists a young boy in a green shirt as he writes or draws on paper at a wooden table in a museum or historical workshop setting, with a staff member in blue visible in the background near printing or press equipment.
A young woman in a blue shirt demonstrates woodworking on a wooden lathe to a group of visitors in a rustic workshop, with barn doors and tools visible in the background.
A woman with reddish-brown hair in a bun, wearing a blue vest over a light blue shirt, prepares food at a wooden table in a rustic kitchen with a fireplace and cast iron cookware visible in the background.
A woman reads an informational sign titled "The Sea Connection" outside the Thomas Oyster Company building, a green wooden structure with red doors situated on a beach near sailboats and waterfront homes in Connecticut.
An older man with glasses and a beard wearing a denim apron instructs a young girl in a blue cap and shirt as she works with woodcarving tools on a wooden surface, while other children and adults watch in the background.

Historic Seaport Village

Learn how families lived and worked in the 19th century as skilled interpreters demonstrate crafts, trades, and daily life along the waterfront in the cooperage, shipsmith, carve shop, print shop, and more.

A man in a blue shirt plays guitar on a wooden dock while visitors observe a historic black sailing ship with multiple masts docked at a waterfront, with a small rowboat in the foreground.
Three visitors standing on a ship's deck looking up at the rigging and sails, with a red barn-style building visible in the background.
Three children looking out through wooden-framed windows at a waterfront landscape with trees, houses, and water during golden hour sunlight.
Two children standing at a chain-link fence on an elevated platform, looking out over a waterfront town with buildings and boats.
A white riverboat named "Sabino" with multiple decks and railings carries passengers on the water, with another boat called "Whimbrel" visible in the background during golden hour.
A large wooden ship hull covered with white protective sheeting is displayed outdoors at a maritime museum or historical site. Visitors explore the exhibit area below, which includes informational displays on pedestals and a turquoise-colored information kiosk labeled "L.A. Dunton." Metal support structures hold up the ship's hull, and trees are visible in the background.
Two children sitting on a wooden bench viewing a tall ship with golden eagle figurehead docked at a harbor.
Silhouetted sailing ship rigging and masts against a dramatic sunset sky with orange and pink clouds.

National Historic Landmark Vessels

Imagine life at sea as you step aboard four historic ships—climb decks, explore cabins, and discover the daily routines, challenges, and stories of life under sail.

A dark-hulled sailing vessel named "NOANK" is docked at a shipyard with a tall wooden mast and rigging, surrounded by red maritime buildings and workers on the wooden dock.
A craftsperson wearing a blue jacket and white mask uses a tool on the wooden hull of a boat under construction in a workshop with exposed beams and fluorescent lighting.
A historic shipyard or maritime facility with red-roofed buildings, covered storage structures with red caps, wooden dock planks, and various industrial equipment under an overcast sky.
A group of visitors observes a wooden boat under construction in a spacious maritime workshop with exposed beam ceilings, large windows, and a green lifting crane.
Workers perform maintenance on the hull of a large ship in dry dock, with tall metal scaffolding and support structures visible along the red and gray painted wooden hull.
A woodworker wearing a blue shirt and protective mask applies finish to a wooden board in a workshop setting, surrounded by tools and equipment.
A craftsman in a blue denim shirt and cap uses a hammer and chisel to work on a wooden beam in an industrial workshop setting.
A carpenter wearing a blue t-shirt and cap works on a wooden plank at a workbench in a busy construction or woodworking shop, with tools and equipment visible in the background.
Close-up view of the bow of a dark-hulled ship named "Roann" with an anchor and chain visible at the top, showing the curved wooden hull against a light sky.

Henry B. du Pont Preservation Shipyard

Witness skilled shipwrights at work and see how historic wooden ships are carefully restored using traditional tools and techniques.

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A person's hands assembling a LEGO brick mosaic artwork on a blue baseplate, with a reference photo of a ship visible nearby on the surface.
An underwater scene featuring LEGO minifigures exploring a sunken shipwreck surrounded by coral, jellyfish, and aquatic structures, with divers and a submarine visible in the turquoise water above.

Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in LEGO® Bricks

On Exhibit March 28, 2026—January 3, 2027

Marvel at eleven LEGO® models depicting historic shipwrecks from the Bronze Age Uluburun shipwreck to the modern container ship Rena. Interactive stations invite you to capsize the Vasa, pilot a remote operated vehicle beneath Arctic ice, and build your own LEGO® creations.

A child dressed as a pirate holds a treasure map while standing in front of a Jolly Roger flag during an outdoor pirate-themed event in a coastal village setting.
A man in pirate costume leads a parade of children and adults through a coastal village street, holding up a sword while surrounded by people in various costumes and casual clothing, with historic buildings and a wooden structure visible in the background.
An elderly man wearing a red bandana and medieval-style clothing plays a violin in front of a pirate flag backdrop with a vintage microphone.
Two young children dressed as pirates stand on a wooden ship deck. The child on the left wears a red pirate costume with a red parrot accessory and an orange eye patch, while holding a wooden sword. The child on the right wears a black and white pirate outfit with a red and black striped headband and purple eye patch. Both children are smiling at the camera with a black pirate flag visible above them.
A skeletal pirate figure wearing a brown tricorn hat and red sash stands at a ship's wheel, with a costumed pirate actor in the background on a ship deck.

Pirate Days

April

Ahoy, mateys! Join us for swashbuckling adventures featuring friendly pirates, treasure hunts, maritime mischief, and a pirate parade. Two days of family fun for all ages—arrr you ready? Members attend free and receive free pirate kits.

Children participate in a sailing lesson at a waterfront facility, with instructors on a dock supervising a group on a red floating platform while a white and yellow sailboat with students is moored nearby.
A person wearing sunglasses and a light blue shirt rows a small white boat with yellow oars in calm water, with moored sailboats and waterfront buildings visible in the background.
A classic white steamboat named "Sabino" with a tall smokestack and multiple decks filled with passengers, decorated with American flags and patriotic bunting, moored alongside sailing yachts in a marina under a partly cloudy sky.
A group of visitors stand on the shore watching a decorated paddle wheeler riverboat on the water, with historic waterfront buildings and American flags visible in the background.
A group of children and an adult wearing life jackets stand on a wooden dock next to boats on a calm waterway, with other boats and waterfront buildings visible in the background.

Memorial Day Weekend Celebration

May

Start your summer with us as waterfront activities launch for the season! Borrow a rowboat, sailboat, or pedal boat from the Boathouse or take a cruise on Sabino, and enjoy special weekend programming. Members receive free general admission and discounts on waterfront cruises.

A picturesque New England harbor filled with classic wooden sailboats moored at a dock, with sailors working on deck, waterfront homes visible across the water, and American flags flying from the masts on a clear summer day.
A young boy in a green shirt examines the interior of a wooden boat at an outdoor maritime event, with adults and spectators visible in the background.
Four men conversing under a white canopy tent at an outdoor event, with one standing near a blue "Singapore Sling" sign, wearing caps and casual clothing on a sunny day.
Visitors browse traditional wooden boats and kayaks on display at the Chesapeake Light Craft festival, with tents, buildings, and trees visible in the background on a sunny day.
A crowd of visitors strolls through an outdoor street fair or festival on a sunny day, with white tent canopies, vendor booths, and tree-lined streets in a historic town setting.

WoodenBoat Show

June

Hosted in partnership with WoodenBoat Publications, the WoodenBoat Show is America’s premier gathering for wooden boat enthusiasts and maritime history buffs. Explore more than 100 traditional and classic wooden boats—from handcrafted kayaks and classic daysailers to mahogany runabouts and schooners—meet master craftspeople, and celebrate the timeless artistry of wooden boat building. Members attend for free.

A group of people gathered on a grassy field in front of a red and white building with blue umbrellas, appearing to participate in an outdoor community event or activity.

Movie Night on the Village Green

July

Bring a blanket and enjoy family-friendly films under the stars on our historic Village Green. Members attend free.

American flag hanging from a sailboat rope with a harbor scene featuring red buildings, sailboats, and waterfront homes in the background.

Fourth of July

July

Celebrate America’s maritime heritage with patriotic programming. Members attend free.

A collection of sea glass and beach treasures arranged in a white bowl, including frosted glass pieces in various colors such as green, blue, purple, amber, and clear, along with smooth stones, ceramic pieces, and decorative beads.
Three women examining skincare or cosmetic products at a retail display counter in a store, with other shoppers visible in the background.
A woman and man examine handcrafted jewelry displayed in a white exhibition case at an outdoor vendor market or craft fair under a tent.
Multiple Sea Glass Contest entry cards displayed with ticket numbers, each featuring circles containing various pieces of colored sea glass and other beach materials labeled as "Lake Erie" specimens, organized by entry number.
A man in a light blue shirt helps a young girl in a pink and white striped dress make a purchase at an outdoor market vendor booth, while other shoppers browse nearby under white tent canopies.

Sea Glass Festival

July

Attend the International Sea Glass Festival, a vibrant two-day celebration of sea and beach glass. Widely recognized as the nation’s premier event dedicated to authentic sea and beach glass, the festival brings together artists, collectors, experts, and enthusiasts from around the world. Explore work by more than 50 juried artisans and authors, browse the Collectors Showcase, attend engaging lectures, submit treasured finds to the sea glass contest, and enjoy family-friendly activities throughout the weekend. Members attend free and enjoy special early access before the event opens to the public on the first day.

Two children standing on a street at night watching a large blue animated character projected onto a building facade with colorful geometric patterns.
Outdoor nighttime café scene with patrons seated at tables beneath illuminated trees, with a large red neon sign displaying a vintage truck silhouette on the building facade behind them.
A person in a glowing green skull mask and red costume holds a staff while interacting with two children in a nighttime outdoor setting, with blurred lights in the background.
A tall ship with three masts illuminated in red neon lights at night, moored in calm water with its reflection visible, surrounded by dark buildings and waterfront structures.
A person in period costume holds a lantern while standing before an illuminated ship with glowing red tentacle-like appendages against a twilight sky.

What Lurks Beneath

October

Uncover spooky maritime mysteries during this family-friendly Halloween event. Explore haunted vessels, solve nautical riddles, and discover what creatures lurk in the deep. Not-too-scary fun for all ages. Members enjoy reduced ticket pricing.

A horse-drawn carriage with two black horses carrying passengers travels through a historic village street lined with colonial-era buildings at dusk, with a driver holding the reins and spectators watching from the side.
A group of families gathered around a fire pit during a nighttime holiday celebration in a courtyard decorated with twinkling lights and garland, with children and adults in winter clothing warming their hands by the fire.
A festive night scene featuring a decorated boat with colorful illuminated masts in red, white, green, and blue, strung with warm white lights and suspended cables. People are gathered around the boat in a holiday-decorated outdoor area with lit evergreen trees and buildings in the background.
A white chapel at night decorated with evergreen garland around the red wooden doors, with silhouettes of people visible through the lit windows and doorway.
A white church with a tall steeple is illuminated at night with purple and blue projection lights on its facade. The church is surrounded by evergreen trees decorated with colorful Christmas lights in blue, purple, and warm white tones. A smaller building with similar lighting is visible to the left.

Lantern Light Village

December

Step back in time to a 19th-century New England Christmas. Our historic village glows with candlelight as costumed historians share seasonal traditions, carols fill the air, and the spirit of maritime Christmas comes alive. Members enjoy reduced pricing for this beloved holiday tradition.

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Museum visitors examine a detailed model sailing ship on display, with one man holding an informational placard while viewing the wooden vessel with multiple masts and rigging.
An adult and young child crouch together on the floor of a museum exhibit, examining displays with a fishing rod prop. The child wears a yellow shirt and pink shorts while the adult wears a light blue shirt. Museum walls and exhibits are visible in the background.
A young visitor stands in an art gallery viewing framed artworks on white walls, with a blue-backgrounded piece prominently displayed in the center.

Early Exhibition Access

Be the first to explore major exhibitions before they open to the public with Member-only hours and receptions plus behind-the scenes Member exclusives.

A blue flag with a white diamond containing the letter "M" flies from a wooden mast against a cloudy sky.

Member-Only Events

Attend exclusive receptions, lectures, and programming designed specifically for our Members. Offerings include Member cruises on Sabino, Member Appreciation Night welcoming Members and guests for after-hours Museum access and activities, Summer Double Discount Weekends at the Museum Store and restaurants, and pop-up reciprocals that provide free or discounted admission to partner museums throughout the year.

A historic white building with green shutters and a blue flag frames a view through blooming pink flowering trees in spring.

Member Lounge

Members enjoy access to our comfortable Member Lounge—a quiet space to relax with complimentary refreshments during your visit.

Ornate decorative metal letterpress type blocks arranged in a wooden typesetting case, displaying ornamental serif letters A through N in two rows, with intricate scrollwork and flourishes surrounding each character.
Two workers in blue shirts and khaki pants operate a cannon inside a historic ship museum, with a tall-masted sailing vessel visible through the open doorway behind them.
A craftsperson in a blue work shirt sits at a wooden workbench in a workshop, examining and working on a wooden object with hand tools. The workshop features traditional woodworking equipment and large windows in the background.
A craftsman in a red plaid shirt uses a hand plane on a wooden board during woodworking.
A woman in a blue vest and jeans tends to a fire in a large stone fireplace in a rustic cabin, surrounded by period cooking tools, rope, baskets, and hanging implements on wooden walls.
A blacksmith in a denim shirt uses a hammer and chisel to shape glowing hot metal on an anvil in a forge workshop.
A sailor in a yellow life jacket and brown jacket sits in a small sailboat numbered 4 from Riverside Yacht Club, with a blue sail raised. In the background, another sailboat with a red and white sail competes on the water, with bare trees and houses visible along the shoreline.
Children holding a rope together in a circle during a group activity or team-building exercise outdoors.

Educational Programs

Receive discounts on SeaClass workshops, sailing programs, and maritime skills courses. Learn coopering, blacksmithing, navigation, knot-tying, carving, printing, open-hearth cooking, and more from expert instructors.

A museum storage room with floor-to-ceiling shelving units containing decorative objects, brass instruments, glassware, and historical artifacts. A staff member in a blue sweater stands near large storage cabinets with orange labels in the center of the room.
A museum curator wearing white gloves examines a dark spherical artifact while cataloging tools and instruments in a storage drawer, with a statue visible in the background.
Two women examining open historical documents and manuscripts at a wooden table in a museum or library setting, with display cases and decorative artwork visible in the background.

Member Appreciation Month

In September, take advantage of special events and extra discounts as we
celebrate our Members all month long!

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Wooden toy sailboat

Build Your sea story

Discover the membership level that is right for you, designed to offer unlimited fun and unforgettable experiences.
MEmbership Levels
A woman and two young girls examine a framed historical document on display at a wooden counter in what appears to be a museum or historic site, with period furnishings and windows visible in the background.

What Families are saying

“There’s so much to see and do that you can spend a whole day here: exploring the buildings and historic ships, seeing demonstrations from various trades that are period accurate, getting out on the Mystic River on Sabino, tons of fun activities for children like building a toy boat. While I spent the day here, I still feel like I really only scratched the surface.”

– Kailey, Instagram
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75 Greenmanville Ave.
Mystic, CT 06355
Hours

Daily | 10:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.
(Check website for seasonal hours.)

 

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