The 2023 Pizza Issue The Pizza Issue

Exploring Mystic, Connecticut with Accidentally Wes Anderson

shot of wooden bar at a pizza restaurant with neon red sign above reading "a slice of heaven". There are three darker bar stools in the foreground and a variety of colorful trinkets in the background

Photos By Marjorie Becker

Apparently, this town was in a movie? Can’t quite put our finger on it, but we think it had something to do with Julia Roberts bussing tables. Anywho … the tiny town of Mystic, Connecticut, may have seen a rise in fanny pack-sporting dads and disposable camera-wielding moms after the release of this cult classic, but the dedication to historic preservation is the real secret ingredient to this tiny town’s charm. Julia, eat your heart out.

Mystic Pizza

We didn’t find Julia, but there’s still a whole crew dedicated to slingin’ pies to the masses

photograph of mystic pizza restaurant storefront. There is a blue sign above the door and neon signs in the window. the sky in the background is clear and blue.

Ford’s Lobster

Pass the butter! Located just 10 minutes up the road from Mystic, this lobster shack was once a quick pit stop for fishermen to pick up some bait and tackle and refuel before continuing their castings. The proof is just behind the shed.

photograph of nautical shed with a lobster sign hanging over it reading "ford's". bright blue sky with white clouds in the background. Bouys hanging on the outside wall.
boat dock with rocks in the foreground and a sign in the background advertising haring's marine: gas, diesel, ice, lobster.

Mystic and Noank Library

Perusing the nautical narratives of this cozy book nook, it’s no wonder this was the brainchild of a seasoned sea captain. You may even meet the first and second mates, Violet and Matilda, who can be found watching over readers and keeping their pages safe from pesky pests…

old ornate building entry way. red brick with sage green trim and detailing. there is a wooden door in the front with chairs outside.
old wooden piano with a model ship and a cat on top of it. wooden trim and door in the bakcground.

Mystic Seaport Museum

Looking for the latest styles in hoop skirts and haberdashery? The buildings in this village aren’t replicas, but genuine businesses from the 1800s that have been donated to the Mystic Seaport Museum. And they’re not just for show. These old shops keep handcrafted traditions alive, from shipbuilding to forging, and barrel-making to blacksmithing. One shop is even responsible for making and maintaining most of the signage that makes this town so special

pale green building with red doors and a sign above entryway reading "thomas oyster co." The building has small windows and is situated on a dock. There's ocean and cloudy sky in the background.

Carson’s store

Flipping over the open sign in 1907, Carson’s called two places home before finding a haven on Main Street. It was a spark from a steam train that set their second home ablaze. But it seems the third time’s the charm, as the business has been alive and well for over 100 years. 

dark wooden sided building with white trim and details. Sign above reading "Carson's store", sells food and ice cream. Small metal tables and chairs on the porch.

Historic Homes

The flourishing flower baskets of quaint & colorful houses make Mystic feel like a movie set. A stroll about town will have your head on a swivel thanks to these historic homes. Take a close look and you might catch a glimpse of those that once lived there—now if you’ll excuse us, we’re headed back to the library to dig up some of the old gossip columns.

Top of "Office of Mystic Press" building. Blue sign with white writing on a pale yellow building side.
Front of a Victorian style blue house with white windows.

Continue the adventure at www.accidentally.co

Tags