Mystic Seaport Express To Offer River Shuttle Service

Information via Mystic Seaport Museum

MYSTIC, CT – Mystic Seaport Museum has acquired Historic Harbor Tours of Mystic which includes its flagship vessel Mystic Express. Captain Carl Shillo has operated the passenger vessel since 2006, providing guided tours of the Mystic River.

Through this acquisition Mystic Express will be renamed Mystic Seaport Express. The 17-passenger vessel will operate from the newly refurbished dock located at the foot of the Mystic Drawbridge in front of S&P Oyster Co. The Museum plans to operate the vessel as a water shuttle transporting passengers on a continuous loop from the dock in downtown Mystic to both the north and south ends of the Museum.

This service will enable visitors from downtown to easily visit the Museum. Tickets will be available in person from a Museum attendant located at the downtown dock. The anticipated start date for this service is May 15, 2023.

The rates for the shuttle service will include admission to the Museum:

Adults: $33
Senior (65 & up): $31
Youth (13 - 17): $29
Child (4 - 12): $24

Once at the Museum, visitors will have access to our 19th-century seafaring village, world class exhibits, as well as additional amenities to get out on the water with boathouse rentals and ticketed river tours aboard the historic excursion vessel Sabino.

“Arriving at Mystic Seaport Museum by sea is a truly magical experience,” said Mystic Seaport Museum VP of operations and watercraft Chris Gasiorek. “This added shuttle service will allow local visitors to include a trip to the Museum as part of their overall Mystic experience. Downtown shopping, getting out on the water and visiting the Museum are a trifecta of Mystic experiences and we're excited to offer this expanded service."

Mystic Seaport Express will also be available for private group charters for up to 17 passengers. Inquiries regarding charter scheduling, booking and rates should be directed to charters@mysticseaport.org or 860-572-5341. The dock space in downtown Mystic will also be available for dock and dine rentals, and can be booked through Dockwa, the marina booking site currently used by the Museum Seaport Museum Marina.

To learn more and plan your trip on the Mystic Seaport Express, visit us online.