I lumped Mystic in with Stonington, above, because that's where I'd rather be when we want to visit Mystic. (We visited the Aquarium and museum a few times when our kids were younger and a tie up at the museum is special treat especially early morning before the park opens. We had a wonderful talk with the blacksmith while he was firing up for the day. Reservation required well in advance.) These days we avoid those tourist attractions and enjoy Mystic downtown and Stonington Borough. There are many options to tie up or take a mooring in Mystic. If you take a mooring or anchor you will be exposed, which is another reason we prefer Stonington. If you take a slip, seek one out that's up the river above the railroad swing bridge. Forget about Noank -- everything (even slips) is exposed and you're a cab ride from Mystic, so Stonington is still a better option. A few years back we took slip just south of the Mystic downtown bascule bridge, in very rainy weather, and it was nice to be a short walk to shopping and restaurants -- and break the cabin fever.

For us the main attraction is downtown Mystic, with its shops, restaurants and the Mystic River Park (small-town-green concerts if you're there on a Tuesday night http://www.themysticwave.com/summer-concerts-in-mystic-river-park/ ) . There is a public tie up for dinghies there if you come from downriver. There are some additional very good restaurants at the edge of town on the east side near the train station too (go to Yelp.com and search the area for restaurants).