I live in the Hudson Valley, New York area, which is only about a two-hour drive from Mystic, Connecticut. Like many of you, I’ve spent quite a few months at home or I only ventured out locally for shopping or to go to local parks (safely, of course). So it probably is not a shock when I say I started aching to go somewhere — anywhere — that wasn’t my neighborhood. Not that I don’t like my neighborhood — haha — it’s just that I really needed to get out and feel like I traveled somewhere.

Now let me tell you why I chose Mystic, Connecticut to visit despite its proximity and I’ll also share what I enjoyed for the short time that I was there. Sit right back and you’ll hear a tale…no, wait, wrong show. It all started with my love of The Food Network and especially their baking competitions. It’s here I saw Adam Young, the owner of Sift Bake Shop in Mystic, Connecticut win the Spring Baking Championship. Everything he made on that show looked delicious and seemed like art to me and I wished I could try it.

When I found out his bakery was in Mystic, I was excited because it was a short drive away. However, I could never find the time to go for one reason or another. Then my daughter had to go there for work last year and she brought me home one of Sift’s pastries. Yum! I had to get there now! Bam! Quarantine! Oh man.

Sift Bakery

So when we were finally allowed to travel again locally I decided that there was no better time to get going. I drove to Mystic, Connecticut on a perfect fall day. My goal was just to walk around this quaint town with my honey, pick up pastries at Sift Bakery, and sign copies of my books that were at Bank Square Books. I’d peek in a few more stores and then just enjoy being outside near the water before heading home. I wasn’t ready to visit the aquarium just yet or stay over, although I thought about it. Instead, this day trip was just a few hours away from home and a nice car ride to break up what’s been a crazy year. And it was so worth it!

The night before I left, I spent time putting in an online order which, especially on a ‘normal’ day in Mystic, would be worth it. When my daughter visited Sift Bakery last year, she said the customer line was out of the store and down the block. It wasn’t as busy when I went there, but the store still had a long line so I would still suggest online ordering if you’re visiting through busy seasons like summer or holidays. And I went on the line anyway to see what other pastries they had. I couldn’t resist.

Here is some of what I bought — grab a towel for the drool! I’ll wait.

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The lemon tart was my favorite, followed by the white chocolate pumpkin cheesecake and I was surprised because I love chocolate! But the lemon tart also had a blueberry center and it was just perfect. Yum! Nicely done Sift!

Spice and Tea Exchange

I love sweets and my honey loves spices, so we had to go to the Spice and Tea Exchange for him. As you walk in, you can smell the different aromas through your mask and it was incredible. We bought six different types of spices, including Bacon Salt and Black Garlic Truffle Salt. The options were endless, the staff was so accommodating and we were thrilled that we could order online too. Again, yum!

Mystic Pizza

The 1988 American romantic comedy-drama movie starred Julia Roberts and Lili Taylor. I didn’t watch it until last year — don’t be that shocked! I thought it was okay, but it was just one of those movies that everybody I know saw it and was surprised that I hadn’t. So once I finally saw the movie, I had to go to the iconic pizza place, right? I ordered a large cheese pie to go because we were heading back home by this point and it was going to be dinner when we got back.

Like the movie, it was ‘okay,’ — I’m a pizza snob — but I can say I had it now. I think some of the other slices I saw being bought looked better and probably tasted better, but this is one of those iconic places and movies that you just have to say ‘I saw’ and ‘I tried.’ My honey and my daughter liked it, so this one I’ll just have to say you’ll have to try it and see what you think.

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Overall, it was an absolutely perfect day. And props to the store owners in Mystic who required people to sanitize before entering the store. Everyone walking was wearing a mask and I felt very comfortable. The trip was exactly what I needed and an extra added bonus was that we got to see a lot of the leaves that were changing colors for the fall. I’ll be back for a longer visit when I can.

Click here to read about my second visit to Mystic Seaport and the other fun stuff I did!