City: Mystic, CT

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (860) 572-5302

Address: 75 Greenmanville Ave.

Description: Mystic Seaport has a number of events throughout the summer and fall, and each one is special. There’s Lobster Days, 3 days of live music and lobster at picnic tables in the large boat shed on the Mystic River. There’s the Antique and Classic Boat Rendezvous, when you get to see dozens of restored beauties gather at the seaport for the weekend. There’s the Rum Runner’s Rendezvous, River Jazz, the Moby Dick Marathon Reading, and more. But arguably the biggest and most important is the Sea Music Festival, which for over 30 years has brought together sea chantey performers to carry on classic musical traditions of the golden age of sail. They feature music from maritime cultures around the world, including the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, France, Canada, and Africa. The performers take turns throughout the day, and any visitor can listen; the evening performances are extra (usually Thurs, Fri, and Sat) but well worth it. There is a concurrent symposium that delves into the art form, usually held in tandem with the Coast Guard Academy in New London.