There’s nothing quite like walking across the old Mystic Drawbridge downtown with a delicious cone of ice cream. First-time visitors might see it as little more than the quickest route between the Stonington and Groton (Portersville to the savvy locals) sides of the historic downtown. But for residents and longtime visitors, the bridge is a proud piece of our history and heritage, and has been for nearly a century.

The Mystic River Bascule Bridge has been in operation since the early 1920s. A Strauss Heel Trunnion drawbridge, the bridge’s components are on the outside and make for a spectacle of watching machinery at work. Onlookers are known to gather in the center of town to watch the bridge go up and come back down to take pictures when a boat needs to pass.

Mystic attracts many boaters for events and activities throughout the warmer months of the year. Seeing all the different vessels—be they restored old ships, luxurious yachts, or just for fishing or other fun—parade up and down the Mystic River is a sight to behold (and takes about a much time as eating an ice cream).

Best of all, if you miss seeing the bridge in action, you won’t need to not wait long to see it at work, as it rises once an hour during the summer months. And we may be biased, but we think there is no better way of passing the time while waiting than stopping into the store for a treat.

The Mystic River Bascule Bridge is a piece of living history, one of many to discover during your trip to our small New England paradise. So, take in the sights and history with some of our wonderful ice creams, candies, chocolates or fudge.