Mystic is a village in New London County, Connecticut. A historic locality, it has no independent government because it is not a legally recognized municipality. Mystic is actually located within the towns of Groton (west of the Mystic River) and Stonington (east of the Mystic River). At the 2000 census, the population was 4,001 . Mystic has a total area of 3.8 square miles. The village is on the east and west bank of the estuary of the Mystic River. Mason's Island is located at the south end of the estuary.

Before the 17th century, the Pequot native americans had established an empire across southeastern Connecticut. The Pequot built their first village overlooking the western bank of the Mystic River, called Siccanemos, in the year 1665. By that time, the Pequot were in control of a considerable amount of territory, extending toward the Pawcatuck River to the east and the Connecticut River to the west. The Pequot tribe, the first community on the Mystic River, were met by disaster as a result of the wars with European settlers and other native american tribes. Pequot dominance ended with the emergence of English settlements on the open land of Mystic. By 1675, the Mystic River Valley grew tremendously, and infrastructure, as well as an economy was beginning to appear. The Pequot Trail was used as a main highway to get around the Mystic River, and played a vital role in the English lives, allowing them transport livestock, crops, furs, and other equipment to and from their farm lands.

By the early 1700s, three villages had begun to develop along the Mystic River. The largest village, called Mystic, lay where several creeks joined into the Mystic River estuary. Two villages also lay farther down the river. One was called Stonington and was considered as Lower Mystic. On the opposite bank of the river, in the town of Groton, stood the village that became known as Portersville.

Through the 18th century, the community's economy was composed of manufacturing, road building and maritime trades. Agriculture was the main component of the economy, since most of the residents were farmers. The colonists provided raw material resources that lead to the emergence of a colonial manufacturing system. Land remained an essential source of wealth; though some land was very rocky and prevented early farmers from producing crops. This however did not necessarily lead to poverty. Farmers grew corn, wheat, peas, potatoes and a variety of fruits. They raised cattle, chicken, pigs, and sheep. They were hunters and fishers and were generally able to sustain themselves.

Historically a leading seaport of the area, the story of Mystic's nautical connection is told at Mystic Seaport, the nations's largest maritime museum. The seaport has preserved a number of sailing ships and seaport buildings. The village is located on the Mystic River, which flows into Long Island Sound, providing access to the sea.

The village is also home to the Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration which is a major New England tourist destination. It is known for its concern with marine life rehabilitation, research department, and its popular beluga whales. The business district on both sides of the bridge where U.S. Route 1 crosses the Mystic River contains many restaurants. You can actually take a ride on the Argia schooner whichs is a traditional sailing ship. Mystic Seaport is a recreation of a 19th century seafaring village.

The Mystic Pizza restaurant inspired the name of the 1988 film, though that was not the location of the restaurant in the film. Scenes in Mystic Pizza were shot in Mystic, Stonington, Noank, Watch Hill (RI), and at the Planetarium at the Seaport. In 1997, Steven Spielberg shot various scenes for the film Amistad at Mystic Seaport. One commercial was filmed in 2005 at the Seaport for FedEx. It was based on the lobstering business in New England. The commercial was aired in the Orange Bowl.

Mystic has three historic districts on the National Register of Historic Plaes: the Mystic Bridge Historic District, Rossie Velvet Mill Historic Districtand the Mystic River Historic District . Other historic sites/objects in Mystic are: Joseph Conrad (ship) Charles W. Morgan (ship) Emma C. Berry (fishing sloop) L. A. Dunton (ship) Pequotsepos Manor Sabino (steamer)