The Southeast Coast

The little town of Mystic [1] made its fortunes in shipbuilding; now the town and neighboring communities earn their keep by bringing alive the romance of the sea for tourists. You won’t find a saltier part of New England anywhere.

Each of the towns along the southeastern coast celebrates the sea in its own way, from the fishing port of Stonington [2] to the industrial port of New London [3].

Getting to the Southeast Coast

Amtrak (800/872-7245, www.amtrak.com [4]) runs trains to stations in Mystic [1] (Rte. 1), New London [3] (27 Water St.), and Old Saybrook (455 Boston Post Rd.). Greyhound (800/231-2222, www.greyhound.com [5]) operates bus service to New London [3] (45 Water St.).

New London is also a major hub for ferries crossing Long Island Sound, including the Cross Sound Ferry (2 Ferry St., 860/443-5281, www.longislandferry.com [6]) to Orient Point, the Viking Fleet (631/668-5700, www.vikingfleet.com [7]) to Montauk Point, and the Block Island Ferry (401/783-7996, www.blockislandferry.com [8]) to Block Island [9].

Bus company Southeast Area Transit (SEAT, 860/886-2631, www.seatbus.com [10]) operates routes through area towns including New London, Groton, East Lyme, and Stonington [2]. In addition, the Discover New London Shuttle (Eugene O’Neill Dr. at Golden St., 860/443-1209, www.newlondonhistory.org [11]) makes loops around the city’s major historic sights, bus and train stations, and ferry terminal.