The Small Town in Connecticut That Feels Like an ’80s Romantic Comedy

I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love a good romantic comedy. And in my opinion, the best rom-coms were released in the 1980s. I might be dating myself by saying this, but they just don’t make movies like Say Anything, Sixteen Candles, and When Harry Met Sally anymore. Whenever I watch these films, I am immediately transported back in time to my childhood. Another way that I like to experience a bit of big-screen nostalgia is to visit the locations where these iconic movies were filmed. In Connecticut, the coastal village of Mystic is a must-see for any '80s film fanatic.

As you probably know, Mystic is the setting for Mystic Pizza, one of the greatest romantic comedies of all time. The 1988 film stars acting greats Julia Roberts, Annabeth Gish, and Matt Damon, and follows the perils of a group of local young women as they navigate friendship and romance while working at a local pizza joint. If you haven't seen it already, you are missing out!

A few years ago, my family and I decided to take a last-minute getaway and experience a little bit of Mystic for ourselves. I surprised my kids with the trip by presenting them with boxes of frozen Mystic Pizza pies at breakfast that morning. While they had absolutely no clue about the movie reference (and initially thought that we were making early-morning pizza), they were excited to find out about our trip to Connecticut.

Of course, our main stop was a visit to the Mystic Pizza restaurant, which is the primary setting of the film. A fact that I was surprised to discover is that the restaurant was not large enough to accommodate Mystic Pizza’s cast and crew, so the movie was actually filmed on a temporary set nearby. Regardless, I was immediately reminded of the movie as soon as we walked in the door. The place was filled with vintage vibes and movie memorabilia. Mystic Pizza’s slogan is “a slice of heaven,” and this is no joke. The pizza was delicious, and we had so much fun watching the film as it played on a continuous loop on a screen in the dining room.  

Along with local pizza, the rom-com features a backdrop of historic homes, water views, and local landmarks. One of these is the Mystic River Bascule Bridge, a stunning drawbridge, located in the downtown area. If you venture out to see it, stop by the Candy Shop (right next door). The old-fashioned sweets will definitely take you back in time. The quaint downtown area also has some fantastic restaurants and cute little shops. 

While not featured in the film, Olde Mistick Village is also a great place to shop for nostalgic items and old-school finds. This open-air marketplace features a variety of unique stores and specialty shops. My favorite is the adorable kite store.

Have you taken a trip to Mystic? If so, what was your favorite spot in town? You can find out more about this scenic coastal village by visiting the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce website and Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce Facebook page. To see another New England town that was the focus of a movie, visit Manchester-by-the-Sea in Massachusetts. And if you want to experience the ultimate pizza stay in Connecticut, check out this one-of-a-kind pizza-themed Airbnb in New Haven.