Your journey into Mystic's maritime history begins here! Transport yourself to Mystic's shipbuilding heyday at Smith Cottage. This adorable, open-concept, pet-friendly, two-bedroom retreat in historic Old Mystic captures the essence of a bygone era. Nestled at the head of the Mystic River, it offers a perfect base for exploring the coastline and Mystic Seaport. With Colonial nautical charm and 21st-century comfort, the Smith Cottage invites you to experience genuine New England hospitality. **PLEASE NOTE** As spring heralds new beginnings, we're delighted to announce the Williams Home & Smith Cottage will be receiving a fresh coat of paint, scheduled for the vibrant months of March through May, weather permitting. Our artisans will be at work Monday through Friday, ensuring your weekend stays are peaceful and uninterrupted. When guests arrive on Fridays after 4 PM, they will find the day's painting endeavors winding down, promising a serene start to your Mystic retreat. We're committed to preserving the charm and history of our maritime haven and appreciate your understanding as we enhance its beauty. Thank you for choosing Mystic Vacation Rentals, where every stay is a journey through time and comfort. A HISTORICAL STAY Built by the relatives of one of the original families who settled on the east side of Mystic River, the 1807 Williams Home property oozes with history and character! Located in the original colonial settlement of Mystic or Head O' the River, the Smith Cottage at the 1807 Williams Home property is a short ride- two miles to sightseeing and Mystic eateries. The history buff in you will love the story behind the Smith Cottage and the 1807 Williams Home. The Smith Cottage started out as a blacksmith's shop in the early 1900s and was named in its honor. The main house was originally known as the Wayside Inn~ a regular stopping point for stagecoaches on their New London-Providence runs. On January 17, 1840, former Secretary of State Daniel Webster, traveling by sleigh, stopped in for a drink on his way to the Groton Ferry to catch a boat to New York! If only walls had ears, imagine the stories they could recount! Perhaps if you slow down, you can hear the walls whisper words of the past! HIGHLIGHTS * Nautical touches, antiques, modern amenities, and an eye for detail fill each space * Perfect setup for a small family group or two couples * Two bedrooms (sleeps 4) on the first and attic-style second floor * Fast Wifi * Can be booked together with 1807 Williams House to sleep 14 guests * Whimsical nautical murals by artist Susan Dwyer Leach grace the walls of the Williams Home and Smith Cottage * Separate building and entrance from the main house with Schlage keypad lock and flexible self-check-in with code. * Two parking spots in our driveway (and the Williams Home guests have three) LOCATION Located on Main Street in the hamlet of Old Mystic at the head of the Mystic River. The Smith Cottage is a short 5-minute ride to the Mystic Seaport, shops, and restaurants, where you can indulge in Mystic River and Mystic Seaport history. Walk or bike on the scenic River Rd just around the corner from our home! The Smith Cottage is just around the corner from scenic River Road to downtown Mystic- a great bike ride if you plan on bringing your bikes~ we also have bikes available for our guests. Haley's Way Playground and Field are located behind the property- a great place to bring the kids and your pup to run. Please note that the property is on a bustling corner, which is busy with road noise during the day but quiet and peaceful in the evenings. LIVING, DINING, & COOKING Open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area with a quaint and cozy sitting area with two sofas and a 43” Samsung Smart TV with a Roku streaming stick and 4K Streaming Media Player. Plus, you’ll enjoy surround sound with our Sonos Beam Soundbar with Voice Control Built-in, perfect for cozy movie nights! A dining table to seat four guests separates the sitting room and kitchen. The fully equipped kitchen is simple but amply stocked for days and evenings when you choose to stay in. SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS The Smith Cottage offers two guest bedrooms with new Casper memory foam mattresses, fresh pillows, beautiful linens, beautifully made comfy beds, alarm clocks with sleep sounds, USB charger ports, plenty of soft fluffy towels, and complimentary toiletries so you can pack lighter. Bedroom 1: Open concept, king-size bed on 1st-floor. This bedroom has a partition wall but NO doors. Bedroom 2: Open concept, queen-size bed with ladder stairs. **STEPS ARE STEEP AND NOT RECOMMENDED FOR KIDS UNDER 8 OR ANYONE WITH BALANCE OR COORDINATION CHALLENGES** (Kindly confirm you've read) We can provide a twin-sized air mattress if you are not comfortable climbing the steep steps. A shared full bathroom with shower/tub on the first floor requires one step up to access the bathroom. OUTDOOR SPACE Chill out in the shared backyard furnished with 6 Adirondack chairs, two picnic tables, and two hammocks. There is a firepit (a bundle of firewood provided) and a 32" propane grill (for your use only and propane provided). The backyard and off-street parking are shared with guests in the main house. Smith Cottage also has its own covered porch where you can relax on 4 comfy rocking chairs. FAMILY & DOG At the Smith Cottage, we love to welcome children and your furry family members. You’ll find a high chair, pack-n-play, baby tub, and plenty of board games and books to keep younger (and older guests occupied. We welcome 2 well-behaved small to medium-sized dogs ONLY. Please read to the end to see our house rules. Dog fee is $50/pet VERIFICATION/SECURITY DEPOSIT Guest ID Verification: We are committed to protecting our guests, properties, and ourselves, so we’ve partnered with Know Your Guest, SUPERHOG, the leading vacation rental-guest screening provider. After you book, you will receive a Know Your Guest email or text message from SUPERHOG. Kindly complete the guest screening once you receive the email or text message~ it should take about 5 minutes and is easiest done from your mobile device. (You’ll be asked to provide your name, date of birth, address, contact details, and picture of you and your driver’s license~ nothing more.) Damage Deposit or Damage Waiver: You’ll be given the choice between a refundable $500 security deposit, less a $15 processing fee charged to your credit card two weeks before arrival~ or purchasing a non-refundable $35 damage waiver, covering any incidental damages up to $500. You can choose the best option for you. We thank you kindly for your participation in our trust and safety program~ we’re here to provide a worry-free experience for all parties involved. PROPERTY TRUTHS The steps leading up to the loft are STEEP and NOT recommended for children under 8 years old or anyone with balance or coordination challenges. The Williams Home & Smith Cottage property is on Main Street on a bustling corner at a 3-way stop sign across Holly Hock Antiques and the Old Mystic Post Office. It's busy with road noise during the day but a quiet and peaceful hamlet in the evenings. Outdoor spaces and parking are shared. The Smith Cottage has open-concept spaces without doors and ceilings separating areas and the loft where the queen bed is located. ACTIVITIES After you confirm your reservation, I’ll send you our digital guidebook so you can start planning your trip right away! 🙂 Mystic offers a variety of activities, from visiting the museums, local beaches, restaurants, and shops to a day out in nature with a picnic basket~ there is something for everyone! Mystic is a place to visit anytime, as you can attend events throughout the year! Whether you need relaxation or activity, Mystic offers both! Several last-of-its-kind treasures call Mystic their home. The Mystic Seaport Museum is a must-see while you are here! The 1807 Williams Home rooms are named after maritime trades. The museum is home to five National Historic Landmark vessels: Charles W. Morgan- last whaling ship, Sabino Coal Steamer- last in regular operation in the U.S., L.A. Dunton, Joseph Conrad, and the Emma C. Berry. Our property next door to the 1807 Williams Home & Smith Cottage, the 1784 Denison Home, offers 5 guest rooms, all named in honor of these five vessels at the Mystic Seaport. The Carriage House, our newest offering behind the Denison Home in Old Mystic, has rooms themed after historic people of the time. Also, Mystic is home to Clyde's Cider Mill, the oldest steam-powered cider mill in the U.S. This special mill draws crowds in the fall to see the steam engine in action. BRINGING A DOG? Pet Fee $50.00 per dog (Only dogs allowed- no cats or other pets.) 2 small/medium dog limit dogs are allowed with the following understanding: 1. Dogs are 100% house-trained . Traveling dogs can get anxious and confused, causing accidents even for a house-trained dog. ***If your dog pees inside, this will cause a great deal of confusion for future dogs staying at the Williams Home & Smith Cottage as they may pee on top of your dog's pee, causing an upset for everyone. When arriving, please immediately introduce the yard to your dog to establish where the potty is located.*** 2. Pets are well-behaved and good-natured. 3. Pets are not left alone for more than a few hours. 4. Pets are crated or quarantined, so they don't roam freely throughout the property when left alone. 5. Owners clean up outside after their pets 6. Owners keep their pets on a leash when appropriate, as Mystic is a busy place. 7. Please let us know the breed and name of your pet. LARGER GROUPS? We can accommodate 36-38 guests in the three adjacent properties. Reserving any combination of these nautically-themed New England homes will offer you flexibility and a unique stay unlike anything else in Mystic.