THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Join Groton’s historian Jim Streeter for a private 75-minute tour along the Thames River and explore the rich historical roots of this charming community. Discover stunning views and stories that bring Groton’s past to life.
Join Groton’s historian Jim Streeter for a private 75-minute tour along the Thames River and explore the rich historical roots of this charming community. Discover stunning views and stories that bring Groton’s past to life.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Thames River Heritage Park · New London, Connecticut
easy.
75 minutes.
Suitable for most fitness levels; light walking on mostly flat terrain
Yes, the tour is family-friendly and suitable for older children who can comfortably walk for 75 minutes.
Pets are not permitted on this private historical walking tour to ensure safety and comfort for all guests.
We recommend comfortable shoes, water, weather-appropriate clothing, and optionally a camera.
While much of the path is paved or level, some areas near the riverbank may be uneven; please contact the company directly to discuss specific accessibility needs.
Yes, Thames River Heritage Park offers private tours that can be tailored for small groups with advance notice.
Spring and fall are ideal for comfortable weather and beautiful natural scenery, but the tour runs year-round with appropriate gear.
Groton played a strategic role during the Revolutionary War and grew into a thriving shipbuilding and fishing community along the Thames River.
Local efforts focus on preserving the natural shoreline habitat and maintaining water quality along the Thames River for wildlife and public enjoyment.
Thames River Heritage Park is a New London, Connecticut organization that preserves and interprets the history, culture, and natural resources of the Thames River estuary. The organization offers a curated series of guided 75-minute boat tours and talks that connect passengers with regional stories, including maritime history, Indigenous heritage, African American experiences, Gilded Age estates, Revolutionary War events, and local folklore. Tours feature collaborations with recognized local experts and institutions: UConn faculty, members of the Mohegan Tribe, Connecticut Sea Grant scientists, historians from the New London County Historical Society, and local authors. Many programs explicitly support area heritage sites and nonprofit partners through ticket revenue. Departing from locations such as Fort Trumbull State Park, the tours navigate landmarks like Pine Island, Bushy Point, Bluff Point, and riverbanks that witnessed significant historical events. The schedule includes specialized programs — for example, guided conversations about emancipation and abolition; profiles of notable women of the Thames; natural-history excursions; a haunted-harbor ghost tour; and focused narratives on Benedict Arnold’s 1781 burning of New London. Most offerings emphasize education, community engagement, and place-based interpretation tailored to adults, families, and history enthusiasts. Thames River Heritage Park emphasizes transparent partnerships, local scholarship, and stewardship of the river corridor. Tickets and public programs make regional history accessible while reinvesting in heritage organizations. Visitors can expect knowledgeable narration, close river access to shoreline sites, and an opportunity to support ongoing preservation and interpretation of New London’s maritime landscape. Seasonal schedules vary; check the foundation calendar for details and updates.
Book with Thames River Heritage Park