Hop-On, Hop-Off Harbor Cruise on Thames River, Connecticut

About

Hop aboard the Thames River Heritage Park's open-air, navy utility boat to experience the Thames River and discover the Park's 20+ heritage sites in both New London and Groton.

The Harbor Cruise starts at Fort Trumbull State Park, skips over to City Pier in Downtown New London, cruises across the river to Thames Landing in Groton and back around to Fort Trumbull.

Harbor Cruise Info:

• Your ticket can be used all day long! Hop-on and off at your leisure at any landing site.
• Each cruise between sites is 15-minutes long.
• Sit back and relax to enjoy the one-hour loop.

Harbor Cruise Schedule

Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM.

Departures:

• Fort Trumbull State Park in New London on the hour.
• City Pier in New London 20 minutes after the hour.
• Thames River Landing in Groton 40 minutes after the hour.

*Note: Last 1-hour HOHO Harbor Cruise begins at 5PM from Fort Trumbull State Park with stops at City Pier, New London at 5:20PM and Thames River Landing in Groton at 5:40PM and ends at Fort Trumbull State Park at 6PM.

Check out the park's website for more information about partner sites, planning your visit and more!

Questions: 860-407-5655 | Parking available at all three launch sites

CT Maritime Heritage Festival

Saturday, September 6 - Sunday, September 7

Schedule Saturday & Sunday | 10am-5pm Admission - FREE

The park will be joining in on the festivities by having FREE admission for the Harbor Cruise for all.

There will only be TWO departure locations over the festival weekend and both on the New London side of the river. There will be NO service to Thames River Landing, Groton.

Departures: Fort Trumbull State Park - on the hour City Pier - 30 minutes after the hour

Saturday, September 6th | Live Music Onboard | Craig Edwards, 10am-1pm

The park will be joining in on the weekend festivities by having singer and multi-instrumentalist, Craig Edwards, on the harbor cruise loop. He'll be performing whaling songs, sea chanteys, historical ballads and more.

Heritage Sites within Walking Distance

Downtown New London

• Nathan Hale School House: Located directly across the street from the train station behind City Pier, this one-room schoolhouse is where Hale taught from 1774-1775 just before he enlisted as a spy in the American Revolutionary War. 0.1 Miles
• New London Custom House Museum: Designed by Robert Mills (Washington Monument) and location of the Amistad landing. Showcases New London's maritime and whaling history, ship models, La Amistad, and regional lighthouses. 0.2 Miles
• Shaw Mansion: Built in 1756 by Capt. Shaw. Hosted General George Washington in April 1776 and served as headquarters for CT’s state navy and privateers working out of New London. 0.3 Miles
• Garde Arts Center: Beautifully restored 1920’s movie palace and vaudeville theatre with an exotic Moroccan design. 0.4 Miles
• St. James Episcopal Church: Designed by famed architect Richard Upjohn and home to six exquisite Tiffany windows. 0.5 Miles
• Hempsted Houses: Two homes which served 9 generations of Hempsted’s, survived the burning of New London in 1781, remembers Adam Jackson, an enslaved African. 0.6 Miles
• Monte Cristo Cottage: Childhood home of Eugene O’Neill, America’s on Nobel Prize winning playwright and setting for his Long Day’s Journey into Night. 1 Mile

Groton Bank - National Historic District

• Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park and Museum: Site of an infamous 1781 massacre by British troops aided by turncoat Benedict Arnold. 0.5 Miles
• Groton Monument: The 1st obelisk completed in the U.S., the 135’ monument is open for climbing in season. 0.5 Miles
• Ebenezer Avery House: Colonial home which sheltered the wounded after the tragic massacre at Fort Griswold. 0.1 Miles*
• Bill Memorial Library: Built in 1890 the library displays the Bill family’s collection from around the world and the sword that killed Colonel Ledyard at the Battle of Groton Heights. 0.4 Miles
• Avery-Copp House Museum: Charming Victorianized colonial with original 19th and 20th century treasures that tell the story of domestic life during these periods. Special focus on Irish domestics. 0.4 Miles
• SUBVETS WWII National Memorial East: Sail of USS Flasher graces this memorial dedicated to 3,617 submariners who lost their lives during WWII. 0.6 Miles