THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Experience the Thames River like never before with live maritime music and flexible boarding at 20+ heritage stops. Hop on, hop off, and explore New London and Groton’s waterfront treasures.
Experience the Thames River like never before with live maritime music and flexible boarding at 20+ heritage stops. Hop on, hop off, and explore New London and Groton’s waterfront treasures.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Thames River Heritage Park · New London, Connecticut
easy.
2–6 hours.
Suitable for all fitness levels; primarily seated with walking at stops of your choice.
Yes, your ticket allows you to hop on and off at any designated stop throughout the day.
Tickets are generally non-refundable but can be transferred if you contact the company in advance.
Yes, the vessel is wheelchair accessible, but please notify the company when booking for assistance.
Snacks and beverages may be available, but we recommend bringing your own to ensure you stay refreshed.
The full route takes about 2 hours, but you can customize your day by hopping off and on at various stops.
Pets are generally not permitted except for service animals, so please confirm when booking.
The Thames River played a crucial role in America’s whaling industry and naval history, with many sites dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries.
Thames River Heritage Park promotes sustainable tourism practices to protect aquatic habitats and preserve historic landmarks along the river.
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