Where does the tour depart from?

This boat tour departs from Thames River Landing in Groton; please allow time for a short walk to the landing at some departure points.

Is there a bathroom on board?

No, there is no bathroom on the vessel; plan to use facilities before boarding.

How much do tickets cost?

Pricing lists adults at $35.00, children 4–17 at $5.00, and infants 0–3 ride free; check the booking link for current availability.

Are snacks and drinks allowed?

Yes—snacks and drinks are permitted but glass containers are prohibited.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Yes, the itinerary is family-friendly; children’s fares are available and the format is short and engaging.

Who do I contact for accessibility or special needs?

Contact the operator at 860-407-5655 before booking to discuss specific accessibility requirements and boarding assistance.

Road to the Revolution: Thames River Benedict Arnold Raid Boat Tour

Road to the Revolution sails from the Thames River Landing in Groton, Connecticut, a short hop across the tidal Thames to the places that shaped a violent weekend in 1781. This 75-minute boat tour threads the estuary between New London and Groton, where salt marshes and low, rocky points give way to the stone outlines of military earthworks at Fort Griswold and the squat silhouette of New London Harbor Light. The trip is framed around Benedict Arnold’s 1781 raid—one of the more wrenching episodes of the Revolutionary era—and arrives in June 2026 with special programming tied to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

On deck you’ll get a concise, narrative-driven history: colonial trade on the Thames, militia muster lines, the burnings and the battle that left the town scarred. The tour pairs that storyline with living-history elements and culminates in a meet-and-greet and book signing at Fort Griswold, giving visitors a tactile connection to accounts they’ve just heard. Guides are focused and conversational, weaving archival detail into the landscape visible from the boat so you can point to the same bluffs and docks where events unfolded.

Practical notes are straightforward. Plan to arrive fifteen minutes early to check in at Thames River Landing in Groton; there’s no bathroom on board, and glass containers are prohibited. Snacks and drinks are allowed but pack them in reusable bottles and soft containers. Ticket pricing is simple: adults and discounted child fares, and 100% of the profit from your purchase benefits the Thames River Heritage Park Foundation, which supports more than twenty heritage sites along the river. That direct funding makes the excursion both educational and locally consequential.

Why this trip stands out: it uses the river itself as a classroom. Rather than a museum label, you see battlefield approaches, commercial wharves, and lighthouse alignments from the same waterways that shaped colonial commerce and military action. The short, accessible format fits families, history buffs, and travelers with limited time, while the book signing at Fort Griswold adds a personal layer: hear a voice behind the pages and have your copy signed steps from the shoreline.

For visitors curious about the landscape, watch for tidal flats, salt marsh grasses, and the weathered stone of coastal New England. The Road to the Revolution is a clear-eyed, place-focused way to read a pivotal moment from the water— a compact, hands-on history tour that gives back to the community preserving it. Bring a camera and binoculars for close views of shorelines, and consider combining the trip with a longer walk ashore at Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park afterward to stretch legs and deepen context. Allow time to visit the museum exhibits nearby.

About Thames River Heritage Park

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.