The 10 Best Sights & Landmarks in New London, Connecticut (CT)

July 12, 2021 Kiesha Cripe

The city of New London, Connecticut, has been an important port since the Revolutionary War, when it served as a base for American privateers raiding British Ships. In the 19th century, the revenues brought into the city by whalers helped build what now forms the city's charming center, filled with historic homes, taverns and shops. The masts of tall ships can still be seen passing through the harbor, the home of Coast Guard ships and the site of the annual Sailfest summer celebration.
Restaurants in New London

1. The Hempsted Houses

11 Hempstead St, New London, CT 06320-5609 +1 860-443-7949 [email protected] http://www.ctlandmarks.org
Excellent
75%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 8 reviews

The Hempsted Houses

This landmark property tells the story of three great populations whose paths collided in early New London. They are the Native Americans who were here from the beginning, the Europeans who arrived in the 1600s, and the Africans who were enslaved and brought here about the same time. The site features two houses. One was built in 1678 by the son of one of New London's first European settlers after the defeat of the Pequots. The other was built in 1759 by a Hempsted descendant. Two enslaved people lived in the older house in the 1700s and very early 1800s. Other residents of the houses have included: -- A Revolutionary War hero of the Battle of Fort Griswold (1781) -- Some of the city's leading abolitionists from the 1840s.

2. Thames River Heritage Park

1 Waterfront Park, New London, CT 06320 [email protected] http://www.thamesriverheritagepark.org
Excellent
94%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 18 reviews

Thames River Heritage Park

Hop aboard the Thames River Heritage Park Water Taxi! Our historic naval vessels transport riders to 3 landings on a hop on-hop off loop. Dogs and bikes are welcome! You may bring alcohol on board, but no glass, please. Adult round-trip tickets are $10 and children's tickets are just $5. Learn more and purchase your tickets here: bit.ly/TRHP_WaterTaxi We also offer a number of themed boat tours, including "Submarines, Battlefields & Betrayers: Military Stories on the Thames," "Suffragettes, Puppeteers, & Patriots: Women of the Thames," and "Revolutionary War Ghosts on the Thames." Tickets may be purchased here: bit.ly/BoatTours_TRHP The Thames River Heritage Park is a collection of cultural and historic landmarks in Groton and New London, Connecticut.

Reviewed By H9747AMjanc - Preston, United States

If you are a history buff, don’t miss this 90 minute tour. Learned more about the Groton/New London area during this tour than in all my years in school.

3. New London Ledge Light

New London, CT 06320 [email protected] http://www.ledgelighthouse.org
Excellent
62%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 34 reviews

New London Ledge Light

The Ledge Light Foundation is an all-volunteer non-profit organization that has been responsible for restoration and preservation of Ledge Light for 30 years. In 2014, dedicated volunteers from the Foundation wrote the application to the GSA/NPS for the New London Maritime Society to obtain ownership in an effort to keep Ledge Light in local hands. The Ledge Light Foundation continues its work under this new ownership. The Foundation continues the upkeep, restoration and preservation of Ledge Light maintaining an Interpretive Center within the lighthouse complete with historic and photographic exhibit panels in most rooms, a theater showing a compelling documentary about its history, a furnished keeper's room and a gift shop. Tours run to the lighthouse and visit INSIDE during the summer months in partnership with Project Oceanology using their boat. The tours are run solely by the Ledge Light Foundation and are the only tours that take visitors inside the light. As the Maritime Society owns the building, that's as a landlord only. They have nothing to do with the restoration work which is all-volunteer and done by the Ledge Light Foundation. The Maritime Society is only the landlord. Please direct any inquiries to our website. The Maritime Society knows nothing about the tours or the work done. Visit our website tour page for information about the Foundation and to purchase tickets for tours.

4. Pequot Chapel

857 Montauk Ave, New London, CT 06320-4334 +1 860-442-7338 http://pequotchapel.org/
Excellent
73%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 15 reviews

Pequot Chapel

5. Fort Trumbull State Park

90 Walbach St, New London, CT 06320-5507 +1 860-444-7591 http://www.fortfriends.org/
Excellent
50%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 147 reviews

Fort Trumbull State Park

6. Connecticut College

270 Mohegan Ave, New London, CT 06320-4150
Excellent
74%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 23 reviews

Connecticut College

7. Cross Sound Ferry Lighthouse Cruises

2 Ferry St Cross Sound Ferry, New London, CT 06320-6418 +1 860-444-4620 [email protected] http://www.lighthouse.cruises
Excellent
77%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 112 reviews

Cross Sound Ferry Lighthouse Cruises

Get a new perspective on the history of Southern New England and Long Island when you do your sightseeing from the water - aboard the comfortable high-speed SEA JET. Choose from either of two great tours: Classic Cruise or the Lights & Sights Cruise where you will get up close and personal to 12 different lighthouses between the 2 cruises. All cruises depart at 12:30 p.m. from the Cross Sound Ferry docks and last approximately 2 hours.

Reviewed By Stevespak - Holtsville, United States

Had a great time with my daughter, we got great photos of the lighthouses, I highly recommend, The best way to see the lighthouse unless you own a boat.

8. Soldiers' & Sailors' Monument

46 State St, New London, CT 06320-6323 +1 860-447-5200 http://ci.new-london.ct.us
Excellent
67%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3 reviews

Soldiers' & Sailors' Monument

9. Ocean Beach Park

98 Neptune Ave, New London, CT 06320-2835 +1 860-447-3031 http://www.ocean-beach-park.com
Excellent
42%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
7%
Terrible
8%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 387 reviews

Ocean Beach Park

New England's finest beach and boardwalk attractions including mini golf course, rides, water slides, kiddy spray park, olympic pool, arcade, gift shop, food concessions, cafe with restaurant, banquet and catering facilities, picnic area, health club, nature walk

Reviewed By pogo55 - Cedar Rapids, United States

We came on a Tuesday afternoon from about 11 AM until 3. We were actually happy to find so much parking close to the boardwalk and for only $20. (Have seen other beaches in Connecticut charge much more.) The large bathroom services were clean and well maintained. There was a nice open paved area and a boarded walkway along the beach, parts were shaded and benches were available. There was a beach shop where we purchased an inexpensive umbrella and a sand bucket for our toddler. The sand was soft and clean, the water very chilly, but refreshing. Lifeguards are on duty. While on the beach we viewed the ferry going by several times and even a submarine! It was not too crowded on our day and the people on the beach were very nice. After enough sun, we made our way over to the little carnival where our toddler rode the merry-go-round, Then we went over to the mini golf and played a round under the shade of the trees there. The gentleman working the ticket booth was very nice, giving our toddler his own mini-club to play with. What a great time we had at the beach.

10. New London Harbor Light

Pequot Avenue, New London, CT +1 860-447-2501 https://www.facebook.com/NewLondonHarborLight/
Excellent
33%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
30%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 30 reviews

New London Harbor Light

White lighthouse typical to the New England coastline.

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