Top Things To Do In New London, Connecticut

Learn about the Revolutionary War at Fort Trumbull

The currently standing Fort Trumbull was built from 1839 until 1852 (there were forts previously on this location) and is a fortification used during the Revolutionary War. The fort has cannons outdoors and you’ll see numerous walls and man-made hills. In the Visitor’s Center, there are informative displays about the Revolutionary War through the Cold War.

Even if you aren’t interested in history, a visit to Fort Trumbull will please everyone as there is ample space for kids to run amok or fly kites. Fishing is also allowed at the piers and there are numerous walking trails.

Visiting the grounds of Fort Trumbull is free. Fees apply for guided tours and entering the Visitor’s Center.

Across the Thames River, you’ll see Fort Griswold located in Groton, Connecticut. This is another important fort from the Revolutionary War and is worth seeing if you are interested in history.

Walk through the historic downtown

Start your walk around the historic downtown in the square where you’ll see a statue of a whale and numerous plaques describing New London’s seafaring history. From the square, you’ll also see the New London Train Station and several ferry terminals. Walk away from the water and up State Street and you’ll find numerous bars and restaurants, the New London City Hall, and the imposing, stone First Congregational Church.

On Bank Street, you’ll find more restaurants, bars, and cafes scattered amongst a few shops. Stop in at the Bank Street Cobbler (193 Bank Street) to repair your worn leather goods or shop fair trade at Flavours of Life. While walking on Bank Street, don’t forget to look up at the gorgeous old architecture. Many of these buildings have fallen into disuse, but their legacy remains and plaques on the buildings tell you their age.

If walking around New London on a hot day, you may want a cooling snack. Stop at Berry’s Ice Cream on Bank Street for a refreshing Thin Mint milkshake or a scoop of your favorite flavor.

For more filling fare, try Muddy Waters Cafe (42 Bank Street), which serves breakfast and lunch. Order a coffee and an egg sandwich on a croissant and sit on their deck for a view overlooking the Thames River. From the deck, you’ll also be able to watch trains pass by and ferries come and go to Fishers Island, NY or Block Island, RI.

Walk behind the New London Train Station to see the City Pier and feel a great breeze off the water. Continue walking along New London Waterfront Park or bring along your fishing gear and fish along one of the piers. Note that in Connecticut, a fishing license is required and some seasonal regulations apply.

Take a self-guided street art walk

Local artists have been collaborating with New London’s government to create huge murals to beautify the city. These murals are largely responsible for re-energizing the city and drawing new businesses. To learn more about the murals and the artists behind them, take a self-guided street art walk following the PDF brochure created by the city, which you can find linked below.

This walking tour covers 6 blocks and will take you approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on how long you spend looking at each piece (and whether or not you stop at restaurants, shops, or cafes along the way!). Some of my favorites include “Songs of Our City,” “Racing Seahorses,” and “One Place Many Cultures.”

Enjoy local art or a performance

Located on Bank Street, Hygienic Gallery features local artists and has numerous events open to the public. This local institution began in 1979 with an art festival shown at the then Hygienic Restaurant, which was housed in a historic building that was formerly owned by a whaling company. In the late 1990s, the local art and history community lobbied to take over this building to create a gallery and preserve this piece of local history. The Hygienic Gallery opened its doors to the public in 2000. Note that the Hygienic Gallery is closed on Mondays.

The Garde Arts Center, located on State Street, is a historic institution of performance art and films. Currently, The Garde shows films, ballets, operas, and orchestras as well as contributing to art education in the greater New London area. The Garde Arts Center was built in 1926 and has since been restored to its original grandeur. It is currently a non-profit performing arts organization and working theater. Currently on at The Garde is the Summer on Stage Performances, which includes various plays and musicals. The events program is packed, so I’d suggest checking their website for a performance that coincides with your visit.

Last up for places to see art, theater, and dance is Connecticut College, a small liberal arts college located a short drive away from downtown New London. Connecticut College hosts various performing arts events year-round, boasting both visiting troupes and student performances. In addition to the arts, Connecticut College has beautiful grounds that are certainly worth strolling around. The large campus quad is edged with trees and the stone buildings are gorgeous.