Hop On, Hop Off Harbor Cruises on the Thames River
Saturday & Sunday, 11AM-6PM
Every weekend through August
TRHP hop on, hop off, Harbor Cruises are back in operation for the summer season! The retired navy utility boats run a continuous hour-loop from New London to Groton. Explore the heritage sites that line the Thames River! Perfect for all ages. Secure your Season Pass today for unlimited rides all summer.
How to Cruise:
- 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
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
MORE INFO/BUY TICKETS
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Happy Hour & Sunset Cruises
Friday & Saturday
Looking for a great way to end the week and kick start your weekend? Look no further. Gather your friends or travel solo to enjoy a relaxing cruise down the Thames for a sunset or happy hour excursion. We’ll take you to where the Thames meets the Sound for an enjoyable and scenic ride past battlefields, forts, heritage sites and more. Who knows … you might even spot a submarine! Pack a cooler with your favorite drinks & snacks to enhance your cruise.
Happy Hour Harbor Cruise
Friday, July 5th | 5:30PM-7PM | BUY TICKETS
Saturday, July 6th | 5:30PM-7PM | BUY TICKETS
Sunset Cruise on the Thames
Friday, July 5th | 7:30PM-9PM | BUY TICKETS
Saturday, July 6th | 7:30PM-9PM | BUY TICKETS
All Tours Depart from City Pier New London | MORE INFO
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Narrated Historic Boat Tours on the Thames River
Saturday & Sunday
TRHP offers narrated Historic Boat Tours through August! Typically falling on Saturday & Sundays, each week will have a different experience on the Thames River. Topics discussed include Military Stories, the African American Experience, Gilded Age, Mohegan Life, Whaling Tales and more! Pack a cooler with your favorite drinks & snacks, grab your friends and enjoy the local history of our region.
Saturday, July 6th
Submarines, Battlefields and Betrayers. Military Life on the Thames
11:40AM-12:55PM
BUY TICKETS
Well-Heeled and Wannabees. The Gilded Age of the Thames
1:05PM - 2:20PM
BUY TICKETS
Sunday, July 7th
Water, Wampum & Medicine Wheels. Mohegan Life on the Thames
11:40AM-12:55PM
BUY TICKETS
Submarines, Battlefields and Betrayers. Military Life on the Thames
1:05PM-2:20PM
BUY TICKETS
All Tours Depart from City Pier New London | MORE INFO
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In Search of Books
Little Library Donation
JULY-AUGUST
St. James Episcopal Church, New London
St. James is in need of books for their outdoor Little Library! Please bring in any books you no longer want or that are hanging around – especially teen-age level, adult and children’s books, fiction and non-fiction. Spanish language books are appreciated but not necessary. There is a bin by the front doors of the church to put any donations in.
MORE INFO
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Concerts in the Park
The Cartells
FRI, JUL 5 | 6:30PM-9PM
Washington Park, Groton
Jazz, swing, motown, R&B, rock and roll, popular music of all styles are equally represented in their impressive repertoire.
The Cartells are back again and ready to bring the party with them. Masters of jazz, swing, rock, Motown and R&B – The Cartells know how to play practically anything and leave the audience smiling. Come on down and enjoy a terrific band.
MORE INFO
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Blissworks at the Garde
Intermediate Yoga
SAT, JUL 6 | 8:30AM-9:45AM
Garde Arts Center, New London
This class will cover basic yoga poses, breathwork, relaxation and so much more. Each class is uniquely crafted and different postures are explored each time. Among the countless benefits of yoga, you will discover a stronger sense of self, improved concentration, strength and balance, greater flexibility and mobility, along with a greater sense of awareness. This practice is accessible for all levels of practice.
MORE INFO
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Free First Saturday
Under my Umbrella
SAT, JUL 6 | 11AM-1PM
Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London
Visit the art studio from 11 am – 1 pm and create an artwork that represents Under my Umbrella. It’s great to have fun in the sun, but also nice to relax in the shade! Make your own Beach Umbrella collage for July’s Free First Saturday. Admission for all is free on the first Saturday of every month.
MORE INFO
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Golden Street Fun
Saturday Market
SAT, JUL 6 | 11AM-4PM
Downtown New London
The New London Cultural District has partnered with The Golden Owl and Telegraph Autonomous Zone for a summer market that will be full of local vendors. Golden Street will be closed for the market and full of fun on the first Saturday of each month through September.
MORE INFO
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Inside NL Harbor Pequot Light
Lighthouse Tours
SAT, JUL 6 | 12PM
Pequot Light, New London
Climb 116 steps up into the lighthouse lantern of Long Island Sound's oldest lighthouse. The views are spectacular! Tours for up-to five people take approximately 40 minutes. Tours are offered every Saturday and Sunday at noon. Private tours are available during the week per request. Thanks to Veolia-NL Water Authority and the Chelsea Groton Foundation, New London residents may visit inside New London Harbor Lighthouse with a $5 ticket!
MORE INFO
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Intro to Watercolor Painting
Artist Roxanne Steed
SAT, JUL 6 |1PM
Bill Memorial Library, Groton
This is one of many adult programs that are being offered at Bill Memorial Library this summer. Roxanne Steed is an author and artist that brings peace to her practice. No experience is needed to join. Create your own watercolor floral wreath this week. Materials will be provided and registration is required for this event.
MORE INFO/REGISTRATION
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Reverend Canon Tim Hodapp
Pequot Chapel Service
SUN, JUL 7 | 11AM
Pequot Chapel, New London
Celebrating faith and fellowship for over 150 years, Pequot Chapel is non-sectarian where all are welcome for all services and special events. The chapel is the most important surviving remnant of the Pequot Colony, but it is more than just an artifact; it continues as a spiritual, social, and cultural center for the neighborhood and the region. Reverend Canon Tim Hodapp, Episcopal Church, Meriden, CT will lead service this week.
MORE INFO
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Inside NL Harbor Pequot Light
Lighthouse Tours
SUN, JUL 7 | 12PM
Pequot Light, New London
Climb 116 steps up into the lighthouse lantern of Long Island Sound's oldest lighthouse. The views are spectacular! Tours for up-to five people take approximately 40 minutes. Tours are offered every Saturday and Sunday at noon. Private tours are available during the week per request. Thanks to Veolia-NL Water Authority and the Chelsea Groton Foundation, New London residents may visit inside New London Harbor Lighthouse with a $5 ticket!
MORE INFO
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Blissworks at the Garde
Yoga Basics
TUE, JUL 9 | 9AM-10:15AM
Garde Arts Center, New London
This class will cover basic yoga poses, breathwork, relaxation and so much more. Each class is uniquely crafted and different postures are explored each time. Among the countless benefits of yoga, you will discover a stronger sense of self, improved concentration, strength and balance, greater flexibility and mobility, along with a greater sense of awareness. This practice is accessible for all levels of practice.
MORE INFO
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Prepare to be Amazed
Ed Pop Magic Show
TUE, JUL 9 |1PM
Bill Memorial Library, Groton
Children and families are invited to Ed Popielarczyk’s Magic Show at the library. Be prepared to be amazed & entertained during this spectacular performance where audience participation and fun are a MUST! No registration necessary; call the library at 860-445-0392 for more information.
MORE INFO
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Nothing, Then Everything
Power Boothe Gallery Talk
WED, JUL 10 | 5:30PM-7PM
Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London
Artist Power Boothe and Curator Tanya Pohrt join forces as they explore the bold canvases and concepts presented in Nothing, Then Everything. Boothe’s work is represented in public collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim Museum, the Whitney Museum, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, the Baltimore Museum of Art, and the British Museum in the UK, as well as many private collections nationally and internationally.
MORE INFO
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Fireworks Extravaganza on the Thames
Sailfest Harbor Cruise
SAT, JUL 13 | 8:45PM-9:45PM
City Pier, New London
Get right under the action! The TRHP Fireworks Cruise will bring you for a tour down the Thames River and — weather and boat traffic permitting — out to the Ledge Lighthouse and back to secure a front row spot for the fireworks display. A unique experience for this popular summer event.
City Pier Departure: Tickets HERE
Fort Trumbull Departure: Tickets HERE
MORE INFO
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Lighted Boat Parade
Christmas in July
SAT, JUL 27 | 6PM-830PM
Downtown New London
Celebrate this unique holiday with live music, a captivating lighted boat parade, delectable food vendors, and more! If you own a sailboat, power boat, dinghy, or paddleboard, seize the opportunity to be part of the Christmas in July Lighted Boat Parade on the Thames River. Led by the Thames River Water Taxi, the parade will feature Santa Claus (State Representative Anthony Nolan), accompanied by youth from The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club.
MORE INFO
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July Events Schedule
Open the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, there’s always something fun happening at Ocean Beach Park! Plan your trip around some of their most popular events. From live music, to dancing, magicians, Cruise Night and more. There are activities for all to enjoy.
EVENTS CALENDAR | CONTACT
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2024 Harbor Cruise Season Passes for Sale!
Purchase your pass today to enjoy unlimited hop on, hop off Harbor Cruises on the Thames River throughout the summer season. The water taxi will operate on Saturday & Sunday from 11am-6pm! Explore heritage sites along the river, grab lunch in New London & Groton or enjoy the breeze aboard the parks retired navy utility boats. Perfect for yourself or gifts for others!
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Visit the Park's Heritage Sites | Thames River Heritage Park Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization committed to connecting, preserving, supporting and promoting the history and heritage sites along the Thames River estuary today and for generations to come. | |
Thames River Heritage Park Institutional Partners are organizations committed to preserving and promoting our culture and history but may not have a site to welcome visitors. They are historic or cultural associations, “friends” organizations, and educational institutions. | |
- Connecticut Maritime Heritage Fest
- Connecticut Sea Grant
- Downtown New London Assoc.
- Friends of Fort Griswold
- Friends of Fort Trumbull
- Groton Bank Historical Assoc.
- Ledge Light Foundation
- National Coast Guard Museum
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- New London County Historical Society
- New London Landmarks
- New London Maritime Society
- Southeastern CT Cultural Coalition
- Southeastern CT Enterprise Region
- UCONN Avery Point Maritime Studies
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Thank you to our Sponsors and Grantors
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