Today is Monday, June 21, 2021 The Water Taxi is not running.
Boat Tours
Blowholes, Blubber, & Breaches
Whaling Tales on the Thames
New London earned its “Whaling City” nickname as one of the busiest whaling ports in the country in the 19th century, a time when whale oil was in great demand. More than 1,100 whaling voyages embarked from the city and the industry created great wealth and opportunity, as well as great misery for many. This tour will tell some of New London’s whaling stories: from the captains who commanded the ships and the racially diverse crews who risked their lives on the voyages to the women who waited in port and the few who joined their husbands at sea.
All tours leave from City Pier in New London. The tour is 75 minutes long.
Tickets:
Adult: $25 | Children ages 4-12: $18 | Children ages 0-3: Free
Following your on-line purchase, you will receive an email with your order number.
Feel free to bring snacks and drinks aboard. Alcohol is permitted, but, please, no glass. Please know that there is no bathroom on the boat.
Water, Wampum, & Medicine Wheels
Mohegan Life on the Thames
The first inhabitants along the western side of the Massapequatuck (Thames) River — the Mohegan tribe — settled here since the time of Sachem Uncas’ birth toward the end of the 16th century. This area — roughly between present day Norwich and New London — was and continues to be the vital heart of Mohegan country. Lead by Tribal members, this fascinating tour will include stories demonstrating how crucial the Thames River was for food, wildlife, transportation, and trade as well as their relationship to the colonists.
All tours leave from City Pier in New London. The tour is 75 minutes long.
Tickets:
Adult: $25 | Children ages 4-12: $18 | Children ages 0-3: Free
Following your on-line purchase, you will receive an email with your order number.
Feel free to bring snacks and drinks aboard. Alcohol is permitted, but, please, no glass. Please know that there is no bathroom on the boat.
White Sails. Black Hands.
The African American Experience on Connecticut Waters
Beginning in 1639 when the first enslaved person arrived in Connecticut, the number of persons of color steadily increased in New London County. Every town in New London County had a significant percent of African Americans and people of mixed race living and working in them, however, their stories are not always told. This tour will explore the stories of a fugitive slave, Black Revolutionary Patriots, Black Governors and Whalers, the Amistad and more.
Presented by Hempsted Houses – Connecticut Landmarks, a TRHP partner site.
Tours presented by Hempsted Houses depart from either City Pier or Fort Trumbull in New London. See events for specific tour departure location. The tour is 75 minutes long.
Tickets:
Adult: $25 | Children ages 4-12: $18 | Children ages 0-3: Free
Following your on-line purchase, you will receive an email with your order number.
Feel free to bring snacks and drinks aboard. Alcohol is permitted, but, please, no glass. Please know that there is no bathroom on the boat.
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Trade, Slavery, & The Great Awakening
Stories of the Thames based on a Colonial Diary
Joshua Hempsted began his diary in 1711 as a way to keep track of his many business activities, court sessions, ship traffic, his travels and many other events important to New London or Connecticut. He kept the diary until just before his death in 1758. In its printed form, it is about 700 pages long. The diary has been used to study such diverse subjects as trade with the West Indies, slavery, and the Great Awakening, a period of evangelical Protestant revival. It is also used extensively for genealogical research. This tour will cover some of the diary stories told about activities around the Thames River and other interesting sites along the way.
Presented by Hempsted Houses – Connecticut Landmarks, a TRHP partner site.
Tours presented by Hempsted Houses depart from either City Pier or Fort Trumbull in New London. See events for specific tour departure location. The tour is 75 minutes long.
Adult: $25 | Children ages 4-12: $18 | Children ages 0-3: Free
Following your on-line purchase, you will receive an email with your order number.
Feel free to bring snacks and drinks aboard. Alcohol is permitted, but, please, no glass. Please know that there is no bathroom on the boat.
Submarines, Battlefields & Betrayers
Military Stories on the Thames
Hop aboard one of our navy utility boats for this fascinating narrated 75-minute tour.
For centuries our harbor has guarded the Thames River and entry to Long Island Sound, with Navy and Coast Guard installations, the ship building industries that support them, as well as two forts that have seen battles, defeats and the birthplace of the Coast Guard and Merchant Marine. From the vantage point of the river you‘ll understand the strategic value of this storied waterway and region and hear a few of the 1000 stories in the Park. Available in July and August.
This entertaining and informative tour is also available for groups of 12 or more mid-June through mid-September. To inquire or book this tour for your organization contact us here.
All tours leave from City Pier in New London. The tour is 75 minutes long.
Tickets: Adult: $25 | Children ages 4-12: $18 | Children ages 0-3: Free
Following your on-line purchase, you will receive an email with your order number.
Feel free to bring snacks and drinks aboard. Alcohol is permitted, but, please, no glass. Please know that there is no bathroom on the boat.
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Suffragettes, Puppeteers, & Patriots
Women of the Thames
Throughout history, local women have made significant contributions to the economic, cultural, educational and social fabric of the Thames River communities. From the woman who was instrumental to the patriotic cause during the American Revolution and War of 1812, to the female educators who restored the opportunity for women to earn college degrees in the state, to the woman who wrote the book aiming to keep travelers of color safe in a segregated America and a major female philanthropist, women in Groton and New London have stepped up in many ways. Come and hear their stories on this tour focused on the women of the Thames.
All tours leave from City Pier in New London. The tour is 75 minutes long.
Tickets:
Adult: $25 | Children ages 4-12: $18 | Children ages 0-3: Free
Following your on-line purchase, you will receive an email with your order number.
Feel free to bring snacks and drinks aboard. Alcohol is permitted, but, please, no glass. Please know that there is no bathroom on the boat.
Patriots and Redcoats
240th Anniversary of the Battle of Groton Heights
On September 6, 1781, the British landed 800 men on the Groton side of the Thames River, about 1 ½ miles south of Fort Griswold, as well as an additional 800 soldiers on the New London side. The combined forces were commanded by General Benedict Arnold, who was from Norwich, Connecticut. British troops in Groton were slowed by tangled woods and swamps, and the British artillery could not keep pace with the foot troops, who came within striking distance of Fort Griswold at 10:00 a.m. Hear about the battle and the burning of New London as we commemorate this historic day.
This special commemorative tour is presented by Friends of Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park on September 3 & 4, 2021 @ 4:30 PM. Tickets are limited.
Patriots and Red Coats Tour will leave from Thames River Landing in the City of Groton. The tour is 75 minutes long.
Tickets:
Adult: $25 | Children ages 4-12: $18 | Children ages 0-3: Free
Following your on-line purchase, you will receive an email with your order number.
Feel free to bring snacks and drinks aboard. Alcohol is permitted, but, please, no glass. Please know that there is no bathroom on the boat.
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Revolutionary War Ghosts on the Thames
We’re thrilled to be teaming up with Seaside Shadows Haunted History Tours to present a haunted history adventure on the Thames.” Join us on the Water Taxi for a paranormal adventure on the following dates:
2021 Revolutionary War Ghost on the Thames
- Friday, September 3, 2021 – 6:15 PM
- Saturday, September 4, 2021 – 6:15 PM
- Sunday, September 5, 2021 – 6:15 PM
On this special commemorative tour taking place during the 240th anniversary of Benedict Arnold’s notorious attack on New London and Fort Griswold, you’ll travel the route of the Red Coats as we share the haunting tales of 1781 and the spirits that roam the port cities to this day.
All tours leave from City Pier in New London. The tour is 75 minutes long.
Tickets:
Adult: $35 | Children ages 4-12: $25 | Children ages 0-3: Free
Following your on-line purchase, you will receive an email with your order number.
Feel free to bring snacks and drinks aboard. Alcohol is permitted, but, please, no glass. Please know that there is no bathroom on the boat.
