update

Our weekend 90-minute military themed tours were a huge hit this summer, selling out every weekend. Our volunteer tour guides entertained passengers with military stories spanning more than 4 centuries. Many thanks to Marian Galbraith, Capt. Paul Whitescarver, Gail MacDonald, and Mark Jones. And, a big shout out to Capt. Scott Arsenault and crew members Deniz and Alex. On a scale of 1-5 with 5 being best, four out of five riders rated their experience a 5.

THIS JUST IN: We have extended the tour for 5 more dates before we pull out our boats for the season. Click here for more information about the times and dates of our most popular tour.

In a new program this year, the Park hosted several groups from Senior Centers this summer. The groups came by bus from Redding, Branford, Glastonbury, and Guilford to learn about various points in the region’s history along the Thames from military stories, the gilded age and the extraordinary people who have shaped the economic, cultural and political life here. We will be offering these tours again next year. For more information about our group tours contact Shannon LaPoint .

If you’ve been on the water taxi this year or taken one of our tours you may have had a chance to meet our newest employee Shannon LaPoint. Shannon joined the Park in May and is responsible for coordinating the TRHP tours, charters and water taxi activities. She comes to us from Central Connecticut State University where she received her Masters degree in Public History. Welcome Aboard, Shannon. We’re so happy to have you on the TRHP team.

Ghostly sightings are known to take place in darkened houses and hallways, or places shrouded in mystery on dry ground. But the Thames River Heritage Park is adding a new watery twist to that old truism.

With its latest themed tour, Revolutionary War Ghosts on the Thames, the park’s water taxi will take those who dare on a ride to the other realm.

In making the announcement, Amy Perry, the park’s executive director, said her group has partnered with an organization that knows something about presenting paranormal adventures, the Mystic-based Seaside Shadows Haunted History Tours.

“We’re excited to have joined forces with Courtney McInvale Reardon and her talented team at Seaside Shadows to take us on this haunted tour” Ms. Perry said. “In a season of firsts for us this tour will be special and we think people will agree with us.”

Tickets for the 90-minute tour scheduled to leave City Pier at 6:45 p.m. on Sept. 6, a Friday, are $25 and can be purchased here.

Adding another eerie element to the tour: it will take place on the 238th anniversary of Benedict Arnold’s notorious burning of New London and the massacre at Fort Griswold across the river. Water taxi riders will travel back in time along the route of the Red Coats as the tour guide shares the haunting tales of 1781 and the spirits that roam the port cities to this day.

Names that may come back from the past in the ghost stories will focus on people of note with local ties during the Revolutionary War. The spirits of Nathan Hale, Stephen Hempstead, Lucretia Shaw and of course, Benedict Arnold himself just might be riding along for the evening program.

Riders on our water taxi service will now be able to continue their journey on land to historically significant sites courtesy of a free Groton bus shuttle, thanks in part from the support of the Submarine Force Museum Association and Friends of Fort Griswold.

“We want to give our water taxi riders a convenient way to visit all our Groton Bank sites including the Submarine Force Museum, which is not currently connected by water taxi,” said Amy Perry, the park’s executive director. It will also give those visiting the submarine force museum a convenient and fun way to see other historic sites.”

The Groton land shuttle is part of a stepped up effort to acquaint both visitors and local residents with the many historically important museums and sites on both sides of the river. The land service comes in anticipation of another significant change in 2020.

“Next year will be another story when our boats will be able to dock at our new landing right at the museum, thanks to funding from the Connecticut Port Authority, our partnership with the Museum and significant support from leadership at Naval Submarine Base New London.”

But for now, the land shuttle will take riders to the museum, along with Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park and Bill Memorial Library, Ebenezer Avery House, the National SubVets WWII Memorial East, which honors submariners who served in World War II and the Avery-Copp House.

The shuttle bus will do a one-hour hop-on loop between these stops on Saturdays between 10:40 am and 3:40 pm in July and August. It will not operate on Sailfest weekend.

The land shuttle is part of the changes offered by the park that also include themed walking tours on both the east and west banks of the river. Details can be found on the park’s website.

The water taxis are authentic Navy vessels, known as liberty launches that provided ship to shore transportation for sailors when they pulled into a port without docking facilities. The water taxis, one named Groton, the other New London are a central feature of the park’s operation. Round trip taxi fares for adults are $10; $5 for children and active duty military (military ID required.) Children three and under ride free. Adult season passes are $50; $30 for children.

Water taxi rides after 6 p.m. are $5 for a two-stop ride between City Pier and Thames River landing.